Morfogênese de pastagens de milheto e capim sudão submetidas ao pastejo contínuo / Morphogenesis of millet and sudangrass pastures subjected to continuous grazing

Objetivou-se comparar os parâmetros morfogênicos de pastagens de milheto e capim sudão na Depressão Central do Rio Grande do Sul, manejadas com pastejo contínuo, subdivididos em dois períodos de avaliação. Os tratamentos consistiram em: Milheto = pastagem de milheto (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) e Sudão = pastagem de capim sudão (Sorghum bicolor cv. sudanense); ambos tratamentos submetidos ao pastejo contínuo com vacas de descarte. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com 2 tratamentos e 2 períodos. A altura de dossel (32,69 vs 20,29 cm), taxa de aparecimento foliar (0,147 vs 0,080), número total de folhas por perfilho (4,74 vs 3,06), número de folhas vivas (4,26 vs 2,55), número de folhas jovens (1,92 vs 1,47) e número de folhas adultas (2,34 vs 1,08) foram superiores aos perfilhos de pastagens de milheto, enquanto a taxa de senescência foi superior em perfilhos de capim sudão (0,511cm) do que nos perfilhos de milheto (0,495cm). O número total de folhas (4,28 vs 3,53) e número de folhas mortas (0,58 vs 0,38) foram maiores no ciclo inicial de pastejo. Pastagens de milheto apresentam maior potencial vegetativo, ao pastejo, em comparação a pastagens de capim sudão.

The aim of this study was to compare morphogenetic parameters of sudangrass and millet pastures in the Central Depression of Rio Grande do Sul, managed by continuous grazing. The pastures were subdivided into two periods of evaluation. The treatments consisted of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) and sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor cv. Sudanense), both submitted to continuous grazing by culling cows. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments and two periods. The canopy height (32.69 vs 20.29 cm), leaf appearance rate (0.147 vs 0.080), total number of leaves per tiller (4.74 vs 3,06), number of green leaves (4.26 vs 2.55), number of young leaves (1.92 vs 1.47) and number of mature leaves (2.34 vs 1.08) were higher in millet tillers, while the rate of senescence was higher in sudangrass tillers (0.511 cm) compared to millet tillers (0.495 cm). The total number of leaves (4.28 vs 3.53) and the number of dead leaves (0.58 vs 0.38) were higher during the initial grazing cycle. Millet pastures have a greater vegetative growth potential during grazing than sudangrass pastures.

Morfogênese de pastagens de milheto e capim sudão submetidas ao pastejo contínuo / Morphogenesis of millet and sudangrass pastures subjected to continuous grazing

Objetivou-se comparar os parâmetros morfogênicos de pastagens de milheto e capim sudão na Depressão Central do Rio Grande do Sul, manejadas com pastejo contínuo, subdivididos em dois períodos de avaliação. Os tratamentos consistiram em: Milheto = pastagem de milheto (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) e Sudão = pastagem de capim sudão (Sorghum bicolor cv. sudanense); ambos tratamentos submetidos ao pastejo contínuo com vacas de descarte. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com 2 tratamentos e 2 períodos. A altura de dossel (32,69 vs 20,29 cm), taxa de aparecimento foliar (0,147 vs 0,080), número total de folhas por perfilho (4,74 vs 3,06), número de folhas vivas (4,26 vs 2,55), número de folhas jovens (1,92 vs 1,47) e número de folhas adultas (2,34 vs 1,08) foram superiores aos perfilhos de pastagens de milheto, enquanto a taxa de senescência foi superior em perfilhos de capim sudão (0,511cm) do que nos perfilhos de milheto (0,495cm). O número total de folhas (4,28 vs 3,53) e número de folhas mortas (0,58 vs 0,38) foram maiores no ciclo inicial de pastejo. Pastagens de milheto apresentam maior potencial vegetativo, ao pastejo, em comparação a pastagens de capim sudão.(AU)

The aim of this study was to compare morphogenetic parameters of sudangrass and millet pastures in the Central Depression of Rio Grande do Sul, managed by continuous grazing. The pastures were subdivided into two periods of evaluation. The treatments consisted of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) and sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor cv. Sudanense), both submitted to continuous grazing by culling cows. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments and two periods. The canopy height (32.69 vs 20.29 cm), leaf appearance rate (0.147 vs 0.080), total number of leaves per tiller (4.74 vs 3,06), number of green leaves (4.26 vs 2.55), number of young leaves (1.92 vs 1.47) and number of mature leaves (2.34 vs 1.08) were higher in millet tillers, while the rate of senescence was higher in sudangrass tillers (0.511 cm) compared to millet tillers (0.495 cm). The total number of leaves (4.28 vs 3.53) and the number of dead leaves (0.58 vs 0.38) were higher during the initial grazing cycle. Millet pastures have a greater vegetative growth potential during grazing than sudangrass pastures.(AU)

Age-related mechanism and its relationship with secondary metabolism and abscisic acid in Aristotelia chilensis plants subjected to drought stress.

