ABSTRACT
Jatropha plants are known to be a rustic, low-demanding crop for nutrients and water. For that reason, they have been cultivated in restoring degraded areas or as windbreak. Nevertheless, under appropriate soil and climate conditions, this crop may become an alternative for biodiesel production due to high oil content and industrial quality. Studies on the growth and the phytomass accumulation rate of shoots of perennials permit subsidize management practices of culture, such as the definition of the population and the plant arrangement; it also enables the estimation of demand and potential recycling of nutrients, which contributes to establishing the most suitable amount and time for supplying fertilizers in cover. Studies on plant growth and phytomass accumulation have been conducted for a relatively short period of time, sometimes under greenhouse conditions. This trial design was carried out in Cassilândia-MS, for 52 months, with the objective of evaluating Jatropha growth and phytomass accumulation. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications and 15 treatments, consisting of evaluation times. Jatropha growth, mainly height, stems and crown diameter, is accentuated in the first 12 to 15 months after seedling transplanting. Crown diameter showed a new growth cycle between the 35th and the 52nd month, superior than observed in the initials stages of growth. Stem phytomass accumulation is relatively low until eight months after seedling transplanting, being considerably increased after this period. Intense senescence and leaf abscission is observed in drier and colder periods of the year.
As plantas de pinhão-manso são caracterizadas pela rusticidade, com pouca exigência nutricional e hídrica. Por esta razão, têm sido utilizadas na recuperação de terras degradadas ou como cerca viva. Porém, em condições edafoclimáticas adequadas, pode-se tornar uma cultura alternativa para a produção de óleo diesel, por suas características de teor e qualidade industrial. Estudos sobre o crescimento e a marcha de acúmulo de fitomassa de parte aérea de plantas perenes subsidiam práticas de manejo da cultura, tais como a definição da população e do arranjo de plantas; também possibilita a estimativa da demanda e do potencial de reciclagem de nutrientes, o que contribui para o estabelecimento da quantidade e da época mais adequada para o fornecimento de adubos em cobertura. Trabalhos já publicados sobre avaliações do crescimento e do acúmulo de fitomassa têm abrangido um período de avaliação relativamente curto, algumas vezes em condições de casa de vegetação. Com o objetivo de avaliar a campo o crescimento e a marcha de acúmulo de fitomassa em plantas de pinhão-manso, conduziu-se um experimento em Cassilândia, MS, por um período de 52 meses. Adotou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso com quatro repetições e 15 tratamentos, correspondentes às épocas de avaliação. Verificou-se que o crescimento das plantas de pinhão-manso, principalmente em relação à sua altura e diâmetro de caule e de copa, é mais intenso nos primeiros doze a 15 meses após o transplantio das mudas. Para o diâmetro de copa, houve novo ciclo de crescimento, entre o 35º e o 52º mês, em taxa superior à observada no período inicial. O acúmulo de matéria seca de caule é relativamente pequeno até oito meses após o transplantio das mudas, aumentando consideravelmente a partir deste período. Há intensa senescência e abscisão foliar nas plantas, nos períodos mais secos e frios do ano.
