Aegiphila Sellowiana Research Articles

Solid urban waste in the production of Aegiphila sellowiana Cham. seedlings

ABSTRACT The use of organic wastes as primary source of nutrients can contribute to reducing the dependence on inputs, besides being a sustainable destination for these materials. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of Aegiphila sellowiana seedlings grown in substrates composed of different proportions of sewage sludge, organic wastes and vermiculite. Twenty six substrates (treatments) were tested, formulated from the mixture of sewage sludge with vermiculite and the wastes coconut fiber, fresh coffee straw, organic compost (fresh bovine manure and fresh coffee straw), carbonized rice husk and fresh rice husk, at the proportions of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60 and 20:80 (sewage sludge:materials), and a control, composed of commercial substrate (Bioplant®). At 120 days after sowing, the following morphological characteristics were determined: collar diameter, shoot height, dry matter (shoots, roots and total) and Dickson quality index (DQI) of all plants. Substrates formulated with sewage sludge and organic compost led to higher growth of seedlings (40% SS:60% OC and 20% SS:80% OC). Proportions of 20 to 40% sewage sludge and 60 to 80% organic compost are recommended for the production of A. sellowiana seedlings.

LEAF RESIDUE DECOMPOSITION OF SELECTED ATLANTIC FOREST TREE SPECIES

ABSTRACT Biogeochemical cycling is essential to establish and maintain plant and animal communities. Litter is one of main compartments of this cycle, and the kinetics of leaf decomposition in forest litter depend on the chemical composition and environmental conditions. This study evaluated the effect of leaf composition and environmental conditions on leaf decomposition of native Atlantic Forest trees. The following species were analyzed: Mabea fistulifera Mart., Bauhinia forficata Link., Aegiphila sellowiana Cham., Zeyheria tuberculosa (Vell), Luehea grandiflora Mart. et. Zucc., Croton floribundus Spreng., Trema micrantha (L) Blume, Cassia ferruginea (Schrad) Schrad ex DC, Senna macranthera (DC ex Collad.) H. S. Irwin and Barney and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae). For each species, litter bags were distributed on and fixed to the soil surface of soil-filled pots (in a greenhouse), or directly to the surface of the same soil type in a natural forest (field). Every 30 days, the dry weight and soil basal respiration in both environments were determined. The cumulative decomposition of leaves varied according to the species, leaf nutrient content and environment. In general, the decomposition rate was lowest for Aegiphila sellowiana and fastest for Bauhinia forficate and Schinus terebinthifolius. This trend was similar under the controlled conditions of a greenhouse and in the field. The selection of species with a differentiated decomposition pattern, suited for different stages of the recovery process, can help improve soil restoration.

Interspecific variation in vitamin E levels and the extent of lipid peroxidation in pioneer and non-pioneer species used in tropical forest restoration.

Reforestation projects have gained interest over recent years due to the loss of biodiversity in tropical regions as a result of large deforestation by anthropogenic actions. However, better knowledge on the tolerance of plant species to environmental stresses is needed for reforestation success. Here, we evaluated the photoprotective and antioxidant capacity, in terms of vitamin E accumulation, of five pioneer (Platypodium elegans Vogel, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil, Cecropia pachystachya Trécul. and Aegiphila sellowiana Cham.) and five non-pioneer (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, Cedrela fissilis Vell., Genipa americana L., Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. and Hymenaea courbaril L.) species, in relation to the extent of lipid peroxidation in leaves. Furthermore, we examined differences between sun and shade leaves on vitamin E accumulation and the extent of lipid peroxidation. Pioneer plants showed on average 33% higher malondialdehyde levels, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, than non-pioneer species, but no significant differences in vitamin E contents. In contrast, a marked interspecific variation was observed in the levels of α-tocopherol and its precursor, γ-tocopherol. Natural variation revealed interesting relationships between vitamin E levels and the extent of lipid peroxidation in leaves. The pioneer species, P. elegans, did not accumulate α-tocopherol and displayed the highest levels of malondialdehyde. Sun and shade leaves accumulated vitamin E levels to a similar extent, except for the pioneer L. pacari and the non-pioneer C. langsdorffii, the former accumulating more α-tocopherol in sun leaves and the latter in shade leaves. We conclude that interspecific variation is higher than both leaf type and successional-group variation in terms of vitamin E accumulation and the extent of lipid peroxidation, and that vitamin E levels, particularly those of α-tocopherol, negatively correlate with the extent of lipid peroxidation, thus supporting a photoprotective and antioxidant function for vitamin E in plants growing in tropical environments.

