Forest fragment size and microhabitat effects on palm seed predation

The establishment of plant species depends crucially on where the seeds are deposited. However, since most studies have been conducted in continuous forests, not much is known about the effects of forest fragmentation on the maintenance of abiotic and biotic characteristics in microhabitats and their effects on seed survival. in this study, we evaluated the effects of forest fragmentation on the predation upon the seeds of the palm Syagrus romanzoffiana in three microhabitats (interior forest, forest edge and gaps) in eight fragments of semi-deciduous Atlantic forest ranging in size from 9.5 ha to 33,845 ha in southeastern Brazil. Specifically, we examined the influence of the microhabitat structure, fauna and fragment size on the pattern of seed predation. Fragments < 100 ha showed similar abiotic and biotic characteristics to those of the forest edge, with no seed predation in these areas. Forest fragments 230-380 ha in size did not present safe sites for S. romanzoffiana seed survival and showed high seed predation intensity in all microhabitats evaluated. In fragments larger than 1000 ha, the seed predation was lower, with abiotic and biotic differences among gaps, interior forests and forest edges. In these fragments, the survival of S. romanzoffiana seeds was related to squirrel abundance and interior forest maintenance. Based on these results, we concluded that there are no safe sites for S. romanzoffiana seed establishment in medium- and small-sized fragments as result of the biotic and abiotic pressure, respectively We suggest that on these forest fragments, management plans are needed for the establishment of S. romanzoffiana, such as interior forest improvement and development in small-sized sites in order to minimize the edge effects, and on medium-sized fragments, we suggest post-dispersal seed protection in order to avoid seed predation by vertebrates. our findings also stress the importance of assessing the influence of forest fragmentation on angiosperm reproductive biology as part of the effective planning for the management of fragmented areas. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

JUVENILE-MATURE GENETIC CORRELATIONS IN Pinus taeda CLONES PROPAGATED VIA SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS

ABSTRACT This study aimed to estimate the genetic correlation among selection ages (juvenile - adult) and efficiency of early selection for the height, diameter, and volume traits of individuals from Pinus taeda families propagated via somatic embryogenesis. This study was carried out by genetic-statistical analysis, estimation procedure of variance (Reml), and prediction components of breeding values (Blup), using the Selegen-Reml/Blup software. Genetic correlations among juvenile ages and rotation age were performed by applying the linear model developed by Lambeth (1980). In accordance with results of the established model, the early selection can be performed in clones of Pinus taeda with high selection efficiency. Ages from 4 to 6 years old are enough to select Pinus taeda clones propagated via somatic embryogenesis for harvesting at 8 and 12 years old; and 6 to 10 years old are enough to select them for harvesting at 20 years old. On the basis of the genetic correlations estimates from the environments, the clones' selection of Pinus taeda propagated via somatic embryogenesis should be developed specifically for each environment. The clones' selection can be performed considering the diameter due to the high correlation between volume and diameter.

Controle genético da eficiência de utilização de fósforo em famílias de meios-irmãos de Eucalyptus grandis, em casa de vegetação

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

Seleção simultânea de caracteres em progênies de Pinus caribaea Morelet var. bahamensis

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

Parâmetros genéticos para caracteres de crescimento, de produção e tecnológicos da madeira em clones de Eucalyptus spp

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Identificação de SNPs (Single Nucleiotide Polymorphisms) no gene colina monooxigenase relacionado ao metabolismo da glicina betaína em Eucalyptus

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Parâmetros biométricos, fisiológicos e bioquímicos em híbridos de Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla sob diferentes regimes de irrigação em casa de vegetação

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Competição em testes de progênies de eucalipto e suas implicações na seleção e no melhoramento

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Variabilidade genética e correlações juvenil - adulto de baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) no Município de Brasilândia - Mg

Pós-graduação em Ciência Florestal - FCA

Physiological changes in eucalyptus hybrids under different irrigation regimes

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

Caracterização gênica para uma anomalia de Eucalyptus em fase inicial de desenvolvimento

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Genética) - IBB

Polinização controlada em eucaliptos nas empresas florestais brasileiras

Controlled pollination is an important tool in a forest genetic improvement program, which permits to choose parents and make specific crosses maximizing gains and providing superior genotypes in less time than conventional pollination. To verify the needs of the forest companies regarding the conduction of controlled pollination orchards in the breeding program, a specific questionnaire was sent in September 2011 to companies associated to IPEF. The objective of the questionnaire was to collect basic information about the current situation of controlled pollination orchards and check the main difficulties and demands related. It was found that use of the controlled pollination orchard has begun to be used by companies in the Brazilian forest sector just a few years ago and is considered to be very important in breeding programs in order to shorten the time to obtain new genotypes; but there is still need of crucial information regarding the management of these orchards. The main demands are: Basic concepts of flowering induction; homogeneity of flowering; hormonal induction and alternative techniques for flowering; relationship between management and genotypes used; variations in the flowering of different genotypes; management of the orchard in the different phenological phases; process of grafting typesand interaction between graft and rootstock, irrigation systems; species identification and flowering map.

Juvenile-mature genetic correlations in Pinus taeda clones propagated via somatic embryogenesis.

Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho, estimar a correlação genética entre idades de seleção (juvenil-adulta) e eficiência da seleção precoce para as características altura, diâmetro e volume de indivíduos de famílias de Pinus taeda propagados via embriogênese somática. O estudo foi realizado por meio de análise genético-estatística pelo procedimento de estimação de componentes de variância (Reml) e de predição de valores genéticos (Blup), usando-se o software Selegen-Reml/Blup. As correlações genéticas entre idades juvenis e idade de rotação foram realizadas aplicando o modelo linear desenvolvido por Lambeth (1980). Segundo os resultados do modelo estabelecido, a seleção precoce pode ser realizada em clones de Pinus taeda com alta eficiência de seleção. As idades de 4 a 6 anos são suficientes para selecionar clones de Pinus taeda propagados via embriogênese somática para colheita aos 8 e 12 anos e, as idades de 6 a 10 anos são suficientes para selecionar para colheita aos 20 anos. De acordo com as estimativas de correlação genotípicaa partir dos ambientes, a seleção de clones de Pinus taeda propagados via embriogênese somática deve ser praticada de forma específica para cada ambiente. Pode-se realizar a seleção de clones considerando o diâmetro, visto a alta correlação observada entre volume e diâmetro.