From Genes to Stress Response: Genomic and Transcriptomic Data Suggest the Significance of the Inositol and Raffinose Family Oligosaccharide Pathways in Stylosanthes scabra, Adaptation to the Caatinga Environment.

S. scabra is an important forage and extremophilic plant native to the Brazilian Caatinga semiarid region. It has only recently been subjected to omics-based investigations, and the generated datasets offer insights into biotechnologically significant candidates yet to be thoroughly examined. INSs (inositol and its derivatives) and RFO (raffinose oligosaccharide family) pathways emerge as pivotal candidates, given their critical roles in plant physiology. The mentioned compounds have also been linked to negative impacts on the absorption of nutrients in mammals, affecting overall nutritional intake and metabolism. Therefore, studying these metabolic pathways is important not just for plants but also for animals who depend on them as part of their diet. INS and RFO pathways in S. scabra stood out for their abundance of identified loci and enzymes. The enzymes exhibited genomic redundancy, being encoded by multiple loci and various gene families. The phylogenomic analysis unveiled an expansion of the PIP5K and GolS gene families relative to the immediate S. scabra ancestor. These enzymes are crucial for synthesizing key secondary messengers and the RFO precursor, respectively. Transcriptional control of the studied pathways was associated with DOF-type, C2H2, and BCP1 transcription factors. Identification of biological processes related to INS and RFO metabolic routes in S. scabra highlighted their significance in responding to stressful conditions prevalent in the Caatinga environment. Finally, RNA-Seq and qPCR data revealed the relevant influence of genes of the INS and RFO pathways in the S. scabra response to water deprivation. Our study deciphers the genetics and transcriptomics of the INS and RFO in S. scabra, shedding light on their importance for a Caatinga-native plant and paving the way for future biotechnological applications in this species and beyond.

Vigor of red clover seeds under salinity stress / Vigor de sementes de trevo vermelho submetidas a estresse salino

The accelerated aging test is a considerably important method for measuring the physiological potential of seeds. This study sought to apply the accelerated aging test to determine the vigor of red clover seeds of the Quiniquelli and Estanzuela 116 cultivars under water and salinity stress conditions. Accordingly, the seeds were aged for 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours at 42 °C in water and a saturated salt solution (40% NaCl) and then assessed by the accelerated aging test. The lengths of 15 normal seedlings from each of the four replicates for both cultivars were measured, and the seedlings dry mass (48 h/60 °C) was determined. After aging 12, 24, and 36 hours in a saturated salt solution, vigor was above the average of 84.5% for both cultivars. In the test conducted with water, 36 hours were enough to stress the seeds. The accelerated aging time that best represented the vigor of the seeds of the Quiniquelli and Estanzuela 116 cultivars was 48 hours at 42 °C in the saturated NaCl solution, thus being the most suitable for red clover seeds.(AU)

O teste de envelhecimento acelerado é de grande importância para expressar o potencial fisiológico das sementes. O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar o vigor de sementes de trevo vermelho das cultivares Quiniquelli e Estanzuela 116 pelo teste do envelhecimento acelerado sob estresse hídrico e salino.  Para tal, as sementes foram expostas a solução hídrica e salina com NaCl (40%) nos tempos de 12, 24, 36, 48 e 72 h a 42 °C e, em seguida, avaliadas pelo teste de envelhecimento acelerado. Foram medidos os comprimentos de 15 plântulas normais de cada uma das quatro repetições de ambas as cultivares e determinada a massa seca das plântulas (48 h /60 °C). Após 12, 24 e 36 h de envelhecimento em solução salina o vigor foi superior à média de 84,5% para ambas cultivares. No teste conduzido com água, o tempo de 36 h foi suficiente para estressar as sementes. O tempo de envelhecimento acelerado que melhor caracterizou o vigor de sementes das cultivares Quiniquelli e Estanzuela 116 foi o de 48 h sob temperatura de 42 °C com o uso de solução saturada de NaCl, sendo o mais indicado para as sementes de trevo vermelho.(AU)

Vigor of red clover seeds under salinity stress / Vigor de sementes de trevo vermelho submetidas a estresse salino

The accelerated aging test is a considerably important method for measuring the physiological potential of seeds. This study sought to apply the accelerated aging test to determine the vigor of red clover seeds of the Quiniquelli and Estanzuela 116 cultivars under water and salinity stress conditions. Accordingly, the seeds were aged for 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours at 42 °C in water and a saturated salt solution (40% NaCl) and then assessed by the accelerated aging test. The lengths of 15 normal seedlings from each of the four replicates for both cultivars were measured, and the seedlings dry mass (48 h/60 °C) was determined. After aging 12, 24, and 36 hours in a saturated salt solution, vigor was above the average of 84.5% for both cultivars. In the test conducted with water, 36 hours were enough to stress the seeds. The accelerated aging time that best represented the vigor of the seeds of the Quiniquelli and Estanzuela 116 cultivars was 48 hours at 42 °C in the saturated NaCl solution, thus being the most suitable for red clover seeds.