CLASSIFICAÇÃO FISIOLÓGICA DE SEMENTES FLORESTAIS QUANTO À TOLERÂNCIA À DESSECAÇÃO E AO COMPORTAMENTO NO ARMAZENAMENTO

RESUMO Este trabalho teve por objetivo classificar sementes de espécies florestais nativas da bacia do Alto Rio Grande quanto à tolerância à dessecação e ao comportamento no armazenamento. Testes de germinação e de umidade foram feitos para cada espécie: com as sementes recém-beneficiadas, imediatamente ao atingir 12% e 5% de umidade, e após três meses de armazenamento a -18°C, apenas para sementes com 5% de umidade. Com base nos testes de germinação e umidade, as sementes foram classificadas em recalcitrantes, intermediarias e ortodoxas. As sementes de Brosimum gaudichaudii, Erythroxylum deciduum, Eugenia pleurantha, Myrcia venulosa, Nectandra megapotamica foram classificadas como recalcitrantes (22.7% das espécies). Foram classificadas como intermediárias as sementes de Aegiphila sellowiana, Aspidosperma parvifolium, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Casearia lasiophylla, Cassia occidentalis, Dalbergia miscolobium, Diospyros brasiliensis, Diospyros hispida, Ilex brevicuspis, Ilex cerasifolia, Myrocarpus fastigiatus, Senna aversiflora e Senna splendida (59.1% das espécies). Miconia albicans, Platycyamus regnellii, Styrax camporum e Piptadenia gonoacantha foram classificadas como ortodoxas (18.2% das espécies).

Regrowth in post-fire area in a fragment of semideciduous seasonal forest in Viçosa-MG

The sprouting is the typical response of pointers to death of trees as a result of fire, courts, diseases or physiological disorders. The present work aimed to study the regrowth ability of species remaining trees in a Seasonal Forest Semidecidual degraded by fire and assess the importance of resprouting ability in the area of recovery. The fire resulted in the destruction of 12 hectares of native vegetation, with differential levels of degradation. The study focused on the section where the effect of the fire was more severe, with total destruction of the vegetation cover. The area a complete survey of all species showing budding was performed. The diameter (cm) at the base of the bud, using a caliper, and the height (m) of the sprout with the aid of a tape was measured. It was observed that the sprouting capacity varies with the tree species and the size/age of the plant. Mabea fistulifera and Dalbergia nigra showed a higher number of shoots; Anadenanthera macrocarpa and Piptadenia gonoacantha the greatest height and diameter, the first of which also had the highest number of shoots per array; Aegiphila sellowiana showed high potential for regrowth both the stem and the roots. The widespread occurrence of grasses, especially the grass ( Melinis minutiflora ) represents a physical impediment and reduces the brightness to the by sprouting roots. Additional keywords: budding; forest fire; natural regeneration; secondary succession.

Decomposition and nutrient release in leaves of Atlantic Rainforest tree species used in agroforestry systems

Aiming to support the use of native species from the Atlantic Rainforest in local agroforestry systems, we analysed chemical and biochemical components related to leaf decomposition of Inga subnuda, Senna macranthera, Erythrina verna, Luehea grandiflora, Zeyheria tuberculosa, Aegiphila sellowiana, and Persea americana. These tree species are native (except for P. americana) and commonly used in agroforestry systems in the Atlantic Rainforest. For the three first species (Fabaceae), we also analysed the remaining dry matter and released nutrients from leaves, using litter bags, and biological nitrogen fixation, using Bidens pilosa and Brachiariaplantaginea as references of non-N2-fixing plants. Leaves from I. subnuda, L. grandiflora, and P. americana had a lower decomposition rate than the other species, exhibiting negative correlations with lignin/N and (lignin+polyphenol)/N ratios. The percentages of remaining dry matter after 1 year were 69 % (I. subnuda), 26 % (S. macranthera) and 16 % (E. verna). Higher nutrient release was found in decreasing order from residues of E. verna, S. macranthera, and I. subnuda. The percentages of nitrogen fixation were 22.6 % (E. verna), 20.6 % (I. subnuda) and 16.6 % (S. macranthera). Diversification of tree species in agroforestry systems allows for input of diversified organic material and can contribute to maintaining and improving soil functions resulting in improvements of soil quality.

