Fenología reproductiva de Prunus lundelliana Standl. (Rosaceae), un árbol en peligro de extinción con potencial para restaurar bosques nubosos de Mesoamérica / Reproductive phenology of Prunus lundelliana Standl. (Rosaceae), an endangered tree with potential to restore cloud forests of Mesoamerica

La fenología estudia los cambios estacionales en los ciclos de vida de los organismos. Una utilidad de la fenología, es que permite establecer periodos en que se pueden colectar semillas para programas de restauración ecológica. Por lo que, de abril de 2017 a mayo de 2019, en el volcán Tacaná, San Marcos, Guatemala, se estableció la estaciona-lidad, variación anual, sincronía, intensidad y duración de las fenofases reproductivas de Prunus lundelliana Standl. Aproximadamente cada 15 días, en 10 individuos se registró la presencia e intensidad de las flores (botones y abiertas) y frutos (inmaduros y maduros). Los datos se analizaron con estadística circular, encontrándose que todas la fenofases fueron estacionales y que solo el patrón de los frutos inmaduros varió significativamente entre los dos periodos. La sincronía fue principalmente alta y la intensidad no superó el 40%. En ambos periodos las intensidades menores las presentaron los frutos maduros (17 y 25%). Los índices de actividad e intensidad se correlacionaron significativamente, por lo que los ángulos medios fueron semejantes en las fenofases y periodos de estudio. Los picos de actividad-in-tensidad de las flores abiertas y de los frutos maduros ocurrieron durante los meses secos (noviembre-abril), patrón que se ha registrado en otros bosques nubosos. La duración de las fenofases varió entre 2.5-3.5 meses, siendo la más pequeña la de frutos maduros. Para fines de manejo, la colecta de frutos maduros puede hacerse desde mediados de marzo hasta finales de mayo, sin embargo, se sugiere hacerlo principalmente entre el 15 de abril y el 15 de mayo.

Phenology studies the seasonal changes in the life cycle of organisms. Phenological data allow to set the periods in which the seeds can be collected for ecological restoration programs. From April, 2017 to May, 2019, in Taca-ná volcano, San Marcos, Guatemala, it was established the seasonality, annual variation, synchrony, intensity, and duration of the reproductive phenophases of Prunus lundelliana Standl. About every 15 days, 10 individuals were observed and it was recorded the presence and intensity of flowers (buds and blossom flowers) and fruits (immature and mature fruits). The data was analyzed with circular statistics, finding that all the phenophases were seasonally distributed and only the immature fruits pattern significantly variated between the two periods. The synchrony was mainly high and the intensity did not exceed 40%. In both of the study periods, the lesser intensities were presented by the mature fruits (17 and 25%). The activity and intensity indexes were significantly correlated; therefore the mid angles were alike in the phenophases and study periods. The activity-intensity highs of blossom flowers and of mature fruits happened in the dry months (November to April), a pattern that has been registered in other cloud forests. The duration of the phenophases ranged from 2.5 to 3.5 months, being the shortest the mature fruits phenophase. For environmental management purposes, the collection of mature fruits can be done from the middle of March to the end of May, nonetheless, it should be done mainly between April 15th and May 15th.

Ectopic expression of Chrysanthemum CDM19 in Arabidopsis reveals a novel function in carpel development

BACKGROUND: APETALA3 (AP3) has significant roles in petal and stamen development in accordance with the classical ABC model. RESULTS: The AP3 homolog, CDM19, from Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Jinba was cloned and sequenced. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses revealed that CDM19 is of DEF/AP3 lineage possessing the characteristic MIKC-type II structure. Expression analysis showed that CDM19 was transcribed in petals and stamens of ray and disc florets with weak expression in the carpels. Ectopic expression of CDM19 in Arabidopsis wild-type background altered carpel development resulting in multi-carpel siliques. CDM19 could only partially rescue the Arabidopsis ap3­­3 mutant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CDM19 may partially be involved in petal and stamen development in addition to having novel function in carpel development.

Effect of irrigation at critical stages on the phenology of flowering and fruiting of the cactus Opuntia spp / Efeito da irrigação em estágios críticos sobre a fenologia de floração e frutificação do cacto Opuntia spp

Abstract This paper briefly reports some effects of irrigations at two critical periods on the phenology of three varieties of cactus pear cultivated in Agadir area: the spineless varieties 'Aissa' and 'Moussa' and the thorny one 'Achefri'. In the first year experiments (2010-2011) treatments of irrigation used were: (T1) 0 mm, (T2) 30 mm during flowering and 30 mm during fruit enlargement and (T3) 30 mm only during fruit enlargement. In the 2nd year experiments, irrigation treatments were: (T1) 0 mm, (T2) 60 mm during flowering and 60 mm during fruit enlargement and (T3) 60 mm only during fruit enlargement. Treatments of irrigation were applied between mid-April and mid-June in the 1st year experiments and in February and May in the 2nd year experiments. Results of the first year experiments showed that the emission of buds was higher in the thorny variety than in the spineless ones (more than 6 emitted buds/cladode vs less than 4.5 in the spineless varieties). In the second year, irrigation increased the emission of buds in the three varieties (more than 7 emitted buds/cladode for each T2 and T3 of all varieties vs not more than 5 for T1) and the duration of the flowering phase of these varieties. However, irrigation did not modify the proportions of fruits reaching commercial maturity during the early or the late period of maturation.