O teste de envelhecimento acelerado é de grande importância para expressar o potencial fisiológico das sementes. O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar o vigor de sementes de trevo vermelho das cultivares Quiniquelli e Estanzuela 116 pelo teste do envelhecimento acelerado sob estresse hídrico e salino.  Para tal, as sementes foram expostas a solução hídrica e salina com NaCl (40%) nos tempos de 12, 24, 36, 48 e 72 h a 42 °C e, em seguida, avaliadas pelo teste de envelhecimento acelerado. Foram medidos os comprimentos de 15 plântulas normais de cada uma das quatro repetições de ambas as cultivares e determinada a massa seca das plântulas (48 h /60 °C). Após 12, 24 e 36 h de envelhecimento em solução salina o vigor foi superior à média de 84,5% para ambas cultivares. No teste conduzido com água, o tempo de 36 h foi suficiente para estressar as sementes. O tempo de envelhecimento acelerado que melhor caracterizou o vigor de sementes das cultivares Quiniquelli e Estanzuela 116 foi o de 48 h sob temperatura de 42 °C com o uso de solução saturada de NaCl, sendo o mais indicado para as sementes de trevo vermelho.

Stomatal Development and Conductance of a Tropical Forage Legume Are Regulated by Elevated [CO2] Under Moderate Warming.

The opening and closing of stomata are controlled by the integration of environmental and endogenous signals. Here, we show the effects of combining elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (eCO 2; 600 µmol mol-1) and warming (+2°C) on stomatal properties and their consequence to plant function in a Stylosanthes capitata Vogel (C3) tropical pasture. The eCO 2 treatment alone reduced stomatal density, stomatal index, and stomatal conductance (gs ), resulting in reduced transpiration, increased leaf temperature, and leading to maintenance of soil moisture during the growing season. Increased CO2 concentration inside leaves stimulated photosynthesis, starch content levels, water use efficiency, and PSII photochemistry. Under warming, plants developed leaves with smaller stomata on both leaf surfaces; however, we did not see effects of warming on stomatal conductance, transpiration, or leaf water status. Warming alone enhanced PSII photochemistry and photosynthesis, and likely starch exports from chloroplasts. Under the combination of warming and eCO 2, leaf temperature was higher than that of leaves from the warming or eCO 2 treatments. Thus, warming counterbalanced the effects of CO2 on transpiration and soil water content but not on stomatal functioning, which was independent of temperature treatment. Under warming, and in combination with eCO 2, leaves also produced more carotenoids and a more efficient heat and fluorescence dissipation. Our combined results suggest that control on stomatal opening under eCO 2 was not changed by a warmer environment; however, their combination significantly improved whole-plant functioning.

Bromatological characteristics of Macrotyloma axillare as a function of combined supply of phosphorus and calcium / Características bromatológicas de Macrotyloma axillare em função do suprimento combinado de fósforo e cálcio

The supply of nutrients to forage legumes is significant for their nutritional quality. The study aimed to evaluate the bromatological characteristics of the legume Macrotyloma axillare in response to the combined application of phosphorus and calcium. The study was conducted in a greenhouse on a Red Yellow Ultisol. A fractionated 52 factorial was used, with 13 different combinations of phosphorus and calcium application rates (P-Ca): 0-0; 0-20; 0-40; 100-10; 100-30; 200-0; 200-20; 200-40; 300-10; 300-30; 400-0; 400-20; and 400-40 mg dm-3. Experimental units were set in a randomized block design, with four replications. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, and crude protein (CP) in the leaves and branches were determined in two harvests. In both harvests of the legume we observed that the ADF, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin contents in the leaves did not show isolated or combined responses to phosphorus and calcium rates. It was concluded that the combined supply of phosphorus and calcium did not interfere in the nutritional quality of the legume. Calcium supplied alone interfered only the NDF content and phosphorus supplied of the CP of the leaves. Phosphorus rates of 31.5 mg dm-3 and 28.2 mg dm-3 were responsible for the lower NDF content in the leaves and the higher hemicellulose content in the branches, respectively.(AU)