Drought stress is the most important stress factor for plants, being the main cause of agricultural crop loss in the world. Plants have developed complex mechanisms for preventing water loss and oxidative stress such as synthesis of abscisic acid (ABA) and non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds such as anthocyanins, which might help plants to cope with abiotic stress as antioxidants and for scavenging reactive oxygen species. A. chilensis (Mol.) is a pioneer species, colonizing and growing on stressed and disturbed environments. In this research, an integrated analysis of secondary metabolism in Aristotelia chilensis was done to relate ABA effects on anthocyanins biosynthesis, by comparing between young and fully-expanded leaves under drought stress. Plants were subjected to drought stress for 20 days, and physiological, biochemical, and molecular analyses were performed. The relative growth rate and plant water status were reduced in stressed plants, with young leaves significantly more affected than fully-expanded leaves beginning from the 5th day of drought stress. A. chilensis plants increased their ABA and total anthocyanin content and showed upregulation of gene expression when they were subjected to severe drought (day 20), with these effects being higher in fully-expanded leaves. Multivariate analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between transcript levels for NCED1 (9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase) and UFGT (UDP glucose: flavonoid-3-O-glucosyltransferase) with ABA and total anthocyanin, respectively. Thus, this research provides a more comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms that allow plants to cope with drought stress. This is highlighted by the differences between young and fully-expanded leaves, showing different sensibility to stress due to their ability to synthesize anthocyanins. In addition, this ability to synthesize different and high amounts of anthocyanins could be related to higher NCED1 and MYB expression and ABA levels, enhancing drought stress tolerance.

Antioxidant capacity and acute testicular toxicity of Leucaena leucocephala aqueous shoot tips plus young leaves extracts / Capacidad antioxidante y toxicidad testicular aguda de brotes acuosos con extracto de hojas nuevas de Leucaena leucocephala

This study aimed to determine the antioxidant capacity of the Leucaena leucocephala aqueous shoot tips plus young leaves (LL-spl) extracts among three different fractions (LL-spl 10, 20, and 40 min) and to examine its acute toxicity on male reproductive parameters. The amount of the total phenolics in LL-spl extract was determined using a Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method and its antioxidant capacity was analyzed using 1, 1-diphenyl l-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant powder methods. The LL-spl extract fraction with highest antioxidant capacity was used in animal treating. Male rats were divided into three groups (n= 5); control and groups treated with LL-spl 400 and 600 mg/Kg body weight for consecutive 40 days. The results showed that the LL-spl 40 min fraction possessed the highest antioxidant capacity. In addition, the LL-spl 400 and 600 groups showed no differences in weights of body, testis and epididymis, serum testosterone levels, and expression of testicular steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein. Significantly, LL-spl extract reduced the weight of seminal vesicle, sperm concentration, and seminiferous diameters compared with control. Moreover, LL-spl extract had adverse effect on testicular histology in inducing of seminiferous atrophy and degeneration including dilated blood vessels in interstitial tissue. It was concluded that although LL-spl extract possessing antioxidant capacity, in short term consumptions, it could be toxic to some male reproductive organs especially damaging testicular tissues.

El objetivo fue determinar la capacidad antioxidante del extracto de brotes acuosos con hojas nuevas de Leucaena leucocephala (LL-spl) en tres fracciones diferentes (LL-SPL 10, 20 y 40 min), además de examinar su toxicidad aguda sobre los parámetros reproductivos masculinos. Se determinó la cantidad de los fenoles totales en el extracto de LL-spl utilizando un método reactivo de Folin-Ciocalteu. La capacidad antioxidante se analizó por medio de 1-difenil-2-picrilhidracilo y/o métodos de reducción férrica de la capacidad antioxidante. La fracción de extracto LL-spl con mayor capacidad antioxidante fue utilizada en el tratamiento de los animales. Ratas macho fueron divididas en tres grupos (n= 5): el control y los grupos tratados con LL-spl 400 y 600 mg/kg peso corporal por 40 días consecutivos. El resultado mostró que la fracción LL-spl 40 min poseía la mayor capacidad antioxidante. Además, los grupos 400 y 600 LL-spl no mostraron diferencias según el peso corporal, testículos y epidídimo, niveles de testosterona y la expresión de proteínas testiculares. El extracto de LL-spl redujo de manera significativa el peso de la vesícula seminal, la concentración de espermatozoides y los diámetros de los túbulos seminíferos en comparación con el control. Por otra parte, el extracto de LL-spl tuvo un efecto adverso sobre la histología testicular por la inducción de atrofia y degeneración de los túbulos seminíferos, incluyendo a vasos sanguíneos dilatados en el tejido intersticial. Si bien el extracto LL-spl posee una capacidad antioxidante, ésta podría ser tóxica en el consumo a corto plazo para algunos órganos reproductores masculinos y especialmente dañino para los tejidos testiculares.

