Tropical forages: morphoanatomy of plants grown in areas with the death of pasture syndrome / Forrageiras tropicais: anatomia e morfometria de plantas cultivadas em áreas com síndrome da morte de pastagens

Abstract Roots and leaves of Panicum maximum Tanzânia, Mombaça and Massai; Urochloa brizantha Piatã, Marandu and Xaraés; Urochloa humidicola Llanero; Urochloa ruziziensis Ruzizienses; Urochloa hybrida Mulato II and Cynodon nlemfuensis Estrela-roxa were analyzed, seeking to identify characters for better adaptation to the environment that may interfere with digestibility of tissue from the point of view of the rumen in cattle. Were planted ten cultivars in a completely randomized blocks with three repetitions. Was collected vegetative material, which histological slides were prepared from middle third of the sections of roots and leaves. Were observed differences (p>0.05) in the roots: higher volume of epidermal cells (28.62 µm) and overall diameter (1926.41 µm) of Llanero; thicker vascular cylinder (975.09 µm) and more protoxylem (42.25) in Estrela-roxa and occurrence of aerenchyma in cultivars Piatã, Mulato II, Xaraés, Massai, Llanero and Estrela-roxa; Were found higher proportions of bulliform cells in the leaves (121.07 µm) and thicker leaf mesophyll in U. humidicola Llanero (263.63 µm); higher proportion of sclerenchyma fibers in Xaraés and Marandu; lower results for amount of fibers in P. maximum Massai. We conclude that the cultivars Estrela-roxa, Llanero and Massai have greater adaptability to the environment and better nutritional quality.

Resumo Foram analisadas raízes e folhas de Panicum maximum Tanzânia, Mombaça e Massai; Urochloa brizantha Piatã, Marandu e Xaraés; Urochloa humidicola Llanero; Urochloa ruziziensis Ruzizienses; Urochloa hybrida Mulato II e Cynodon nlemfuensis Estrela-roxa, procurando identificar caracteres relacionados à melhor adaptação ao ambiente e à qualidade nutritiva das forrageiras. As dez cultivares foram semeadas em blocos inteiramente casualizados com três repetições. Após estabelecidas foi coletado material vegetativo, do qual lâminas histológicas foram confeccionadas a partir de secções do terço médio de raízes e folhas. Foram observadas diferenças significativas (p>0,05) nas raízes: maior volume de células epidérmicas (28,62 µm) e diâmetro total (1926,41 µm) de Llanero; em Estrela-roxa maior espessura do cilindro vascular (975,09 µm) e número maior de protoxilemas (42,25) e formação de aerênquimas nas cultivares Piatã, Mulato II, Xaraés, Massai, Llanero, e Estrela-roxa; Nas folhas, foram constatadas maiores proporções de células buliformes (121,07 µm) e mesofilo foliar mais espesso (263,63 µm) em Llanero; em Xaraés e Marandu maiores proporções de fibras esclerenquimáticas; em Massai menores resultados para quantidade de fibras. Conclui-se que as cultivares Estrela-roxa, Llanero e Massai apresentam maior adaptabilidade ao ambiente e melhor qualidade nutritiva.

Diversity and genetic structure of the native Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.) population.

The present study was carried out in a native Brazil nut tree population (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl., Lecythidaceae) to assess its genetic diversity and structure. Ten microsatellite markers were used to genotype 198 adult trees (B. excelsa). The population presented high genetic diversity and inbreeding absence rates. The empirical Bayesian method showed three distinct groups in the structure of this population. Molecular analysis of variance showed 98% variability within groups, and 2% between groups. The genetic divergence (FST) indicated little difference between groups; thus, suggesting efficient gene flow between the analyzed B. excelsa adult trees.

Tropical forages: morphoanatomy of plants grown in areas with the death of pasture syndrome.

