Bactris Gasipaes Kunth Research Articles

QUALIDADE SANITÁRIA E FISIOLÓGICA, MÉTODOS DE DETECÇÃO DE <i>Fusarium</i> spp. E TRATAMENTO DE SEMENTES DE PUPUNHEIRA

Desde o ano 2000 é verificada a ocorrência da doença podridão da base do estipe (PBE), causada por Fusarium spp., em plantios de pupunheira (Bactris gasipaes Kunth. var. gasipaes Henderson). A PBE pode se tornar limitante para o cultivo da pupunheira, ocorrendo em plantas com diferentes idades. Tem-se verificado a presença do patógeno em sementes. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: avaliar a qualidade sanitária e fisiológica de oito lotes comerciais de sementes de pupunheira provenientes da região de Porto Velho - RO; avaliar dois métodos de detecção de Fusarium spp. em sementes; avaliar a patogenicidade e agressividade de isolados de Fusarium spp. obtidos de sementes ; avaliar o tratamento químico de dois lotes de sementes de pupunheira para o controle de Fusarium spp. Houve grande variação entre os lotes de sementes de pupunheira quanto à germinação, vigor e emergência de plântulas. Fusarium spp. pode ser transmitido das sementes para plântulas causando a doença PBE. A metodologia do papel-cartão para detecção de Fusarium spp. mostrou-se mais eficaz na recuperação deste patógeno em sementes de pupunheira. Os fungicidas tiofanato metílico+clorotalonil e tiofanato metílico controlaram Fusarium spp. em sementes de pupunheira. Fusarium oxysporum e Fusarium proliferatum, isolados de semente e plântula, respectivamente, foram patogênicos à pupunheira.

Estudio comparativo de las fracciones lipídicas de Bactris gasipaes Kunth (chontaduro) obtenidas por extracción soxhlet y por extracción con CO2 supercrítico

Se determinó el efecto de dos métodos diferentes de extracción sobre el rendimiento y composición de extractos lipídicos de pulpa de chontaduro o pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes Kunth), cosechados en cuatro diferentes localidades de la región pacífica colombiana. Los métodos de extracción evaluados fueron Soxhlet con hexano, y extracción por fluido supercrítico con CO2 (EFS CO2) a 26,890 MPa y 330 K. Para los cuatro ecotipos o cultivos estudiados, los resultados muestran un mayor rendimiento de extracción por el método EFS CO2 (4,03-8,28% p/p) en comparación al método Soxhlet (1,5-2,73% p/p). Por otro lado, la caracterización de los lípidos de los diferentes ecotipos, realizada a través de cromatografía de gases con detector de ionización de llama (FID), muestra un alto contenido de ácidos grasos insaturados, similar al aceite de oliva y otras oleaginosas: 36,23-51,89% p/p de ácido oleico, 2,38-8,82% p/p de ácido linoleico, y 0,22-1,58% p/p de ácido linolénico, no presentando diferencias significativas de dichos contenidos para ambos métodos. Del mismo modo, el contenido de lípidos del fruto de chontaduro, corroboran su potencial como una muy buena fuente de ácidos grasos esenciales.

Somatic Embryogenesis in Peach-Palm (Bactris gasipaes) Using Different Explant Sources.

Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is a member of the family Arecaceae and is a multipurpose but underutilized species. Nowadays, fruit production for subsistence and local markets, and heart-of-palm production for local, national, and international markets are the most important uses of this plant. Conventional breeding programs in peach palm are long-term efforts due to the prolonged generation time, large plant size, difficulties with controlled pollination and other factors. Although it is a caespitose palm, its propagation is currently based on seeds, as off-shoots are difficult to root. Hence, tissue culture techniques are considered to be the most likely strategy for efficient clonal plantlet regeneration of this species. Among various techniques, somatic embryogenesis offers the advantages of potential automated large-scale production and putative genetic stability of the regenerated plantlets. The induction of somatic embryogenesis in peach palm can be achieved by using different explant sources including zygotic embryos, immature inflorescences and thin cell layers from the young leaves and shoot meristems. The choice of a particular explant depends on whether clonal propagation is desired or not, as well as on the plant conditions and availability of explants. Protocols to induce and express somatic embryogenesis from different peach palm explants, up to acclimatization of plantlets, are described in this chapter.

