An overview of invasive plants in Brazil

Alien plants are known to occur in Brazil since the 18th century when African grasses started to be recorded in pastures near Rio de Janeiro. In the beginning of the 19th century two royal decrees (July, 1809 and July, 1810) offered grants and tax exemption to everyone who would introduce plants of economic value. Nowadays, there are 117 plant species recognized as invasive or established and with invasive potential in Brazil and an unknown number of introduced plant species. Some of the most pervasive invasive species are Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. and Hedychium coronarium König in tropical ombrophilous forest, Hovenia dulcis Thunb. in subtropical ombrophilous forest and subtropical semi-deciduous forest, Pinus taeda L. and Pinus elliottii Engelm. in subtropical ombrophilous forest and steppe, Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. in stepic-savanna, Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth in tropical and subtropical semi-deciduous forest, Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv. in the Brazilian savannas, and Eragrostis plana Nees in the steppe. The purpose of this article is to fill a knowledge gap on alien species that are invasive in Brazil and where they are invading by summarizing data obtained by joint efforts of the Hórus Institute for Environmental Conservation and Development, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN) invasive species thematic network (I3N), and the Brazilian Ministry of Environment (MMA) in the last six years.

Metabolite and light regulation of metabolism in plants: lessons from the study of a single biochemical pathway

We are using molecular, biochemical, and genetic approaches to study the structural and regulatory genes controlling the assimilation of inorganic nitrogen into the amino acids glutamine, glutamate, aspartate and asparagine. These amino acids serve as the principal nitrogen-transport amino acids in most crop and higher plants including Arabidopsis thaliana. We have begun to investigate the regulatory mechanisms controlling nitrogen assimilation into these amino acids in plants using molecular and genetic approaches in Arabidopsis. The synthesis of the amide amino acids glutamine and asparagine is subject to tight regulation in response to environmental factors such as light and to metabolic factors such as sucrose and amino acids. For instance, light induces the expression of glutamine synthetase (GLN2) and represses expression of asparagine synthetase (ASN1) genes. This reciprocal regulation of GLN2 and ASN1 genes by light is reflected at the level of transcription and at the level of glutamine and asparagine biosynthesis. Moreover, we have shown that the regulation of these genes is also reciprocally controlled by both organic nitrogen and carbon metabolites. We have recently used a reverse genetic approach to study putative components of such metabolic sensing mechanisms in plants that may be conserved in evolution. These components include an Arabidopsis homolog for a glutamate receptor gene originally found in animal systems and a plant PII gene, which is a homolog of a component of the bacterial Ntr system. Based on our observations on the biology of both structural and regulatory genes of the nitrogen assimilatory pathway, we have developed a model for metabolic control of the genes involved in the nitrogen assimilatory pathway in plants.

Effect of lipoarabinomannan from Mycobacterium avium subsp avium in Freund’s incomplete adjuvant on the immune response of cattle

The aim of the present study was to determine whether lipoarabinomannan (LAM), in combination with Freund’s incomplete adjuvant (FIA), was able to improve cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immune responses against ovalbumin (OVA) in cattle. Twenty-three calves were assigned to four treatment groups, which were subcutaneously immunized with either OVA plus FIA, OVA plus FIA and LAM from Mycobacterium avium subsp avium, FIA plus LAM, or FIA alone. Lymphoproliferation, IFN-γ production and cell subpopulations on peripheral blood mononuclear cells before and 15 days after treatment were evaluated. Delayed hypersensitivity was evaluated on day 57. Specific humoral immune response was measured by ELISA. Inoculation with LAM induced higher levels of lymphoproliferation and IFN-γ production in response to ConA and OVA (P < 0.05). Specific antibody titers were similar in both OVA-immunized groups. Interestingly, our results showed that the use of LAM in vaccine preparations improved specific cell immune response evaluated by lymphoproliferation and IFN-γ production by at least 50 and 25%, respectively, in cattle without interfering with tuberculosis and paratuberculosis diagnosis.

