The pulvinus endodermal cells and their relation to leaf movement in legumes of the Brazilian cerrado

Legume pulvini have a clearly delimited endodermis, whose variable content has been associated with the velocity and type of leaf movement: pulvini in leaves with fast nastic movement contain starch grains; pulvini in leaves with slow nastic movements have calcium oxalate crystals as well as starch grains in the endodermis. However, the studies carried out to date have involved few legume species. This study therefore purported to examine the consistency of this hypothesis in other legumes. Thus, the structure and content of the pulvinus endodermal cells of nine legumes of the Brazilian cerrado, with different types and velocities of leaf movement, were investigated: slow nyctinastic and heliotropic movements (Bauhinia rufa, Copaifera langsdorffii, Senna rugosa - Caesalpinioideae; Andira humilis and Dalbergia miscolobium - Faboideae; Stryphnodendron polyphyllum - Mimosoideae), slow heliotropic movement (Zornia diphylla - Faboideae), and fast seismonastic and slow nyctinastic and heliotropic movements (Mimosa rixosa and Mimosa flexuosa - Mimosoideae). Samples were prepared following standard plant anatomy and ultrastructure techniques. The endodermis of all the species contains starch grains. In the species displaying only slow movements, calcium oxalate prismatic crystals were observed in addition to starch grains, except in Zornia diphylla. in conclusion, oxalate crystals occur only in endodermal cells of pulvini that display slow movements, while starch grains are always present in pulvinus endodermal cells of plants with any kind of movement.

Pulvinus functional traits in relation to leaf movements: A light and transmission electron microscopy study of the vascular system

Previous studies on legume pulvini suggest that the vascular system plays an important role in the redistribution of ions and transmission of stimuli during leaf's movements. However, the number of anatomical and ultrastructural studies is limited to few species. The aim of this paper is to investigate the structure and cellular features of the pulvinus vascular system of nine legume species from Brazilian cerrado, looking for structural traits pointing to its participation in the leaf's movements. Samples were excised from the medial region of opened pulvinus of Bauhinia rufa, Copaifera langsdorffii, Senna rugosa (Caesalpinioideae), Andira humilis, Dalbergia miscolobium, Zornia dilphylla (Faboideae), Mimosa rixosa, Mimosa flexuosa and Stryphnodendron polyphyllum (Mimosoideae), and were prepared following light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and histochemical standard techniques. The vascular system occupies a central position, comprises phloem and xylem and is delimited by a living sheath of septate fibers in all the species studied. This living cells sheath connects the cortex to the vascular tissues via numerous plasmodesmata. The absence of fibers and sclereids, the presence of phenolic idioblasts and the abundance and diversity of protein inclusions in the sieve tube members are remarkable features of the phloem. Pitted vessel elements, parenchyma cells with abundant cytoplasm and living fibriform elements characterize the xylem. The lack of lignified tissues and extensive symplastic continuity by plasmodesmata are remarkable features of the vascular system of pulvini of the all studied species. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Caracterização da fertilidade do solo da composição mineral de espécies arbóreas de restinga do litoral paulista

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Anatomia e aspectos ultra-estruturais de pulvinos de leguminosas de cerrado

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Botânica) - IBB

Distribuição natural de espécies arbóreas em áreas com diferentes níveis de antropização e relação com os atributos químicos do solo

With the emergence of areas degraded by human activities, the chemical soil properties and silvicultural characters became important in understanding the succession process of tree species and planning of landscape restoration. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of tree species in areas with different levels of human disturbance, relating silvicultural aspects to the soil chemical properties and characterizing the type of vegetation, for integration of genetic conservation program in situ. The study was conducted in the area of Research and Extension Experimental Farm (FEPE) from UNESP, Ilha Solteira, in Selviria - MS. Through transect, 64 plots were marked 50 m equidistant with dimensions of 10 x 10 m, where: 29 plots were in an highly disturbed area (HDA), five in moderately disturbed area (MDA), 15 in lowly disturbed area (LDA), six in riparian stream of Vestia river (Riparian Forest) and nine in the legal reserve. Soil samples were collected at two depths (0.0 to 0.20 and 0.20 to 0.40 m) for the chemical analysis and the assessment of silvicultural characters, such as height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and shape. The study of the natural distribution of tree species and edaphic condition in the different evaluated areas showed that: the soil chemical properties associated with the level of human disturbance and conservation of the areas are influencing the natural occurrence, species diversity and development of the trees. Height, DBH and shape are good indicators to assess the growth of the tree community and relate them to soil chemical properties; LDA and legal reserve presented higher natural occurrence, number of individuals and number of species. In the riparian forest, basal area values, height, shape and chemical soil properties were higher. From the 97 species found, six have the potential to be used in a program of genetic conservation in situ. They are: Astronium fraxinifolium, Terminalia argentea, Curatella americana, Cupania vernalis, Qualea jundiahy and Andira cuyabensis.