O fornecimento de nutrientes para as leguminosas forrageiras é importante para sua qualidade nutricional. O estudo objetivou avaliar as características bromatológicas da Macrotyloma axillare em resposta a aplicação combinada de doses de fósforo e cálcio. O estudo foi desenvolvido em uma casa de vegetação sob um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo. Utilizou-se um esquema fatorial 52 fracionado, com 13 combinações diferentes das doses de fósforo e cálcio (P-Ca): 0-0, 0‒40, 0‒80, 15‒20, 15‒60, 30‒0, 30‒40, 30‒80, 45‒20, 45‒60, 60‒0, 60‒40, e 60‒80 mg dm-3. As unidades experimentais foram distribuídas em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Determinou-se fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), hemicelulose, celulose, lignina e proteína bruta (PB) das folhas e ramos em dois cortes. Nos dois cortes da leguminosa observou-se que os teores de FDA, hemicelulose, celulose e lignina das folhas não apresentaram respostas isoladas ou combinadas às doses de fósforo e cálcio. Concluiu-se que o fornecimento combinado de fósforo e cálcio não influenciou na qualidade nutricional da leguminosa. O fornecimento isolado de cálcio interferiu somente no teor de FDN e fornecimento de fósforo na PB das folhas. As doses de fósforo de 31,5 mg dm-3 e 28,2 mg dm-3 foram responsáveis pelo menor teor de FDN nas folhas e pelo maior teor de hemicelulose nos ramos, respectivamente.(AU)

Amendoim forrageiro manejado com baixos resíduos de pastejo por ovinos / Perennial peanut handled with low grazing waste by sheep

O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar o comportamento produtivo do amendoim forrageiro (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo) sob diferentes intensidades de pastejo por ovinos em ambiente rotativo. Os tratamentos corresponderam a quatro intensidades de pastejo (muito leniente - ML, leniente - L, moderado - M e severo - S) representadas pelas alturas de resíduo de 11,2; 8,4; 5,9 e 3,2cm, que foram alocadas segundo um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições. As variáveis estudadas no pré e no pós-pastejo foram: massa de forragem, percentual de folhas e caules e índice de área foliar. Ao final do experimento, foi calculada a massa de forragem total acumulada, a taxa de acúmulo e a massa de forragem desaparecida. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de comparação de médias de Tukey (P< 0,05). Foi verificado que a intensidade de pastejo modifica a composição dos componentes morfológicos e a massa de forragem acumulada pelo amendoim forrageiro, todavia o índice de área foliar no pré-pastejo não é alterado. O amendoim forrageiro não deve ser utilizado sob pastejo intenso. Intensidades de pastejo de moderada a muito leniente proporcionam maior massa de forragem pré-pastejo e total acumulada, associada a menores intervalos entre pastejos.(AU)

This research aimed to study the productive behavior of perennial peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo) under different grazing intensities by sheep in a rotation environment. The treatments consisted of four grazing intensity levels (very lenient - VL, lenient - L, moderate - M, and severe - S) represented by the residues 11.2; 8.4; 5.9 and 3.2cm, and allocated randomly with four replications. The variables studied in the pre-grazing and post-grazing were: forage mass, percentage of leaves and stems and leaf area index. At the end of the experiment, total accumulated forage mass, accumulation rate, and mass of missing forage were calculated. The data was submitted to a variance analysis and comparison to a Tukey's test, with a 5% significance level. Grazing intensity was found to modify the composition of morphological components and the forage mass accumulated by peanuts; however, the leaf area index in pre-grazing remained constant. Perennial peanut should not be used under intensive grazing. Grazing intensity from moderate to very lenient provides greater mass of pre-grazing forage and total accumulated forage, combined with shorter intervals between grazing.(AU)

Amendoim forrageiro manejado com baixos resíduos de pastejo por ovinos / Perennial peanut handled with low grazing waste by sheep

O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar o comportamento produtivo do amendoim forrageiro (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo) sob diferentes intensidades de pastejo por ovinos em ambiente rotativo. Os tratamentos corresponderam a quatro intensidades de pastejo (muito leniente - ML, leniente - L, moderado - M e severo - S) representadas pelas alturas de resíduo de 11,2; 8,4; 5,9 e 3,2cm, que foram alocadas segundo um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições. As variáveis estudadas no pré e no pós-pastejo foram: massa de forragem, percentual de folhas e caules e índice de área foliar. Ao final do experimento, foi calculada a massa de forragem total acumulada, a taxa de acúmulo e a massa de forragem desaparecida. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de comparação de médias de Tukey (P< 0,05). Foi verificado que a intensidade de pastejo modifica a composição dos componentes morfológicos e a massa de forragem acumulada pelo amendoim forrageiro, todavia o índice de área foliar no pré-pastejo não é alterado. O amendoim forrageiro não deve ser utilizado sob pastejo intenso. Intensidades de pastejo de moderada a muito leniente proporcionam maior massa de forragem pré-pastejo e total acumulada, associada a menores intervalos entre pastejos.(AU)

