Juliana de Magalhães Bandeira

Crescimento do fungo simbionte de formigas cortadeiras do gênero Acromyrmex em meios de cultura com diferentes extratos

The cutter ants show preference for some vegetable species, which are constantly defoliated, while others are not attacked, although they are abundant and located close to the nest. The ants of the goods Atta and Acromyrmex cut plants and they transport pieces to the anthills. The vegetable material is used for the cultivation of the mushroom Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, mushroom from of which theyfeed. Several works using extracts of plants have been accomplished to evaluate the effect on the development of the mushroom symbiont. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of added culture means of different extracts on the growth of the L. gongylophorus mushroom. Where mushrooms of the species Acromyrmex ambiguus, Acromyrmex crassispinus, Acromyrmex heyeri and Acromyrmex lundi were inoculated in the means Nutritious Agar and BDA, both added of molasses and extracts of Lolium multiflorum Lam., Typha angustifolia L. and ant (Atta sexdens piriventris). The Pagnocca medium was used as pattern. The plates were maintained in cameras acclimatized to the temperature of 25 + 1°C and 24 hours of darkness, for a period of 49 days. The fungal growth was evaluated with base in the diameter of the colony, which was accomplished with weekly intervals, totalizing seven evaluations. Also the dry weight was evaluated from the mushroom to the 53 days. The results showed that the mushroom cultivated by different species of ants has differentiated growth in culture means with different extracts.

Antioxidant activity of corn seeds after thermal stress

The aim of this research was to analyze the effect of different temperatures on physiological quality and relate the responses with the antioxidant activity of three lots of corn seeds. The seeds from three lots were exposed for 24h at temperatures of 15, 25, 35 and 40°C and then evaluated for percentage, speed index and first germination count, as well as early growth and activity of antioxidant enzymes in the seedlings. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications, with subsequent polynomial regression analysis. The results showed that the seeds from the three lots of corn exposed to temperatures of 15 and 40°C, were of better high physiological quality (vigor), which explains the low activity of enzymes of the antioxidant defense system in these same temperatures. The antioxidant defense system is related to the physiological quality of corn seeds exposed to thermal stress.

Rooting and acclimatization of the Japanese plum tree, cv. América

Rooting and acclimatization are limiting steps in plant micropropagation, especially in woody plant species. This study aimed to evaluate the IAA and IBA effect on the in vitro rooting and acclimatization of micropropagated shoots of Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cv. America. Shoots from 3 to 4 cm long were inoculated in MS medium with half salt and vitamin concentrations (MS/2) added with IAA and IBA (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 mg L-1). After a 20-day period in in vitro cultivation, the shoots were evaluated, and then transferred to a greenhouse, and evaluated after 30 days. At the end of the in vitro cultivation period, no significant interactions were observed for number of roots per shoot and rooting percentage, but a significant effect was recorded for auxin type only, for which shoots grown in media added with IBA showed high values - 0.87 and 41.95%, respectively. A linear increase response from 1.45 to 5.75 cm was verified for root length of shoots cultivated in IBA medium; however, no significant effect was observed, and a 0.86 cm average root length per shoot grown in medium added with IAA was found. After 30 days of acclimatization period, the largest survival percentage was obtained from shoots cultivated in medium with 1 mg L-1 of IBA and IAA (88% and 92%, respectively). Although, IBA provided the highest in vitro rooting, most of the surviving shoots were those originated in IAA-added medium, probably because IBA promoted longer fibrous roots, less appropriate for transplant and soil fixation, as they are easily damaged. It was concluded that in vitro rooting with the addition of the highest IAA concentration (1 mg L-1) provided the greatest plant survival during the acclimatization period of the Japanese plum cv. America.

Salicylic acid: physiological and biochemical changes in seeds and maize seedlings subjected to salt stress

Several plant species have development limitations on saline soils; however under water stress situations salicylic acid (SA) may have defense function by acting as antioxidant. Thereby, this study was aimed at analyzing physiological changes occurring in maize seeds treated with SA and germinated on sodium chloride moistened substrate; as well as assessing the effect of antioxidant enzymes produced by the seedlings. To this, seeds were soaked into zero and 1 mM SA solutions, for 60 min., and germinated on different NaCl concentrations (0, 30, 90, and 180 mM), and afterwards evaluated for germination, germination speed index, initial growth, and effect of antioxidant enzymes on seedlings. For electrical conductivity test, the seeds were previously soaked in NaCl solutions with and without SA. The SA application has minimized damages induced by salt stress to maize seed germination by favoring their germination percent; however without SA was not able on maintaining seed viability over 90 mM. Seedling initial growth was impaired by increasing NaCl concentrations in substrate; and electric conductivity has shown low values for release of solutes in the presence of SA. Activity of antioxidant enzymes has increased until 30 mM NaCl concentration; however above such concentration activity of these enzymes was reduced. The SA maintains germination of corn seeds above 90 mM NaCl; however, generally it is not efficient to ensure vigor of seedlings.

