Rogério Oliveira de Sousa

Phylogenetic relationships and selective pressure on gene families related to iron homeostasis in land plants

Iron is involved in many metabolic processes, such as respiration and photosynthesis, and therefore an essential element for plant development. Comparative analysis of gene copies between crops and lower plant groups can shed light on the evolution of genes important to iron homeostasis. A phylogenetic analysis of five metal homeostasis gene families (NAS, NRAMP, YSL, FRO, and IRT) selected in monocots, dicots, gymnosperms, and bryophytes was performed. The homologous genes were found using known iron homeostasis gene sequences of Oryza sativa, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Physcomitrella patens as queries. The phylogeny was constructed using bioinfomatics tools. A total of 243 gene sequences for 30 plant species were found. The evolutionary fingerprint analysis suggested a purifying selective pressure of iron homeostasis genes for most of the plant gene homologues. The NAS and YSL genes appear to accumulate more negative selection sites, suggesting a strong selective pressure on these two gene families. The divergence time analysis indicates IRT as the most ancient gene family and FRO as the most recent. NRAMP and YSL genes appear to share a close relationship in the evolution of iron homeostasis gene families.

Short chain organic acid dynamics in solution of flooded soil treated with ryegrass residues

Short chain organic acids (C2 to C5), toxic for paddy rice, can be produced in flooded soils treated with organic residues. In order to study the liberation of organic acids into the solution of a flooded soil treated with residues of a ryegrass crop, an experiment was carried out in the greenhouse. The trial was planned in random blocks with three replicates using the following treatments: (a) without ryegrass residues, (b) ryegrass residues kept on the soil surface, and (c) ryegrass residues incorporated into the soil. The organic acids acetic, propionic, butyric, isobutyric, valeric, and isovaleric, were evaluated during eight weeks by gas chromatography. Results showed that the use of ryegrass residues increases the organic acids concentration in the soil solution. The highest concentrations were obtained at 10 cm deep with incorporated ryegrass. However, the organic acid concentration at 2 cm deep with ryegrass kept on the surface was equally high, probably at toxic levels for paddy rice. Acetic acid was the one presented at the highest concentration in the soil solution for all treatments.

Absorção de P, Mg, Ca e K e tolerância de genótipos de arroz submetidos a estresse por alumínio em sistemas hidropônicos

Soils with high aluminum (Al3+) concentrations can affect the development and nutrient absorption of rice plants. The goals of this study were to evaluate the absorption of P, Mg, Ca and K in 18 rice genotypes and their overall performance when subjected to Al3+ stress in hydroponic systems. The experimental design was randomized blocks with 3 replications and four Al3+ levels (0, 10, 20 and 30mg L-1). Plantlets were treated for 20 days and evaluated for root length (CR) and P, Mg, Ca and K contents. All variables presented significant reductions in their values, and the genotypes presented different performance in nutrient absorption when facing different treatments, with an exception for Mg absorption response in which all genotypes evaluated were similar. Based on the variable CR, the genotypes Felune and Taim were considered the most tolerant and sensitive to Al3+, respectively. Regarding nutrient absorption, the genotypes presented variable responses to each evaluated nutrient, nevertheless the genotype Felune presented also high absorption levels. All the variables presented significant correlations to each other.

Alterações no teores de nutrientes em dois solos alagados, com e sem plantas de arroz

Flooding a soil and growing plant on it can change its biological and chemistry properties, in comparison with a non-flooded environment. An experiment was conducted in order to study the nutrients dynamics in the solution of two soils (Planossolo and Gleissolo) during the rice cycle. Rice plants were cultivated in 50L containers having devices to collect soil solution at several depths (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 31cm). In the soil solution, with and without plant, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn, were measured at 10, 19, 44, 77, and 113 days after the flooding. Potassium was especially sensible to the rice plant and depth of sampling

Nutrientes na água para irrigação de arroz na Região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

The flooded rice crop presents low response to fertilization when compared to dry land crops, cultivated in soils with same characteristics of fertility. This is caused, in part, by physical and chemical changes that take place in the soil due to flooding, increasing nutrients availability. Another factor that also can cause the low response of rice crops to fertilization is nutrients supply through the water used in the irrigation. This paper was aimed at quantifing nutrients concentration in the irrigation waters used in the Southern region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, as well as estimating its possible contribution to rice plant nutrition. Sixty samples of waters were collected from dams, lagoons and rivers, twenty in each source. It was determined N-ammonium, N-nitrate, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), silicon (Si) content, pH and electrical conductivity (CE). The elements concentration in the irrigation waters decreased in the following order Na > Ca > Si > Fe > Mg > K> Mn > N> Zn >P. The average elements contents were different between irrigation sources: N and Si content in rivers were higher than those in the lagoons; Ca and Mg were more concentrated in lagoons than in dams; Fe was more concentrated in dams and rivers compared to the lagoons. The estimated nutrient contribution by irrigation waters can correspond to all of the calcium, iron, silicon and sodium, and up to 28% of magnesium and 12% of potassium uptake, in average, by rice plants.