This research aimed to study the productive behavior of perennial peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo) under different grazing intensities by sheep in a rotation environment. The treatments consisted of four grazing intensity levels (very lenient - VL, lenient - L, moderate - M, and severe - S) represented by the residues 11.2; 8.4; 5.9 and 3.2cm, and allocated randomly with four replications. The variables studied in the pre-grazing and post-grazing were: forage mass, percentage of leaves and stems and leaf area index. At the end of the experiment, total accumulated forage mass, accumulation rate, and mass of missing forage were calculated. The data was submitted to a variance analysis and comparison to a Tukey's test, with a 5% significance level. Grazing intensity was found to modify the composition of morphological components and the forage mass accumulated by peanuts; however, the leaf area index in pre-grazing remained constant. Perennial peanut should not be used under intensive grazing. Grazing intensity from moderate to very lenient provides greater mass of pre-grazing forage and total accumulated forage, combined with shorter intervals between grazing.(AU)

Dry matter and nutrients accumulation in Gliricidia sepium in response to water stress and phosphorus levels / Acúmulo de massa seca e de nutrientes em gliricídia em resposta ao estresse hídrico e a doses de fósforo

Among the factors that have limited plant growth and crop production in tropical regions are the low availability of phosphorus and water stress. These factures assume even greater proportion in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. As a result, we conducted an experiment to evaluate the effects of phosphorus and two water regimes effects in dry matter and nutrients accumulation in Gliricidia sepium plants. The experimental design was a randomized block design, arranged in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to two water regimes (with and without water stress) and four phosphorus levels (0; 50; 100 and 150 mg dm-3 of P). The plants grown in plastic pots containing 9 kg of soil, and the water stress was imposed by the suspension of irrigation, 45 days after emergence and remained in that condition for 15 days. It were analyzed the dry matter and N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn content in shoots. Water stress was detrimental to the production of dry matter and N and Zn accumulation, while promoted accumulation of P, S and Cu. The fertilization favored N, P, Ca, S, Mn, and Fe shoot accumulation.

Dentre os fatores que mais têm limitado o crescimento vegetal e a produção agrícola nas regiões tropicais estão a baixa disponibilidade de fósforo e o estresse hídrico. Esses fatores assumem proporção ainda maior na região semiárida do Nordeste do Brasil. Em função disso, conduziu-se um experimento com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de doses de fósforo e dois regimes hídricos nos acúmulos de massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA) e de nutrientes em plantas de gliricídia. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, disposto em esquema fatorial 2 x 4, correspondendo a dois regimes hídricos (com e sem estresse hídrico) e quatro doses de fósforo (0, 50, 100 e 150 mg dm-³ de P). As plantas cresceram em vasos plásticos contendo 9 kg de solo e o estresse hídrico foi imposto através da suspensão da irrigação, aos 45 dias após a emergência, permanecendo durante 15 dias nessa condição. Foram analisadas a matéria seca das plantas e os conteúdos de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu e Zn na parte aérea. O estresse hídrico reduziu a produção de massa seca e o acúmulo de N e Zn, e aumentou o acúmulo de P, S e Cu na MSPA das plantas. A adubação fosfatada aumentou o acúmulo de N, P, Ca, S, Mn e Fe na MSPA das plantas.

Carbon and nitrogen stocks and forms of N in a red dysthropic argisol grown or not with peanut forage / Estoque de carbono e de nitrogênio e formas de N em um argissolo vermelho distrófico cultivado ou não com amendoim-forrageiro

The low availability of nitrogen (N) is considered one of the most limiting factors for the productivity of pastures, often responsible for their degradation. Overall, due to the high cost of nitrogen fertilizers, it is not applied in sufficient quantities. In this context, the cultivation of legumes is an option for adding nitrogen in the soil and simultaneously is into high-protein food. Forage legume may reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, changing nutrient cycling (C and N) and can improve productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems. Most of the N in the soil is in the organic form compounds, that is converted into inorganic fraction, the predominant mineral forms of nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3-), available to plants by mineralization process. The C:N ratios from soil and plant residues affect the decomposition rate and the balance between N mineralization and N immobilization by microbes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the improvements in soil quality by comparing the forage legume Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte, cultivated for eight years and a bare soil - an adjacent area (AA) in a soil Ultissol (Red Dysthrophic argisol). We evaluated the levels and stocks of C, total N and C:N, NH4+ and NO3- in soil from a depth of 0-20 cm. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with ten replications. Variance analysis (ANOVA) was used to detect signific

O artigo não apresenta resumo em português.

