Caracterização morfométrica de sementes e plântulas e germinação de anadenanthera macrocarpa (benth.) brenan

Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan is a tree species belonging to the family Leguminosae-Mimosoideae which is popularly known as mimosa-black. It features characteristics of early successional, natural occurrence in Brazil and can form clusters almost homogeneous, with great potential in the recovery of degraded areas. This study was conducted at the Center for Agricultural Sciences, University Federal of Alagoas state, aiming at the physical and morphological characterization of seeds, describing the various stages of post-seminal development, and to evaluate various conditions of temperature and substrate to perform the test germination. The seeds were manually extracted, then homogenized, where two samples of 50 seeds were used to determine the initial moisture. Another sample, consisting of eight repetitions of 100 seeds was used to measure the biometry and the number of seeds per fruit. The morphological characterization and the seeds were immersed in distilled water to allow the cuts to the observed structure in microscopes. In the post-seminal study, it was observed the daily processes of seedling growth in rolled paper filter and constant temperature of 30 °C. To assess the germination behavior, the constant temperatures of 15 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C and 20-30 °C as well as the paper and the sand substrates were tested and it was evaluated the percentage, the rate of germination, the relative frequency distribution, and the tests conducted in a randomized design in factorial 5 x 2 (x substrate temperature) with four replicates of 25 seeds, and the averages compared by Duncan 5 % probability. The fruits of black angico show great variation in the seed number per fruit. The embryonic axis occupies part of the central region of the seed with axial and linear positions. The germination is epigeal and the seedlings are fanerocotylar. The temperature determines the 30 °C and the filter paper substrate provided higher average percentage and germination rate.

Efeito da temperatura e do teor de umidade na iniciação e desenvolvimento do rizoma de Kohleria eriantha (Benth.) Hanst. (Gesneriaceae)

Kohleria eriantha (Benth.) Hanst is a plant belonging to the family Gesneriaceae, with an underground organ, which is associated with vegetative reproduction. This organ is a rhizome, whose stem bears buds covered with modified leaves that store up starch. In small sections of this rhizome, containing six buds (1.5 to 2.0cm long), only one bud sprouted. The sprouted bud could be differentiated into two morphological pattern: aerial part or rhizome. Sprouting of the rhizome pattern occurred in sections kept on substrate with low water content (1mL of water), or lacking water, whereas sprouting of the aerial part pattern occurred in sections on substrate with high water content (12mL of water). Temperature at 20ºC also stimulated sprouting of the rhizome pattern, regardless of the water volume in the substrate. Sprouting of the rhizome pattern occurred still in sections on substrate to which polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) solution was added at the concentrations of 161.2, 235.2 and 340.0g/L, resulting in potentials of -3, -6 and -12 MPa, respectively. Sections kept on substrate with low water content (1 ml of water) showed a reduction in the dry matter content and high osmotic concentration in comparison with those on substrate with high water content. The results obtained revealed that forming of the rhizome pattern was influenced by water content and temperature. It is suggested that sprouting of the rhizome pattern was induced by the low water potential in the sections, when kept on substrate with low water content. Moreover, it was observed that the rhizome buds of Kohleria eriantha showed a high degree of plasticity.

Association between decay fungi and subterranean termites in the wood biodeterioration process of Tipuana tipu (Benth.) O. Kuntze trees of Sao Paulo city, SP

In the present paper the process of wood biodeterioration of tipuana trees planted in 7 regions of the city of Sao Paulo, SP was evaluated. On the sidewalks, 1109 trees were analyzed taking into consideration the occurrence and association of the xylophagous organisms (decay fungi and subterranean termites), the wood deterioration and the BHD (breast height diameter). The percentage of wood internal deterioration (%) was obtained by non destructive analysis, using a penetrometer. The results had shown that 75% of the tipuana trees presented BHD superior to 50 cm, characterizing them as adult. Decay fungi in the roots and/or trunk had been observed in 338 trees (30.5%). Subterranean termites of Heterotermes sp. and Coptotermes gestroi species had occurred in 307 trees (27.7%), the latter in high infestation level. The association between the fungi and termites was observed, as well as its relation with the BHD, where a greater value of BHD meant higher wood biodeterioration intensity. For tipuana trees, the BHD was considered an indicative attribute of the internal deterioration intensity, caused by these xylophagous organisms.