An Integrated Hypothesis on the Domestication of Bactris gasipaes.

Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) has had a central place in the livelihoods of people in the Americas since pre-Columbian times, notably for its edible fruits and multi-purpose wood. The botanical taxon includes both domesticated and wild varieties. Domesticated var gasipaes is believed to derive from one or more of the three wild types of var. chichagui identified today, although the exact dynamics and location of the domestication are still uncertain. Drawing on a combination of molecular and phenotypic diversity data, modeling of past climate suitability and existing literature, we present an integrated hypothesis about peach palm’s domestication. We support a single initial domestication event in south western Amazonia, giving rise to var. chichagui type 3, the putative incipient domesticate. We argue that subsequent dispersal by humans across western Amazonia, and possibly into Central America allowed for secondary domestication events through hybridization with resident wild populations, and differential human selection pressures, resulting in the diversity of present-day landraces. The high phenotypic diversity in the Ecuadorian and northern Peruvian Amazon suggest that human selection of different traits was particularly intense there. While acknowledging the need for further data collection, we believe that our results contribute new insights and tools to understand domestication and dispersal patterns of this important native staple, as well as to plan for its conservation.

Carotenoid deposition in plant and animal foods and its impact on bioavailability

ABSTRACTOver the past decades, an enormous body of literature dealing with the natural deposition of carotenoids in plant- and animal-based foods has accumulated. Prominent examples are the large solid-crystalline aggregates in carrots and tomatoes or the lipid-dissolved forms in dairy products and egg yolk. Latest research has identified lipid-dissolved forms in a rare number of plant foods, such as tangerine tomatoes and peach palm fruit (Bactris gasipaes Kunth). In addition, liquid-crystalline forms were assumed in so-called tubular chromoplasts of numerous fruits, e.g., in papaya, mango, and bell pepper. The bioavailability of carotenoids from fresh and processed foods strongly depends on their genuine deposition form, since their effective absorption to the human organism requires their liberation from the food matrix and subsequent solubilization into mixed micelles in the small intestine. Consequently, a broad overview about the natural array of carotenoid deposition forms should be helpful to better understand and modulate their bioavailability from foods. Furthermore, naturally highly bioavailable forms may provide biomimetic models for the improved formulation of carotenoids in food supplements. Therefore, this review paper presents scientific evidence from human intervention studies associating carotenoid deposition forms with their bioavailability, thus suggesting novel technological and dietary strategies for their enhanced absorption.

Study of senescence in old cultures of the Bactris gasipaes Kunth in vitro

The in vitro propagation is a technique that is used for the large-scale generation of stable genotypes that are free of disease. Satisfactory propagation has been obtained using Bactris gasipaes Kunth through the direct in vitro regeneration of adventitious buds and somatic embryos, which is likely because of the pluri—and totipotency of the preprocambial cells, which reduces the probability of genetic instability. The consequences of the prolonged period of in vitro cultivation of perennial species such as the peach palm are not clear, as well as the senescence process has only been investigated in species originating from callus structures. The senescence of peach palm clones established and cultivated in vitro for 8 years through direct morphogenic methods (in vitro regeneration of adventitious buds without callus formation) was investigated in the leaves, roots and stem bases using histological, histochemical and ultrastructural analyses, in addition to the TUNEL reaction, to detect programmed cell death. These data from old cultures (8 years cultured) were compared to similar data from plants of the same species that had been established and cultivated in vitro for 1 year (young cultures). These analyses demonstrated the existence of intensive programmed cell death in the various tissues of the old cultures. The in vitro cultivation of peach palm for long periods promoted generalized senescence and probable aging of clones.

