Proteomic and physiological signatures of altitude adaptation in a Myrsine coriacea population under common garden conditions.

Plants exhibit phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental variations, which can lead to stable genetic and physiological adaptations if exposure to specific conditions is prolonged. Myrsine coriacea demonstrates this through its ability to thrive in diverse environments. The objective of the article is to investigate potential differences in protein accumulation and physiological responses of M. coriacea by cultivating plants from seeds collected from four populations at different altitudes in a common garden experiment. Additionally, we aim to evaluate whether these differences exhibit genetic fixation. Through integrated physiological and proteomic analyses, we identified 170 differentially accumulated proteins and observed significant physiological differences among the populations. The high-altitude population (POP1) exhibited a unique proteomic profile with significant down-regulation of proteins involved in carbon fixation and energy metabolism, suggesting a potential reduction in photosynthetic efficiency. Physiological analyses showed lower leaf nitrogen content, net CO2 assimilation rate, specific leaf area, and relative growth rate in stem height for POP1, alongside higher leaf carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) and leaf carbon (C) content. These findings provide insight into the complex interplay between proteomic and physiological adaptations in M. coriacea and underscore the importance of local adaptations. SIGNIFICANCE: We investigate the adaptive responses of M. coriacea, a shrub with a broad phenotypic range, by cultivating plants from seeds collected at four different altitudes in a common garden experiment. These findings provide insight into the complex interplay between proteomic and physiological adaptations in M. coriacea and underscore the importance of local adaptations in the face of climate change. This study contributes to advancing our understanding of the influence of altitude-specific selection pressures on the molecular biology and physiology of plants in natural populations. Our findings provide valuable insights that enhance our ability to predict and comprehend how plants respond to climate change.

Impact of intercropping on the photosynthetic activity of coffee / Impacto do cultivo consorciado na atividade fotossintética do café

Conducting studies that assist in the evaluation of agroecosystems is essential for advancing biodiverse and sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to assess the impact of intercropping on the photosynthetic activity of Arabica coffee plants. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Alegre, Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Three coffee cropping systems were studied: Arabica coffee monoculture; Arabica coffee intercropped with Nanicon variety banana; and Arabica coffee intercropped with Nanicon variety banana and Juçara palm. The Arabica coffee variety used was Catuaí Vermelho IAC 44, planted in 1991, with a spacing of 3.0 m between rows and 2.0 m between holes, accommodating two plants per hole. In 2010, coffee trees underwent mid-height pruning (low-cutting pruning), and the Nanicon bananas were planted between rows with a spacing of 5.0 x 3.0 m. Three years later, palm seedlings were planted in the same rows as the banana plants, with a spacing of 5 x 3 m. Five experimental units were randomly selected for each cropping system. The evaluated variables included chlorophyll indexes (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and chlorophyll a/b ratio) and gas exchange parameters (net CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, transpiration, intrinsic water use efficiency, instantaneous water use efficiency, and carboxylation efficiency). Regarding chlorophyll indexes, differences were observed only in chlorophyll b, with monoculture coffee displaying the highest values. In terms of gas exchange, intercropped coffee exhibited lower values of intrinsic and instantaneous water use efficiency, and higher values of stomatal conductance and transpiration. The highest net assimilation rate values were observed in coffee with banana intercropping, while the highest water use efficiency was found in coffee in monoculture. In summary, monoculture coffee showed the highest values for most of the variables related to photosynthetic activity, followed by Arabica coffee intercropped with banana, which stood out for achieving the highest net assimilation rate.(AU)

Realizar estudos que auxiliem na avaliação de agroecossistemas são de vital importância para avançar no desenvolvimento de uma agricultura biodiversa e sustentável. Desta forma, o objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar o impacto do consórcio na atividade fotossintética de plantas de cafeeiro arábica. O experimento foi desenvolvido no município de Alegre, Espírito Santo, sudeste do Brasil. O estudo foi realizado em plantações de café sob três sistemas de cultivo: café Arábica em monocultura; café Arábica consorciado com banana variedade Nanicon; e café Arábica consorciado com banana variedade Nanicon e palmito Juçara. A variedade de café Arábica usada nos sistemas de cultivo foi o Catuaí Vermelho IAC 44, plantada em 1991, com espaçamento de 3,0 m entre linhas e 2,0 m entre covas, com duas plantas por cova. Em 2010, as árvores de café foram podadas na altura média (poda de baixo corte) e as bananas da variedade Nanicon foram plantadas entre as fileiras a 5,0 x 3,0 m de espaçamento. Três anos depois, as mudas de palmito foram plantadas na mesma linha que a banana a 5 x 3 m de espaçamento. Em cada sistema foram estabelecidas cinco unidades experimentais, selecionadas aleatoriamente. As variáveis avaliadas foram índices de clorofila (clorofila a, clorofila b, clorofila total e razão clorofila a/b) e trocas gasosas (taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2, condutância estomática, concentração subestomática de CO2, transpiração, eficiência intrínseca do uso da água, eficiência instantânea do uso da água e eficiência da carboxilação). Para os índices de clorofila, as diferenças são observadas apenas na clorofila b, onde o café em monocultura obteve os maiores índices. No caso das trocas gasosas, os menores valores de eficiência intrínseca e instantânea do uso da água, e os maiores valores de condutância estomática e transpiração, foram encontrados no café com consórcio, em que os maiores valores líquidos taxa de assimilação correspondeu ao café consorciado com banana, enquanto maior eficiência no uso da água, ao café em monocultura. Desta forma, observou-se que o café em monocultivo obteve os maiores valores para a maioria das variáveis envolvidas na atividade fotossintética, seguido pelo consórcio de café Arábica com banana, que se destacou por obter a maior taxa de assimilação líquida.(AU)