Roots and leaves of Panicum maximum Tanzânia, Mombaça and Massai; Urochloa brizantha Piatã, Marandu and Xaraés; Urochloa humidicola Llanero; Urochloa ruziziensis Ruzizienses; Urochloa hybrida Mulato II and Cynodon nlemfuensis Estrela-roxa were analyzed, seeking to identify characters for better adaptation to the environment that may interfere with digestibility of tissue from the point of view of the rumen in cattle. Were planted ten cultivars in a completely randomized blocks with three repetitions. Was collected vegetative material, which histological slides were prepared from middle third of the sections of roots and leaves. Were observed differences (p>0.05) in the roots: higher volume of epidermal cells (28.62 µm) and overall diameter (1926.41 µm) of Llanero; thicker vascular cylinder (975.09 µm) and more protoxylem (42.25) in Estrela-roxa and occurrence of aerenchyma in cultivars Piatã, Mulato II, Xaraés, Massai, Llanero and Estrela-roxa; Were found higher proportions of bulliform cells in the leaves (121.07 µm) and thicker leaf mesophyll in U. humidicola Llanero (263.63 µm); higher proportion of sclerenchyma fibers in Xaraés and Marandu; lower results for amount of fibers in P. maximum Massai. We conclude that the cultivars Estrela-roxa, Llanero and Massai have greater adaptability to the environment and better nutritional quality.

Morphological descriptors and ISSR molecular markers in the evaluation of genetic variability of Tectona grandis genotypes.

This study aimed to evaluate the genetic variability of the teak germplasm bank, using morphological traits and inter-simple sequence repeat molecular markers. Thirty clones were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, and each plot was composed of three plants. A joint analysis of quantitative and qualitative variables was performed using the Gower algorithm. Quantitative, qualitative, and molecular variables were analyzed simultaneously using the Ward-MLM procedure. There is genetic variability among the 30 teak genotypes studied, considering the quantitative, qualitative, and molecular variables by the Ward-MLM statistical procedure. Morphological traits used proved to be efficient for the study of genetic variability; however, it was not possible to compose a descriptor table for clonal teak genotypes based on the traits evaluated. The Gower method was efficient in discriminating the groups, demonstrating that the simultaneous analysis of qualitative and quantitative data is feasible and can allow greater efficiency in the knowledge of the variability among teak genotypes. The genotype 22 showed to be the most divergent compared to the other genotypes, except for the cluster of genotypes by the UPGMA method based on the Gower distance obtained by the Ward-MLM procedure, which formed a group with genotypes 9 and 30, in the morphological and molecular analyses and was grouped alone.

Anatomy and micromorphometric analysis of leaf Catasetum x apolloi Benelli & Grade with addition of potassium silicate under different light sources / Anatomia e análise micromorfométrica foliar de Catasetum x apolloi Benelli & Grade com adição de silicato de potássio em diferentes fontes de luz

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare vitroplants Catasetum x apolloi grown under natural light and artificial light and different concentrations of potassium silicate, providing data on the anatomical differentiation that aids the acclimatization process of this species. Plants from in vitro seeding were used; 5 protocorms of approximately 0.5 cm were inoculated into vials with a capacity of 500 mL containing 100 mL of alternative culture medium plus potassium silicate (0.0, 0.5; 1.0 mL L–1), pH adjusted to 5.5 ± 0.5 and gelated with 4GL–1 agar before the autoclaving process. Cultures were maintained under natural light (TNE) and artificial light (TAE) for 90 days, and micromorphometric analysis was performed for polar and equatorial diameter, density and stomatal index, blade thickness in the central rib, and secondary veins. Applications in K2SiO4 alternative medium provided the following: elongation of the hypodermis, thicker mesophyll, and more prominent midrib; elipptical guard cells; formation of epistomatal chamber; and lower stomatal density and stomatal with lower equatorial and polar diameters. The conditions that favored the acclimatization were lower light intensities and lower potassium silicate doses.

Resumo O objetivo desse trabalho foi comparar vitroplantas de Catasetum x apolloi cultivadas sob luz natural e luz artificial e diferentes concentrações de silicato de potássio, fornecendo dados sobre diferenciação anatômica que auxiliem no processo de aclimatação dessa espécie. Utilizou-se plantas provenientes da semeadura in vitro, 5 protocormos de aproximadamente 0,5 cm foram inoculados em frascos com capacidade para 500 mL contendo 100 mL de meio de cultura alternativo, acrescido de silicato de potássio (0,0; 0,5; 1,0 mL L–1), pH ajustado para 5,5 ±0,5 e gelificado com 4gL–1 de ágar antes do processo de autoclavagem. As culturas foram mantidas sob luz natural (TAA) e luz artificial (TAN) por 90 dias, e feitas análises micromorfométricas (diâmetro polar e equatorial, densidade e índice estomático, espessura do limbo na nervura central e nervuras secundárias). As aplicações de K2SiO4 em meio alternativo, propiciaram: alongamento da hipoderme; mesofilo mais espesso e nervura central mais proeminente; células guardas elípticas; formação de câmaras supraestomáticas; menor densidade estomática e estômatos com menores diâmetros equatorial e polar. As condições que podem favorecer a aclimatação são menores intensidades de luz e menores doses de silicato de potássio.

