Kamila Rezende Dázio de Souza

Antioxidative responses and morpho-anatomical adaptations to waterlogging in Sesbania virgata

Sesbania virgata (Leguminosae) is tolerant of long periods of soil inundation. However, its morphological adaptations to anoxia and its response to possible damage from oxidative stress are still unknown. Here, we provide new information that helps to explain the ability of S. virgata plants to grow in flooded environments. Plants containing six expanded leaves were placed in masonry tanks and were subjected to the following conditions: control (well watered), soil waterlogging (water to the setup level of 1 cm above the soil surface—roots and parts of the stems flooded), and complete submergence (whole plant flooded). Plants exposed to flooding (soil waterlogging and complete submergence) significantly increased their production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), indicating the extent of oxidative injury posed by stress conditions. We demonstrate that plants exposed to flooding develop an efficient scavenger of ROS (generated during stress) in the roots through the coordinated action of nonenzymatic ascorbic acid (Asc) and dehydroascorbate (DHA) as well as the enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), and glutathione reductase (GR) that are present in the tissues. Moreover, we observed the development of morpho-anatomical structures such as adventitious roots, lenticels, and cracks in the stem of plants under soil waterlogging. The secondary root of plants under soil waterlogging showed a thinner cortex and larger number of elements of small diameter vessels. Numerous aerenchymas were observed in the newly formed in the adventitious roots. We conclude that these antioxidative responses and morpho-anatomical adaptations in the roots are part of a suite of adaptations that allow S. virgata plants to survive long periods of flooding, notably under waterlogged conditions.

GAS EXCHANGE AND CARBOHYDRATE PARTITIONING IN COFFEE SEEDLINGS UNDER WATERLOGGING

Irrigation has enhanced coffee production in several regions of Brazil. However, with the increase in irrigated crop areas, problems related to the frequent and poorly planned usage of irrigation may arise. Since there are few studies related to the physiological alterations in coffee plants exposed to water excess, we evaluated the effects of waterlogging on metabolism and partitioning of carbohydrates, levels of photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange in seedlings of two commercial coffee cultivars (Mundo Novo and Catuai). After acclimation, seedlings with eight pairs of fully expanded leaves were cultivated under three water availability conditions: field capacity, intermittent waterlogging and continuous waterlogging. Gas exchange and the levels of chlorophyll, carotenoids and carbohydrates were evaluated during the five months after the beginning of the treatments. Waterlogging reduced the rates of photosynthesis and transpiration, leading to lower activity of the carboxylative step of photosynthesis and culminating in the reduction of carbohydrate partitioning in coffee seedlings. Although many physiological parameters were affected by waterlogging, the cultivars in our study survived for five months under stressful conditions.

Physiological and ultrastructural analysis reveal the absence of a defined abscission zone in coffee fruits

In order to investigate the existence of a possible abscission zone in the binding region between the peduncle and the coffee fruit, as well as the biochemical events involved in fruit ripening, we studied peduncles and fruits of Coffea arabica L. cv. “Icatu amarelo”. Coffee fruits were harvested at different maturation stages by using specific intervals of detachment force. It was observed a breakdown in the cells of the connecting region between peduncles and fruits throughout the maturation process. This disruption is probably caused by increased activity of the cell wall-loosening enzymes (polygalacturonase and cellulase) as well as by higher levels of lipid peroxidation in the final maturation stages. In general, physiological differences between maturation stages were observed and can largely explain the different detachment forces required at different stages. In conclusion, there is no clear abscission zone between the peduncle and the coffee fruit cv. “Icatu amarelo”. Nevertheless, the decrease in the detachment force throughout the maturation process can occur due to the activity of cell wall-degrading enzymes together with increased oxidative stress during the fruit ripening.

ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITY AND FRESH-CUT ARRACACHA QUALITY

The arracacha is an alternative of fresh-cut product; however it can be easily degraded after the processing techniques. The objective of this work was to evaluate the useful life of fresh-cut arracacha submitted to two types of cuts and storage, as well as to evaluate the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The roots were selected, sanitized and submitted to two cut types: cubed and grated. Then they were evaluated at 3 times: 0, 3 and 7 days. The cutting in cubes provided higher quality and lower SOD, CAT and APX activity. However, the grated product presented higher PG activity and lower PPO activity. The microbiological safety and the nutritional value were maintained in both cuts during the whole storage period. The useful life, regarding the physicochemical, nutritional and microbiological aspects, can be established at 7 days under refrigeration for fresh-cut arracacha.