Resumo Este artigo relatou brevemente alguns efeitos das irrigações em dois períodos críticos na fenologia de três variedades de Opuntia cultivadas na área de Agadir: as variedades sem espinhos 'Aissa' e 'Moussa' e um espinhoso 'Achefri'. No primeiro ano (2010-2011) os seguintes tratamentos do experimento da irrigação foram usados: (T1) 0 milímetros, (T2) 30 milímetros durante a florescência e 30 milímetros durante a ampliação do fruto e (T3) 30 milímetros somente durante a ampliação do fruto. No segundo ano das experiências, os tratamentos da irrigação foram: (T1, 0 milímetros), (T2) 60 milímetros durante a florescência e 60 milímetros durante a ampliação do fruto e (T3) 60 milímetros somente durante a ampliação do fruto. Os tratamentos da irrigação foram aplicados entre a metade de abril e metade de junho nas experiências do primeira ano e em fevereiro e maio nas experiências do segundo ano. Os resultados das experiências do primeiro ano mostraram que a emissão de brotos foi maior na variedade espinhosa do que no rufia (mais de 6 emitida gomos/cladode vs inferior a 4,5 no rufia variedades). No segundo ano, a irrigação aumentou a emissão dos botões nas três variedades (mais de 7 botões emitidos/cladÓdio para cada T2 e T3 de todas as variedades não mais que 5 para o T1) e a duração da fase de florescência destas variedades. Contudo, a irrigação não alterou as proporções de frutos que alcançaram a maturidade comercial durante o período adiantado ou atrasado de maturação.

Expression profiles of five FT-like genes and functional analysis of PhFT-1 in a Phalaenopsis hybrid

Background: Phalaenopsis is an important ornamental flowering plant that belongs to the Orchidaceae family and is cultivated worldwide. Phalaenopsis has a long juvenile phase; therefore, it is important to understand the genetic elements regulating the transition from vegetative phase to reproductive phase. In this study, FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) homologs in Phalaenopsis were cloned, and their effects on flowering were analyzed. Results: A total of five FT-like genes were identified in Phalaenopsis. Phylogenetic and expression analyses of these five FT-like genes indicated that some of these genes might participate in the regulation of flowering. A novel FT-like gene, PhFT-1, distantly related to previously reported FT genes in Arabidopsis and other dicot crops, was also found to be a positive regulator of flowering as heterologous expression of PhFT-1 in Arabidopsis causes an early flowering phenotype. Conclusions: Five FT homologous genes from Phalaenopsis orchid were identified, and PhFT-1 positively regulates flowering.

Phenology, reproductive biology and growing degree days of the grapevine ‘Isabel’ (Vitis labrusca, Vitaceae) cultivated in northeastern Brazil / Fenologia, biologia reprodutiva e graus-dias da videira “Isabel” (Vitis labrusca, Vitaceae) cultivada no nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Phenology and reproductive biology of cultivated species are important for the comprehension of the requirements for fruit and seed production and the management of pollinators. This study aimed to characterise the phenology, reproductive biology and growing degree days of the grapevine ‘Isabel’ (Vitis labrusca) in northeastern Brazil during January 2011 (P1), Augst 2011 (P2), April 2012 (P3) and August 2012 (P4). We recorded the duration (days) of the phenological stages, pruning (P), woolly bud (W), budburst (B), inflorescence development (ID), flowering (F), ripening (R) and harvest (H). We analysed the floral biology, the sexual system and the breeding system. We measured the growing degree days (GDD) required to reach the subperiods P-B, B-F and F-H. The periods P1, P2, P3 and P4 lasted for 116, 125, 117 and 130 days, respectively. The number of days of harvest were similar in the same dry (P1 and P3) and rainy (P2 and P4) periods. All the periods that we recorded were shorter than those observed in other regions of Brazil, which may be attributable to the mean temperature and carbohydrate metabolism. The flowers are green, hermaphroditic, with an odour of mignonette, low pollen viability and autogamous. The base temperature of 10°C was considered the most adequate for the subperiods as has been documented for other grape varieties in Brazil. Thus, temperature was also the most adequate for the cycles, presenting a smaller standard deviation (0.119, 0.147, 0.156 and 0.153 to P1, P2, P3 and P4, respectively) when compared to a base temperature of 12°C (0.122, 0.158, 0.165 and 0.160 to P1, P2, P3 and P4, respectively). The higher and the lower observed GDD were 1972.17 and 1870.05, respectively, both above the values recorded in other parts of Brazil for same variety. The phonological results, including knowledge of growing degree days, are important to the planning of cultures at the study site and in other regions that have similar climatic conditions and make it possible to pre-determine the harvest.

Resumo Fenologia e biologia reprodutiva de espécies cultivadas são importantes para a compreensão dos requerimentos para a produção de frutos e sementes, bem como para o manejo de polinizadores. O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar a fenologia, a biologia reprodutiva e a exigência térmica (graus-dias) da videira “Isabel” (Vitis labrusca) no nordeste do Brasil, durante janeiro/2011 (P1), Agosto/2011 (P2), Abril/2012 (P3) e Agosto/2012 (P4). Analisamos a duração (dias) dos estádios fenológicos poda (PO), gema-algodão (GA), brotamento (BR), aparecimento da inflorescência (AI), florescimento (FL), início da maturação (IM) e colheita (CO). Analisamos a biologia floral, o sistema sexual e o sistema reprodutivo. As exigências térmicas foram obtidas em termos de graus-dia (GD) necessários para atingir os subperíodos PO-BR, BR-FL e FL-CO. A duração do ciclo foi de 116, 125, 117 e 130 dias para as épocas P1, P2, P3 e P4 respectivamente, sendo o número de dias de colheita semelhantes no período seco (P1 e P3) e chuvoso (P2 e P4). Todos os períodos analisados foram mais curtos do que aqueles observados em outras regiões do Brasil, o que pode ser atribuído à temperatura média e ao metabolismo de carboidratos. As flores são verdes, hermafroditas, com odor almiscarado, baixa viabilidade polínica e autógama. A temperatura base de 10ºC foi considerada a mais adequada para os subperíodos e tem sido documentada para outras variedades de uva no Brasil; portanto, a temperatura foi também a mais adequada para os ciclos, apresentando um desvio padrão menor (0,119; 0,147; 0,156 e 0,153 para P1, P2, P3 e P4, respectivamente), comparado com uma temperatura base de 12ºC (0,122; 0,158; 0,165 e 0,160 para P1, P2, P3 e P4, respectivamente). O maior é o menor GDD observado foram 1972,17 e 1870,05, respectivamente. Os resultados fenológicos, incluindo o conhecimento dos graus dias, são importantes para o planejamento de culturas no local e em outras regiões com condições climáticas semelhantes, tornando possível pré-determinar a colheita.

