Allometric equations to estimate the leaf area of Psychotria colorata (Willd. Ex Schult.) Müll.Arg.

Estimating leaf area using non-destructive methods from regression equations has become a more efficient, quick, and accurate way. Thus, this study aimed to propose an equation that significantly estimates the leaf area of Psychotria colorata (Rubiaceae) through linear leaf dimensions. For this purpose, 200 leaves of different shapes were collected, and length (L), width (W), product of length by width (L.W), and real leaf area (LA) of each leaf blade were determined. Then, equations were adjusted for predicting leaf area using simple linear, linear (0.0), quadratic, cubic, power, and exponential regression models. The proposed equation was selected according to the coefficient of determination (R²), Willmott's agreement index (d), Akaike's information criterion (AIC), mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (RMSE) and BIAS index. It was noted that the equations adjusted using L.W met the best criteria for estimating leaf area, but the equation LA = 0.59 * L.W from linear regression without intercept was the most suitable. This equation predicts that 59% of leaf area is explained by L.W. Concluding, the leaf area of P. colorata can be estimated using an allometric equation that uses linear leaf blade dimensions.

Nutritive value and anatomical characterization from Pennisetum purpureum genotypes

The research submitted samples from stems and leaf blades from tree genotypes of Pennisetum purpureum called 93-32-02, 92-70-02, and 91-06-02 (EMBRAPA - Dairy cattle) and elephant grass cv. Napier (reference cultivar) to the chemical, anatomical evaluations, and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) measurement. The anatomical characteristics of the stems and leaf blades, the chemical composition, and the IVDMD of these genotypes at 70 days of re-growth were correlated. Concerning IVDMD, the data highlighted differences, and the cultivar Napier presented the smallest value. Digital images obtained by light microscopy from cross-section reveal that all the stem and leaf blade have similar structural organization. Quantitative differences were verified mainly in the stem. The leaves displayed differences only in the mesophyll thickness. The genotypes showed higher potential in the rainy season since they had the largest IVDMD when compared to the cultivar Napier.

The utility of Bambusoideae (Poaceae, Poales) leaf blade anatomy for identification and systematics / A utilidade da anatomia da lâmina foliar para a identificação e sistemática de espécies de Bambuboideae (Poaceae, Poales)

Abstract Bambusoideae is a diverse subfamily that includes herbaceous (Olyreae) and woody (Arundinarieae and Bambuseae) bamboos. Species within Bambusae are particularly difficult to identify due to their monocarpic lifecycle and the often long durations between mass flowering events; whereas the herbaceous bamboos are pluricarpic, but often are found with no reproductive structures. The leaf blade anatomy of 16 sympatric species of native Brazilian bamboos (Olyreae and Bambuseae) from the Atlantic Rainforest was studied in order to detect useful features for their identification. All the studied species share the following features: epidermis with a single stratum of cells; adaxial bulliform cells; mesophyll with arm cells, rosette cells, and fusoid cells; and collateral vascular bundles. Herbaceous bamboos share two features: papillae scattered on the abaxial surface and parallel-sided arrays of bulliform cells; whereas woody bamboos share: centrally organized papillae and fan-shaped arrays of bulliform cells. Also within the woody bamboos, intercostal fibers and a midrib with only one vascular bundle (simple midrib) characterize the subtribe Arthrostylidiinae; whereas a midrib with more than one vascular bundle (complex midrib) and a stomatal apparatus with two pappilae per subsidiary cell characterize the subtribe Chusqueinae. There are also diagnostic features for the sampled species, such as: papillae shape, and the outline and structure of the midrib. An identification key for all the studied species is provided based on the anatomical features.

