This study aimed i) to evaluate the feasibility of using minimum tillage on the production of corn silage ii) to determine the combined effect of the tillage method and manure incorporation into soil organic matter. The experiment was conducted in the Comarca Lagunera in the spring of 2007 and 2008. A split plot experimental design was used to evaluate three methods of primary tillage (main plot) and manure incorporation (subplot). The results showed that it is possible to replace conventional tillage by minimum tillage using vertical plow, with the advantage of decreasing soil preparation time by 55 %, which means fewer diesel (54 %) and labor invested, without affecting the yield. The application of 40 t·ha-1 of manure did not affect the yield, but allowed a saving of 50 % of nitrogen and 100 % of phosphorus fertilizer, while increasing soil organic matter by 0.61 %.

With the aim to improve fruit set and yield on olive trees some bioregulators and foliar urea were tested during three seasons and its interactions with high temperatures. Also, an empirical analysis of the influence of high temperatures on olive fruit set was carried out. No statistical differences were detected in yield (one season) among the treatments tested. Cytokin, Maxigrow and the Control showed a remarkably higher yield (over 6.2 t.ha-1), as well as a higher number of inflorescences, although statistically non-significant. The same treatments showed higher fruit set values and Urea and Agromil-plus were the less effective treatments. Agromil-plus and Biozyme-TF treatments showed uniformity in all evaluated variables, having high values in normal fruits-NF (100 and 99.1 %, respectively) and the lowest ratios of parthenocarpic fruit-PF (PF/NF). In two of the seasons it was obtained NF with very high values (> 90 %) in all the treatments. The empirical analysis showed that a year with temperatures > 27 °C only obtained PF, while in years with temperatures > and < 27 °C showed both NF and PF. The occurrence of high temperatures either at the beginning or at the end of the flowering period, strongly influences the fruit set.

Evaluating functional seed traits allows us to identify ecological strategies of plants in different habitats. However, there are few studies in species from arid tropical areas. The objectives in this study were to: a) identify and evaluate morphological seed traits of Caesalpinia glabrata; an endemic species of the dry forests in Ecuador; b) determine water absorption capacity in the seeds; and c) evaluate the percentage and speed of germination of seed. A total of fifteen morphological traits in seeds were evaluated, and different treatments of imbibition and germination were tested. The individual seed size was approximately 9.2 x 6.6 x 4.5 mm, weight of 0.18 g. The seeds were oval, with smooth, thick and impermeable seed coat which induces its physical dormancy. The seeds presented an axillary-inverted yellow embryo, occupying the entire interior of the seeds. The germination was high in the treatments, mainly when the seed coat part was removed, surpassing the 90 % in 10 days. Germination time was significantly different between treatments (P <0.001). Based on the traits evaluated in this study, C. glabrata have high probability of reproductive success over time under temporary aridity conditions, as well as great potential for use in reforestation and ex situ conservation programs.