Lack of coordination between stomatal and vein traits provides functional benefits to the dioecious tropical tree Myrsine coriacea.

Climate change will affect the distribution of many tropical plant species. However, the understanding of how dioecious tropical species cope with different environmental conditions is still limited. To address this issue, we investigated how secondary trait attributes in populations of the dioecious tropical tree Myrsine coriacea change along an altitudinal gradient. Eighty individual plants (40 male and 40 female) were selected among seven natural populations. Leaf variation in morphological and stomatal traits, and carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions were analyzed. Female plants had greater isotopic leaf carbon composition (δ13 C) and nitrogen content than male plants, increasing their carboxylation capacity. Plants of both sexes had smaller stomata, greater water-use efficiency (greater δ13 C), and greater nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15 N) at higher altitudes. They also showed lower δ15 N and had greater carbon: nitrogen ratios at lower altitudes. There was a lack of coordination between stomatal and vein traits, which was compensated for by variation in specific leaf areas. This mechanism was essential for increasing plant performance under the limiting conditions found by the species at higher altitudes.

Impact of drought associated with high temperatures on Coffea canephora plantations: a case study in Espírito Santo State, Brazil.

Droughts are major natural disasters that affect many parts of the world all years and recently affected one of the major conilon coffee-producing regions of the world in state of Espírito Santo, which caused a huge crisis in the sector. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct an analysis with technical-scientific basis of the real impact of drought associated with high temperatures and irradiances on the conilon coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehner) plantations located in the north, northwest, and northeast regions of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Data from 2010 to 2016 of rainfall, air temperature, production, yield, planted area and surface remote sensing were obtained from different sources, statistically analyzed, and correlated. The 2015/2016 season was the most affected by the drought and high temperatures (mean annual above 26 °C) because, in addition to the adverse weather conditions, coffee plants were already damaged by the climatic conditions of the previous season. The increase in air temperature has higher impact (negative) on production than the decrease in annual precipitation. The average annual air temperatures in the two harvest seasons that stood out for the lowest yields (i.e. 2012/2013 and 2015/2016) were approximately 1 °C higher than in the previous seasons. In addition, in the 2015/2016 season, the average annual air temperature was the highest in the entire series. The spatial and temporal distribution of Enhanced Vegetation Index values enabled the detection and perception of droughts in the conilon coffee-producing regions of Espírito Santo. The rainfall volume accumulated in the periods from September to December and from April to August are the ones that most affect coffee yield. The conilon coffee plantations in these regions are susceptible to new climate extremes, as they continue to be managed under irrigation and full sun. The adoption of agroforestry systems and construction of small reservoirs can be useful to alleviate these climate effects, reducing the risk of coffee production losses and contributing to the sustainability of crops in Espírito Santo.

Vegetative growth and yield of robusta coffee genotypes cultivated under different shading levels / Crescimento vegetativo e produção de genótipos de café robusta cultivados sob diferentes níveis de sombra

The growing in shaded systems is one of the strategies adopted to mitigate the impacts of climate change on coffee trees. However, there are few studies about the effect of shading on the growth and production of clones of robusta coffee (Coffea canephora). Besides that, exist a paradigm in Brazil of that the shading in coffee robusta is synonymous of less yield. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate whether C. canephora genotypes subjected to shading increase their yield and growth vegetative under field conditions. The study was performed between September 2013 and July 2017 (four harvests) in Alegre, Espírito Santostate, Brazil. Three genotypes of cultivar Conilon Vitória - Incaper 8142 were evaluated (03V, 06V, and 12V) and four levels of shade: full sunlight (witness) and, low, moderate and, high shade, with 38, 48 and, 68% of real capacity of shade, respectively. The shade was performed using black polyolefin screens; plants growing in full sunlight were only fenced. The tested shade levels affected the growth rate and yield of Robusta coffee plants. The shading caused a greater leaf expansion as compared to the full sunlight, as well as greater etiolation of the plagiotropic and orthotropic branches. The genotype 06V was shown to be responsive to shading, with a statistically equal production independently of shade level. The low, moderate, and high shade levels affected negatively the yield of genotypes 03V and 12V. The shading can improve the yield of Robusta coffee, in this case, of the genotype 06V of the cultivar Conilon Vitória - Incaper 8142. The success of shaded plantations depends the choice of the shade responsive genotypes and appropriate shading level.