Methyl-N-methylanthranilate, a pungent compound from Citrus reticulata Blanco leaves.

CONTEXT: More analgesic compounds are needed in medicine against pain since the available drugs displayed secondary effects. Natural products are a source of molecules to develop new analgesics, using the information of plants, applied against pain, with effects such as pungency, tingling, and needle, due to their possible role in the central nervous system (NCS). Citrus reticulata Blanco (Rutaceae) leaves are usually bitten to flavor the mouth and possess this type effect in lips and tongues; due to this fact the structure of the bioctive compound could be the source of other types of analgesics. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the causal agent of the pungent effect in mandarin essential oil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mandarin essential oil was obtained and then purified by column chromatography. Each fraction was tested and pungency was detected only in the first fraction which was pure. RESULTS: The compound responsible for the pungency in the essential oils of leaves from Citrus reticulata (mandarin) was purified and the structure was assigned as methyl-N-methylanthranilate, on the basis of NMR 1D and 2D and MS. This substance corresponds to another type of molecule involving an antinociceptive effect. CONCLUSIONS: Terpenes are compounds found in essential oils. The compound responsible for the pungency of mandarin and other citrus leaves was isolated, and surprisingly it was identified as a methyl-N-methylanthranilate. This kind of molecules with this activity could be used to discover new analgesics in human therapy against pain.

Respuesta de Zamia incognita L. al cultivo in vitro, una alternativa para su conservación / In vitro culture response of Zamia incognita, an alternative for preservation

Las Zamiaceas son plantas relictuales consideradas fósiles vivientes. En Colombia, el 65% de esta familia se encuentra en alguna categoría de amenaza, por la destrucción del hábitat e intensa recolección. Teniendo en cuenta que entre las ventajas de la propagación in vitro está la conservación ex situ de germoplasma, el presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar el potencial de regeneración de plantas de Z. incognita a partir de explantes foliares y embriones cigoticos. Se evaluó el efecto de diferentes combinaciones de Auxinas (2,4-D y ANA) y citoquininas (KIN, BAP y TDZ) sobre la formación de callo y la regeneración de brotes (directa o indirecta), utilizando como medio basal MS (MB1) y medio basal B5 modificado (MB2). La formación de callo se presentó sobre un amplio rango de concentraciones de 2,4-D con KIN y 2,4-D con BAP, independientemente del medio basal, pero no en los explantes tratados con ANA más KIN o TDZ. Para los explantes foliares no hubo respuesta a la formación de embriones somáticos y/o brotes con las combinaciones y concentraciones hormonales evaluadas, no obstante los callos inducidos en MB2 con 2,4-D (0,22 mg/l) y BAP (0, 1, 2, 3 mg/l) fueron diferentes, su aspecto nodular, color crema y apariencia proembriogénica coincidió con una gran cantidad de células meristemáticas potenciales para el proceso de regeneración. A partir de embriones cigoticos inmaduros se logró la formación de embriones somáticos en el medio MB2 exento de reguladores o conteniendo 2,4-D solo (0,22 mg/l) y en combinación con BAP (1 mg/l), sin lograr el proceso de conversión a plántulas.

Zamiaceas are relict plants considered living fossils. In Colombia, 65% of this family is under some threat category due to their habitat destruction and their intense collection. Given that the advantages of in vitro propagation is ex situ conservation of germoplasm, this study aimed to evaluate the regeneration potential of Z incognita plants from leaf explants and zygotic embryos. The effect of different combinations of auxin (2.4-D and NAA) and cytokinins (KIN, BAP and TDZ) was evaluated on the formation of callus and shoot regeneration (direct or indirect), using MS (MB1) basal medium and B5 (MB2) basal modified medium. The callus formation was presented over a wide concentration range of 2.4-D with KIN and 2.4-D with BAP, regardless of the basal medium, but not in explants treated with ANA more TDZ or KIN. For leaf explants there was no response to the formation of somatic embryos or shoots with hormonal combinations and concentrations evaluated; however, MB2 calluses induced with 2.4-D (0.22 mg / l) and BAP (0. 1 , 2. 3 mg / l) were different, their nodular aspect, cream color and pro-embryogenic appearance coincided with a lot of potential meristematic cells for the regeneration process. From immature zygotic embryos, somatic embryo formation in the MB2 medium was achieved without growth regulators or containing 2.4-D alone (0.22 mg /l) or 2.4-D in combination with BAP (1 mg/l) without achieving the conversion process to seedlings.

