High Genetic Diversity and Gene Flow Detected in Populations of Bombus morio from South Brazil.

Bumblebees are essential insects for the preservation of biodiversity in many ecosystems, as they can pollinate a wide variety of wild and cultivated plants. Knowledge of the genetic diversity of bumblebees can be used to understand and predict the health status of bee populations, enabling the development of strategies for crop management and conservation of this important group of pollinators. Here, we characterized the genetic diversity of B. morio populations from the Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, by amplification of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene. The resulting data were then compared with genetic parameters of Bombus morio (Swederus 1787) obtained in populations from this species' full geographic range in South America. Our results revealed the presence of nine mitochondrial haplotypes in Rio Grande do Sul, three of which were novel haplotypes, and of significant genetic divergence among bumblebee populations from Brazil and South America. The mitochondrial haplotype BM01 was the most common and is probably the ancestral haplotype from which the others originated. There is also evidence that strong gene flow has taken place among Brazilian B. morio populations, explaining the sharing of haplotypes between distant populations. The populations of B. morio from Rio Grande do Sul present significant genetic diversity as the species is native to Southern/Southeastern Brazil and adapted to the ecological conditions in this wide range. Having well-connected populations with a large genetic potential will help this species to remain well adapted to the different environmental conditions within its native range.

Contribution of nitrogen derived from mineral supplementation for soybean seedlings / Contribuição do nitrogênio derivado da suplementação mineral em sementes para plântulas de soja

ABSTRACT Seeds can absorb N from mineral supplementation, thus stimulating seedling development in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). This study aimed to evaluate the contribution to soybean seedlings of N derived from mineral supplementation in seeds with different nutritional contents. Seeds of the cultivar BMX Potência RR received mineral supplementation enriched with 2.5% excess 15N. The treatments were performed in seeds in two lots, one with high and one with low nutritional content. At 2, 6 and 10 days after sowing on paper towels, the seedlings were collected and separated into cotyledons, roots and shoots. Dry matter production, root length and root volume were assessed. Total N and 15N values were analyzed in the seedling organ tissues. The seeds from the lot with lower nutritional content absorbed more N from the mineral supplement, which was accumulated in the cotyledons and redistributed to the root systems and cotyledons. At 10 days after sowing, most of the N in the organs of soybean seedlings was derived from the seed reserves, regardless of nutritional content. Thus, application of N through mineral supplementation is of low importance for the development and nutrition of seedlings.

RESUMO Sementes podem absorver N de suplementos minerais, estimulando o desenvolvimento de plântulas. O estudo objetivou avaliar a contribuição de N derivado da suplementação mineral em sementes com diferentes teores nutricionais, para plântulas de soja. Sementes de dois lotes da cultivar BMX Potência RR, contrastantes quanto ao teor nutricional, foram submetidas a aplicação de suplemento mineral enriquecido com 2,5% átomos de 15N em excesso. Aos 2, 6 e 10 dias após a semeadura em papel toalha, plântulas foram coletadas, separadas em cotilédones, sistema radicular e parte aérea. A produção de matéria seca, o comprimento e volume do sistema radicular foram avaliados. No tecido dos órgãos das plântulas foram analisados os totais de N e 15N. As sementes derivadas do lote com menor teor nutricional absorveram mais N do suplemento mineral, que foi acumulado nos cotilédones e redistribuído para o sistema radicular e parte aérea. A maior parte do N na soja ao longo de 10 dias após a semeadura é derivada das reservas da semente independentemente do teor nutricional inicial. A aplicação de N via suplementação mineral é de pouca importância para o crescimento e desenvolvimento de plântulas.