Morfoanatomia de órgãos vegetativos de plantas juvenis de Aegiphila sellowiana Cham. (Lamiaceae) submetidas ao alagamento do substrato

Visando contribuir para o conhecimento das respostas morfoanatômicas de espécies arbóreas à hipoxia, efeitos do alagamento em órgãos vegetativos de Aegiphila sellowiana foram estudados. Indivíduos jovens foram mantidos em substrato drenado e alagado por 50 e 80 dias. Houve mortalidade de 40% das plantas alagadas. As sobreviventes produziram fissuras peridérmicas na base do hipocótilo, raízes diageotrópicas e lenticelas hipertrofiadas em hipocótilos e raízes. Em plantas alagadas: (1) as raízes secundárias apresentaram maior diâmetro, córtex mais espesso, células corticais maiores, espaços intercelulares maiores, cilindro vascular e elementos de vaso menores; (2) as raízes primárias em estrutura secundária e hipocótilos apresentaram súber e feloderme mais espessos; (3) as folhas apresentaram nervura mediana e mesofilo mais espesso, tricomas mais abundantes e estômatos menores. Constatou-se que A. sellowiana é intolerante ao alagamento do solo, fato evidenciado pela morte de parte das plantas. Entretanto, as sobreviventes apresentaram modificações morfoanatômicas que conferem tolerância. Sugere-se que a capacidade diferencial de tolerância apresentada entre os indivíduos pode ser resultado da presença de diferentes genótipos dentro do conjunto de plantas utilizado neste estudo.

Isolation and characterization of eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci in Aegiphila sellowiana and their transferability

We isolated and characterized eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci for Aegiphila sellowiana an outcrossing pioneer tree species that is frequently used in reforestation programs of tropical riparian forests in Brazil. A total of 38 alleles were detected across a sample of 45 individuals of A. sellowiana, with an average number of 3.45 alleles per locus. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.430 and the observed (HO) and expected (HE) heterozygosity values varied from 0.156 to 1.000 and 0.145 to 0.730, respectively. Eight loci exhibited significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P ≤ 0.001) and 32 pair combinations of loci showed significant linkage disequilibrium (P ≤ 0.001). All 11 primers were tested for cross amplification in 12 species belonging to the family Lamiaceae and 5 species belonging to the related family Verbenaceae. The sequence and diversity information obtained using these microsatellites and their cross-transferability to other species of Lamiaceae as well as Verbenaceae will increase our understanding of genetic structures and species relationships within Aegiphyla and other genera of these families.

Population genetic structure of the tropical tree species Aegiphila sellowiana (Lamiaceae)

The Tibagi River, located in southern Brazil, is associated with a significant degree of environmental heterogeneity, along its 550 km extension. There is concern about the integrity of this river's ecosystem, as human interference has been increasing. Aegiphila sellowiana (Lamiaceae) is an important pioneer tree species, commonly found near rivers; the fruit is consumed by avifauna. We studied this species along three ecological gradients, comprising the upper, middle, and lower regions of the Tibagi River basin. The genetic structure of nine subpopulations of A. sellowiana distributed along these gradients was investigated using RAPDs. Moderate levels of gene diversity (ranging from 0.091 to 0.132) were identified, inferred by a traditional approach and a Bayesian model-based method. The F-statistic, G(ST) parameters and molecular variance analysis showed high genetic differentiation among the three regions (39.5 to 50.26%). Analysis of molecular variance revealed high levels of genetic variation between populations (50.26%), while lower values of genetic variation (ranging from 9.56 to 16.35%) were seen between subpopulations within the upper, middle, and lower regions of the Tibagi River basin. The validity of these results was confirmed by principal coordinate analysis. Linear regression analysis showed significant correlations (r = 0.621, P = 0.0001) between the genetic and geographical distances. The differences observed in genetic variation between regions are probably due to habitat fragmentation; for conservation purposes, we recommend that at least one subpopulation from each region of the Tibagi River should be maintained.

Genetic diversity and flooding survival in Aegiphila sellowiana (Lamiaceae), a typical tree species from upland riparian forests

Saplings of Aegiphila sellowiana were submitted to flooding and analysis of genetic diversity in order to investigate flooding tolerance as well as its genetic determination. This response is important because it means that some lines could be planted in degraded riparian areas. Leaves were sampled from each plant, and they were submitted to different flooding periods. Mortality of saplings was 40, 80, 50, 53.3, 33.3, and 33.3% in flooding for 15, 18, 25, 50, 80 days, and flooding for 50 days followed by re-aeration for 30 days, respectively. From the total number of flooded plants, 46.7% died in the first seven days of treatment, while 53.3% survived the flooding. The percentage of polymorphic loci (P(p)), Nei's genetic diversity (H) and the Shannon index (I) were slightly higher for the group that survived the stress of flooding (surviving: P(p) (%) = 67.48, H = 0.184, I = 0.287; not surviving: P(p) (%) = 66.67, H = 0.165, I = 0.261). Analysis of molecular variance showed that 5.88% of the genetic variability was due to the differences between groups of plants surviving and not surviving flooding, while 94.12% was due to genetic differences between individuals within these groups. Similar results were obtained by principal coordinate analysis. Based on these results, we can assume the existence of environment-specific genotypes and the genetic determination of flooding tolerance in A. sellowiana. Thus, some lines of A. sellowiana could be used in the reforestation of riparian habitats, especially in uplands along riverbanks.