DNA demethylation during Chrysanthemum floral transition following short-day treatment

Background: Analytical techniques such as methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to detect variation in DNA methylation of mature Chrysanthemum leaves during the floral transition induced by short-day (SD) treatment. Results: For both early- and late-flowering cultivars, the time from the date of planting to the appearance of the capitulum bud and early blooming were significantly shorter than those of the control. The capitulum development of the early-flowering cultivar was significantly accelerated compared to the control, unlike the late-flowering cultivar. The DNA methylation percentage of leaves was significantly altered during flower development. For the early-flowering cultivar, DNA methylation was 42.2-51.3% before the capitulum bud appeared and 30.5-44.5% after. The respective DNA methylation percentages for the late-flowering cultivar were 43.5-56% and 37.2-44.9%. Conclusions: The DNA methylation percentage of Chrysanthemum leaves decreased significantly during floral development. The decline in DNA methylation was elevated in the early-flowering cultivar compared with the late-flowering cultivar.

Effect of carbon and nitrogen sources on in vitro flower and fruit formation and withanolides production in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal.

We studied the influence of sucrose and nitrogen concentration on in vitro flowering and fruit setting in elongated shoots of Withania somnifera. BA (1.5 mg/l) and IAA (0.3 mg/l) on MS medium supplemented with 4% sucrose showed 67% of in vitro flower induction frequency, 9 flowers/shoot, 4 fruits/shoot and 11 seeds/fruit in elongated-shoots. Different concentrations of nitrogen sources (L-glutamine, adenine sulphate, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate 5-25 mg/l) were tested in combination with 4% sucrose and BA at 1.5 mg/l and IAA at 0.3 mg/l. Highest number of flowers (20 flowers/shoot; 2.2-fold) and fruits (16 fruits/shoot; 3.39-fold), fruit setting (12 seeds/fruit; 1.08-fold) at a higher frequency (88 %) were achieved on MS medium augmented with 15 mg/l adenine sulphate with same PGRs and sucrose concentration. The maximum production of withanolide A (0.68 mg/g DW) and withanolide B (0.77 mg/g DW) was recorded in in vitro fruits. Highest accumulation of withaferin A (2 mg/g DW) was quantified from in vitro flowers, whereas, it was low in in vitro fruits (0.49 mg/g DW withaferin A). However, withanone (0.23 mg/g DW) was found accumulated uniformly in both in vitro flowers and fruits compared to control.

Comparative study of the floral biology and of the response of productivity to insect visitation in two rapeseed cultivars (Brassica napus L.) in Rio Grande do Sul / Estudo comparativo da biologia floral e da resposta da produtividade à visita por insetos em duas cultivares de canola (Brassica napus L.) no Rio Grande do Sul

Planning the artificial pollination of agricultural crops requires knowledge of the floral biology and reproductive system of the crop in question. Many studies have shown that rapeseed (Brassica napus Linnaeus) is self-compatible and self-pollinated, but its productivity may be increased by insect visitation. In the present study, the floral biology and the response of productivity to insect visitation of two rapeseed cultivars (Hyola 420 and Hyola 61) were analyzed and compared in three regions of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The rapeseed flowers presented three stages during anthesis, with the time periods varying between the cultivars. Both cultivars are self-compatible, but free visitation of insects increased productivity by 17% in the Hyola 420 cultivar and by approximately 30% in the Hyola 61 cultivar. Therefore, it is concluded that the cultivar Hyola 61 is more dependent on insect pollination than Hyola 420.

O planejamento de polinização dirigida nas culturas agrícolas requer o conhecimento da biologia floral e do sistema reprodutivo da cultura em questão. Muitos estudos mostram que a canola (Brassica napus Linnaeus) é auto compatível e auto polinizada, no entanto, sua produtividade pode ser aumentada pela visita por insetos. Nesse estudo, a biologia floral e a resposta da produtividade à visita por insetos de duas cultivares de canola (Hyola 420 e Hyola 61) foram analisadas e comparadas em três regiões do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As flores de canola apresentaram três fases durante a antese, havendo variação no período de tempo de acordo com a cultivar. Ambas as cultivares são auto compatíveis, mas a livre visita por insetos aumentou a produtividade em 17% na cultivar Hyola 420 e cerca de 30% na cultivar Hyola 61. Dessa maneira, concluímos que a cultivar Hyola 61 é mais dependente da polinização entomófila que a Hyola 420.