Resumo Bambusoideae é uma subfamília que inclui diversas espécies de bambus herbáceos (Olyreae) e lignificados (Arundinarie e Bambuseae). Bambus lignificados geralmente apresentam dificuldades de delimitação e identificação, devido principalmente ao ciclo monocárpico e longa amplitude temporal entre florações; enquanto que bambus herbáceos possuem ciclo pluricárpico, porém frequentemente são encontrados em estágio vegetativo. Foi estudada a anatomia da lâmina foliar de 16 espécies de Bambusoideae (Olyreae e Bambuseae), simpátricas e nativas do Brasil, visando levantar caracteres úteis para sua identificação. Todos os táxons estudados compartilham: epiderme uniestratificada; células buliformes na face adaxial; mesofilo com células invaginantes, células em roseta e células fusoides; e feixes vasculares colaterais. Bambus herbáceos compartilham: papilas dispersas na face abaxial e grupos de células buliformes organizadas paralelamente; enquanto que bambos lignificados compartilham: papilas organizadas em colunas centrais e grupos de células buliformes em forma de leque. Ainda dentre os bambus lignificados, fibras intercostais e nervura central com apenas um feixe vascular (nervura central simples) caracterizam a subtribo Arthrostylidiinae; enquanto que nervura central com mais de um feixe vascular (nervura central complexa) e aparelho estomático com duas papilas por célula subsidiária caracterizam a subtribo Chusqueinae. Há ainda caracteres anatômicos diagnósticos, tais como: forma da papila, e forma e estrutura da nervura central. Uma chave de identificação é fornecida baseada nos caracteres anatômicos relevantes à identificação das espécies estudadas.

Acúmulo e composição morfológica do pasto de capim-Tanzânia adubado com nitrogênio ou consorciado com estilosantes Campo Grande / Accumulation and forage morphological composition of Tanzania grass fertilized with nitrogen or intercropped with Campo Grande stylosanthes

Objetivou-se avaliar o acúmulo de massa de forragem e a composição morfológica do pasto de capim-Tanzânia adubado com nitrogênio ou consorciado com estilosantes Campo Grande. Utilizou-se um delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por: Tanzânia + Estilosantes; Tanzânia + 75 kg N ha-1; Tanzânia + 150 kg N ha-1; Tanzânia + 225 kg N ha-1. A maior porcentagem de lâmina foliar verde foi observada na primavera e nos pastos com 150 e 225 kg de N/ha. A porcentagem de colmo+bainha verde foi maior no verão e no outono, assim como, nos pastos adubados com N. A porcentagem de material morto foi mais elevada no outono e inverno. Com a aplicação de 225 kg de N/ha, os pastos apresentaram maior acúmulo diário de massa de forragem em relação aos outros tratamentos. A circunferência das touceiras foi semelhante entre os pastos consorciados e adubados com N. A quantidade de perfilhos vivos foi maior quando utilizou-se doses mais elevadas de nitrogênio. Os pastos consorciados com estilosantes ou adubados com 75 e 150 kg de nitrogênio apresentam respostas semelhantes para as características estruturais do pasto, e para o acúmulo de forragem.

The objective was to evaluate the accumulation of forage yield, composition and morphology of Tanzania grass pastures (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania-1) fertilized with nitrogen or intercropped with Campo Grande Stylosanthes. Were used a randomized blocks with split plots with three replications and having treatments as main plots: Stylosanthes + Tanzania; Tanzania + 75 kg N ha-1; Tanzania + 150 kg N ha-1; Tanzania + 225 kg N ha-1 and the subplots seasons. The highest percentage of green leaf blade were observed in spring and the pastures with 150 and 225 kg N/ha. The percentage of green stem + sheath were higher in summer and autumn, as well as in pastures fertilized with N. The percentage of dead material was higher in autumn and winter. With the application of 225 kg N/ha, pastures had higher daily accumulation of dry matter in relation to other treatments. The circumference of the stools was similar between the consortium and pastures fertilized with N. The number of live tillers was higher when we used higher doses of nitrogen. Pastures intercropped with stylosanthes or nitrogen fertilized (75 and 150 kg) presents better morphology and daily accumulation of forage.