Subject(s)
Crop Production , Jatropha/growth & developmentABSTRACT
Jatropha spp. is an important phytogenetic resource used as food, medicine, and biofuel. In this study, we verified the taxonomic identity of Jatropha species for The Biosphere Reserve Tehuacan-Cuicatlan, and the Ecological Land Units (ELU) occupied by them. We assessed the conservation status of their habitats, and the vulnerability of Jatropha spp. populations. A total of 15 sampling sites were selected in the Reserve. The taxonomic work was based on specimens, original descriptions and type material from herbaria and those available on-line. ELUs were classified using biophysical variables, and gvSIG software. Ecological attributes were determined using a quantitative analysis by the point-centered quarter method; disturbance was estimated through site indicators, and the conservation status of the Jatropha populations was assessed using the Method for Evaluation of the Risk of Extinction of Plants in Mexico (MER). Jatropha frequently dominated the physiognomy of plant communities. The current distribution of Jatropha species in the Reserve was mainly determined by elevation, temperature, and precipitation variables. The confirmed species were Jatropha ciliata Sessé ex Cerv., Jatropha neopauciflora Pax, Jatropha oaxacana J. Jiménez Ram. & R. Torres, Jatropha rufescens Brandegee, and Jatropha rzedowskii J. Jiménez Ram., which are distributed in four of the six defined ELU. J. neopauciflora and J. rzedowskii were the most widespread species; this last species concur in four, J. oaxacana in two, while J. rufescens and J. ciliata in one ELU, being the most restricted. The richness of the genera in the associated communities ranged from 16 to 42. The maximum and minimum importance Value indexes were observed in San Nicolas Tepoxtitlan for J. neopauciflora (53.75%) and J. rzedowskii (1.50%). The disturbance index varied from 0.22 to 0.82, with an average of 0.51, where the livestock variable had a high contribution. Considering the risk categories of MER, we concluded that J. oaxacana requires special protection, and J. ciliata and J. rufescens were species under extinction risk. The conservation status of the plant communities inhabited by populations of Jatropha spp. was moderate, taking into account the rate of disturbance. The main factors affecting the habitats of Jatropha were livestock and human activities; the floristic composition of the surrounding plant communities has low richness. These results support the urgent need of conservation strategies to avoid the loss of important wild growing species of Jatropha populations. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (1): 23-33. Epub 2015 March 01.
Jatropha spp., es un importante recurso fitogenético usado como alimento, medicina y biocombustible. En este estudio verificamos la identidad taxonómica de las especies de Jatropha para la Reserva de la Biosfera Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, y las unidades ambientales (UA) que ocupan. Evaluamos el estado de conservación de sus hábitats y la vulnerabilidad de las poblaciones de Jatropha. Los sitios de muestreo seleccionados en la Reserva fueron 15. El trabajo taxonómico estuvo basado en especímenes, descripciones originales y material tipo de herbarios y aquellos en línea. Las UA fueron clasificadas mediante variables biofísicas y el software gvSIG. Los atributos ecológicos fueron determinados con análisis cuantitativo por el método de cuadrado centrado en un punto; el disturbio fue estimado a través de indicadores de sitio, y el estado de conservación de las poblaciones de Jatropha con el Método para la Evaluación de Riesgo de Extinción de Plantas en México (MER). Jatropha frecuentemente dominó la fisonomía de las comunidades vegetales. La distribución actual de las especies de Jatropha en la Reserva estuvo principalmente determinada por las variables altitud, temperatura y precipitación. Las especies confirmadas fueron: Jatropha ciliata Sessé ex Cerv., Jatropha neopauciflora Pax, Jatropha oaxacana J. Jiménez Ram. & R. Torres, Jatropha rufescens Brandegee, y Jatropha rzedowskii J. Jiménez Ram., las cuales estuvieron distribuidas en cuatro de las seis UA definidas. J. neopauciflora y J. rzedowskii son las especies más ampliamente distribuidas; estas últimas especies concurrieron en cuatro, J. oaxacana en dos, mientras que J. rufescens y J. ciliata en una UA, siendo ésta la especie más restringida. La riqueza de géneros en las comunidades asociadas varió entre 16 y 42. Los máximos y mínimos Índices de Valores de Importancia fueron observados en San Nicolás Tepoxtitlan para J. neopauciflora (53.75%) y J. rzedowskii (1.50%). El índice de disturbio varió entre 0.22 y 0.82, con promedio de 0.51, mientras que la variable ganado tuvo mayor contribución. Considerando las categorías de riesgo del MER, concluimos que J. oaxacana requiere protección especial, mientras que J. ciliata y J. rufescens fueron especies en riesgo de extinción. El estado de conservación de los hábitats ocupados por poblaciones de Jatropha spp. es moderado, tomando en cuenta la tasa de disturbio. Los principales factores que afectan a los hábitats de Jatropha son el ganado y las actividades humanas; la composición florística de las comunidades vegetales tuvo baja riqueza. Estos resultados apoyan la necesidad de establecer estrategias de conservación para evitar la pérdida de importantes poblaciones silvestres de Jatropha.
Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Conservation of Natural Resources , Jatropha/growth & development , MexicoABSTRACT
The species Jatropha curcas is a rustic plant, adapted to several edaphoclimatic conditions, being constantly explored in marginal conditions, however, ensuring production will be greater with the use of irrigation and fertile soil, when it'll be necessary to research the possibility of its cultivation with saline water. Therefore the present study aims at assessing the effect of the electrical conductivity of irrigation water on the morphophysiological answers of seedlings from J. curcas L. The work was conducted in shade with 50% of solar radiation interception at the State University of Goiás. The experiment was set up following a completely randomized design with four treatments and five repetitions. Sowing occurred in four-liter containers containing soil, sand and manure in the ratio of 3: 1: 0.5 respectively. During the seedling stage (60 days), the plants were subjected to four treatments: plants irrigated daily with 150 ml of deionized water containing NaCl, and electrical conductivity of 0.0 dS m-1 (T1), 3 dS m-1 (T2), 6 dS m-1 (T3) and 9 dS m-1 (T4). The high concentration of salt reduced the free energy of the water, making it limiting. The water limitation caused a reduction in the leaf area and in the number of leaves, contributing to the reduction of perspiring area and the maintenance of tissue hydration. The high electrical conductivity of irrigation water reduced the seedling growth J. curcas, however, plants of J. curcas can be irrigated with saline water of conductivity less than or equal to 3 dS m-1 without significant damage to vegetative growth.
Subject(s)
Saline Waters , Jatropha/growth & development , Agricultural IrrigationABSTRACT
J. curcas has been studied in different countries and some interesting agronomic, pharmacological and industrial properties have been reported. More recently, it has been considered an important alternative source for biofuel production. The objective of this study was to establish a long-term method for the maintenance of calli and cell suspension cultures of the local species J. curcas and J. gossypifolia, in order to allow future studies for novel compounds with pharmaceutical or industrial applications. For this, friable calli were successfully induced from hypocotyl segments of J. curcas and J. gossypifolia that were cultured in semisolid MS media supplemented with 1.5mg/L, and 0.5mg/L of 2,4-D, respectively. Cell suspension cultures of J. curcas were established using 1g of 35 and 60-day calli, in 50mL of liquid MS media supplied with 1.5mg/L of 2,4-D; sucrose and maltose were additionally evaluated as carbon sources. After 35 days, cell suspension cultures initiated with 35-day calli, showed greater cell growth with a maximum biomass of 194.9g/L fresh weight, 6.59g/L dry weight and 17.3% packed volume. The exponential phase ended at day 35 for cultures initiated with 35-day calli, and at day 21 for cultures initiated with 60-day calli. Higher biomass production was obtained with sucrose. Cell cultures were established with 35-day calli in MS media with the same 2,4-D concentration used for calli induction and 30g/L sucrose. This medium was considered optimum for the maintenance and growth of cell suspensions for both species, with sub-cultures every 20 days. The biotechnological potential for the production of bioactive compounds in these species for pharmacological, agricultural and industrial applications is being evaluated.