Viability of Macrotyloma axillare cv. Guatá seeds under chemical scarification / Viabilidade de sementes de Macrotyloma axillare cv. Guatá submetidas a escarificação química

The use of the associacion of grasses and legumes results in a good forage yield as well as a good animal performance due to maintenance of adequate levels of crude protein (CP) in the animal diet, both the direct effect of the ingestion of legumes, or even through indirect effect of the introduction of nitrogen by legumes in the pasture, thereby increasing the production of forage mass. However, the seeds of legumines have the so-called hardness seeds or dormant according to their coats impermeable to water. The hardness of the seed prevents the germination of the same since these seeds have a hard shell impervious to water and gas exchange, not allowing the imbibition of water by the seed, or embryo oxygenation. This dormancy may be broken by various known methods such as scarification, promoting cracks in the seed coat allowing the entry of water therein. In the case of Macrotyloma axillare exposure of seeds to scarification method has proven to be an efficient way to break dormancy and promoting seed germination. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the viability of seeds after suffering dormancy by immersion seeds in sulfuric acid. The experiment to break dormancy Macrotyloma axillares cv. Guatá was conducted in the laboratory of Plant Physiology at the Intituto de Zootecnia in Nova Odessa, São Paulo State, using the seeds that were stored in a cold room with temper

ês.

Dry matter and nutrients accumulation in Gliricidia sepium in response to water stress and phosphorus levels / Acúmulo de massa seca e de nutrientes em gliricídia em resposta ao estresse hídrico e a doses de fósforo

Among the factors that have limited plant growth and crop production in tropical regions are the low availability of phosphorus and water stress. These factures assume even greater proportion in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. As a result, we conducted an experiment to evaluate the effects of phosphorus and two water regimes effects in dry matter and nutrients accumulation in Gliricidia sepium plants. The experimental design was a randomized block design, arranged in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to two water regimes (with and without water stress) and four phosphorus levels (0; 50; 100 and 150 mg dm-3 of P). The plants grown in plastic pots containing 9 kg of soil, and the water stress was imposed by the suspension of irrigation, 45 days after emergence and remained in that condition for 15 days. It were analyzed the dry matter and N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn content in shoots. Water stress was detrimental to the production of dry matter and N and Zn accumulation, while promoted accumulation of P, S and Cu. The fertilization favored N, P, Ca, S, Mn, and Fe shoot accumulation.

Dentre os fatores que mais têm limitado o crescimento vegetal e a produção agrícola nas regiões tropicais estão a baixa disponibilidade de fósforo e o estresse hídrico. Esses fatores assumem proporção ainda maior na região semiárida do Nordeste do Brasil. Em função disso, conduziu-se um experimento com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de doses de fósforo e dois regimes hídricos nos acúmulos de massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA) e de nutrientes em plantas de gliricídia. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, disposto em esquema fatorial 2 x 4, correspondendo a dois regimes hídricos (com e sem estresse hídrico) e quatro doses de fósforo (0, 50, 100 e 150 mg dm-³ de P). As plantas cresceram em vasos plásticos contendo 9 kg de solo e o estresse hídrico foi imposto através da suspensão da irrigação, aos 45 dias após a emergência, permanecendo durante 15 dias nessa condição. Foram analisadas a matéria seca das plantas e os conteúdos de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu e Zn na parte aérea. O estresse hídrico reduziu a produção de massa seca e o acúmulo de N e Zn, e aumentou o acúmulo de P, S e Cu na MSPA das plantas. A adubação fosfatada aumentou o acúmulo de N, P, Ca, S, Mn e Fe na MSPA das plantas.