Produtividade e composição bromatológica de Brachiaria spp., no Alto Vale do Jequitinhonha / Productivity and bromatological composition of Brachiaria spp. in the Higher Jequitinhonha Valley

Avaliaram-se a produtividade de matéria seca (MS), proporção de lâminas e composição bromatológica de Brachiaria spp., colhidas com 42 dias de rebrotação, em Diamantina, MG. Para a determinação dos teores de MS, PB, FDN, FDA e lignina utilizaram-se o esquema em parcelas subsubdivididas, no DIC, com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas foram distribuídas as cultivares Basilisk, Marandu, Xaraés, Llanero e B. humidicola comum; nas subparcelas, dois cortes, e, nas subsubparcelas, dois anos experimentais. A produção de MS total e a proporção de lâminas foram analisadas em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com espécies/cultivares nas parcelas e anos nas subparcelas. A produção de MS no segundo ano (3 cortes) foi mais alta que no primeiro (2 cortes), destacando-se as cultivares Basilisk, Xaraés e Llanero. De modo geral, as cultivares apresentaram teores satisfatórios de PB, mais altos no segundo ano. Os teores de FDN foram mais baixos no segundo ano e os de lignina mais baixos no primeiro ano. As cultivares Xaraés e Marandu destacam-se pela elevada proporção de folhas e apresentam composição bromatológica semelhante a da cultivar Basilisk. Associando-se a composição bromatológica com a produtividade de MS, recomendam-se as cultivares Xaraés e Basilisk para as condições do Alto Vale do Jequitinhonha.

Dry matter production, proportion of leaf blades and chemical composition of Brachiaria spp. harvested at intervals of 42 days of regrowth, in Diamantina, MG were evaluated. The DM, CP, NDF, ADF and lignin contents were analyzed in a split-split plot completely randomized design, with four replicates. Five cultivars of Brachiaria were distributed in the plots, two cuts in the split-plot, and two experimental years in the split-split plot. The dry matter production and the proportion of leaf blades were analyzed in a split plot completely randomized design, with cultivars in the plots and years in the subplots. The dry matter production in the second year (3 cuts) was higher than in the first (2 cuts), especially with the cultivars Basilisk, Xaraés and Llanero. Generally, the cultivars presented satisfactory levels of CP, with higher values in the second year. The contents of NDF were lower in the second year and the lowest levels of lignin were in the first year. Cultivars Xaraés and Marandu stand out for the high proportion of leaves and presented chemical composition similar to the Basilisk cultivar. Based on the chemical composition and dry matter production, Xaraés and Basilisk cultivars are recommended for cultivation in the Jequitinhonha High Valley.

Ultraestructura de la epidermis foliar de Zeugites (Poaceae: Panicoideae)

Leaf epidermis ultrastructure of Zeugites (Poaceae: Panicoideae). The genus Zeugites comprises eleven species of neotropical grasses and it is principally distributed in Mexico, with some species extending to the Caribbean region, Central and South America. In this work, leaf epidermis ultrastructure of 11 species is described by the use of scanning electron microscopy. At least three specimens per species, that included herbarium and collected specimens, were used. An identification key and specific descriptions are included, in which the distinctive epidermal features are highlighted. The taxonomic valuable characters found were the following: presence or absence of prickles and macrohairs, intercostals short cells form and silica body form. Based on leaf epidermis characteristics, Zeugites species can be arranged into three groups: (1) species that lack prickles (Z. americana, Z. mexicana, Z. pringlei, Z. munroana and Z. sagittata); and lack macro hairs, with the exception of Z. pringlei; (2) species that have prickles (Z. latifolia and Z. smilacifolia); (3) species that have both, prickles and macrohairs (Z. capillaris, Z. hackelii, Z. pittieri and Z. sylvatica). The morphological features of leaf epidermis, support the relationship between the tribes Centotheceae and Paniceae. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (2): 557-568. Epub 2011 June 01.

