Seed Cell Wall Storage Polysaccharides: Models to Understand Cell Wall Biosynthesis and Degradation

Cell wall storage polysaccharides (CWSPs) are found as the principal storage compounds in seeds of many taxonomically important groups of plants. These groups developed extremely efficient biochemical mechanisms to disassemble cell walls and use the products of hydrolysis for growth. To accumulate these storage polymers, developing seeds also contain relatively high activities of noncellulosic polysaccharide synthases and thus are interesting models to seek the discovery of genes and enzymes related to polysaccharide biosynthesis. CWSP systems offer opportunities to understand phenomena ranging from polysaccharide deposition during seed maturation to the control of source-sink relationship in developing seedlings. By studying polysaccharide biosynthesis and degradation and the consequences for cell and physiological behavior, we can use these models to develop future biotechnological applications.

Mobilization of seed reserves during germination of four tropical species of the Amazon Rainforest

Seed reserve mobilization during germination of the Amazonian species Myciaria dubia (camu-camu), Eugenia stipitata(araca-boi), Dipteryx odorata (cumaru) and Hymenaea courbaril (jatoba) was evaluated. Seeds were placed in germination chambers at 30 degrees C with it 12 h photoperiod. Analysis of primary metabolites (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins) and fatty acid composition were carried out in quiescent seeds and at four germination stages after radicle protrusion. Germination was high in all species but there were statistically significant differences between species. Differences were also observed with regard to the duration of the germination period. The seeds showed variation in the content and composition of the analyzed compounds. indicating that the mobilization rates of these compounds may affect germination velocity.

Seed dispersal and predation in the endemic Atlantic rainforest palm Astrocaryum aculeatissimum across a gradient of seed disperser abundance

Tropical forests have been subject to intense hunting of medium and large frugivores that are important in dispersing large-seeded species. It has been hypothesized that in areas with extinction or low abundance of medium and large-bodied animals the density of small rodents may increase. Therefore, this increment in the density of small rodents may compensate for the absence or low abundance of medium and large frugivores on seed removal and seed dispersal. Here, we fill up this gap in the literature by determining if seed removal, seed dispersal, and seed predation by small rodents (spiny rats, Trinomys inheringi and squirrels, Sciurus ingrami) are maintained in defaunated areas. We accessed seed removal, seed dispersal, seed predation, and seedling recruitment of an endemic Atlantic rainforest palm, Astrocaryum aculeatissimum, in a gradient of abundance of agoutis. We found that seed removal, scatter hoarding, and seed predation increase with the abundance of agoutis. In contrast, the proportion of dispersed but non-cached seeds decreased with the abundance of agoutis. We did not find any effect of the abundance of agoutis on seed dispersal distance, but we did find a positive trend on the density of seedlings. We concluded that small rodents do not compensate the low abundance of agoutis on seed removal, scatter hoarding, and seed predation of this palm tree. Moreover, areas in which agoutis are already extinct did not present any seed removal or scatter hoarding, not even by small rodents. This study emphasizes both the importance of agoutis in dispersing seeds of A. aculeatissimum and the collapse in seed dispersal of this palm in areas where agoutis are already extinct.

Time-course of photosynthetic induction in four tropical woody species grown in contrasting irradiance habitats

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

Anatomia comparada dos limbos cotiledonares e eofilares de dez espécies de Caesalpinioideae (Fabaceae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Crescimento de espécies nativas da Mata Atlântica, modificações de atributos físicos do solo e de metais pesados no solo e na planta, em resposta á aplicação de lodo de esgoto

Pós-graduação em Ciência Florestal - FCA

Determinação do número cromossômico de espécies arbóreas nativas com potencial madeireiro

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Uso e manejo de plantas alimentares em ambientes agrícolas e florestais em Iporanga, SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Plantas medicinais utilizadas por seringueiros do projeto de assentamento extrativista São Luiz do Remanso - Acre

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Horticultura) - FCA

Determination of phenolic compounds and coumarins in sugar cane spirit aged in different species of wood

The identities and quantities of the phenolic compounds and coumarins in twelve samples of sugar cane spirit aged in Quercus sp., Amburana cearensis, Cariniana legalis, Castanea sativa Mill, Ocotea sp., Cotyledon orbiculata L., and Hymenaea sp. casks were determined. These compounds have a direct influence on the sensory characteristics of aged beverages; some of them are considered to be markers for the aging process. The analysis of phenolic compounds was performed by HPLC. Solid phase extraction (SPE) was also used for the determination of coumarins. The concentrations of the principal compounds extracted varied according to the species of wood. The concentrations of total phenolic compounds ranged from 0.08 for a sample stored in a 4000-L jatobá barrel for a period of six months to 40.9 mg · L−1 for a sample aged in a 50000-L oak barrel for a period of 48 months. The use of the SPE technique removed interfering compounds from the samples, thereby improving the detection of coumarin.

Produção de mudas nativas sob diferentes manejos hídricos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização da diversidade genética de Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville por marcador molecular AFLP e transferência de microssatélites

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Horticultura) - FCA

Insetos predadores de sementes e suas relações com a qualidade e a morfologia de frutos e sementes

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Botânica) - IBB

Chapas de cimento-madeira com resíduos da indústria madeireira da Região Amazônica

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o emprego do resíduo da indústria madeireira da região da Amazônia brasileira na produção de material compósito cimento-madeira. Foi avaliada a compatibilidade de seis espécies de dicotiledôneas nativas da Amazônia com o cimento CP V ARI por meio da realização de ensaios de compressão axial em corpos de prova cilíndricos. Os resíduos foram utilizados ao natural e submetidos ao tratamento de lavagem em água quente por 2 h. A relação cimento-madeira foi de 3:1, em massa, juntamente com os aditivos aceleradores de pega sulfato de alumínio a 3% e cloreto de cálcio a 3% e 5%. Os resultados dos ensaios de compressão indicaram como potencial de uso os resíduos de três espécies combinado ao tratamento com o acelerador de pega cloreto de cálcio a 5%. Foram confeccionadas chapas cimento-madeira com resíduos das espécies Cedrela Odorata L. (Cedro), Vochysia máxima Ducke (Quaruba), Hymenaea courbaril L. (Jatobá) e mais a mistura delas. Os resultados dos ensaios das propriedades físicas e mecânicas das chapas mostraram que todas apresentaram características adequadas para a finalidade, e as chapas da espécie cedro apresentaram o melhor desempenho.

Espécies arbóreas que ocorrem na região do Bolsão Sul-Mato-Grossense e variação genética para caracteres silviculturais em um teste de progênies com três espécies em consórcio

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)