Leaf Morphological Plasticity of Tree Species from Two Developmental Stages in Araucaria Forest

This study compared the morphological and anatomical variations of the leaves of four shade-tolerant tree species Allophylus edulis (St.-Hil.) Radlk (Sapindaceae), Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae), Cupania vernalis Cambess. (Sapindaceae) and Luehea divaricata Mart. (Malvaceae) from a fragment of Araucaria forest in two developmental stages. Morphological and anatomical traits, such as leaf and tissue thickness, leaf area, leaf dry mass, specific leaf area, leaf density and stomata density were measured from 30 leaves of each developmental stage. The phenotypic plasticity index was also calculated for each quantitative trait. The results showed that the four species presented higher mean values ​​for specific leaf area and spongy/palisade parenchyma ratio at young stage, and higher mean values ​​for stomata density, total and palisade parenchyma thickness in the adult stage. The plasticity index demonstrated that L. divricata presented highest plasticity for both the morphological and anatomical traits while A. edulis displayed the lowest plasticity index. The results of this study indicated that the leaves of these species exhibited distinct morphological traits at each stage of development to cope with acting environmental factors.

Etnobotânica de Leguminosae entre agricultores agroecológicos na Floresta Atlântica, Araponga, Minas Gerais, Brasil

This study describes the richness of Leguminosae used by 21 traditional farmers in coffee agroforestry systems (AFS) and forest fragments of the Atlantic Forest, in the municipality of Araponga, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It also presents the use categories, relative importance and the species similarity between the AFSs. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and participant observation, between August 2005 and November 2006, directed during random walks in seven AFSs and forest fragments surrounding the State Park of Serra do Brigadeiro. The farmers cited 59 species of Leguminosae, of which 86% are native to the Atlantic Forest and used in ancient cultural practices, such as to make bullock carts. Twelve categories of use were established, among them the most important were fertilizer and firewood (21 spp each); in the AFSs, species used for soil fertilization (18 spp) are the most utilized, and in the forest, the species for firewood and technology (17 spp.) The relative importance index showed that in the forest, Piptadenia gonoacantha showed 83% of agreement for the use as wood for fencing pastures, while in the AFSs, Inga edulis scored 100% as food. The AFSs studied show little similarity of species (0.42 of the Sorensen scale), due to the selection promoted by the farmers, thus, providing room for the conservation of useful species of Leguminosae.

Análise energética do novo sistema de produção de maracujá amarelo na região de Marília-SP

The study aimed to evaluate energy indicators of a new production system of yellow passion fruit in Marilia-SP. Analyzed the inputs of the biological energy, fossil and industrial and output energy in the form of fruits produced per unit area as well as five energy indicators. The input energy amounted 155,810.13MJ ha(-1). Chemical fertilizers and pesticides accounted for 71% and 24% of indirect energy industry, respectively. The activity generated per cycle / ha, 587.700.00MJ, and cultural productivity 0.19MJ kg(-1). The efficiency culture was 3.77. The cultural energy net totaled 431,889.87MJ ha(-1). The energy efficiency (4.17) and energy balance (550,312.91MJ ha(-1)) was favorable. It was concluded that the direct energy consumption from fossil fuels, even though significant, yet permits the production of the fruit of an environmentally sustainable manner. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides were the most representative of indirect energy industry due to the intensification of fertilization as a means of disease prevention.

Structure and post-translational modifications of the web silk protein spidroin-1 from Nephila spiders

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Description of a new species of Neoparaphytoseius Chant and McMurtry (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) from Peru, with a redefinition of the genus

Neoparaphytoseius charapa n. sp. is described, based on the morphology of adult females and males collected on Inga edulis ( Mart.) ( Fabaceae) in northeastern Peru. Neoparaphytoseius Chant & McMurtry is redefined on the basis of the new species and re-examination of its type species N. sooretamus Chant & McMurtry.