Composição da solução de um solo alagado conforme a profundidade e o tempo de alagamento, utilizando novo método de coleta

When collecting flooded soil solution, it is important to avoid molecular oxygen contact to prevent redox reactions that can modify its chemical composition. This work, carried out in a greenhouse, analyzed the redox status and chemical composition of an Albaqualf, in different depths and duration of flooding, aiming to propose a new methodology to collect flooded soil solution. The study was conducted using 7.0 kg plastic pots, filled with soil material from the surface layer (0-20 cm) in a completely randomized design, with three replications. The collecting device consisted of a spiral polyethylene tube (70 cm long and 0.6 cm internal diameter) with small holes (1 mm diameter), covered with a nylon filter (400 mesh) and located in soil depths at 2, 5 and 10 cm. A glass tube was connected to this device to collect the solutions. Soil was maintained flooded during 109 days and soil solution samples were collected every week. The soil solution was analyzed for Eh, pH, Mn, Fe, Ca, Mg and K. Results of the redox status and the cation values in the solution, at different times and depths, allowed to conclude that this method can be used to study the flooded soil environment although further studies are necessary.

Evaluation of Rice Genotypes under Propionate Stress

Abstract The objective of the present work was to evaluate the response of 25 rice genotypes to propionate, a compound largely produced in low‐drainage and high‐organic matter‐content soils. The work was performed in hydroponics with four doses and a random block design with three replications. The variables measured were root (RL) and shoot (SL) length, number of roots (NR), and root (RDM) and shoot (SDM) dry matter. Analyses of variance, relative performance, and regression fitting were performed, showing significance for most variables. The variable RL was the most affected by propionate, and the use of this variable for screening genotypes indicated 6 tolerant and 19 sensitive genotypes. Most tolerant genotypes belonged to irrigated japonica.

Evaluation of Aluminum Tolerance in Rice

Abstract The objectives of the present work were to adjust the method for identifying genetic variability in rice through the use of minimal solution in hydroponic culture, and to identify the most important level and character for the study. The experiment consisted of the response evaluation of 18 rice genotypes to three levels of aluminum treatment. Five variables obtained from root and shoot lengths were evaluated. The data were subjected to the clustering methods of Tocher and nearest neighbor to evaluate the dissimilarity and the most adequate aluminum level. The results indicated that the 2 mg L−1 concentration and the difference between first and second measures of root length were the most useful for evaluating Al tolerance. Based on the results, it was possible to identify tolerant and sensitive cultivars to aluminum.

Nível crítico de toxidez do ácido acético em culturas alternativas para solos de várzea

The poor drainage of wetland soils originates an anaerobic environment favoring the appearance of toxic substances, like acetic acid, which affects negatively the growth of dryland crops. The present work was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of acetic acid and establishing its threshold for alternative crops cultivated in wetland soils, such as maize, soybean and sorghum. Plants of maize (Embrapa BRS 1001) and sorghum (BRS 307) were exposed to six acetic acid levels, from zero to 8mM; whereas plants of soybean (Embrapa BRS 133) were exposed to four levels, from zero to 4mM. The experimental design used was completely randomized with six replications. Morphological parameters of plant root system (length, root radium, area and relative dry mass), relative shoot dry mass and N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentration in plant shoot were assessed. The acetic acid was toxic to maize, soybean and sorghum, being evidenced by decreases in the root length and dry mass, in the total plant dry mass and in the N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents in the plant shoot. The acetic acid concentrations responsible for decreasing 50% of the relative root length were 2mM for soybean and 2.7mM for maize and sorghum.

Avaliação de genótipos de arroz sob efeito do ácido butírico

Hydromorphic soils have low drainage capacity and are used mainly for growing irrigated rice.. This condition favors the development of anaerobic microorganisms that produce phytotoxic substances. The objective of this work was to evaluate the response of 25 rice genotypes to butyric acid, a phytotoxic compound produced in low-drainage soils with high organic matter content. This work was performed by hydroponics with four acid doses as treatments using a random block design with three replications. The variables measured were root (CR) and shoot (CPA) length, number of roots (NR) and root (MSR) and shoot (MSPA) dry matter. Analysis of variance, relative performance and regression fitting were performed. Significance for genotype and dose was found for all variables. Significance for the interaction (genotype vs. dose) was found only for CR and MSR. The variable CR was the most influenced by the acid and the regression established for these variables revealed nine tolerant and 16 sensitive genotypes. Genotypes developed for irrigated systems were more tolerant.