Anticonvulsant profile of the alkaloids (+)-erythravine and (+)-11-alpha-hydroxy-erythravine isolated from the flowers of Erythrina mulungu Mart ex Benth (Leguminosae-Papilionaceae)

Neural mechanisms underlying the onset and maintenance of epileptic seizures involve alterations in inhibitory and/or excitatory neurotransmitter pathways. Thus, the prospecting of novel molecules from natural products that target both inhibition and excitation systems has deserved interest in the rational design of new anticonvulsants. We isolated the alkaloids (+)-erythravine and ( +)-11-alpha-hydroxyerythravine from the flowers of Erythrina mulungu and evaluated the action of these compounds against chemically induced seizures in rats. Our results showed that the administration of different doses of (+)-erythravine inhibited seizures evoked by bicuculline, pentylenetetrazole, and kainic acid at maximum of 80, 100, and 100%, respectively, whereas different doses of (+)-11-alpha-hydroxy-erythravine inhibited seizures at a maximum of 100% when induced by bicuculline, NMDA, and kainic acid, and, to a lesser extent, PTZ (60%). The analysis of mean latency to seizure onset of nonprotected animals, for specific doses of alkaloids, showed that (+)-erythravine increased latencies to seizures induced by bicuculline. Although (+)-erythravine exhibited very weak anticonvulsant action against seizures induced by NMDA, this alkaloid increased the latency in this assay. The increase in latency to onset of seizures promoted by (+)-11-alpha-hydroxy-erythravine reached a maximum of threefold in the bicuculline test. All animals were protected against death when treated with different doses of (+)-11-alpha-hydroxy-erythravine in the tests using the four chemical convulsants. Identical results were obtained when using (+)-erythravine in the tests of bicuculline, NMDA, and VIZ, and, to a lesser extent, kainic acid. Therefore, these data validate the anticonvulsant properties of the tested alkaloids, which is of relevance in consideration of the ethnopharmacological/biotechnological potential of E. mulungu. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Parâmetros bioquímicos foliares das espécies Licania tomentosa (Benth.) e Bauhinia forficata (Link.) para avaliação da qualidade do ar

Foliar analysis of biochemical parameters were carried out in order to investigate the influence of air pollutants on two tropical tree species (Licania tomentosa (Benth.) and Bauhinia forfícata (Link.)). Special attention was given to tropospheric ozone due to the fact that concentration levels in the region were found to be up to 140 µg m-3 for a 4 h average time, which is well above the value that can cause injuries to orchides and tobacco (59 µg m-3). Other pollutants such as nitrogen and sulphur oxides were measured and their ambient concentrations were also associated to biochemical alterations in the investigated species.

Production and photosynthetic activity of Mimosa Verde and Mimosa Roxa lettuce in two farming systems

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is the most commonly consumed leaf vegetable in the Brazilian diet, and it is a good source of vitamins and minerals. It is widely grown in the conventional farming system. However, the hydroponic farming system has been gaining importance in the market, wining confidence from consumers, who are becoming increasingly more demanding on food quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of two lettuce cultivars on hydroponic and conventional farming systems for the production of fresh mass (FM) and dry mass (DM), photosynthesis, contents of chlorophyll and anthocyanin. The following two experiments were carried out: hydroponics farming (HF) and conventional farming (CF), performed in protect and unprotect environments, respectively, in Florianópolis, SC. Mimosa Verde cultivar (MV) showed greater fresh mass than Mimosa Roxa (MR), in both farming systems and the two cultivars presented better performance in the hydroponic system (287.7 g MV and 139.1 g MR) than the conventional system (129.7 g MV and 111.8 g MR). Mimosa Verde cultivar presented lower average contents of total chlorophyll (7.7 mg g-¹ FM) than Mimosa Roxa (11.8 mg g-¹FM), and both cultivars displayed higher means for this variable in the hydroponic farming system. Mimosa Roxa presented higher contents of anthocyanin in the conventional system (88.24 mg g-¹ FM) than the ones in the hydroponic system (36.89 mg g-¹ FM). The best results for CO2 net assimilation rate regarded to photosyntheticaly active photon flux density were found in the hydroponic system, for both lettuce cultivars. Variation in the contents of chlorophyll were also found. Those variations were higher in the protected system than in the hydroponic system and contents of anthocyanin were higher in the conventional system.