Improved high-efficiency protocol for somatic embryogenesis in Peach Palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) using RITA® temporary immersion system

Bactris gasipaes Kunth (Arecaceae) is an Amazonian palm cultivated mainly for the production of fruits and heart of palm. Biotechnological tools based on somatic embryogenesis (SE) can be used for improvement and germplasm conservation of this species. The efficiency of different culture systems and culture medium composition were evaluated to optimize the efficiency of SE. The study also evaluated global DNA methylation levels, total protein and starch contents, and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity. The RITA® bioreactor showed enhanced multiplication of somatic embryos with increased protein, starch levels and ADH activity. Furthermore, a low DNA global methylation rate (27.52%) was observed, suggesting its relationship with the expression of proteins associated with the maturation of somatic embryos and their subsequent conversion to plantlets. Somatic embryo maturation was successfully achieved on Petri dishes and abscisic acid (ABA) supplementation in the culture medium. Chlorophyll pigmented somatic embryos were obtained in Petri dishes containing PGR-free culture medium, and RITA® provided the greatest number of plantlets to be acclimatized after reaching 6–7cm in length. In the acclimatization step, the best results were obtained with plantlets derived from RITA® after reaching 6–7cm in length. These new findings shed light on the importance of defining adequate culture systems for different steps of in vitro regenerative protocols and represent a breakthrough in the in vitro morphogenesis process of peach palm, resulting in a large number of somatic plantlets with enhanced physiological and morphological features.

Lipid-dissolved γ-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene in globular chromoplasts of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) fruits.

High levels of β-carotene, lycopene, and the rare γ-carotene occur predominantly lipid-dissolved in the chromoplasts of peach palm fruits. First proof of their absorption from these fruits is reported. The structural diversity, the physical deposition state in planta, and the human bioavailability of carotenoids from the edible fruits of diverse orange and yellow-colored peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) varieties were investigated. HPLC-PDA-MS(n) revealed a broad range of carotenes, reaching total carotenoid levels from 0.7 to 13.9mg/100g FW. Besides the predominant (all-E)-β-carotene (0.4-5.4mg/100g FW), two (Z)-isomers of γ-carotene (0.1-3.9mg/100g FW), and one (Z)-lycopene isomer (0.04-0.83mg/100g FW) prevailed. Approximately 89-94% of total carotenoid content pertained to provitamin A carotenoids with retinol activity equivalents ranging from 37 to 609µg/100g FW. The physical deposition state of these carotenoids in planta was investigated using light, transmission electron, and scanning electron microscopy. The plastids found in both orange and yellow-colored fruit mesocarps were amylo-chromoplasts of the globular type, containing carotenoids predominantly in a lipid-dissolved form. The hypothesis of lipid-dissolved carotenoids was supported by simple solubility estimations based on carotenoid and lipid contents of the fruit mesocarp. In our study, we report first results on the human bioavailability of γ-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene from peach palm fruit, particularly proving the post-prandial absorption of the rarely occurring γ-carotene. Since the physical state of carotenoid deposition has been shown to be decisive for carotenoid bioavailability, lipid-dissolved carotenoids in peach palm fruits are expected to be highly bioavailable, however, further studies are required.

ALL USEFUL PLANTS HAVE NOT ONLY IDENTITIES, BUT STORIES: THE MYTHICAL ORIGINS OF THE PEACH PALM (BACTRIS GASIPAES KUNTH) ACCORDING TO THE PERUVIAN ASHÁNINKA

In this paper we present a myth about the origins of the peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth), recorded during a research project dedicated to landscape domestication and the management of palms by the Ashaninka people of Amazonian Peru. This myth is most likely the outcome of cross-fertilization between European Christian and Amerindian traditions during colonial times, but which must have undergone significant changes during the 'indianization' process. The myth provides an excellent starting point for discussing Ashaninka relationships with non-humans and the environment and ways of transmitting ethnoecological knowledge, as well as the importance of the sharing of food. It is also relevant in explaining the purposes of peach palm domestication by the Ashaninka, as well as their knowledge and participation in the dispersal of the palm. We conclude that peach palm utilization is only one facet of the relationship between the kiri palm and Ashaninka people.