Viability of Macrotyloma axillare cv. Guatá seeds under chemical scarification / Viabilidade de sementes de Macrotyloma axillare cv. Guatá submetidas a escarificação química

The use of the associacion of grasses and legumes results in a good forage yield as well as a good animal performance due to maintenance of adequate levels of crude protein (CP) in the animal diet, both the direct effect of the ingestion of legumes, or even through indirect effect of the introduction of nitrogen by legumes in the pasture, thereby increasing the production of forage mass. However, the seeds of legumines have the so-called hardness seeds or dormant according to their coats impermeable to water. The hardness of the seed prevents the germination of the same since these seeds have a hard shell impervious to water and gas exchange, not allowing the imbibition of water by the seed, or embryo oxygenation. This dormancy may be broken by various known methods such as scarification, promoting cracks in the seed coat allowing the entry of water therein. In the case of Macrotyloma axillare exposure of seeds to scarification method has proven to be an efficient way to break dormancy and promoting seed germination. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the viability of seeds after suffering dormancy by immersion seeds in sulfuric acid. The experiment to break dormancy Macrotyloma axillares cv. Guatá was conducted in the laboratory of Plant Physiology at the Intituto de Zootecnia in Nova Odessa, São Paulo State, using the seeds that were stored in a cold room with temper

ês.

Carbon and nitrogen stocks and forms of N in a red dysthropic argisol grown or not with peanut forage / Estoque de carbono e de nitrogênio e formas de N em um argissolo vermelho distrófico cultivado ou não com amendoim-forrageiro

The low availability of nitrogen (N) is considered one of the most limiting factors for the productivity of pastures, often responsible for their degradation. Overall, due to the high cost of nitrogen fertilizers, it is not applied in sufficient quantities. In this context, the cultivation of legumes is an option for adding nitrogen in the soil and simultaneously is into high-protein food. Forage legume may reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, changing nutrient cycling (C and N) and can improve productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems. Most of the N in the soil is in the organic form compounds, that is converted into inorganic fraction, the predominant mineral forms of nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3-), available to plants by mineralization process. The C:N ratios from soil and plant residues affect the decomposition rate and the balance between N mineralization and N immobilization by microbes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the improvements in soil quality by comparing the forage legume Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte, cultivated for eight years and a bare soil - an adjacent area (AA) in a soil Ultissol (Red Dysthrophic argisol). We evaluated the levels and stocks of C, total N and C:N, NH4+ and NO3- in soil from a depth of 0-20 cm. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with ten replications. Variance analysis (ANOVA) was used to detect signific

O artigo não apresenta resumo em português.

Morphoagronomic variation in natural populations of Trifolium riograndense (Burkart)

Several species of Trifolium are widely cultivated as forage for animals and green manure. This work aimed to characterize and estimate through morphological and agronomic traits the genetic diversity of natural populations of T. riograndense, an important forage legume from native pastures of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Plant height and diameter, number of primary and secondary stolons, stolon length, number of nodes per primary stolon, internode length, primary stolon diameter, leaf area, petiole length and dry matter production were analyzed in 29 accessions. The first five attributes and dry matter production were evaluated twice. A broad phenotypic variability was observed for almost all characteristics. Positive correlations occurred between petiole length and leaf area (r = 0.68), petiole length and plant height in the first evaluation (0.63), stolon length and plant height (0.58), total dry matter and plant diameter (0.61), and total dry matter and plant height in the second evaluation (0.55). The two most divergent accessions were collected in the same physiographic region and the two less divergent ones in different regions. A dissimilarity dendrogram separated four groups. Accessions collected in a region where T. riograndense is abundant were found to belong to different groups outlining the great variability of this native forage legume. Dry matter production in the first cut was the characteristic that most contributed (20.80%) to accessions divergence followed by number of secondary stolons (12.30%), leaf area (11.07%), and number of nodes per primary stolon (10.93%).

Várias espécies de Trifolium são extensivamente cultivadas como forragem ou adubo verde. Caracterizaram-se e estimaram-se, por meio de atributos morfológicos e agronômicos, a diversidade genética de populações naturais de T. riograndense, importante leguminosa forrageira nativa dos campos naturais do Rio Grande do Sul. Estatura e diâmetro das plantas, número de estolões primários e secundários, comprimento do estolão primário, número de nós por estolão, comprimento dos entrenós, diâmetro de estolão, área foliar, tamanho do pecíolo e produção de massa seca foram avaliados em 29 acessos. Os cinco primeiros atributos e a produção de massa seca foram avaliados duas vezes. Ampla variabilidade fenotípica foi observada para quase todas as características. Ocorreram correlações positivas entre tamanho do pecíolo e área foliar (r = 0,68), tamanho do pecíolo e estatura (0,63) na primeira avaliação, e comprimento do estolão e estatura (0,58), massa seca total e diâmetro da planta (0,61) e massa seca total e estatura (0,55) na segunda avaliação. Os dois acessos mais divergentes foram coletados na mesma região fisiográfica e os dois menos divergentes em regiões diferentes. O dendrograma de dissimilaridade genética separou quatro grupos. Acessos coletados em uma região onde T. riograndense é abundante pertenciam a diferentes grupos, o que realça a grande variabilidade dessa leguminosa forrageira nativa. A produção de massa seca no primeiro corte foi a característica que mais contribuiu (20,80%) para a divergência dos acessos, seguida pelo número de estolões secundários (12,30%), área foliar (11,07%), e número de nós por estolão (10,93%).