Crescimento inicial de Parkia platycephala (Benth.) e Enterolobium timbouva (Mart.) sob condições de campo numa área de Cerrado

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o crescimento inicial de Parkia platycephala e de Enterolobium timbouva (Mimosaceae), espécies arbóreas nativas de Cerrado, em uma área de Cerrado sentido restrito, no município de Porto Nacional, Tocantins. Foram analisados 20 indivíduos, com leituras realizadas a cada 30 dias, de fevereiro de 2008 a fevereiro de 2010, observando-se as seguintes variáveis: número de folhas, altura da planta e diâmetro do caule. Entre agosto de 2008 e fevereiro de 2010, estudou-se também a dinâmica foliar, para a qual foram selecionados, aleatoriamente, cinco indivíduos de cada espécie, nos quais foram escolhidos três ramos e todas as suas folhas foram marcadas. Para cada folha marcada, foram anotados os períodos de natalidade e de abscisão. Avaliou-se, ainda, a herbivoria foliar, por meio de uma escala de quatro classes com intervalos de 25% entre elas. De acordo com os dados analisados, pôde-se verificar que P. platycephala e E. timbouva apresentaram maior produção de folhas, bem como maior crescimento em altura, no período chuvoso. Em relação ao diâmetro, P. platycephala apresentou resultados superiores àqueles observados em E. timbouva. A taxa de crescimento relativo apresentou aumentos mais pronunciados durante o período chuvoso, em ambas as espécies. No que se refere à herbivoria, também foi verificado um aumento em sua intensidade, no período chuvoso, nas duas espécies. Como elas foram expostas a condições ambientais semelhantes, a maior taxa de crescimento relativo, observada em P. platycephala, pode ser atribuída às suas características fisiológicas e anatômicas, que, dentre outros fatores, contribuíram para menor predação por herbívoros.

Isolation of Fonsecaea pedrosoi from thorns of Mimosa pudica, a probable natural source of chromoblastomycosis

We report the isolation of Fonsecaea pedrosoi from thorns of the plant Mimosa pudica L. at the place of infection identified by one of our patients. Clinical diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis was established by direct microscopic examination and cultures from the patient's lesion. The same species was isolated from the patient and from the plant. Scanning electron microscopy of the surface of the thorns showed the characteristic conidial arrangement of F. pedrosoi. These data indicate that M. pudica could be a natural source of infection for the fungus F. pedrosoi.

Degradabilidade in situ da jurema Preta (Mimosa tenuiflora) oriunda de caatinga raleada e enriquecida.

Resumo: Objetivou-se avaliar a degradação in situ da Jurema preta. Foram estimados os valores da degradação potencial e efetiva da matéria seca, proteína bruta e fibra em detergente neutro. A jurema preta apresenta bom potencial de degradação para matéria seca e fibra em detergente neutro, já para a proteína bruta, parece haver necessidade de ação enzimática pós rúmen para que seja melhor aproveitada. [In situ degradability of jurema preta (Mimosa tenuiflora) in thinned and enriched caatinga rangelands]. Abstract: We aimed with this manuscript to present the evaluation of in situ degradability of Jurema preta in thinned and enriched caatinga. Were estimated the potential and effective degradation of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. The jurema preta shrubs have good potential to dry matter and neutral detergent fiber degradation, but to crude protein, to maximize their harnessing the post rumen digestion is needed.

Would Sacaca, Croton cajucara Benth (Euphorbiaceae) be an hepatotoxic plant like Germander, Teucrium chamaedrys L. (Labiatae)?

Clinical and experimental studies have consistently incriminated the medicinal plant germander (Teucrium chamaedrys L.) in epidemic and sporadic cases of liver diseases. The sacaca (Croton cajucara Benth), a common plant in Brazilian Amazon region also comes being incriminated in similar clinical cases. Of both plants were isolated diterpenoid coumpounds with similar chemical structures.