Total phenol concentrations in coffee tree leaves during fruit development

Vegetables have a natural defense against external factors synthesizing phenolic compounds, which depends on the maturity stage and on the climate. Total phenol grades were extracted from mature and young coffee leaves and were analyzed in relation to yield, phenology and climate. The climatic conditions were described by air temperature, global radiation and daily insolation. Evaluations were made on height, diameter and length of reproductive branches to determine the respective vegetative growth rates of the plants. The amounts of total phenols in the plants at the production stage was 174.0 mg g-1 and 138.9 mg g-1 for young and mature leaves, respectively, and for plants without fruit formation 186.5 mg g-1 and 127.6 mg g-1 for young and mature leaves, respectively. The total phenol concentrations in young leaves with and without fruit formation were 25% and 46% greater compared to mature leaves. The secondary phenol synthesis in seed (146.8 mg g-1) was 31% lower than during grain maturation (212.4 mg g-1). The total phenol metabolization depends indirectly on the temperature and on the global radiation, presenting an inverse trend in relation to these climatic variables. Crop protection management should take into consideration periods of endanger of this natural defense of the plant.

Os vegetais apresentam defesa natural contra fatores externos, por meio da síntese de fenóis, as quais variam com as fases fenológicas e com o clima. Os teores de fenóis totais foram extraídos das folhas fonte e dreno e analisados em relação à produção de café, fenologia e clima. As variáveis climáticas consideradas foram: temperatura, radiação e insolação. Realizaram-se avaliações de altura, diâmetro e comprimento de ramos para determinar as taxas de crescimento. As quantidades de fenóis determinadas nas plantas com produção (174,0 mg g-1 e 138,9 mg g-1 - nova e madura) e sem produção (186,5 mg g-1 e 127,6 mg g-1 - nova e madura) não variaram. No entanto, a concentração de fenóis nas folhas nova das plantas com e sem produção foi maior que a quantidade determinada nas folhas madura, da ordem de 25% e 46%, respectivamente. A síntese de fenóis na granação (146,8 mg g-1) foi 31% inferior em relação às quantidades determinadas na maturação (212,4 mg g-1). A metabolização de fenóis depende, indiretamente, da temperatura e da radiação global. A orientação do manejo deve levar em consideração as épocas de comprometimento da defesa natural, em relação à produção de fenóis.

Total phenol concentrations in coffee tree leaves during fruit development

Vegetables have a natural defense against external factors synthesizing phenolic compounds, which depends on the maturity stage and on the climate. Total phenol grades were extracted from mature and young coffee leaves and were analyzed in relation to yield, phenology and climate. The climatic conditions were described by air temperature, global radiation and daily insolation. Evaluations were made on height, diameter and length of reproductive branches to determine the respective vegetative growth rates of the plants. The amounts of total phenols in the plants at the production stage was 174.0 mg g-1 and 138.9 mg g-1 for young and mature leaves, respectively, and for plants without fruit formation 186.5 mg g-1 and 127.6 mg g-1 for young and mature leaves, respectively. The total phenol concentrations in young leaves with and without fruit formation were 25% and 46% greater compared to mature leaves. The secondary phenol synthesis in seed (146.8 mg g-1) was 31% lower than during grain maturation (212.4 mg g-1). The total phenol metabolization depends indirectly on the temperature and on the global radiation, presenting an inverse trend in relation to these climatic variables. Crop protection management should take into consideration periods of endanger of this natural defense of the plant.

Os vegetais apresentam defesa natural contra fatores externos, por meio da síntese de fenóis, as quais variam com as fases fenológicas e com o clima. Os teores de fenóis totais foram extraídos das folhas fonte e dreno e analisados em relação à produção de café, fenologia e clima. As variáveis climáticas consideradas foram: temperatura, radiação e insolação. Realizaram-se avaliações de altura, diâmetro e comprimento de ramos para determinar as taxas de crescimento. As quantidades de fenóis determinadas nas plantas com produção (174,0 mg g-1 e 138,9 mg g-1 - nova e madura) e sem produção (186,5 mg g-1 e 127,6 mg g-1 - nova e madura) não variaram. No entanto, a concentração de fenóis nas folhas nova das plantas com e sem produção foi maior que a quantidade determinada nas folhas madura, da ordem de 25% e 46%, respectivamente. A síntese de fenóis na granação (146,8 mg g-1) foi 31% inferior em relação às quantidades determinadas na maturação (212,4 mg g-1). A metabolização de fenóis depende, indiretamente, da temperatura e da radiação global. A orientação do manejo deve levar em consideração as épocas de comprometimento da defesa natural, em relação à produção de fenóis.