Anatomía y desarrollo de estambres y carpelos en Drimys granadensis (Winteraceae) / Anatomy and development of stamens and carpels of Drimys granadensis (Winteraceae)

Winteraceae has long been considered a family with early diversification among angiosperms, with characters such as: flowers with many spirally arranged parts and apocarpic ovary formed by plicated carpels with sessile stigma. In Drimys, the presence or absence of conspicuous glands on the connective of the stamens have been used as a taxonomic character, and it is considered a synapomorphy for the clade including Drimys angustifolia, D. brasiliensis, D. granadensis and D. roraimensis (Northeastern clade); however, the anatomy of stamens and carpels has only been studied in detail for D. winteri (Southwestern clade). In this research, the presence and the structure of glands on the connective of stamens was studied in seven species of the genus from herbarium specimens, and a detailed study of the anatomy and development of stamens and carpels was carried out by scanning electron and optic microscopy in Drimys granadensis. We found similarities between D. granadensis and D. winteri for the following characters: Basic type anther wall formation, secretory tapetum that collapses at maturity, intermediate type microsporogenesis with formation of a transient cell plate in telophase I, ascidiated carpel due to the formation of an adaxial lip during development, stigma closed by interdigitation of epidermal cells. We also determined that the large glands on anther mature connective are originated by an overgrowth of subepidermal oil cells; this character is a Northeastern Drimys clade synapomorphy, while it was absent in both Drimys of Southwestern clade (which includes D. andina, D. confertifolia and D. winteri), and the rest of the Winteraceae. We are proposing the hypothesis that the highly variable enviromental conditions in the tropics where Drimys Northeastern clade is distributed, with a wide range of pollinators, would be associated with the emergence of glandular conspicuously stamens; while, as a prediction to be confirmed, temperated Southwestern clade species, without conspicuous glands, should have a smaller range of visitors and/or pollinators, or even be anemophilous species as Drimys confertifolia. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (3): 1147-1159. Epub 2014 September 01.

La familia Winteraceae ha sido tradicionalmente considerada como de diversificación temprana entre las angiospermas por varios caracteres, entre ellos: flores con muchas partes distribuidas en espiral y ovario apocarpico formado por carpelos de tipo plicado con estigma sésil. En el género Drimys, la presencia o ausencia de glándulas conspicuas sobre el conectivo de los estambres ha sido usado como un carácter taxonómico, y su presencia se considera como una sinapomorfía del clado formado por Drimys angustifolia, D. brasiliensis, D. granadensis and D. roraimensis (clado nororiental); sin embargo, la anatomía de estambres o carpelos ha sido solamente estudiada en detalle en D. winteri (clado suroccidental). En esta investigación, la presencia y estructura de las glándulas del conectivo fue estudiada en las siete especies del género Drimys a partir de ejemplares de herbario, además, se realizó un estudio detallado de la anatomía y desarrollo de estambres y carpelos de Drimys granadensis empleando microscopía óptica y microscopía de barrido; y se compararon con los resultados previos en Drimys winteri. Se encontraron similitudes en los siguientes caracteres: formación de la pared de la antera de tipo básico, tapetum secretor que colapsa en la madurez, microsporogénesis de tipo intermedio con formación de una placa celular transitoria en telofase I, carpelo ascidiado debido a la formación de un labio adaxial durante el desarrollo, estigma cerrado por interdigitación de células epidérmicas. Se determinó que las glándulas de gran tamaño sobre el conectivo de la antera madura se originaron por sobrecrecimiento de células oleíferas subepidérmicas, siendo una sinapomorfía del clado nororiental, que esta ausente tanto en el clado suroccidental de Drimys (D. andina, D. confertifolia y D. winteri), como en el resto de la familia. Se propone la hipótesis de que las condiciones altamente variables en las zonas tropicales donde se distribuye el clado nororiental de Drimys, con una amplia gama de polinizadores, estarían asociadas al surgimiento de estambres conspicuamente glandulares; en tanto que proponemos como predicción que las especies circunscritas a la zona templada del Sur de Suramérica (Clado suroccidental), sin glándulas conspicuas, deberían presentar una menor variedad de visitantes y/o polinizadores, o incluso ser especies anemófilas como Drimys confertifolia.

In vitro flowering – A system for tracking floral organ development in Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees et Arn. ex Munro.

Dendrocalamus hamiltonii plants are slender and tall (15-25 m) thereby, rendering tagging, sampling and tracking the development of flowers difficult. Therefore, a reproducible system of in vitro flowering was established for tracking the stages of flower development. MS medium supplemented with 2.22 µM 6-benzylaminopurine, 1.23 µM indole-3-butyric acid and 2% sucrose was optimized as the flower induction medium (FIM) wherein 28 and 42 days were required for the development of gynoecium and androecium, respectively. Six distinct stages of in vitro flower development were identified, and the flowers were comparable with that of in planta sporadic flowers. Pollen viability of the in vitro flowers was higher than those of in planta ones. The in vitro system developed in the present study facilitates easy tracking of different stages of flower development under controlled environmental conditions. It can also be used for medium- or long-term storage of pollens and manipulation of in vitro fertilization.

Body size and clonality consequences for sexual reproduction in a perennial herb of Brazilian rupestrian grasslands / Consequências do tamanho de corpo e da clonalidade para a reprodução sexuada de uma herbácea perene doa campos rupestres brasileiros

Body size is one of the most important factors regarding herbaceous perennial plants life-histories, and several fitness components of these organisms are related to size. Clonal plants show distinct kinds of reproduction and can develop offspring by sexual or asexual ways. We aimed to understand how body size affects Comanthera nivea (Eriocaulaceae) sexual reproduction and to verify how clonal growth is related to flower head production in this species. We sampled 600 rosettes in rupestrian grasslands and performed linear regression analysis between body size and number of produced flower heads. We also compared the flower head production between isolated rosettes and rosettes within clones. Our results showed that body size was significantly related, but explained only a small part of flower head production. The flower head production was higher in rosettes within clones than in isolated ones. The clones presented a rosette or a small group of rosettes that concentrated the sexual reproduction. Clonality was positively associated with sexual reproduction. Clonality can represent an important way of allowing the persistence of plants by sexual reproduction in markedly seasonal stressful environments. The cases of clonality enhancing the sexual reproduction must be considered and put in focus on reproductive biology research.