Composição mineral de uma linhagem de Pleurotus ostreatus cultivada em resíduos madeireiros e agroindustriais da região amazônica

Os cogumelos do gênero Pleurotus são cultivados em diversos substratos lignocelulósicos, dada a atividade decompositora desses organismos proveniente de seu metabolismo enzimático. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a composição mineral de Pleurotus ostreatus e dos substratos de cultivo preparados à base de resíduos madeireiros e agroindustriais da região amazônica. Foram analisados macro (P, K, Ca e Mg) e micronutrientes (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn e Na) dos cogumelos e dos substratos. Os substratos foram formulados a partir da serragem de Simarouba amara Aubl. (marupá), Ochroma piramidale Cav. ex. Lam. (pau de balsa) e de bagaços de Bactris gasipaes Kunth (pupunheira) e de Saccharum officinarum (cana-de-açúcar). As amostras foram solubilizadas mediante digestão ácida (nítrico-peridrol). Os elementos Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn e Mn foram determinados por espectrometria de absorção atômica; o Na e K, por emissão atômica e o P, por colorimetria. A composição mineral do cogumelo variou com o substrato de cultivo. Os diferentes substratos possibilitaram a produção de um cogumelo rico em K, P, Mg e Fe, essenciais à nutrição e à saúde humana. O potássio foi o mineral de maior teor no cogumelo em todos os substratos testados (36,83-42,18 g.kg-1), seguido de fósforo (6,95-10,60 g.kg-1) e do magnésio (1,57-2,50 g.kg-1).

Physiochemical analysis and centesimal composition of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom grown in residues from the Amazon

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the nutritional composition of mushrooms produced in alternative substrates in agricultural and agro-industrial residues from the Amazon. C, N, pH, moisture, soluble solids, protein, lipids, total fibers, ashes, carbohydrates and energy were determined. Substrates were formulated from Simarouba amara Aubl. and Ochroma piramidale Cav. ex. Lam. Sawdust and from Bactris gasipaes Kunth and Saccharum officinarum stipe. Results showed that the nutritional composition of P. ostreatus varied according to the cultivation substrate and that it can be considered important food due to its nutritional characteristics such as: high protein content; metabolizable carbohydrates and fiber; and low lipids and calories contents.

Changes in enzymes, phenolic compounds, tannins, and vitamin C in various stages of jambolan (Syzygium cumini Lamark) development

The physiological state of a fruit is closely related to ripening and climatic conditions during the growing period when the fruit undergo changes in color, texture, and flavor. The ripening of the fruit can involve a complex series of biochemical reactions with alteration in enzymes activities, phenols, tannins, and ascorbic acid. The activity of enzymes (carboximethylcellulase, polygalacturonase, and pectinlyase), the total concentration of phenolic compounds, condensed tannins, and vitamin C in five stages of maturation were studied. Significant changes were observed between the maturity stages. The phenolic compounds were higher at green stage (705.01 ± 7.41); tannins were higher at green/purple stage (699.45 ± 0.22). The results showed that the ascorbic acid levels of the pulp varied significantly from 50.81 ± 1.43 to 6.61 ± 1.04 mg.100 g-1 during maturation. The specific activity of pectin lyase was higher at green stage (1531.90 ± 5.83). The specific activity of polygalacturonase was higher at mature stage (1.83 ± 0.0018). The specific activity of carboximetilcelulose was higher at ripe mature stage (4.61 ± 0.0024). The low ascorbic acid content found in jambolan fruit indicates that this fruit is not a rich source of this nutrient; however, other characteristics can make jambolan products fit for human consumption.

Use of Moringa oleífera Lamarck leaf extract as sugarcane juice clarifier: effects on clarifed juice and sugar

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract on the sedimentation of impurities in the treatment of sugarcane juice and the effects on sugar quality and on the clarified juice. The experimental design used was a 4x2 factorial arrangement with four replications. The main treatments performed included the extracted original sugarcane juice, the synthetic polyelectrolyte (Flomex 9076), the leaf extract, and a control. The secondary treatments consisted of the sugarcane varieties RB92579 and RB867515. The clarification process used was simple defecation, in which the flocculating agents and the juice, limed and heated, were poured simultaneously into a decanter. The microbiological and chemico-technological characteristics of the extracted and clarified juices were evaluated. The clarified juice was concentrated up to 60° Brix (syrup) and subjected to boiling in a pilot pan using seeds to perform the graining: The sugar was recovered by centrifugation and analyzed for microbiological and chemico-technological characteristics. It was concluded that the use of the Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves extract resulted in a better quality of clarified juice and sugar.

