Flávia Maria da Silva Carmo

Seed rain in a seasonal semideciduous forest at Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

This study aims to evaluate the floristic composition, density and frequency of seeds in 25 traps in a section of seasonal semideciduous forest, as well as classify taxons as to life form, dispersal syndromes, and succession phase of the tree species, and verify floristic similarities between seed rain species and tree species located in the same plots. The work was carried out from December/2004 to November/2006. Forty three taxons were recognized and Leguminosae was represented by 11 species. The dominant life form was arboreal (63.1%), climbers were represented by 28.9% of the sampled species, herbs by 5.3% and shrubs by 2.6%. Mean seed density in the first year was 113.92 seeds.m-2 and 2603.84 seeds.m-2 in the second year. These differences showed spatial and seasonal heterogeneity of the seed rain. Floristic similarity using Sorensens index between seed-rain species and tree species from the studied fragment was 32%, a value considered to be low (< 50%). This result showed that the adjacent arboreal vegetation composition had little influence on the seed rain.

Nematode Root Herbivory in Tomato Increases Leaf Defenses and Reduces Leaf Miner Oviposition and Performance

The outcome of plant-mediated interactions among herbivores from several feeding guilds has been studied intensively. However, our understanding on the effects of nematode root herbivory on leaf miner oviposition behavior and performance remain limited. In this study, we evaluated whether Meloidogyne incognita root herbivory affects Tuta absoluta oviposition preference on Solanum lycopersicum plants and the development of the resulting offspring. To investigate the M. incognita-herbivory induced plant systemic responses that might explain the observed biological effects, we measured photosynthetic rates, leaf trypsin protease inhibitor activities, and analyzed the profile of volatiles emitted by the leaves of root-infested and non-infested plants. We found that T. absoluta females avoided laying eggs on the leaves of root-infested plants, and that root infestation negatively affected the pupation process of T. absoluta. These effects were accompanied by a strong suppression of leaf volatile emissions, a decrease in photosynthetic rates, and an increase in the activity of leaf trypsin protease inhibitors. Our study reveals that root attack by nematodes can shape leaf physiology, and thereby increases plant resistance.

Influência do aspecto nutricional de Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden na preferência alimentar da lagarta desfolhadora Eupseudosoma involuta (Lepidoptera - Arctiidae)

n This work aimed at investigating whether the consumption of eucalyptus seedling leaves by a herbivorous insect can be affected by the nutritional condition to which these plants have been submitted. To do so, leaves of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden seedlings (9 months old) kept for 30 days in several nutrient solutions, were offered to Eupseudossoma involuta (Lepidoptera n Arctiidae) caterpillars. Nutrient solutions differed from each other by the presence/absence of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Control treatments consisted of a complete solution (N, P, K present) and a treatment consisting of distilled water. The following parameters were measured: size and number of E. grandis leaves before and after having submitted to the treatments and leaf weight before and after they were offered to caterpillars. We concluded that the preference of caterpillars is a function of the nutritional conditions where the plants of E. grandis were maintained.

Seed manipulation by ants: disentangling the effects of ant behaviours on seed germination: Ant manipulation impairs seed germination

1. Seed manipulation by ants can play a key role in seed germination through two main behaviours: elaiosome detachment and seed scarification. Despite the fact that these behaviours are commonplace, their effects have only been quantified independently, and their consequences on seed germination remain controversial.

FITOSSOCIOLOGIA DO ESTRATO ARBÓREO DE UM FRAGMENTO DE FLORESTA ESTACIONAL SEMIDECIDUAL MONTANA – “MATA DA AGRONOMIA”, VIÇOSA-MG

A area de estudo se localiza no municipio de Vicosa-MG, nas coordenadas 20°46’30.2’’S e 42°52’18.4’’W. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a estrutura fitossociologica e grupos ecologicos da vegetacao arborea de um fragmento de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Montana denominado Mata da Agronomia. Para o estudo fitossociologico, foi utilizado o metodo de quadrantes. As especies amostradas foram classificadas de acordo com seu grupo ecologico (pioneiras, secundarias iniciais, secundarias tardias e indiferentes). O indice de diversidade encontrado foi de 3,728. O maior valor de importância foi representado por Piptadenia gonoacantha com 20,76 % seguidas de Vernonia diffusa 8,12% e Anadenanthera colubrina 5,43%. A familia Fabaceae apresentou o maior Valor de Importância com 39,43% seguidas de Asteraceae 10,08% e Euphorbiaceae 3,81%. Entre os grupos ecologicos, levando em consideracao o Valor de Importância, as pioneiras totalizaram 51,97%, seguidas das secundarias iniciais com 39,93%, secundarias tardias com 5,58%, indiferentes com 0,79%, e as nao identificadas com 0,79%. A presenca de pioneiras com alto Valor de Importância, e baixo valores para as secundarias tardias permite concluir que a area se encontra em estadio secundario medio de sucessao.

