Self-Organizing Maps as a New Tool for Classification of Plants at Lower Hierarchical Levels

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

Influence of organic-mineral fertilization of an oxisol on soil chemical properties and Bracharia brizantha production

A utilização de fertilizante organomineral da indústria produtora dos aminoácidos lisina e treonina pode melhorar a fertilidade de solos tropicais. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência de diferentes dosagens do fertilizante organomineral denominado Ajifer L-14 nos atributos químicos e no aumento de produção de forragem de um Latossolo Vermelho do noroeste paulista. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com sete tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: T1- testemunha (sem aplicação de Ajifer L-14); T2- testemunha com vegetação natural; T3- adubação mineral de acordo com a necessidade da cultura e a análise do solo (usando 1,35 kg de ureia, 2,20 kg de superfosfato simples e 0,51 kg de KCl por parcela, o que corresponde a 60 kg de N, 40 kg de P2O5 e 30 kg ha-1 de K2O, respectivamente); T4- adubação com Ajifer L-14 de acordo com a recomendação da análise química do solo (40 L parcela-1, o que corresponde a 60 kg ha-1 N); T5- adubação com Ajifer L-14 em dosagem 50 % acima da recomendação (60 L parcela-1, o que corresponde a 90 kg ha-1 N; T6- adubação com Ajifer L-14 em dosagem 50 % abaixo da recomendação (20 L parcela-1, o que corresponde a 30 kg ha-1 N); T7- adubação com Ajifer L-14 em dosagem 25 % acima da recomendação (50 L parcela-1, o que corresponde a 75 kg ha-1 N); e T8- adubação com Ajifer L-14 em dosagem 25 % abaixo da recomendação (30 L parcela-1, o que corresponde a 45 kg ha-1 N). Nas profundidades de 0,0-0,1 e 0,1-0,2 m, avaliaram-se os seguintes atributos químicos do solo:, teor de matéria orgânica (MO), pH, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC), acidez potencial e saturação por bases. A aplicação do fertilizante organomineral não influenciou os atributos químicos do solo. Na análise de regressão, houve relação polinomial entre as doses de aplicação do fertilizante organomineral e a produção de massa seca e proteína bruta de Bracharia brizantha.

Antiviral activities of plants occurring in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: Part 2. Screening Bignoniaceae species

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Utilization of epiphytes by birds in a Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes constitute a great part of the vegetation biomass in Neotropical forests, offering a large variety of resources to birds. Despite their structural and ecological importance, few studies investigated the use of epiphytes by birds in the Neotropical region. We studied the bird species that exploit vascular epiphytes (and hemi-epiphytes) in an Atlantic forest site in southeastern Brazil. The resources exploited, seasonal variation in the use of epiphytes, the frequency of foraging and selectivity in epiphytes, and the relationship between the use of epiphytes and the participation in mixed-species bird flocks were investigated. After 360 h of observations along trails crossing the forest, 24 bird species (12 families) were recorded in a total of 74 events of epiphyte exploitation. Thamnophilidae (four species), Trochiliclae, Thraupidae and Furnariidae (three species) were the richest bird families in our sample, while Furnariidae and Dendrocolaptidae were the more frequently recorded families. Plants in the Bromeliaceae and Araceae families were the most abundant and more frequently exploited epiphytes. Nectar, water, nest material and invertebrates were the most frequently exploited resources, mainly from Bromeliaceae. None of the species for which we had enough data revealed to be a frequent user of epiphytes for foraging or selective to any epiphyte group. The White-eyed Foliage-gleaner (Automolus leucophthalmus; Furnariidae), a common participant of understory mixed-species flocks, exploited epiphytes more frequently when associated with mixed-species flocks. The utilization of epiphytes was opportunistic for most of the bird species recorded and occurred throughout the year with no seasonal variation.

Colonization pattern of Cecropia by Azteca ants: Influence of plant ontogeny, environment and host plant choice by queens

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

Hepatogenous photosensitization of ruminants by Brachiaria decumbens and Panicum dichotomiflorum in the absence of sporidesmin: Lithogenic saponins may be responsible

As part of a study of plants involved in crystal-associated hepatogenous photosensitization diseases, samples of Brachiaria decumbens and Panicum dichotomiflorum on which cattle and goats had recently been photosensitized were analyzed. The level of saponins associated with these photosensitization outbreaks were determined by GC-MS. Only low levels of Pithomyces chartarum spores were present on the B decumbens, and all isolates obtained failed to produce sporidesmin.

