Boreal trees in the Mediterranean: recruitment of downy birch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula alba</Emphasis>) at its southern range limit

Objective  

Knowledge of mechanisms determining plant persistence in range edges is essential because peripheral populations face increasing risk and they often maintain unique genotypes.     

Macronutrient accumulation in wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.) with Azospirillum brasilense associated with nitrogen doses and sources

Abstract

New studies are needed to optimize the nitrogen (N) amount that can be applied to utilize the Azospirillum brasilense benefits. In addition, information regarding the interaction between the urease inhibitor and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and how they affect the macronutrients accumulation are also needed. We evaluate the effect of N sources and doses associated with A. brasilense regarding the macronutrients accumulation in straw and grains and wheat grain yield in tropical conditions. A randomized block experimental design was used with four replications in a 2?×?5?×?2 factorial arrangement as follows: two N sources (urea and urea with urease enzyme inhibitor NBPT; five N doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200?kg ha^?1) applied in topdressing; with and without A. brasilense inoculation. We found that an increase in N doses positively influenced the accumulation of macronutrients in straw and grains and the wheat grain yield. N sources have similar effects. Inoculation with A. brasilense increased accumulation of Mg and S in straw and P, Ca, and Mg in grains, regardless of the N dose. The inoculation with A. brasilense associated with 140?kg ha^?1 of N increased wheat grain yield. The inoculation can contribute in a more sustainable way to wheat nutrition and optimizing N fertilization.     

Changes in photosynthesis and antioxidant metabolism of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants in response to manganese stress

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess the physiological and biochemical responses of cotton plants to manganese (Mn²⁺) nutrition. Four cotton genotypes (G1 – TMG 47; G2 – FM 975 WS; G3 – TMG 11 WS and G4 – IMA 8405 GLT) were grown in nutrient solution under two Mn²⁺ concentrations (2 and 200 µmol L^?1) for 10 days. No visible symptoms of Mn²⁺ toxicity were observed in the genotypes tested. All genotypes showed a marked increase in leaf chlorophylls, pheophytins, carotenoids, sucrose and total sugars concentration in response to high Mn²⁺ in a nutrient solution. However, the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, internal carbon dioxide concentration and transpiration decreased in genotypes G1 and G2 growing under 200 µmol L^?1. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities increased in genotypes G1, G3 and G4. Cotton genotypes showed an increased leaf antioxidant and sugar metabolism as a possible strategy to mitigate oxidative stress. The decrease in the net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance; the increased antioxidant enzymes activities (SOD, APX and GR); and the increase in leaf sucrose and total sugar concentration were the main physiological and biochemical responses in cotton plants to Mn²⁺ stress.     

Changes in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Var. italica) health-promoting compounds with inflorescence development

Changes in phenolic compounds, total glucosinolates, and vitamin C were monitored during the productive period along five inflorescence development stages of three broccoli commercial cultivars (Marathon, Monterrey, and Vencedor). In an attempt to identify differences due to agronomic factors, broccoli cultivars were grown under different sulfur fertilization with poor (15 kg/ha) and rich (150 kg/ha) rates. Phenolic compounds and vitamin C concentrations showed, in all broccoli cultivars, a rising trend from the first stage until the over-maturity stage, both for rich and poor sulfur fertilization. Significant differences were detected in the first two stages between rich and poor sulfur fertilization in total glucosinolates for all broccoli cultivars, where the highest concentration was always observed in the second development stage (used as minimally processed product) during poor fertilization. With regard to the last three stages, the glucosinolate concentration in the poor sulfur fertilization started to slope down until the over-maturity stage. Where rich sulfur fertilization is concerned, the highest level was reached during the third stage (used as minimally processed product also), and after that, glucosinolate concentration decreased until the fifth stage.     

Local perceptions of jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) in the Iguaçu National Park area, south Brazil

Jaguars (Panthera onca) have been killed by local residents within the boundaries and lands surrounding Iguaçu National Park (INP), Brazil. Both jaguars and pumas (Puma concolor) occur in the region, however, livestock predation by pumas has rarely been reported. Our objective was to assess the local perceptions about jaguars and pumas. We identified two major factors that distinguished the perceptions towards the two species: less people feared the puma than the jaguar; and most people believed that jaguars, but not pumas, were released into INP by local authorities. Interestingly, despite those major differences in these perceptions, feelings towards the two species tended to be the same. Perceptions towards jaguars were not influenced by the predation history of the properties, suggesting that the predation impact was not remarkable enough to influence local perceptions towards carnivores. This is apparently the first study on local perceptions towards large carnivores in Brazil.     

Subcellular localization and isoenzyme pattern of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase in beet root (Beta vulgaris L.)

The two enzymes involved in enzymatic browning reactions, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (PO), have been partially purified and extracted from different fractions of beet root. PPO is mainly located in the membrane fraction, and it was also found in the soluble fraction. In both cases PPO was in its latent state. However, PO activity was higher in the soluble fraction than in the membrane fraction. Nevertheless, the highest values of specific activity for PO were obtained from the solubilized enzyme from acetone powders. Under native isoelectric focusing (IEF), several PPO isoenzymes were present in the pH range of 4.8-5.8. All of these isoenzymes shared a single band with a similar apparent mass under sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PO was also analyzed by IEF, showing a complex isoenzyme pattern in all fractions. The characteristic basic PO isoenzyme of high pI found in both the soluble fraction and the solubilized enzyme from acetone powders was not detected in the membrane fraction. The kinetic characterization of PPO and PO from all fractions was carried out.     

Influence of vine training and sunlight exposure on the 3-alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines content in musts and wines from the Vitis vinifera variety cabernet sauvignon

The influence of vine training and sunlight exposure on the 3-alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines contents in musts and wines was studied by means of two previously reported methods based on headspace solid-phase micro-extraction. Experimental samples were monitored throughout grape ripening and wine making. 3-Isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine, 3-sec-butyl-2-methoxypyrazine and 3-isopropyl-2-methoxypyrazine were identified. The 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine content decreased throughout grape ripening in all of the sample types studied. After 1 day of maceration with the skins, there was an increase, but after racking, no further increase was observed. No significant differences between samples were found during grape ripening. Wines from goblet-trained vines, however, contained significantly less 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine. Clusters protected from sunlight since the beginning of the veraison resulted in wines with a significantly lower content of this compound than the control samples.