Identification of species of the Euterpe genus by rare earth elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and linear discriminant analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of palm heart harvesting on avian frugivores in the Atlantic rain forest of Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Physical, Thermal and Water-Sorption Properties of Passion Fruit Seeds

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

EFFECTS OF EMERGENCY IN BIOSTIMULANT SEEDLING OF PASSION FRUIT ROXINHO OF KENYA

The increase in market demand for fresh fruits along with the high price of passion fruit juice in domestic and international markets has increased the interest in fruit, especially the purple passion fruit in the center south of the country seeking to export. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of plant growth regulator on the emergence and development of seedlings of passion 'Roxinho of Kenya' when propagated sexually. The treatments consisted of concentrations of commercial product Stimulate (R): control (no biostimulant); 6; 12; 18; 24 and 30 mL. kg(-1) of seed. It were evaluated the percentage of seedling emergence, number of leaves, aerial part dry weight, stem and root (g), root length (mm), diameter and stem length (mm), leaf area and chlorophyll 'a' and 'b'. The application of bio-stimulant in doses of 6 and 12 mL. kg(-1) promotes increased percentage of seedling emergence of Passiflora edulis Sims in a shorter time. The use of it also promotes the development of seedlings, with better results for the dose of 12 and 24 mL. kg(-1) treated seeds.

Dinâmica da vegetação de uma floresta paludosa no município de Rio Claro - SP

Swamp forests, are laid down in the lowlands, with almost permanent presence of water on the soil surface and generally occupy portions fairly flat. In 2003 a phytosociological survey was conducted of the tree and shrub component of a swamp forest established on a steep slope in Rio Claro - SP, through the use of 45 permanent plots of 10 mx 10 m (0.45 ha) divided into three blocks: 1, 2 and 3. The present study aimed to review these plots and discuss the dynamics of vegetation in the swamp forest in question period of eight years. Altogether 1529 individuals were found alive, belonging to 29 families and 47 species. It can be observed that there was a decrease of one family (Flacourtiaceae) and two species (Xylosma tweediana, Inga marginata) in relation to 2003. In general there was a loss not only in number of individuals, but basal area and species diversity. The Block 1 was the only one to show a positive balance in terms of numbers of individuals (2.75%); in Block 2, there was little variation (1.72%) which is negative; whereas Block 3 had the largest decrease, 19.18%. The mortality rate (2.74% / year) for the community remained higher than the recruitment (1.81% / year). There was a decrease (3.19%) of total basal area of the sample relative to 2003, with the highest relative dominance by Calophyllum brasiliense. The decline in diversity of species could be evidenced by the Shannon index, which was 2.0 nats.individual-1 and evenness of 0.52. The most important species (IVI) were Euterpe edulis, Calophyllum brasiliense and Magnolia ovata, together accounting for 59% of IVI community. High mortality and low recruitment rates indicate disturbances in the community, some factors such as proximity to roads, the different soil types associated with a high rate of water saturation and the declivity are crucial to the balance within the community

Aspectos estruturais e ecológicos de uma comunidade arbórea do Parque estadual da Serra do Mar (Ubatuba, SP)

O presente estudo investigou aspectos estruturais (florística e fitossociologia) e ecológicos (síndromes de dispersão e classes sucessionais) de um hectare de Floresta Ombrófila Densa Submontana, localizada no Núcleo Picinguaba, município de Ubatuba, São Paulo, com objetivo de analisar a similaridade da área com outros levantamentos sob mesma fisionomia e avaliar o estágio sucessional da mata para o trecho considerado. A área estudada (Parcela C) compõe uma das parcelas amostrais do Projeto Temático “Composição florística, estrutura e funcionamento da Floresta Ombrófila Densa dos Núcleos Picinguaba e Santa Virgínia do Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar” do Programa BIOTA-FAPESP. O levantamento compreendeu todos os indivíduos arbóreos com DAP ≥ 4,8 totalizando 1.246 indivíduos. Foram encontradas 131 espécies distribuídas em 38 famílias. O índice de diversidade de Shannon foi de H’= 3, 981 nat.ind.-1 e o índice de equitabilidade de Pielou foi de J’ = 0,815. A família Myrtaceae se destacou com a maior riqueza de espécies (36), seguida de Fabaceae (12) e Rubiaceae (11) que registrou, ainda, a maior quantidade de indivíduos, com 225 plantas. O maior valor de importância foi anotado para Euterpe edulis (6,95%) abrangendo 9,95% do total de indivíduos registrados. As espécies, subseqüentes, mais abundantes foram Mollinedia schottiana (7,54%), Coussarea meridionalis (5,86%), Bathysa mendoncaei (5,54%) e Guapira opposita (2,80%). A área apresentou elevada dominância de espécies zoocóricas (86% das espécies classificadas) e não pioneiras (74%), indicando um estágio avançado de sucessão da área analisada. Os padrões estruturais e ecológicos encontrados para a comunidade investigada apóiam os conceitos de alta diversidade florística e sugerem intrínsecas relações entre planta e animais em Florestas Atlânticas