O tamanho de corpo é um dos atributos de história de vida mais importantes para plantas herbáceas perenes e muitos componentes da aptidão desses organismos são relacionados ao tamanho. As plantas clonais apresentam diferentes tipos de reprodução e podem gerar prole por vias sexuadas ou assexuadas. Nosso objetivo foi compreender como o tamanho de corpo afeta a reprodução sexual em Comanthera nivea e verificar como o crescimento clonal relaciona-se à produção de capítulos dessa espécie. Nós amostramos 600 rosetas em campos rupestres e utilizamos regressões lineares para verificar a relação entre o tamanho de corpo e o número de capítulos produzidos pela planta. Nós também comparamos a produção de capítulos entre rosetas isoladas e rosetas pertencentes a clones. Nossos resultados mostram que o tamanho de corpo tem influência positiva significativa na produção de capítulos, mas explica apenas parte da variação nos dados. A produção de capítulos é maior em rosetas pertencentes a clones que em rosetas isoladas. Os clones geralmente apresentam uma roseta, ou um grupo de rosetas, que concentra a reprodução sexual. A clonalidade apresentou ligações significativas com a reprodução sexuada. Em ambientes sazonais a clonalidade pode representar uma importante forma de persistência das plantas já que pode permitir um melhor desempenho da reprodução sexuada em vista dos estresses ambientais. Os casos nos quais a clonalidade representa uma via de melhor desempenho para a reprodução sexuada devem ser considerados e colocados em foco na pesquisa em biologia reprodutiva.

Foliar application of Zn at flowering stage improves plant’s performance, yield and yield attributes of black gram.

Black gram plants subjected to varying levels of Zn supply (0.01 to 10 µM Zn) showed optimum growth and dry matter yield in plants receiving 1 µM Zn. The dry matter yield of plants decreased in plants receiving 0.01 and 0.1 µM Zn (deficient) and excess levels of Zn (2 and 10 µM Zn). The plants grown with Zn deficient supply showed delayed flowering, premature bud abscission, reduced size of anthers, pollen producing capacity, pollen viability and stigma receptivity resulting in poor pod formation and seed yield. Providing Zn as a foliar spray at pre-flowering stage minimized the severity of Zn deficiency on reproductive structure development and enhanced the seed nutritional status by enhancing seed Zn density, seed carbohydrate (sugar and starch content) and storage proteins (albumins, globulins, glutenins, and prolamines).

Soluções nutritivas alternativas para o cultivo de bromélias ornamentais / Alternative nutritional solutions for the culture of ornamental bromélias / Soluciones alimenticias alternativas para la cultura de bromelias ornamentales

O cultivo de bromélias ornamentais tem sido considerado uma importante estratégia de preservação dessas plantas, pois possibilita ofornecimento de maior quantidade de plantas ao mercado, reduzindo a procura por exemplares provenientes do ambiente natural. Geralmente, osprodutores utilizam fertilizantes baseados em diferentes composições de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio. Contudo, estudos nutricionais utilizandoa técnica de cultivo in vitro têm mostrado um desenvolvimento satisfatório de bromélias na presença de outros nutrientes existentes nos meios de cultura utilizados, tais como os presentes em Murashige & Skoog (MS) e em Knudson (K). O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o crescimento de plantas de três espécies de bromélias ornamentais: Acanthostachys strobilaceae (Schult. f.) Klotzsch, Aechmea bromeliifolia (Rudge) Baker e Alcantarea imperialis (Carrière) Harms, obtidas a partir da germinação de sementes e adubadas com soluções nutritivas baseadas em MS e K. Plantas com dois meses foram transferidas para bandejas de isopor, contendo como substrato casca de Pinus, sendo adubadas por seis mesescom MS e K originais e uma diluição do meio MS à metade (MS/2). Foram analisados números de folhas, comprimentos dos eixos caulinares eradiculares, teores de massas seca e fresca das partes aérea e radicular, além de pigmentos fotossintéticos. Observou-se que as soluções maisdiluídas (K e MS/2) foram mais adequadas ao crescimento das três espécies de bromélias. As maiores concentrações de cálcio e magnésio presentes em K provavelmente favoreceram o desenvolvimento das plantas, indicando serem importantes como suplementação nutricional no cultivo de bromélias.

Cultivating ornamental bromeliads has been considered an important strategy for their preservation, because it allows the supply of a greater amount of plants to the market, reducing the use of units proceeding from the natural environment. Generally producers use fertilizers based on different compositions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. However, nutritional studies using in vitro cultivation technique have shown a satisfactory development of bromeliads as compared to other nutrients used in other techniques such as those in Murashige & Skoog (MS) and Knudson (K). The objective of this work was to verify the growth of plants of three species of ornamental bromeliads: Acanthostachys strobilaceae (Schult. f.) Klotzsch, Aechmea bromeliifolia (Rudge) Baker e Alcantarea imperialis (Carrière) Harms, gotten from the germination of seeds and fertilized with nutritional solutions based on MS and K. Plants with two months were transferred to isopor trays with Pinus rind as substratum, and were fertilized during six months with original MS and K and a dilution of half MS and half (MS/2). We examined number ofleafs, stem and root axis lengths, dry and wet masses of aerial and root parts, in addition to photosynthetic pigments. We observed that the morediluted solutions (K and MS/2) were more favorable to the growth of the three bromeliads species. The highest concentrations of calcium andmagnesium in K probably favored the development of the plants, indicating the important of nutritional supplements for bromeliads cultures.