Genetic diversity of Cajazeira (Spondias mombin L.) in three geographic regions.

Cajazeira (Spondias mombin L.), of the family Anacardiaceae, is a species of fruit tree found in the Amazon region with fruits that have excellent prospects for commercial use. We aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity within and among natural populations of S. mombin, with natural occurrence in northern Mato Grosso State, by using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Overall, 126 individuals were evaluated from three populations located Alta Floresta (AFL) 42, Marcelândia (MAR) 41, and Nova Bandeirantes (NBA) 43. The individuals were genotyped with 14 ISSR primers, which amplified 99 fragments. All markers, with the exception of DiGA3'A, presented a polymorphic information content above 0.25, and thus, are recommended for diversity analyses in S. mombin. Genetic diversity of the AFL [Nei's diversity (H) = 0.2430 and Shannon index (I) = 0.3547] and MAR (H = 0.2062 and I = 0.2993) populations was higher when compared to the NBA population, which presented the lowest genetic diversity (H = 0.2002 and I = 0.2957). Analysis of molecular variance showed that 77.38% of the total genetic variation is found within populations while 22.62% is found among populations. AFL and NBA are genetically the most similar populations and also the closest "Structure" revealed genetic diversity among the genotypes of each population. As there is genetic variability in both populations, and there are no genetically identical individuals, both populations can be a source of genotypes for germplasm banks and for future commercial fruitful plantations S. mombin.

Anatomy and micromorphometric analysis of leaf Catasetum x apolloi Benelli & Grade with addition of potassium silicate under different light sources.

The aim of this study was to compare vitroplants Catasetum x apolloi grown under natural light and artificial light and different concentrations of potassium silicate, providing data on the anatomical differentiation that aids the acclimatization process of this species. Plants from in vitro seeding were used; 5 protocorms of approximately 0.5 cm were inoculated into vials with a capacity of 500 mL containing 100 mL of alternative culture medium plus potassium silicate (0.0, 0.5; 1.0 mL L-1), pH adjusted to 5.5 ± 0.5 and gelated with 4GL-1 agar before the autoclaving process. Cultures were maintained under natural light (TNE) and artificial light (TAE) for 90 days, and micromorphometric analysis was performed for polar and equatorial diameter, density and stomatal index, blade thickness in the central rib, and secondary veins. Applications in K2SiO4 alternative medium provided the following: elongation of the hypodermis, thicker mesophyll, and more prominent midrib; elipptical guard cells; formation of epistomatal chamber; and lower stomatal density and stomatal with lower equatorial and polar diameters. The conditions that favored the acclimatization were lower light intensities and lower potassium silicate doses.

Effect of fragmentation on the natural genetic diversity of Theobroma speciosum Willd. ex Spreng. populations.

Forest fragmentation reduces the effective size of natural populations, isolates individuals in the landscape, and, consequently, changes species' mating systems by increasing the degree of relatedness between individuals and inbreeding. Investigating the impact of habitat degradation on forest fragments helps to assess the genetic and ecological consequences of these changes, and allows the development of effective and sustainable conservation strategies to manage the genetic resources of species living in degraded landscapes. The aim of the present study was to assess the genetic diversity of fragmented Theobroma speciosum populations using microsatellite markers. Three urban forest fragments were selected in the municipality of Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, namely C/E park, J park, and Zoo Botanical park. Seventy-five individuals (25 in each fragment) were sampled by collecting their leaves for genomic DNA extraction. Polymerase chain reaction amplifications were performed using nine polymorphic simple sequence repeat primers, which amplified 84 alleles. The mean expected heterozygosity was 0.970, and it was always higher than the observed heterozygosity. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that most variability occurred within populations (64%) rather than between them (36%). The Structure software and an unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean dendrogram revealed three distinct groups, showing that individuals were allocated to their correct populations. Genotype number 3 from C/E park, number 45 from J park, and number 51 from Zoo Botanical park could be used as stock plants in breeding programs, because they were the most dissimilar within the populations studied. The high genetic diversity levels detected in all three populations studied emphasize the importance of protecting this species in its natural habitat.