Compostos bioativos presentes em cultivares de maracujá

A produção de maracujá vem ganhando grande importância no Brasil, notadamente a partir das últimas três décadas, o que coloca o país numa situação de destaque no ranking mundial, sendo o maior produtor do mundo. As principais espécies produzidas e exploradas comercialmente são: Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg., o maracujá amarelo ou azedo e Passiflora alata Dryand, o maracujá doce. Apesar de serem espécies bem difundidas, há poucos estudos que as relacionem. Desta forma, o presente trabalho objetivou comparar as polpas das duas espécies, avaliando suas semelhanças e diferenças através de testes físico-químicos e determinando seus compostos bioativos. O estudo foi conduzido no Laboratório de Controle de Qualidade de Alimentos, no Departamento de Alimentos e Nutrição, da Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, campus Araraquara. Para analisar e comparar as espécies estudadas foram utilizadas amostras “in natura” e congeladas de ambas as espécies e foram determinados os compostos bioativos (carotenoides totais, fenólicos totais e flavonóides totais), ácido ascórbico, acidez total titulável (ATT), atividade sequestrante de radicais livres (DPPH) e sólidos solúveis totais (SST). Todas as análises foram realizados em triplicata. Em todas as determinações, o maracujá doce, Passiflora alata Dryand, apresentou valores menores em relação ao maracujá azedo, Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg..Os valores demonstram maiores quantidades de antioxidantes em maracujá amarelo em relação ao maracujá doce. Também demonstram que a indicação de consumo para Passiflora alata Dryand, é do fruto “in natura”, uma vez que para haver industrialização e processamento, há necessidade de maior acidez. Já Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg. demonstra-se adequado para a industrialização.

Plantas medicinais do SUS: espécies comuns da região de Bauru-SP

This work deals with present and discuss mainly the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of each species of the National List of Medicinal plants of interest to SUS (RENISUS) contained in scientific articles that are found in the Bauru-SP region. Such information compiled in this study may help in the advancement of scientific research, promoting the speed in bibliographic queries these species. In the present work was carried out consultation papers and described in the form of literature review, published information of the species listed in Renisus specific to the Bauru-SP region are: Aloe spp* (A. vera or A. barbadensis), Schinus terebinthifolius = mastic Schinus, trimera Baccharis, Mikania spp* (M. glomerata and M. laevigata), Vernonia condensata, Tabebuia avellanedeae, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Momordica charantia, Phyllanthus spp* (P. amarus, P. niruri, P. tenellus and P. urinaria), Stryphnodendron adstringens = Stryphnodendron barbatimam, pulegium Mentha, Mentha spp* (M. crispa, M. piperita or M. villosa), Plectranthus barbatus = Coleus barbatus, Persea spp* (gratissima or P. americana P.), Bauhinia spp* (B. affinis, B. forficata or B. variegata), Copaifera spp*, Morus sp*, Eugenia uniflora or brasiliana Myrtus*, Psidium guajava, Syzygium spp* (S. jambolanum or S. cumini), Passiflora spp* (P. alata, P. edulis or P. incarnata), Punica granatum and Casearia sylvestris. Studies have shown that the use of plants as alternatives treatment and sustainable use of Brazilian biodiversity has a breakthrough in research regarding the chemical composition of each species of RENISUS relationship. Many phytochemical studies are reported compiled with possible pharmacological indications of each species. Thus enabling the use and production of herbal medicines in SUS

Mineral nitrogen associated changes in growth and Xylem-N compounds in amazonian legume tree

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Crescimento e produção do maracujazeiro amarelo, sob diferentes fontes e doses de fósforo em cobertura

Brazil is the largest world producer of yellow passion fruit, a fruit crop which is exigent in nutrients, although little studied in relation to phosphorus fertilizing, fundamental on plant establishment. An experiment was carried out during the period of March/2010 to April/2011 in Remigio County, Paraiba State, Brazil, in order to evaluate the vegetative and productive attributes of yellow passion fruit plants under different sources and doses of phosphorus. Treatments were distributed in randomized blocks in tree replications and twelve plants by plot using the factorial design 2 x 5 referring the sources of superphosphate triple and superphosphate simple at levels P2O5 of 0, 12, 18, 24 and 30 g cave(-1). The following variables were recorded: stem diameter, number of productive branches, number of fruits per plant, fruit mass and fruit yield. The sources and doses of phosphorus affected growth and fruit production of yellow passion plants. The triple superphosphate is the most phosphorus efficient source for growth and fruit production of yellow passion fruit. The triple superphosphate dose which promoted the maximum yield of yellow passion fruit is 42.86 g.