Antimicrobial activity of Aegiphila sellowiana Cham., Lamiaceae, against oral pathogens

The antimicrobial activity of Aegiphila sellowiana Cham., Lamiaceae, against oral pathogens is reported. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) for inhibiting the microorganisms growth were determined using the broth microdilution method from the CLSI M7-A7 protocol. Chlorhexidine was used as the positive control. The ethanol crude extract of the aerial parts of A. sellowiana exhibited activity against the microorganisms tested in this work; however, the activity decreased after partition with n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate. Among the tested fractions, the n-hexane fraction was found to be the most effective against the evaluated oral pathogens. GC-MS analysis of this latter fraction revealed that fatty acids esters, steroids, and aliphatic sesquiterpene hydrocarbons are its major constituents. These compounds may be responsible for the activity of the n-hexane fraction, but other chemical constituents of the dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and hydroalcoholic fraction may potentialize their activities in the crude extract.

Screening of plant extracts from the Brazilian Cerrado for their in vitro trypanocidal activity

In this study we report the screening of the in vitro trypanocidal activity of 20 extracts obtained from 10 different plant species growing in the Brazilian Cerrado: Aspidosperma macrocarpum Mart. (Apocynaceae), Aegiphila sellowiana Cham. (Verbenaceae), Byrsonima intermedia Juss. (Malpighiaceae), Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae), Leandra lacunosa Cogn. (Melastomataceae), Miconia ligustroides (DC.) Naudin. (Melastomataceae), Miconia sellowiana Naudin. (Melastomataceae), Myrcia variabilis Mart. ex DC. (Myrtaceae), Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae), and Tibouchina stenocarpa Cogn. (Melastomataceae). The most active extracts were submitted to phytochemical analyses. High-resolution gas chromatography analysis of the n-hexane extract of T. stenocarpa (IC50 = 23.6 μg/mL), the most active extract amongst all the tested samples, allowed the identification of β-amyrin, α-amyrin, lupeol, friedelin, β-friedelanol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol. Oleanolic and ursolic acids were isolated from the methylene chloride extract of T. stenocarpa (IC50 = 51.5 μg/mL), while ursolic acid was isolated from the methylene chloride extract of M. variabilis (IC50 = 38.4 μg/mL). Solasonine and solamargine were identified as major compounds by mass spectrometry analysis in the hydroalcoholic extract of the fruits of S. lycocarpum (IC50 = 57.1 μg/mL). The results showed that the trypanocidal activity may be related to the major compounds identified in the crude active extracts.

Evaluation of the in vitro trypanocidal activity of plant extracts from the Brazilian Cerrado

Chagas' disease is endemic in Latin America and affects 16–18 million people, while other 100 million are exposed to the risk of infection. Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of this disease, causes a pathology which features depend on both the inherent characteristics of the host and the virulence of the parasite. In this study we report the screening of the in vitro trypanocidal activity of twenty extracts obtained from ten different plant species growing in the Brazilian Cerrado: Aspidosperma macrocarpum Mart. (Apocynaceae), Aegiphila sellowiana Cham. (Verbenaceae), Byrsonima intermedia Juss. (Malpighiaceae), Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae), Leandra lacunosa Cogn. (Melastomataceae), Miconia ligustroides (DC.) Naudin. (Melastomataceae), Miconia sellowiana Naudin. (Melastomataceae), Myrcia variabilis Mart. ex DC. (Myrtaceae), Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae) and Tibouchina stenocarpa Cogn. (Melastomataceae). The most active extracts were submitted to phytochemical analyses. The high-resolution gas chromatography analysis of the n-hexane extract of T. stenocarpa (IC50 =23.6µg/mL), the most active extract amongst all tested samples, allowed the identification of β-amyrin, α-amyrin, lupeol, friedelin,β-friedelanol, campesterol, stigmasterol, andβ-sitosterol. Oleanolic and ursolic acids were isolated from the methylene chloride extract of T. stenocarpa (IC50 =51.5µg/mL), while ursolic acid was isolated from the methylene chloride extract of M. variabilis (IC50 =38.4µg/mL). Solasonine and solamargine were identified as major compounds by mass spectrometry analysis in the hydroalcoholic extract of the fruits of S. lycocarpum (IC50 =57.1µg/mL). The results showed that the trypanocidal activity may be related to the major compounds identified in the crude active extracts.

Microsatellite Libraries Enriched for Several Microsatellite Sequences in Plants

Microsatellite Libraries Enriched for Several Microsatellite Sequences in Plants