Cultivar bromelias ornamentales es considerado una estrategia importante para su preservación, porque permite la oferta de una mayor cantidad de plantas al mercado, reduciendo el uso de las unidades que procedan del ambiente natural. Los productores utilizan generalmente fertilizantes basados en diversas composiciones del nitrógeno, fósforo y potasio. Sin embargo, estudios alimenticios usan técnicas de cultivación in vitro que han demostrado un desarrollo satisfactorio de bromelias respecto a otros alimentos usados en otras técnicas tales como Murashige y Skoog (MS) y Knudson (k). El objetivo de este trabajo fue verificar el crecimiento de las plantas de tres especies de bromelias ornamentales: Acanthostachys strobilaceae (Schult. f.) Klotzsch, Aechmea bromeliifolia (Rudge) Baker y Alcantarea imperialis (Carrière) Harms, conseguidas porla germinación de semillas y fertilizadas con soluciones alimenticias basadas en MS y K. Plantas con dos meses fueran transferidas a bandejas de espuma de poliestireno con corteza del pinus como substrato, y fertilizadas durante seis meses con MS y K originales y una dilución mitad MS mitad K (MS/2). Examinamos el número de hojas, de vástago y de masas de las longitudes del eje de la raíz, piezas secas y mojadas de las piezas de la antena y de la raíz, además de los pigmentos fotosintéticos. Observamos que las soluciones diluidas (K y MS/2) fueran más favorables al crecimiento de las tres especies de bromelias. Las concentraciones más altas de calcio y de magnesio en K favorecieron probablemente el desarrollo de las plantas, indicando la importancia de los suplementos alimenticios para las culturas de bromelias.

Teor e composição do óleo essencial de inflorescências e folhas de Lavandula dentata L. em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento floral e épocas de colheita / Yield and composition of essential oil from inflorescences and leaves of lavender (Lavandula dentata L.) in different flower development stages and harvest times

O óleo essencial de Lavandula dentata L. possui importância econômica devido à utilização nas indústrias farmacêutica, cosmética e de higiene pessoal. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o teor e a composição do óleo essencial de inflorescências e folhas de lavanda em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 x 3, sendo três estádios de desenvolvimento floral (botão, pré-antese/antese e senescente) e duas épocas de colheita (janeiro e abril), com cinco repetições. As amostras de óleo essencial foram obtidas por hidrodestilação, sendo os constituintes analisados por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG/EM). Houve interação entre os fatores épocas de colheita e desenvolvimento floral no teor de óleo essencial das inflorescências, sendo observada média superior em botões florais colhidos em janeiro. Os estádios de desenvolvimento não alteraram o teor do óleo essencial das folhas. Os estádios de desenvolvimento influenciaram nos teores dos constituintes dos óleos essenciais das inflorescências e folhas. No óleo essencial em estádio de flor senescente da colheita de abril, observou-se teor elevado de 1,8-cineol, enquanto nos demais estádios de desenvolvimento os teores foram menores em ambas as épocas de colheita. Teores elevados de cânfora foram observados nos estádios de pré-antese/antese e senescente, na colheita de janeiro. O óleo essencial das folhas apresentou teor superior de 1,8-cineol em ramos com flores em estádio de pré-antese/antese. Os teores de cânfora e fenchona foram superiores em ramos contendo botões. O óleo essencial das folhas de ramos com botões e flores senescentes apresentou teor superior de linalol em relação ao óleo essencial das inflorescências.

The essential oil of Lavandula dentata L. has economic importance due to its utilization by pharmaceutical, cosmetic and personal care industries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield and composition of essential oil from lavender inflorescences and leaves in different development stages. The experimental design was completely randomized in 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, with three flower development stages (bud, pre-anthesis/anthesis and senescence) and two harvest periods (January and April), and 5 replicates. The essential oil samples were obtained by hydrodistillation, and the compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). There was an interaction between the factors harvest time and flower development on essential oil yield of inflorescences, and a superior average was observed for flower buds harvested in January. The development stages did not alter the essential oil yield of leaves. The development stages influenced the levels of compounds of the essential oil from inflorescences and leaves. For essential oil in senescent flower stage harvested in April, there was a high level of 1,8-cineol, whereas in the remaining development stages, the levels were lower in both harvest times. The levels of camphor increased in the pre-anthesis/anthesis and senescence in January harvest. The essential oil from leaves presented higher levels of 1,8-cineol in branches with flowers in pre-anthesis/anthesis. Camphor and fenchone levels were higher in branches with buds. The essential oil from leaves of branches with buds and senescent flowers showed higher levels of linalool than that from inflorescences.

Formas de aplicação de cama-de-frango no crescimento e produção de capítulos florais de Calendula officinalis L. / Chicken manure application forms on the growth and production of Calendula officinalis L. capitula

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar características fisiológicas, morfológicas e a produção de inflorescências em cultura de Calendula officinalis em função do fornecimento de cama-de-frango de corte semidecomposta. O experimento conduzido em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico contou com quatro tratamentos, a testemunha, cama incorporada, cama em cobertura e cama em cobertura (50 por cento) mais incorporada (50 por cento) na dose 20 t ha-1. Empregou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados em parcelas subdivididas, com seis repetições. Os valores de matéria fresca e seca dos capítulos florais decresceram com o tempo de cultivo. As formas de fornecimento da cama-de-frango não interferiram na síntese de clorofila (44,812 µg cm-2), no metabolismo fotossintético (20,938 µmol m-2 s-1) e na transpiração das plantas (6,750 Mmol m-2 s-1), com valores mais elevados aos 112 dias após o transplantio. A maior produção total de capítulos foi observada sob cultivo com cama-de-frango 50 por cento incorporada e 50 por cento em cobertura (1361,16 kg ha-1) e a menor no tratamento testemunha (939,28 kg ha-1).