Influence of temperate grass seed rotation systems on weed seed soil bank composition

Due to changing cropping practices in perennial grass seed crops in western Oregon, USA, alternative rotation systems are being considered to reduce weed infestations. Information is generally lacking regarding the effects of alternative agronomic operations and herbicide inputs on soil weed seed bank composition during this transition. Six crop rotation systems were imposed in 1992 on a field that had historically produced monoculture perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seeds. Each system plot was 20 x 30 m, arranged in a randomized complete block design, replicated four times. Twenty to thirty soil cores were sampled in June 1997 from each plot. The weed species composition of the cores was determined by successive greenhouse grow-out assays. In addition to seed density, heterogeneity indices for species evenness, richness, and diversity were determined. The most abundant species were Juncus bufonius L. and Poa annua L. Changes in seed bank composition were due to the different herbicides used for the rotation crop components. Compared to the other rotation systems, no-tillage, spring-planted wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) reduced overall weed seed density and richness, but did not affect weed species evenness or diversity. When meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba Hartweg ex Benth.) succeeded wheat in rotation, weed species richness was unaffected, but evenness and diversity were reduced, compared to the other rotation systems. For meadowfoam in sequence after white clover (Trifolium repens L.), crop establishment method (no-tillage and conventional tillage) had no effect on weed seed species density, evenness, or diversity.

Fracionamento e germinação de sementes de Eugenia

Eugenia involucrata, E. uniflora and E. brasiliensis, espécies arbóreas tropicais do Brasil, podem ser utilizadas em programas de reflorestamento e em áreas urbanas e seus frutos apresentam potencialidade de uso industrial. Contudo, apesar da elevada porcentagem de germinação, a produção de sementes dessas espécies é insuficiente para obtenção de mudas em escala comercial. No presente trabalho são estudados o comportamento germinativo de sementes de três espécies de Eugenia, E. involucrata DC. (cereja), E. uniflora L. (pitanga) e E. brasiliensis Lam. (grumixama), submetidas ao fracionamento. As sementes das três espécies foram submetidas a fracionamentos, mantendo-se metade do seu tamanho original. Dessa forma, além do controle (sem fracionamento), obtiveram-se frações com o hilo íntegro, sem o hilo ou com metade do hilo. As sementes íntegras e as frações foram colocadas para germinar sob temperatura constante de 30 ºC, luz natural e semeadas em vermiculita. Nas três espécies, sementes fracionadas ao meio, contendo pelo menos a metade do hilo, mantêm elevada capacidade de iniciar o processo germinativo e de produzir plântulas normais. Os resultados indicam que, por meio do fracionamento, é possível obter mais de uma plântula normal a partir de cada semente.

Efeitos da luz e temperatura na germinação de sementes de quatro espécies de plantas daninhas do gênero Digitaria

O Brasil é o país das Américas com maior número de espécies nativas do gênero Digitaria, conhecidas como plantas daninhas, constituindo problemas em várias culturas de expressão econômica e encontradas em várias regiões do território brasileiro, sob ampla variação de ambientes. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da temperatura e presença de luz na germinação de sementes de quatro espécies de plantas daninhas do gênero Digitaria. O experimento foi conduzido em câmaras de germinação, em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, incluindo quatro temperaturas (25 ºC constantes e alternâncias de 20-30 ºC, 20-35 ºC e 15-35 ºC) em fotoperíodo de 8h e na ausência de luz. Foram estudadas sementes das espécies Digitaria bicornis (Lam.) Roem. & Schult., Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koel. e Digitaria horizontalis Willd de nome comum capim-colchão e, Digitaria insularis (L.) Fedde de nome comum capim-amargoso. Foram avaliadas a porcentagem e a velocidade de germinação até os 21 dias após o início do teste de germinação. Constatou-se que as exigências de temperatura e luz variam de acordo com a espécie, sendo que D. bicornis e D. horizontalis necessitam de luz para a germinação, o que não se verifica para D. ciliaris e a D. insularis. As temperaturas mais adequadas para a germinação das sementes são 20-35 ºC, para D. bicornis e D. ciliaris e 20-35 ºC ou 15-35 ºC, para D. horizontalis e D. insularis.