O cultivo em sistemas sombreados é uma das estratégias adotadas para mitigar os impactos da mudança climática sobre os cafeeiros. No entanto, existem poucos estudos sobre o efeito do sombreamento no crescimento e produção de clones de café robusta (Coffea canephora). Além disso, existe um paradigma no Brasil de que o sombreamento nesta espécies é sinônimo de menor rendimento. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar se os genótipos de C. canephora submetidos ao sombreamento aumentam sua produtividade e crescimento vegetativo em condições de campo. O estudo foi realizado entre setembro de 2013 e julho de 2017 (quatro safras) em Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brasil. Três genótipos da cultivar Conilon Vitória - Incaper 8142 foram avaliados (03V, 06V e 12V) e quatro níveis de sombreamento: pleno sol (testemunha) e baixo,moderado e alto nível de sombreamento, com 34, 48 e 68% de capacidade real de sombreamento, respectivamente, obtidos com o uso de telas de poliolefinas de cor preta; plantas cultivadas em pleno sol foram apenas cercadas. Os níveis de sombreamento testados afetaram a taxa de crescimento e produtividade dasplantas de café Robusta O sombreamento provocou maior expansão foliar em relação ao pleno sol, bem como maior estiolação dos ramos plagiotrópicos e ortotrópicos. Os baixos, moderados e altos níveis de sombreamento afetaram negativamente a produção dos genótipos 03V e 12V. O sombreamento pode melhorar o rendimento do café Robusta, neste caso, do genótipo 06V da cultivar Conilon Vitória - Incaper 8142. O sucesso dasplantações cafeeiras sombreadas depende da escolha dos genótipos responsivos à sombra e do nível apropriado de sombreamento.

Leaf gas exchange and oxidative stress in sorghum plants supplied with silicon and infected by Colletotrichum sublineolum.

Considering the economic importance of anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum, and silicon (Si) to enhance sorghum resistance against this disease, this study aimed to investigate the effect of this element on leaf gas exchange and also the antioxidative system when infected by C. sublineolum. Plants from sorghum line CMSXS142 (BR 009 [Tx623] - Texas), growing in hydroponic culture with (+Si, 2 mM) or without (-Si) Si, were inoculated with C. sublineolum. Disease severity was assessed at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days after inoculation (dai) and data were used to calculate the area under anthracnose progress curve (AUAPC). Further, the net carbon assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance to water vapor (g(s)), internal-to-ambient CO2 concentration ratio (C(i)/C(a)), and transpiration rate (E); the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR); the electrolyte leakage (EL), and the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. The AUAPC was reduced by 86% for the +Si plants compared with the -Si plants. The values of A, g(s), and E were lower upon inoculation of -Si plants in contrast to inoculated +Si plants with decreases of 31 and 60% for A, 34 and 61% for g(s), and 27 and 57% for E, respectively, at 4 and 8 dai. For the noninoculated plants, there was no significant difference between the -Si and +Si treatments for the values of A, g(s), and E. The C(i)/C(a) ratio was similar between the -Si and +Si treatments, regardless of the pathogen inoculation. The activities of SOD, CAT, APX, and GR tended to be higher in the +Si plants compared with the -Si plants upon inoculation with C. sublineolum. The EL significantly increased for -Si plants compared with +Si plants. The MDA concentration significantly increased by 31 and 38% at 4 and 8 dai, respectively, for the -Si plants compared with the +Si plants. Based on these results, Si may have a positive effect on sorghum physiology when infected by C. sublineolum through the maintenance of carbon fixation and also by enhancing the antioxidant system, which resulted in an increase in reactive oxygen species scavenging and, ultimately, reduced damage to the cell membranes.

In vitro germination of beetroot seeds treated with Ga3 and sucrose / Germinação in vitro de sementes de beterraba tratadas com ácido giberélico em diferentes concentrações de sacarose no meio de cultura

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro germination of beetroot seeds, cv. Early Wonder Tall Top, treated with gibberellic acid and sucrose at different concentrations. A randomized complete block design in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement with five replications was used. The beetroot seeds ware pre-soaked in gibberellic acid (GA3) and destilated water  during six hours, maintained of five concentration of culture medium (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 g L-1). Seeds treated with GA3 and maintained in medium with sucrose in the concentrations of 15 g L-1 presented the highest germination, while seedlings with the highest vigor were obtained with seeds maintained in the medium at 15 and 30 g L-1 of saccharose.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a germinação in vitro de sementes de beterraba, cv. Early Wonder Tall Top, tratadas com ácido giberélico em diferentes concentrações de sacarose no meio de cultura. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados, em um esquema fatorial 2 x 5, com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram sementes pré-embebidas em ácido giberélico (GA3) e sementes pré-embebidas em água destilada por seis horas, mantidas em cinco concentrações de sacarose no meio de cultura (0; 15; 30; 45; e 60 g L-1). Sementes tratadas com GA3, mantidas no meio de cultura com sacarose na concentração de 15 g L-1, apresentam maior porcentagem de germinação, enquanto plântulas mais vigorosas foram obtidas a partir de sementes mantidas nos meios suplementados com 15 e 30 g L-1 de sacarose.