This study aimed to evaluate physiological and morphological characteristics of inflorescences in culture of Calendula officinalis according to the supply of semi-decomposed poultry manure. The experiment was conducted in dystrophic Red Latosol and included four treatments: control, incorporate litter, cover litter and cover (50 percent) incorporated (50 percent) litter at the level 20 t ha-1. The randomized split-plot block design was adopted, with six replicates. The values of fresh and dry matter of capitula decreased with the cultivation time. The forms of chicken manure supply did not interfere with chlorophyll synthesis (44.812 µg cm²) and photosynthetic metabolism (20.938 µmol m-2 s-1) and plant transpiration (6.750 Mmol m-2 s-1), with the highest values at 112 days after transplanting. At 126 days after transplanting, the highest production of capitula (16.0 capitula plant -1) was verified for the treatment cover (50 percent) incorporated (50 percent) litter, with the highest diameter (46 to 50mm) incorporated. The highest total production of capitula was observed for cultivation with 50 percent incorporated and 50 percent cover poultry manure (1362.16 kg ha-1) and the lowest production was noted for the control treatment (939.28 ha-1).

Flowering phenology and pollination of ornithophilous species in two habitats of Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

The aim of this study is to describe interactions between hummingbirds and ornithophilous species at Serra da Bodoquena in midwest Brazil, with focus on flowering phenology and pollination of these plant species. In two habitats, gallery forest and semi-deciduous forest, data on flowering phenology of ornithophilous species were collected monthly over 14 months. In addition, data on morphology and floral biology, as well as visitor frequency and hummingbird behavior, were recorded. The studied community contained eight ornithophilous plant species and six hummingbird species. The ornithophilous species flowered throughout the year, and the greatest abundance of flowers was at the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry one. The herit huingbird Phaethornis pretrei and feales of Thalurania furcata, were the most similar in floral resource use. Acanthaceae is the most representative family of ornithophilous plant species in Serra da Bodoquena and, thus, represents the main food source for hummingbirds. Ruellia angustiflora is especially important because it flowers continuously throughout the year and is a significant food resource for P. pretrei, which is the main visitor for this plant guild.

O objetivo deste estudo é descrever as interações entre beijaflores e espécies ornitófilas na Serra da Bodoquena na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil, com foco na fenologia de floração e polinização destas espécies vegetais. Em dois habitats, mata ciliar e floresta semi-decídua, dados de fenologia de floração de espécies ornitófilas foram coletados mensalmente ao longo de 14 meses. Além disso, dados de morfologia e biologia floral bem como a frequência dos visitantes e o comportamento dos beija-flores foram registrados. A comunidade estudada contém oito espécies de plantas ornitófilas e seis espécies de beija-flores. As espécies ornitófilas floresceram todo o ano, e a maior abundância de flores foi no final da estação chuvosa e início da seca. O beija-flor eremita Phaethornis pretrei e a fêmea de Thalurania furcata foram os mais similares no uso dos recursos florais. Acanthaceae é a família mais representativa das espécies vegetais ornitófilas na Serra da Bodoquena e representa a principal fonte de recurso para os beija-flores. Ruellia angustiflora é especialmente importante porque floresce continuamente ao longo do ano e é uma importante fonte de recurso para P. pretrei, que é o principal visitante floral para esta guilda de plantas.

In vitro regeneration and genetic fidelity of Tigridia pavonia (L. f.) DC

Plants of Tigridia pavonia (L.f.) DC were regenerated from twin-scaling explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog and N6 basal medium. The highest formation of shoots per responding explant was obtained on N6 medium supplemented with 4.5 uM 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid in combination with 2.2 uM benzylaminopurine. Shoots rooted readily on N6 basal medium supplemented with 1 g I-1 activated charcoal and 2.6 uM naphtalenacetic acid. The rooted shoots achieved 100 percent survival. Inter Simple Sequence Repeat analysis was carried out to check for possible genetic alterations in plants obtained after two consecutive subcultures. The results revealed that the recovered plants did not exhibit any type of polymorphism.

Phenology and recruitment of Caryocar costaricense (Caryocaceae), an endemic tree species of Southern Central America

Basic aspects of the reproductive biology are largely unknown for most tropical tree species, although they are important elements to understand the impacts of anthropogenic activities as logging and forest fragmentation on these populations. In this study, data are presented on leaf and reproductive phenology, fruit production and seedling demography of a population of an endemic tree species of Southern Central America, Caryocar costaricense. This species has been affected by selective logging and forest fragmentation of its habitat. Phenology was studied by observation of 15-22 tree crowns during two reproductive periods (2003 and 2005). Circular plots were established around 11 adult trees to count the number of fallen fruits and seedlings during three years (2003, 2004, 2005). Although reproductive phenology is restricted to the short dry season in this species, seed germination occurred year-round. Fruit and seedling production shows a strong inter-individual variation within the study populations, with two large trees producing nearly 50%-70% of the fruits and seedlings during two years. Most of the seeds that fall beneath the tree crown are covered by litterfall or removed by fauna. We found evidence that many of these seeds become part of a seed bank in the forest floor. Because of the observed reproductive dominance of few large trees in these populations, we propose that selective logging on reproductive trees can severely impact the recruitment of this species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (3): 771-780. Epub 2009 September 30.