Characterization of herbicide tolerant rice genotypes under hydroponic culture

Authors declare no conflict of interest The use of nutrient solution combined with different herbicide concentrations allows the evaluation and discrimination of tolerant and non-tolerant genotypes to imidazolinone herbicides. The objectives of this research were to identify possible morphological characteristics to be used as markers of resistance to imidazolinones, as well as the identification of herbicide doses and evaluation time to discriminate sensitive and tolerant genotypes of rice under hydroponic systems. Six rice genotypes four characterized as sensitive, BRS Querência, BRS Border, BRS Atalanta and BRS Pampa and two as tolerant, BRS Sinuelo CL and PUITA INTA CL to imidazolinones were tested in a hydroponic system. Four doses of herbicide were tested, which were evaluated at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after transplantation. The insertion of the first leaf was the most responsive variable and can be used as morphological marker in experiments for selecting rice genotypes tolerant to imidazolinones. The best time to discriminate genotypes is the 7 day of development. The concentration of herbicide that enables better discrimination between tolerant and sensitive genotypes is 25 μg L, according to the methods described in this bioassay.

Response of rice genotypes subjected to salt stress

Authors declare no conflict of interest Soils with high salt concentrations (NaCl) may affect plant development and nutrient uptake in rice. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the response of rice cultivars released by Embrapa Clima Temperado to salt stress at the germination and seedling stages. Four NaCl concentrations (0, 40, 80 and 120 mM) and a random factorial design 4×6 (dose × genotype), the cultivars belonging to the Embrapa germplasm collection were evaluated, BRS Bojuru (the only tolerant variety), BRS Pampa, BRS 7 Taim, BRS Querência, BRS Atalanta and BRS Sinuelo CL, with three replicates. After 14 days, the levels of Na, K, Ca and Mg absorbed by the plant shoots and roots were determined. NaCl was not significantly present in the germination stage. In the first germination count, BRS Bojuru and BRS 7 Taim decreased the germination with the increase in salt. The length of the first leaf in the 40 mM dose at 14 days of development (vegetative stage) is indicated as morphological marker for discriminating sensitive and tolerant genotypes to salinity in hydroponic system. The cultivar BRS Pampa showed higher ability of leaf Ca and Mg translocation under salt stress conditions.

Osmotic priming of rice seeds subjected to low temperatures

Aiming at verifying effects of priming on germination and emergence of seeds subjected to low temperatures, rice seeds (cv. IRGA 418) were primed into a KNO3 solution during 24, 48, and 72 h, at 20 °C; and into distilled water, for 24 h (control). Germination (G), first count of germination (FCG), and germination speed index (GSI) were the parameters assessed under temperatures of 17 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C. Besides, field emergence (FE), and emergence speed index (ESI) were also assessed under field conditions. A completely randomized design was used with treatments arranged in 4 x 3 factorial (treatments x temperatures) in all experiments. None statistically significant difference was found for seed germination within the 24 h imbibition period, under any of temperatures assessed; although after 48 and 72 h, at 17 °C, this variable has decreased. When seeds were imbibed in KNO3, during 48 and 72 h, the FCG and GSI were decreased, as compared to 24 h imbibition period, and for control treatment, at 17 °C and 25 oC. After 24 h imbibition, the FE has not differed statistically from control treatment; as occurred for periods of 24 and 48 h imbibition for the ESI parameter. Priming in KNO3 does not cause beneficial effect on seed germination or on seedling emergence of rice.

In vitro shoot regeneration of boldo from leaf explants

A shoot regeneration system for Plectranthus neochilus was studied from leaf explants. Leaves developed under in vitro conditions were cultured on Wood Plant Medium supplemented with 0.2mg dm-3 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and different 6-benzilaminopurine (BAP) or thidiazuron (TDZ) concentrations (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0mg dm-3). An increase in percentage of responsive explants (85.3%) and in the number of shoots developed per explant (3.2) was observed when the explants were treated with 5.3 and 4.7mg dm-3 BAP, respectively. The leaf explants cultured on media supplemented with TDZ became vitreous and did not form buds. The regeneration system used is efficient for boldo bud induction and shoot development, showing high potential for advanced cellular and molecular studies.