STUDY OF FIRE BEHAVIOR ON A PART OF SEMIDECIDUOUS SEASONAL FOREST IN VIÇOSA, MINAS GERAIS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fire behavior on a part of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, using the variables: fire intensity, burning time, fuel, heat content and heat released. Ten plots of 5 by 5 meters were used , totalizing 250 m2, and the distance between each plot was 1 meter in a place named “Reserva da Biologia” property of Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, (20o35’-28o50’S e 42o45’-43o00’W) . In this place a control burning was performed using strip headfire technique, obeying the slope direction. The amount of local dry matter, fire propagation velocity, intensity, heat released and heat content were measured. The time duration of the burning ranged between plots of 3’30 “to 9’18”. Wind velocity, temperature, relative humidity were constant in all plots, with values 3, 5 m s-1 North, 20o C and 79% respectively. The values found for fire behavior variables ranged between plots: from 0, 32 to 1, and 10 Kg m-2 for fuel, from 11, 94 to 75,79 Kcals-1m-1 for burning intensity and from 1111 to 3789 Kcal m-2 1 Bióloga, Dra, Pós-graduada em Botânica pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. virginialonde@gmail.com 2 Engenheiros Florestais, Drs., Professores do Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. 3 Biólogo, Dr., Professor do Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. (in memoriam). 4 Bióloga, Dra., Professora do Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. Recebido para publicação em 16/04/2008 e aceito em 14/11/2013

ESTUDO DO COMPORTAMENTO DO FOGO EM UM TRECHO DE FLORESTA ESTACIONAL SEMIDECÍDUA NO MUNICÍPIO DE VIÇOSA, MINAS GERAIS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fire behavior on a part of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, using the variables: fire intensity, burning time, fuel, heat content and heat released. Ten plots of 5 by 5 meters were used , totalizing 250 m2, and the distance between each plot was 1 meter in a place named “Reserva da Biologia” property of Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, (20o35’-28o50’S e 42o45’-43o00’W) . In this place a control burning was performed using strip headfire technique, obeying the slope direction. The amount of local dry matter, fire propagation velocity, intensity, heat released and heat content were measured. The time duration of the burning ranged between plots of 3’30 “to 9’18”. Wind velocity, temperature, relative humidity were constant in all plots, with values 3, 5 m s-1 North, 20o C and 79% respectively. The values found for fire behavior variables ranged between plots: from 0, 32 to 1, and 10 Kg m-2 for fuel, from 11, 94 to 75,79 Kcals-1m-1 for burning intensity and from 1111 to 3789 Kcal m-2 1 Bióloga, Dra, Pós-graduada em Botânica pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. virginialonde@gmail.com 2 Engenheiros Florestais, Drs., Professores do Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. 3 Biólogo, Dr., Professor do Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. (in memoriam). 4 Bióloga, Dra., Professora do Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. Recebido para publicação em 16/04/2008 e aceito em 14/11/2013

ESTUDO DO COMPORTAMENTO DO FOGO EM UM TRECHO DE FLORESTA

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fire behavior on a part of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, using the variables: fire intensity, burning time, fuel, heat content and heat released. Ten plots of 5 by 5 meters were used , totalizing 250 m2, and the distance between each plot was 1 meter in a place named “Reserva da Biologia” property of Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, (20o35’-28o50’S e 42o45’-43o00’W) . In this place a control burning was performed using strip headfire technique, obeying the slope direction. The amount of local dry matter, fire propagation velocity, intensity, heat released and heat content were measured. The time duration of the burning ranged between plots of 3’30 “to 9’18”. Wind velocity, temperature, relative humidity were constant in all plots, with values 3, 5 m s-1 North, 20o C and 79% respectively. The values found for fire behavior variables ranged between plots: from 0, 32 to 1, and 10 Kg m-2 for fuel, from 11, 94 to 75,79 Kcals-1m-1 for burning intensity and from 1111 to 3789 Kcal m-2 1 Bióloga, Dra, Pós-graduada em Botânica pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. virginialonde@gmail.com 2 Engenheiros Florestais, Drs., Professores do Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. 3 Biólogo, Dr., Professor do Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. (in memoriam). 4 Bióloga, Dra., Professora do Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa (MG), Brasil. Recebido para publicação em 16/04/2008 e aceito em 14/11/2013