Genetic diversity in cassava landraces grown on farms in Alta Floresta-MT, Brazil.

Brazil is considered one of the domestication centers of cassava (Manihot esculenta), containing a large part of the biological diversity and traditional knowledge of the species. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of cassava landraces grown by farmers in the north of Mato Grosso State, Brazil, using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers. The study was carried out in the municipality of Alta Floresta, MT, on farms located in two rural areas. Seventeen cassava landraces were selected. The DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction amplifications were performed using 15 ISSR primers. Genetic similarity estimates were calculated using Jaccard's index and the generated matrix was used for clustering the genotypes by using UPGMA and Tocher's methods. The 15 ISSR primers amplified 120 fragments, revealing 61.67% polymorphism. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.04 to 0.61, averaging 0.39. The most similar genotypes were AF5 and AF8, whereas the least similar were AF1 and AF16. The UPGMA clustering method formed five groups. Group I included twelve landraces, Group II contained two, and the other groups contained one landrace each. Tocher's method resulted in six groups: 12 landraces clustered in one group, and the other groups each contained one landrace. The ISSR markers proved efficient in revealing genetic diversity among the cassava landraces. The landraces grown by farmers in the two rural areas of Alta Floresta have a great variability and, thus, can be exploited in programs for breeding and preservation of the species.

Genetic structure of natural populations of Theobroma in the Juruena National Park, Mato Grosso State, Brazil.

Several species within the genus Theobroma have particularly high economic value, including T. cacao and T. grandiflorum. Other species in this genus, such as T. speciosum and T. subincanum, have potential value for use in the conservation of genetic diversity in breeding programs. These latter species could also be domesticated or improved to produce commercial products. Using 13 simple sequence repeat loci, the population structure and genetic diversity of T. speciosum and T. subincanum natural populations in the Juruena National Park, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, was studied. We sampled all individuals of each species (N = 25) present inside a designated research area established by the Program for Research on Biodiversity. The average number of alleles per locus was 5 for T. speciosum and 6.69 for T. subincanum, with average PIC values above 0.5 in both species. All evaluated individuals varied genetically. Seeds from the individuals analyzed will be useful for the development of germplasm banks and for establishment of breeding programs.

Population structure and genetic diversity in natural populations of Theobroma speciosum Willd. Ex Spreng (Malvaceae).

The genus Theobroma found in the Amazon region is composed of 22 species, including Theobroma speciosum, better known as cacauí. These species are constantly threatened by forest fragmentation caused by human activities and require conservation strategies and management aimed at preserving them in their natural environments. The main objective of this study was to analyze the population structure and genetic diversity within and between natural populations of T. speciosum by using ISSR molecular markers to understand the population structure of the species. Four natural populations belonging to the Amazon rainforest (BAC, CRO, FLA, and PNA), located in the State of Mato Grosso, were selected. Amplification reactions were performed using 15 ISSR primers. A total of 101 loci were found, of which 54.46% were polymorphic at the species level. The BAC population showed higher genetic diversity (H=0.095 and I=0.144) and higher percentage of polymorphism (28.71%). The populations showed an FST value of 0.604, indicating marked genetic differentiation. The highest genetic variation was found between populations. Gene flow was low between populations, indicating genetic isolation between populations.

Genetic diversity in natural populations of Theobroma subincanum Mart. in the Brazilian Amazon.

The genus Theobroma, recently reclassified in the family Malvaceae, comprises some species with high economic potential, including the cupuí, Theobroma subincanum Mart., which has not yet been domesticated, and whose genetics and population structure are mostly unknown. This study aimed to assess the population structure and genetic diversity in natural populations of T. subincanum Mart., using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 59 individuals were sampled in three geographically separate populations, CFA, CMN, and CPT. Nei's genetic distance was estimated to characterize populations with the use of 13 polymorphic primers. The analysis of molecular variance revealed that the variability between populations (51.71%) was higher than that within populations (48.29%). Among the three populations, CPT showed the highest diversity index and percentage of polymorphism. The ISSR molecular markers were efficient and presented sufficient polymorphism to estimate genetic diversity in populations of T. subincanum Mart.