Los aspectos básicos de la biología reproductiva de árboles tropicales son en su mayoría desconocidos, aunque son conocimientos esenciales para entender el impacto de actividades antropogénicas como la tala selectiva y la fragmentación de bosques. En este estudio se presentan datos sobre la fenología foliar y reproductiva, la producción de frutos, y la demografía de plántulas de una población de Caryocar costaricense, una especie endémica del sur de América Central, afectada por tala selectiva y fragmentación de su hábitat original. La fenología fue estudiada por medio de la observación de las copas de 15 a 22 árboles adultos durante dos períodos reproductivos (años 2003 y 2005). Para estudiar la caída de frutos y la dinámica de germinación y supervivencia de plántulas, se establecieron parcelas circulares alrededor de 11 individuos adultos, donde se realizaron observaciones durante tres años (2003, 2004, 2005). Aunque la fenología reproductiva está limitada a la corta estación seca local, la germinación de semillas se da todo el año. La producción de frutos y plántulas mostró una alta variación inter-individual, con dos árboles produciendo 50-70% de todos los frutos y plántulas durante dos años. La mayoría de las semillas que caen bajo la copa son cubiertas por mantillo o removidas por la fauna. Muchas de estas semillas se vuelven parte de un banco de semillas latente en el piso del bosque. Debido a la dominancia reproductiva de unos pocos grandes árboles en estas poblaciones, se propone que la tala selectiva sobre individuos reproductivos puede provocar un impacto severo sobre el reclutamiento de nuevos individuos en estas poblaciones.

Reproductive biology of Hechtia schottii, a dioecious Bromeliaceae, in Mexico

Hechtia schottii is a terrestrial, rosetofilous, dioecious, polycarpic succulent herb, that grows mainly in shrubby associations, and less frequently, in secondary low caducifolious forests, both on calcareous soils or limestone outcrops in Yucatan and Campeche States, Mexico. We studied phenology, floral and pollination biology, and breeding system at Calcehtok, Yucatan, during two flowering seasons. Plants bloom mainly during the dry season (November-April) and disperse seeds during the rainy season (May-October). Both floral morphs have diurnal anthesis; pollen is removed ca. 1 h after anthesis starts and both floral morphs are visited by several insect species, especially bees, but results suggest that the introduced honey bee, Apis mellifera, is the pollinator. Controlled crossings show that the species is functionally dioecious and requires to be serviced by pollinators based on fruit setting only in unassisted cross pollination crosses.

Hechtia schottii es una hierba terrestre, suculenta, rosetófila, dioica y policárpica, que crece en asociaciones arbustivas y selva baja caducifolia secundaria, ambos en suelos calcáreos o limosos. Estudiamos la fenología, la biología floral, reproductiva y de la polinización en una población en Calcehtok, Yucatán, México, durante dos estaciones de floración. Las plantas florecen principalmente en la época de secas (noviembre-abril) y la dispersión de semillas es durante la estación de lluvias (mayo-octubre). Ambas formas (morphs) florales tienen antesis diurna; el polen es removido ca. 1 h después del comienzo de la antesis y ambas formas florales son visitadas por varias especies de insectos, especialmente abejas, pero los resultados sugieren que la abeja introducida, Apis mellifera, es el polinizador. Cruces controlados muestran que la especie es funcionalmente dioica y que requiere de un polinizador, ya que solo produce frutos por polinización no asistida entre formas.

Do seasonal changes in light availability influence the inverse leafing phenology of the neotropical dry forest understory shrub Bonellia nervosa (Theophrastaceae)?

In tropical dry forests most plants are deciduous during the dry season and flush leaves with the onset of the rains. In Costa Rica, the only species displaying the opposite pattern is Bonellia nervosa. To determine if seasonal changes in light availability are associated with the leaf and reproductive phenology of this species, we monitored leaf production, survival, and life span, as well as flower and fruit production from April 2000 to October 2001 in Santa Rosa National Park. Leaf flushing and flower bud production took place shortly after the autumnal equinox when day length starts to decrease. Leaves began expansion at the end of the wet season, and plants reached 70 % of their maximum leaf area at the beginning of the dry season, maintaining their foliage throughout the entire dry period. Leaf shedding occurred gradually during the first three months of the wet season. Leaf flushing and shedding showed high synchrony, with leaf numbers being related to light availability. Maximum leaf production coincided with peaks in radiation during the middle of the dry season. Decreasing day length induces highly synchronous flower bud emergence in dry forest species, but this is the first study indicating induction of leaf flushing by declining day length.

En los bosques tropicales secos la mayoría de las plantas pierden sus hojas durante la estación seca y las producen con el inicio de las lluvias. En Costa Rica la única especie que muestra el patrón fenológico inverso es Bonellia nervosa. Para determinar si los cambios estacionales en la disponibilidad de luz estaban asociados con la fenología foliar y reproductiva en esta especie, monitoreamos la producción y sobrevivencia de hojas, así como la producción de flores y frutos de abril del 2000 a octubre del 2001 en el Parque Nacional Santa Rosa. La producción de hojas y botones florales ocurrió poco después del equinoccio de otoño, cuando el fotoperíodo comenzó a disminuir. Las hojas comenzaron a expandirse a finales de la estación lluviosa, y las plantas alcanzaron 70 % de su área foliar máxima al inicio de la estación seca, manteniendo las hojas durante todo el período seco. La caída de hojas tuvo lugar gradualmente durante los primeros tres meses de la estación lluviosa. La producción y caída de hojas mostró alta sincronía, estando el número de hojas relacionado con la disponibilidad de luz. La producción máxima de hojas coincidió con picos en la radiación a mediados de la estación seca. La disminución del fotoperíodo induce alta sincronía en producción de botones florales en especies del bosque seco, pero este es el primer estudio que reporta la inducción de producción de hojas debido a la disminución en el fotoperíodo.