J. curcas es un importante recurso alternativo de biocombustible. Por otro lado, propiedades de interés agronómico, farmacológico e industrial han sido reportadas para esta especie. El objetivo de este estudio fue el establecimiento y mantenimiento a largo plazo de callos y cultivos celulares en suspensión de J. curcas y J. gossypifolia, con el objetivo de permitir futuros estudios para nuevos compuestos con aplicaciones farmaceúticas e industriales. Los callos friables fueron exitosamente inducidos a partir de segmentos de hipocótilos J. curcas and J. gossypifolia cultivados en medio MS semisólido suplementado con 1.5mg/L y 0.5mg/L of 2,4-D, respectivamente. Los cultivos celulares en suspensión de J. curcas fueron establecidos utilizando 1g de callos de 35 y 60 días de edad en 50mL de medio MS líquido adicionado con 1.5mg/L de 2,4-D. Después de 35 días, los cultivos en suspensión celular iniciados con callos de 35 días, mostraron mayor crecimiento celular con una biomasa máxima de 194.9g/L de peso fresco y 6.59g/L de peso seco y 17.3% de volumen empacado. La fase exponencial finalizó al día 35 en los cultivos iniciados con callos de 35 días, y al día 21 en los cultivos iniciados con callos de 60 días. Dos fuentes de carbono fueron evaluadas: sacarosa y maltosa. La producción de mayor biomasa fue obtenida con sacarosa. Los cultivos celulares se establecieron con callos de 35 días cultivados en medio MS con la misma concentración de 2,4-D utilizada para la inducción de callos y 30g/L de sacarosa. Este medio fue considerado el óptimo para el mantenimiento y crecimiento de suspensiones celulares en ambas especies con subcultivos cada 20 días. El potencial biotecnológico para la producción de compuestos bioactivos en estas especies, para aplicaciones farmacológicas, agrícolas e industriales está siendo evaluado.
Subject(s)
Cell Culture Techniques/methods , Jatropha/growth & development , Biomass , Jatropha/drug effects , Maltose/administration & dosage , Suspensions , Sucrose/administration & dosage , Time Factors , /administration & dosageABSTRACT
Plants have different levels of tolerance to phytotoxic effects of aluminum and the exploitation of this characteristic is of significant importance to the use of acid soils. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of aluminum activity in nutrient solution on growth of physic nut young plant. After seven days of adaptation, plants were submitted to Al concentrations of 0; 200; 400; 600; 800 and 1,000 µmol L1, corresponding to Al3+ activity solution, of: 14.5, 21.4; 46.6; 75.6; 108.3 e 144.8 µmol L1, respectively. The increased activity of Al3+ decreased linearly the number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, shoot dry matter and root length of physic nut plant. Physic nut young plants are sensitive to high aluminum activity in solution. The root length, number of leaves, shoot dry matter and total dry matter were variables more affected by Al activity in solution, and can be used to discriminate the tolerance levels to aluminum in physic nut plants. The accumulation of aluminum increased in a activity-dependent manner; however, its translocation from root to shoot was low.
As plantas apresentam diferentes níveis de tolerância aos efeitos fitotóxicos do alumínio e a exploração dessa característica torna-se de relevante importância para a utilização dos solos ácidos. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito da atividade de alumínio, em solução nutritiva, no crescimento inicial de plantas de pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas L). As plantas foram cultivadas em vasos com capacidade para 1,5 L, contendo solução nutritiva. Após sete dias de adaptação, as plantas foram submetidas a concentrações de Al de 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 e 1.000 µmol L1, que corresponderam a atividades de Al3+ em solução de: 14,5; 21,4; 46,6; 75,6; 108,3 e 144,8 µmol L1, respectivamente. O aumento da atividade de Al3+ reduziu o número de folhas por planta, altura da planta, área foliar, matéria seca da parte aérea e comprimento da raiz principal das plantas de pinhão-manso. Plantas de pinhão-manso são sensíveis a elevada atividade de Al em solução. O comprimento da raiz, número de folhas e a produção de matéria seca da parte aérea e total foram as características mais afetadas pela atividade de Al em solução, e podem ser utilizadas para discriminar os níveis de tolerância ao alumínio em plantas de pinhão-manso. O acúmulo de alumínio aumentou de uma maneira dependente da atividade; no entanto, sua translocação das raízes para a parte aérea foi baixa.