Poisoning of mice by Baccharis coridifolia: An experimental model

The poisonous plant Baccharis coridifotia causes necrosis in lymphoid tissues and the gastrointestinal tract of cattle, horses, sheep and rabbits. An experimental poisoning of mice was undertaken to establish an experimental model in a laboratory animal specie. A single 5 to 8-g/kg dose of a suspension of the plant was administered by gavage to II mice. To 3 other control mice, the same volume of water was administered. Plant-dosed mice manifested clinical effects after 12 h: tachipnea, trembles, dehydration and prostration. Most of the dosed mice died 14 to 33 h after plant administration-3 survived for 12 d. Six mice had remarkable necrosis of the germinative center of secondary follicles in lymph nodes and spleen; 3 mice had necrosis of lymphoid tissues in intestine and thymus. Mice reproduce most of the lesions observed in naturally poisoned cattle and the use of this specie as an experimental model is valid.

Adsorption and release of micronutrients by humin extracted from peat samples

The objective of this work was to investigate the adsorption of micronutrients in humin and to verify the ability to release these elements in water. The first step was to determine the adsorption capacity of humin for several essential plant micronutrients and check the kinetic parameters. The order of adsorption was Zn < Ni < Co < Mn < Mo < Cu < Fe, whereas Zn showed maximum values of ca. 2.5 mg g-1 and Fe values of ca. 0.5 mg g-1 for systems containing 1 g of humin. Iron presented higher percentages of release (ca. 100%) and Co the lowest percentages (0.14%). The findings suggested that the use of humin enriched with micronutrients can be a promising alternative for the fertilization of agricultural soils, with the additional benefit of incorporating organic matter present in the form of humic substances into the soil and improving the agricultural productivity. © 2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Selfing rate estimation in sugarcane under unfavorable natural conditions of crossing by using microsatellite markers

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

Phosphorus fertilization of 'Fuyutoyo' cabbages in phosphorus-rich Eutrustox soil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The plants by Daniel Rolander (c. 1723-1793) in Diarium Surinamicum (1754-1765) and herbaria

The manuscripts of Diarium Surinamicum by Daniel Rolander practically remained ignored and unpublished for over 240 years, till the recent publication of its translation into English, which occurred in 2008. In this, the names of species described and/or cited by Rolander were faithfully retained, hence preserving the indication of them without authorship, for the vast majority. In the present work, all the names of plants that were treated by Rolander in his journal, about 664, including by tradition the fungi and algae, are contextualised in relation to the authorship, reference to the publication of the protologue, pagination of citations/descriptions in the manuscripts and in the published translation, indication of probable misidentifications with possible alternative names, vernacular names, and related literature. Additionally, we searched for the vouchers collected by Rolander, scattered in several herbaria, which have been linked to the probable names and descriptions in the diary. Given the considerable time till the publication of these names, and by the lack of indication of their nomenclatural types in the English version, the great majority of the new species described by Rolander, which would have priority if published in due time, became invalid names according to the ICN. Nevertheless, the list of Rolandrian species here presented, from his work that has finally taken a place in the history of natural sciences, shows that he was also a competent botanist, besides being a skilled entomologist, having recognised and detailedly described many of the Surinamese plants hitherto unknown to science.

Antimicrobial activity of plants infusions on oral fusobacteria and their adherence to human erythrocytes

Periodontal disease is the result of the interrelationship between microbiotic aggression and the host’s organic defence. Amongst the microorganisms involved in periodontopathies, Fusobacterium nucleatum is conspicuous by establishing a link between the initial and final colonizers, besides producing toxic compounds and adhering to the host’s cells. Control of bacterial biofilm can be achieved by use of chemical agents, many of which extracted from plants. Thus the object of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory activity in vitro of some teas, generally taken in a normal diet, on Fusobacterium nucleatum and your adherence to host’s cells. Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations were established and haemagglutinative test in microplaques was effected. It was ascertained that all plant extracts have inhibitory activity and that infusions of Camellia sinensis (black tea and green tea), Mentha piperita (mint) and Pimpinella anixem (aniseed) added to the bacteria/erythrocyte compound reduced significantly the adherence of microorganisms.