Chemical characterization and antioxidant activity of Amazonian (Ecuador) Caryodendron orinocense Karst. and Bactris gasipaes Kunth seed oils.

Nowadays, data concerning the composition of Caryodendron orinocense Karst. (Euphorbiaceae) and Bactris gasipaes Kunth (Arecaceae) seed oils are lacking. In light of this fact, in this paper fatty acids and unsaponifiable fraction composition have been determined using GC-MS, HPLC-DAD (Diode Array Detector), NMR approaches and possible future applications have been preliminary investigated through estimation of antioxidant activity, performed with DPPH test. For C. orinocense linoleic acid (85.59%) was the main component, lauric (33.29%) and myristic (27.76%) acids were instead the most abundant in B. gasipaes. C. orinocense unsaponifiable fraction (8.06%) evidenced a remarkable content of β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, squalene and vitamin E (816 ppm). B. gasipaes revealed instead β-sitosterol and squalene as main constituents of unsaponifiable matter (3.01%). Antioxidant capacity evidenced the best performance of C. orinocense seed oil. These preliminary results could be interesting to suggest the improvement of the population's incomes from Amazonian basin. In particular the knowledge of chemical composition of C. orinocense and B. gasipaes oils could be helpful to divulge and valorize these autochthones plants.

Deficiências nutricionais de macronutrientes e sódio em mudas de pupunheira

O cultivo da pupunheira (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) tem aumentado em função da crescente demanda por seus produtos, entretanto são reduzidos os estudos, bem como o conhecimento sobre as exigências de nutrientes da espécie. O objetivo foi avaliar os sintomas de deficiência nutricional, a produção de matéria seca, o teor e o acúmulo de nutrientes em mudas de pupunheira, em razão da omissão de macronutrientes e Na. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação utilizando mudas em vasos distribuídos em delineamento de blocos casualizados. Os tratamentos foram: solução nutritiva completa; omissão de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S e Na. As omissões promoveram alterações morfológicas na parte aérea e nas raízes caracterizadas por sintomas visuais facilmente interpretáveis. Os elementos N, P e K foram os mais limitantes, já S e Na os menos limitantes à produção de matéria seca das folhas, caule, raízes, parte aérea e total da planta. A relação da matéria seca da parte aérea/raiz foi K>Mg>Ca =P e P=completo=S=Na>N, e o crescimento relativo foi decrescente no sentido Completo>Na>S>Ca>Mg>K>P>N. Os teores e acúmulos de nutrientes seguiram a ordem predominante N>K>Ca>P>Mg>S>Na. As omissões causaram sintomas típicos aos observados em outras espécies. A matéria seca e o crescimento relativo foram mais limitados pelo N, P e K, sendo que o K, Mg, Ca e P restringiram mais as raízes, enquanto os outros nutrientes limitaram mais a parte aérea. A ausência de Na reduziu o crescimento relativo em 10,6%, o que demonstra a importância do elemento para a pupunheira. Os nutrientes em maiores quantidades na espécie foram o N, K e Ca.

Eficiência de fosfitos no controle da podridão da base do estipe em mudas de pupunheira