Subject(s)
Jatropha , Jatropha/growth & development , AluminumABSTRACT
Actually, the germplasm of Jatropha spp. is conserved as whole plants in field collections. Under this storage method, the genetic resources are exposed to disease, pest and natural hazards such as human error, drought and weather damage. Besides, field genebanks are costly to maintain and with important requirements of trained personnel. Thus, the development of efficient techniques to ensure its safe conservation and regeneration is therefore of paramount importance. In this work we describe a method for Jatropha curcas seeds cryoexposure and seedling recovery after thawed. In a first experiment, an efficient protocol for in vitro plant recovery was carried out using zygotic embryo or seeds with or without coat. In a second experiment, desiccated seeds with or without coat were exposed to liquid nitrogen and evaluated after cryoexposure. Germination percentages were variable among treatments, and seeds demonstrated tolerance to liquid nitrogen exposure under certain conditions. Seeds of J. curcas presented up to 99.6% germination after seed coat removal. Seeds with coat cultured in vitro did not germinate, and were 60% contaminated. The germination of the zygotic embryos was significantly higher in the ½ MS medium (93.1%) than in WPM medium (76.2%), but from zygotic embryo, abnormal seedlings reached up to 99%. Seeds with coat exposed to liquid nitrogen showed 60% germination in culture after coat removal with good plant growth, and seeds cryopreserved without coat presented 82% germination, but seedlings showed a reduced vigor and a significant increase in abnormal plants. Seeds cultured in vitro with coat did not germinate, independently of cryoexposure or not. This study reports the first successful in vitro seedling recovery methodology for Jatropha curcas seeds, after a cryopreservation treatment, and is recommended as an efficient procedure for in vitro plant recovery, when seeds are conserved in germplasm banks by low or cryotemperatures.
Actualmente, el germoplasma de las especies de Jatropha ssp. se conserva como plantas enteras en las colecciones de campo. Bajo este método de almacenamiento, los recursos genéticos están expuestos a enfermedades, plagas y desastres naturales tales como el error humano, la sequía y las inclemencias del tiempo. Además, los bancos de germoplasma de campo son costosos de mantener y requieren bastante personal capacitado. Por lo tanto, el desarrollo de técnicas eficientes para asegurar su conservación segura así como su regeneración, es de suma importancia. En este trabajo se describe un método de recuperación para semillas y plántulas crioexpuestas de Jatropha curcas después de descongeladas. En un primer experimento, se llevó a cabo un protocolo eficiente para la recuperación de plantas in vitro mediante el uso de embriones cigóticos o semillas con o sin testa. En un segundo experimento, las semillas disecadas, con o sin testa fueron expuestas a nitrógeno líquido y se evaluaron después de la crioexposición. Los porcentajes de germinación fueron variables entre los tratamientos, y las semillas demostraron tolerancia a la exposición del nitrógeno líquido bajo ciertas condiciones. Las semillas de J. curcas presentaron hasta un 99.6% de germinación después de la eliminación de la testa. Las semillas con la testa cultivadas in vitro no germinaron, y el 60% se contaminaron. La germinación de los embriones cigóticos fue significativamente alta en el medio ½ MS (93.1%) en comparación con el medio WPM (76.2%), pero desde los embriones zigóticos, las plántulas anormales alcanzaron más del 99%. Semillas con la testa inmersa en nitrógeno líquido mostraron un 60% de germinacion en cultivos despúes de la remoción de la testa con un buen crecimiento de la planta, y las semillas criopreservadas sin testa presentaron un 82% de germinación, pero las plántulas mostraron un reducido vigor y un incremento significativo de plantas anormales. Semillas con testa cultivadas in vitro no germinaron, independientemente de la criopreservación o no. Este estudio reporta el primer éxito in vitro de una metodología de recuperación de plántulas para semillas de Jatropha curcas, después de un tratamiento de criopreservación, que se recomienda como un procedimiento eficaz para la recuperación de plantas in vitro, cuando las semillas se conservan en bancos de germoplasma a bajas o crio-temperaturas.