Morphoagronomic variation in natural populations of Trifolium riograndense (Burkart)

Several species of Trifolium are widely cultivated as forage for animals and green manure. This work aimed to characterize and estimate through morphological and agronomic traits the genetic diversity of natural populations of T. riograndense, an important forage legume from native pastures of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Plant height and diameter, number of primary and secondary stolons, stolon length, number of nodes per primary stolon, internode length, primary stolon diameter, leaf area, petiole length and dry matter production were analyzed in 29 accessions. The first five attributes and dry matter production were evaluated twice. A broad phenotypic variability was observed for almost all characteristics. Positive correlations occurred between petiole length and leaf area (r = 0.68), petiole length and plant height in the first evaluation (0.63), stolon length and plant height (0.58), total dry matter and plant diameter (0.61), and total dry matter and plant height in the second evaluation (0.55). The two most divergent accessions were collected in the same physiographic region and the two less divergent ones in different regions. A dissimilarity dendrogram separated four groups. Accessions collected in a region where T. riograndense is abundant were found to belong to different groups outlining the great variability of this native forage legume. Dry matter production in the first cut was the characteristic that most contributed (20.80%) to accessions divergence followed by number of secondary stolons (12.30%), leaf area (11.07%), and number of nodes per primary stolon (10.93%).

Várias espécies de Trifolium são extensivamente cultivadas como forragem ou adubo verde. Caracterizaram-se e estimaram-se, por meio de atributos morfológicos e agronômicos, a diversidade genética de populações naturais de T. riograndense, importante leguminosa forrageira nativa dos campos naturais do Rio Grande do Sul. Estatura e diâmetro das plantas, número de estolões primários e secundários, comprimento do estolão primário, número de nós por estolão, comprimento dos entrenós, diâmetro de estolão, área foliar, tamanho do pecíolo e produção de massa seca foram avaliados em 29 acessos. Os cinco primeiros atributos e a produção de massa seca foram avaliados duas vezes. Ampla variabilidade fenotípica foi observada para quase todas as características. Ocorreram correlações positivas entre tamanho do pecíolo e área foliar (r = 0,68), tamanho do pecíolo e estatura (0,63) na primeira avaliação, e comprimento do estolão e estatura (0,58), massa seca total e diâmetro da planta (0,61) e massa seca total e estatura (0,55) na segunda avaliação. Os dois acessos mais divergentes foram coletados na mesma região fisiográfica e os dois menos divergentes em regiões diferentes. O dendrograma de dissimilaridade genética separou quatro grupos. Acessos coletados em uma região onde T. riograndense é abundante pertenciam a diferentes grupos, o que realça a grande variabilidade dessa leguminosa forrageira nativa. A produção de massa seca no primeiro corte foi a característica que mais contribuiu (20,80%) para a divergência dos acessos, seguida pelo número de estolões secundários (12,30%), área foliar (11,07%), e número de nós por estolão (10,93%).

Plant regeneration from proroplasts of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) via somatic embryogenesis

Alfalfa is one of the most frequently studied species from the production of tissue culture-derived embryos point of view. In this study, five alfalfa cultivars were analyzed with reference to their ability to regenerate plants from protoplast cultures via somatic embryogenesis. Plant regeneration from leaf-derived protoplasts isolated from the cultivar Rangelander was achieved using a protocol defined for alfalfa cell suspension-derived embryogenesis. Because of its high efficiency, this procedure is recommended for protoplast electroporation-mediated genetic transformation of alfalfa.

A alfafa é uma das espécies mais freqüentemente estudadas do ponto de vista da produção de embriões somáticos derivados da cultura de tecidos. Neste trabalho, cinco cultivares de alfafa foram analisados com referência à capacidade de regenerar plantas a partir de culturas de protoplastos via embriogênese somática. Regeneração de plantas a partir de protoplastos isolados de folhas da cultivar Rangelander foi obtida usando-se um protocolo definido para embriogênese somática derivada de suspensões celulares de alfafa. Em função da sua alta eficiência, recomenda-se o uso deste procedimento para transformação genética de alfafa mediada por eletroporação de protoplastos.

