Sites of Defoliation by Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Artificial Plants

This study aimed to achieve a better understanding about the foraging behavior of leaf-cutter ant (Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel) workers with respect to defoliation sites in plants. To accomplish that, artificial plants 70 cm in height were prepared and divided into four levels (heights), having natural plant leaves attached to them. Evaluations during the bioassays included the number of leaves dropped by the ants, as well as the percentage of plant mass removed. In all replicates, it became evident that the most exploited plant site is the apical region, which significantly differed from other plant levels.

A comparison of the wood anatomy of 11 species from two cerrado habitats (cerrado s.s. and adjacent gallery forest)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

THE EFFECT of CARBONIZATION on WOOD STRUCTURE of DALBERGIA VIOLACEA, STRYPHNODENDRON POLYPHYLLUM, TAPIRIRA GUIANENSIS, VOCHYSIA TUCANORUM, and POUTERIA TORTA FROM THE BRAZILIAN CERRADO

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Sewage sludge levels on the development and nutrition of sunflower plants

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of substituting chemical nitrogen (N) fertilization for equivalent N levels from sewage sludge of Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) on sunflower plant development. Nutrient levels in physiologically mature leaves and seeds, besides nutrient exportation during a 130-day assay, were also assessed. The experiment was carried out in 100 m(2) permanent plots at Sao Manuel Farm, which belongs to School of Agronomical Sciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botncatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. The farm is located in the municipality of Sao Manuel, São Paulo State. Experimental design was in randomized blocks including 5 treatments and 5 replicates. Treatments were: T1 - chemical N fertilization according to the recommendation for the culture; T2 - 50% N from sewage sludge and 50% N from chemical fertilization; T3 - 100% N from sewage sludge; T4 - 150% N from sewage sludge; T5 - 200% N from sewage sludge. For all treatments, equal amounts of P and K fertilization were applied. Treatments differed for plant height from 21 to 64 days, stern diameter from 28 to 57 days, and leaf number from 21 to 38 days. Seed nutrient levels slightly varied; however, the quantities of exported N, P, Mg, Fe and Zn varied as sewage sludge levels increased.

Anatomia comparada do lenho de Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Leguminosae-Caesalpinoideae) de floresta e cerradão

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

Anatomia comparada do lenho em raiz e caule de Lippia salviifolia Cham. (Verbenaceae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Structural and functional leaf traits of two Gochnatia species from distinct growth forms in a sclerophyll forest site in Southeastern Brazil

O gênero Gochnatia é comumente encontrado em diferentes fitofisionomias do Cerrado do Estado de São Paulo, crescendo desde ambientes mais abertos até áreas florestais mais fechadas. Aqui foram comparadas a anatomia foliar e alguns parâmetros ecofisiológicos de duas espécies do gênero Gochnatia, uma arbustiva (Gochnatia barrosii Cabrera) e a outra arbórea (Gochnatia polymorpha (Less.) Cabrera), ambas ocorrendo em área de cerradão na Estação Ecológica de Assis, SP. Encontraram-se diferenças estruturais qualitativas entre as espécies, com G. barrosii apresentando folhas anfiestomáticas, com epiderme unisseriada e G. polymorpha apresentando folhas hipoestomáticas, com epiderme múltipla ou hipoderme, na face adaxial. Além disso, as folhas de G. barrosii apresentaram menores valores para a espessura dos tecidos (com exceção da epiderme na face abaxial) e da folha em relação a G. polymorpha. Foram observadas diferenças na assimilação de CO2 tanto em base de área quanto de massa seca foliar, além de diferenças na área foliar específica, sendo esta maior em G. barrosii. Apesar das folhas de G. barrosii possuírem estrutura bem menos escleromorfa do que as folhas de G. polymorpha, não foram encontradas diferenças na eficiência do uso de água. Os resultados sugerem que espécies de formas distintas de crescimento de um mesmo gênero possuem características foliares diferenciadas para lidar com as variações ambientais a que são submetidas.

Allelopathy and phytotoxicity of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam.

In Cerrado, Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. stands out because it interferes with the growth and development of other plants. The preliminary phytochemical analyses showed the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids. The Z. rhoifolium extract inhibited the germination index (5 mg mL(-1)=0.5%; 10mg mL(-1)=37.(5%) and 20mg mL(-1)=85.5%) decreased the germination and the lettuce seedlings growth (roots and the hypocotyls) and reduced the mitotic index than control. The extract of 1000 mu g mL(-1)conc contained (165.20 mg and 45.74 mg, phenols and total flavonoids, respectively) and had higher antioxidant activity (80.52%). We concluded that Z. rhofolium possesses allelopathic potential.

Efeito do turno de coleta sobre comunidades de formigas epigéicas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) em áreas de Eucalyptus cloeziana e de cerrado

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of collect time (day and night) on ant fauna attracted to baits in areas of Eucalyptus cloeziana (Myrtaceae) and cerrado. The ants were collected in Fazenda Boa Vista, Mannesmann Fi-El Florestal Ltda, Paineiras, Minas Gerais State. Eigthteen sample units were collected: 12 in E. cloezina and six in cerrado. Each sample unit consisted of three plots (25 x 35 m each). The plot consisted of 34 baits distributed in a grid pattern at 5 m intervals. The sampling was carried out in the diurnal and nocturnal period. The results obtained revealed that both type of vegetation (cerrado x Eucalyptus) and the collect time (day x night) had a significative influence on the epigaeic ant fauna. The ordination (DCA) indicated that collect time effect was more important to fauna structuration than the vegetation effect. Brachymyrmex sp.1, Brachymyrmex sp.2, Camponotus crassus Mayr, Camponotus rufipes (Fabricius), Cephalotes pusillus (Klug) and Ectatomma brunneum Smith were indicator species of nocturnal period, and Camponotus renggeri Emery, Camponotus atriceps (Smith), Camponotus melanoticus Emery and Paratrechina sp.1 were indicators of nocturnal period.

Free radical scavenging profile and myeloperoxidase inhibition of extracts from antidiabetic plants: Bauhinia forficata and Cissus sicyoides

There is abundant evidence that reactive oxygen species are implicated in several physiological and pathological processes. To protect biological targets from oxidative damage. antioxidants must react with radicals and other reactive species faster than biological substrates do. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from leaves of Bauhinia forficata Link (Fabaceae - Caesalpinioideae) and Cissus sicyoides L. (Vitaceae) (two medicinal plants used popularly in the control of diabetes mellitus), using several different assay systems, namely, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) decolorization. superoxide anion radical (O-2 center dot-) scavenging and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. In the ABTS assay for total antioxidant activity, B. forficata showed IC50 8.00 +/- 0.07 mu g/mL, while C. sicyoides showed IC50 13.0 +/- 0.2 mu g/mL. However, the extract of C. sicyoides had a stronger effect on O-2 center dot- (IC50 60.0 +/- 2.3 mu p/mL) than the extract of B. forficata (IC50 90.0 +/- 4.4 mu g/mL). B. forficata also had a stronger inhibitory effect on MPO activity, as measured by guaiacol oxidation, than C. sicyoides. These results indicate that aqueous extracts of leaves of B. forficata and C. sicyoides are a potential source of natural antioxidants and may be helpful in the prevention of diabetic complications associated with oxidative stress.

Assessment of DNA damage induced by extracts, fractions and isolated compounds of Davilla nitida and Davilla elliptica (Dilleniaceae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)