El género Zeugites incluye once especies de pastos con distribución neotropical, en México, el Caribe, Centro y Sudamérica. En este trabajo se describe la epidermis foliar de las once especies, se utilizaron técnicas de microscopía electrónica de barrido y revisaron al menos tres especímenes de cada especie, algunas muestras proceden de ejemplares de herbario y otras fueron recolectadas por la primera autora. Se presenta una clave y descripciones para las especies del género, en las cuales se resaltan las características epidérmicas distintivas. Los caracteres que resultaron informativos, desde el punto de vista taxonómico fueron: la presencia o ausencia de aguijones y macropelos, la forma de las células cortas intercostales y la forma de los cuerpos de sílice. Con base en estas características, las especies de Zeugites se pueden separar en tres grupos: (1) especies que no presentan aguijones (Z. americana, Z. mexicana, Z. pringlei, Z. munroana y Z. sagittata) y que con excepción de Z. pringlei tampoco presentan macropelos; (2) especies que presentan sólo aguijones (Z. latifolia y Z. smilacifolia); y (3) especies que presentan aguijones y macropelos (Z. capillaris, Z. hackelii, Z pittieri y Z. sylvatica). Las características morfológicas de la epidermis foliar, sustentan la relación de las tribus Centotheceae y Paniceae.

Fatores que afetam a oviposição de Bemisia tabaci (Genn) biótipo B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) em pimentão / Factors affecting oviposition of Bemisia tabaci (Genn) biotype B in sweet pepper

Para avaliar o comportamento de oviposição da mosca-branca, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biótipo B, em relação à posição da folha na planta, à área do limbo foliar, à idade da planta e à densidade de adultos na cultura do pimentão, foram realizados três testes, utilizando-se a cultivar de pimentão Magali-R. Os testes foram realizados em casa-de-vegetação e no Laboratório de Entomologia da DEFERS/UNESP, Campus de Ilha Solteira-SP. Nos testes com chance de escolha, plantas com 25, 30, 35, 40 e 45 dias de idade foram utilizadas para avaliar os efeitos da idade sobre a oviposição da mosca-branca, enquanto que em plantas com 35 dias estudou-se a distribuição de ovos da mosca-branca na planta e no limbo foliar. Em plantas de 35 dias de idade, avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes densidades populacionais do inseto (50, 100, 150, 200 e 250 adultos/ planta) sobre o número de ovos depositados. No teste sem chance de escolha, utilizaram-se plantas com 35 dias de idade para avaliar o efeito das densidades sobre a oviposição da mosca-branca. B. tabaci biótipo B preferiu ovipositar da terceira a sexta folha a partir do ápice da planta localizadas nos terços médio e superior de planta de pimentão e nas áreas do limbo foliar localizadas nos lóbulos direito e esquerdo, próximas à base da folha. Plantas com 40 e 45 dias, são preferidas para oviposição e, em densidades de 200 e 250 adultos por planta, as moscas-brancas depositam ovos em número suficiente para diferenciar genótipos de pimentão com diferentes graus resistência a esta praga.

Bemisia tabaci (Gen.) biotype B is considered a pest of economical importance for several vegetables. The oviposition behaviour of the whilefly was evaluated in sweet pepper plants. The trials were carried out under greenhouse condition and in the Laboratory of Entomology of DEFERS/UNESP, Campus of Ilha Solteira-SP, with the sweet pepper Magali-R genotype. The effect of plant age on the whitefly oviposition was evaluated in free-choice tests, in plants, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45-day-old, as egg distribution in the plant and on the leaf blade was evaluated in 35-days-old plants. In a no-choice tests, 35-day-old plants were used to evaluate the effect of the densities of 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 adults per plant on the number of eggs laid by insects. The silverleaf whitefly preferred to oviposit on the third to sixth leaflets, of the medium and superior part of plants of sweet pepper; the leaf blade areas, located in the lobes right and left close the base of the leaf were the preferential site for whitefly oviposition. Older plants, 40- and 45-day-old, were preferentially used for oviposition, and 200 and 250 adults per plant were both enough to lay a number of eggs that allowed to differentiate among sweet pepper genotypes with different whitefly resistance levels.