Tratamentos Pré- Germinativos de Sementes de Espécies Florestais Amazônicas. II - Visgueiro (Parkia pendula Benth. Leguminosae - Mimosoideae)

Os autores estudam 14 tratamentos pré-germinativos em sementes de visgueiro (Parkia pendulaBenth), Leguminosae - Mimosoideae, considerando a percentagem de germinação z a veto cidade de emergência das sementes germinados, como parâmetros para avaliar o efeito de cada tratamento, no período de 45 dias. Os tratamentos com ácido sulfúrico (H2so4) por 20 a 30 minutas e desponte dai sementes no lado oposto ao da emisão da radiculia, apresenta os melhores resultados para aumentar e uniformizar a germinação. A análiie do efeito dos tratamentos demonstra que o tegumento e a barreira física que limita o processo de germinação no período das observações.

Observations on the pollination of Rhabdodendron macrophyllum (Spruce ex Benth.) Huber.

The species Rhabdodendron macrophyllum (Spr. ex Benth.) Hub. (Rhabdondendraceae) was observed in order to determine its pollination mechanism. Although it flowers around the year, there are flowering peaks when it is visited by several species of pollen-gathering bees. The principal floral visitors are two species of trigonid bees and one Melipona. The Melipona and one other visitor used the buzz method to extract pollen from the longitudinally dehiscent anthers. The trigonid bees collected pollen without buzzing. The flowers open around 6:00 a.m. and are available to the bess until about 10:30 a.m. Pollinator exclusion experiments showed that this species sets fruit equally by self fertilization.

Associações Rhizobium - Leguminosas no Estado de Rondõnia

Verificou-se a ocorrência de nodulação em mudas e/ou individuos adultos de 54 es-pécies da familia Leguminosae em áreas de floresta intacta e áreas perturbadas,no Estado de Rondônia. Das espécies observadas: Acácia polyphyllaÁ. DC., Amburana acreana(Ducke) A. C. Smith, Babieria pinnata(Pers.) Baill., Bauhinia acreanaHarms., BauhiniulongicuspÍ4 Spr. ex Benth., Cassia fastuosaWilld., Dalbergia inundataBenth., Derris ama zonicaKiiiip, Hymenaea reticulataDucke, Machaerium inundaium(Mart. ex Benth.) Ducke, Mimosa rufescensBenth., Mimosa spruceanaBenth., Parkia decussataDucke, Schizolobium amazonicumHub. ex Ducke, Stryphnodendron puicherrimum(Willd.) Hochr., não tinham refe-rências anteriores na literatara Quanto a sua capacidade de nodular. Em Amburana acreana(cerejeira), Schizolobium amazonicum(bandarra) e Dinizia exceisa(angelim-pedra), es pé cies madeireiras economicamente importantes para a região, não foram encontrados nodo-lus. Nódulüs de 29 espécies foram coletados e na maioria deles as atividades de nitro-genase foi. detectada pelo método de redução do acetileno. Caracteristicas de estirpes de Rhizobiumisoladas desses nÓdulos são apresentadas.

Tratamentos pré-germinativos em sementes de Faveira-orelha-de-macaco (Enterolobium schomburgkii Benth)

RESUMOTestaram-se diferentes tratamentos pré-germinativos com o objetivo de se estabelecer uma metodologia adequada para auxiliar o processo germinativo das sementes de faveira-orelha-de-macaco (Enterolobim schomburgkii). Os tratamentos selecionados foram: desponte do lado oposto ao da emissão da radicula; escarificação manual; escarificação manual seguida pela imersão em água por 24 horas; imersão em ácido sulfúrico por 2, 5, 10 e 20 minutos e imersão em hidróxido de sódio por 15 e 30 minutos. As sementes utilizadas foram coletadas de uma única árvore localizada no Campus do INPA. Os testes de germinação foram realizados no laboratório de sementes do Departamento de Silvicultura tropical, em germinadas durante 14 dias. Com base nos resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que os melhores tratamentos para superar a dormência da sementes de Faveira-orelha-de-macaco foram desponte do lado oposto ao da emissão da radicula, escarificação manual e imersão em ácido sulfúrico a partir de 5 minutos de exposição.