Plant regeneration from proroplasts of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) via somatic embryogenesis

Alfalfa is one of the most frequently studied species from the production of tissue culture-derived embryos point of view. In this study, five alfalfa cultivars were analyzed with reference to their ability to regenerate plants from protoplast cultures via somatic embryogenesis. Plant regeneration from leaf-derived protoplasts isolated from the cultivar Rangelander was achieved using a protocol defined for alfalfa cell suspension-derived embryogenesis. Because of its high efficiency, this procedure is recommended for protoplast electroporation-mediated genetic transformation of alfalfa.

A alfafa é uma das espécies mais freqüentemente estudadas do ponto de vista da produção de embriões somáticos derivados da cultura de tecidos. Neste trabalho, cinco cultivares de alfafa foram analisados com referência à capacidade de regenerar plantas a partir de culturas de protoplastos via embriogênese somática. Regeneração de plantas a partir de protoplastos isolados de folhas da cultivar Rangelander foi obtida usando-se um protocolo definido para embriogênese somática derivada de suspensões celulares de alfafa. Em função da sua alta eficiência, recomenda-se o uso deste procedimento para transformação genética de alfafa mediada por eletroporação de protoplastos.

Transient gene expression in electroporated intact tissues of Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw.

Genetic transformation though protoplast electroporation has been established for commercially important plant species. In this work, explant sources, electric field strengths, electroporation buffers, DNA forms and osmotic pretreatment were assayed in order to optimize transient reporter gene expression in electroporated tissues of Stylosanthes guianensis, a tropical forage legume. Higher transformation rates were obtained employing cotyledonary explants and an electric field strength of 250 V cm-1. Linear plasmid DNA, chloridefree electroporation buffer and osmotic pretreatment with 1.6 mol L-1 mannitol also improved transient transformation but non-significantly. Transgene specific PCR amplification was employed to prove the transformed status of the tissues.

A transformação genética através da eletroporação de protoplastos foi estabelecida para espécies vegetais comercialmente importantes. Neste trabalho, fontes de explante, intensidades de campo elétrico, soluções de eletroporação, configuração da molécula de DNA e pré-tratamentos osmóticos foram avaliados para otimizar a expressão transiente do gene repórter em tecidos eletroporados de Stylosanthes guianensis, uma leguminosa forrageira tropical. Taxas elevadas de transformação foram obtidas empregando-se explantes cotiledonares e 250 V cm-1 de intensidade de campo elétrico. DNA plasmidial linear, solução de eletroporação livre de cloro e pré-tratamento osmótico com 1,6 mol L-1 de manitol favorecerem a expressão transiente do gene repórter, porém não significativamente. A amplificação por PCR específica do transgene foi usada para demonstrar a ocorrência de transformação nos tecidos.

Transient gene expression in electroporated intact tissues of Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw

Genetic transformation though protoplast electroporation has been established for commercially important plant species. In this work, explant sources, electric field strengths, electroporation buffers, DNA forms and osmotic pretreatment were assayed in order to optimize transient reporter gene expression in electroporated tissues of Stylosanthes guianensis, a tropical forage legume. Higher transformation rates were obtained employing cotyledonary explants and an electric field strength of 250 V cm-1. Linear plasmid DNA, chloridefree electroporation buffer and osmotic pretreatment with 1.6 mol L-1 mannitol also improved transient transformation but non-significantly. Transgene specific PCR amplification was employed to prove the transformed status of the tissues.

A transformação genética através da eletroporação de protoplastos foi estabelecida para espécies vegetais comercialmente importantes. Neste trabalho, fontes de explante, intensidades de campo elétrico, soluções de eletroporação, configuração da molécula de DNA e pré-tratamentos osmóticos foram avaliados para otimizar a expressão transiente do gene repórter em tecidos eletroporados de Stylosanthes guianensis, uma leguminosa forrageira tropical. Taxas elevadas de transformação foram obtidas empregando-se explantes cotiledonares e 250 V cm-1 de intensidade de campo elétrico. DNA plasmidial linear, solução de eletroporação livre de cloro e pré-tratamento osmótico com 1,6 mol L-1 de manitol favorecerem a expressão transiente do gene repórter, porém não significativamente. A amplificação por PCR específica do transgene foi usada para demonstrar a ocorrência de transformação nos tecidos.