A exploração de palmito no Brasil está deixando de ser uma atividade extrativista para tornar-se agrícola, devido ao plantio de palmeiras, como a pupunheira (Bactris gasipaes Kunth var. gasipaes Henderson). A podridão da base do estipe (PBE), causada por Phytophthora palmivora, vem destacando-se como uma importante doença, que poderá limitar o cultivo da pupunheira em várias regiões produtoras. Esta doença ocorre em plantas jovens e adultas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência da aplicação preventiva e curativa de fosfitos sobre a incidência e a severidade da PBE em mudas de pupunheira, em casa de vegetação. Para tal, três experimentos foram conduzidos, conforme segue: I - Efeito preventivo e curativo de fosfitos, seguindo o esquema fatorial 6 x 2 (tipos de fosfitos x épocas de aplicação); II - Efeito da aplicação preventiva de fosfito de potássio, seguindo o esquema fatorial 6 x 4 (número de aplicações x épocas de avaliação); e III - Efeito preventivo do número de aplicações e dosagens de fosfitos de potássio, seguindo o esquema fatorial 3 x 2 (dosagens x número de aplicações). A severidade da doença foi avaliada aos 28 dias no experimento I e no experimento III, enquanto no experimento II foi avaliada aos 7; 14; 21 e 28 dias após a inoculação, baseada em escala descritiva, com nota de 0 a 4. Os tratamentos foram dispostos no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 10 repetições de uma muda cada. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e, quando significativos, pelo teste F (p < 0,05), e as médias dos tratamentos foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey, a 5% de probabilidade. Pelos resultados obtidos, pôde-se concluir que o fosfito de potássio proporcionou melhor controle entre os fosfitos testados, e quando aplicado de forma preventiva na dosagem de 2,5 mL.L-1 com 3 aplicações e na dosagem de 5,0 mL.L-1 com 2 ou 3 aplicações, reduziu significativamente a incidência e a severidade da PBE em mudas de pupunheira. Entretanto, quando aplicado de forma curativa, não teve efeito, independentemente da dosagem ou do número de aplicações. A melhor época de avaliação da severidade da PBE foi aos 21 dias após a inoculação da Phytopthora palmivora.

Centesimal composition and physical-chemistry analysis of the edible mushroom Lentinus strigosus occurring in the Brazilian Amazon

The centesimal composition and the physical and chemical analyses of Lentinus strigosus, an edible mushroom occurring in the Brazilian Amazon and produced in alternative substrates based on wood and agroindustrial residues, were evaluated. For this purpose, the C, N, pH, soluble solids, water activity, protein, lipids, total fiber, ash, carbohydrate, and energy levels were determined. The substrates were formulated from Simarouba amara Aubl. ("marupá"), Ochroma piramidale Cav. Ex. Lam. ("pau-de-balsa") and Anacardium giganteum ("cajuí") sawdust and Bactris gasipaes Kunth ("pupunheira") stipe and Saccharum officinarum (sugar cane bagasse). The results indicated that the nutritional composition of L. strigosus varied with the substrate of cultivation; the protein levels found in mushrooms grown in the different substrates (18-21.5%) varied with the substrate and was considered high; the soluble solids present in the mushrooms could have a relation with complex B hydrosoluble vitamins. L. strigosus could be considered as important food owing to its nutritional characteristics such as high protein content, metabolizable carbohydrates and fibers, and low lipids and calories content.

Producción comparativa de palmito entre cuatro variedades de pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes Kunth).

Se evaluóel rendimiento agroindustrial en cuatro variedades de pejibayepara palmito a las edades de 11,12 y 13 meses. Tres deellas sin espinas (Diamantes-1, Diamantes-10, Diamantes-20) y una con espinas (Utilis-Tucurrique). El ensayo se efectuó en la localidad de Guápiles, Costa Rica. Las variables estudiadasfueron: edad al inicio de la cosecha o precocidad;número de palmitos cosechados; longitudes de las vainas dela hoja previa a la hoja guía y de la hoja guía; longitud delpecíolo y de la lámina; longitud del palmito foliar y caulinar;pesos del palmito foliar, caulinar y total; diámetros del palmitofoliar y caulinar; y rendimiento industrial (cajas/ha). Lasvariedades Diamantes-10 y Diamantes-20 fueron superioresen precocidad y número de palmitos cosechados. A los 12meses el número de palmitos cosechados por hectárea fue de7.067, 4.493, 4.381 y 2.370 en las variedades Diamantes-10,Diamantes-20, Diamantes-1 y Utilis-Tucurrique, respectivamente.Estos resultados se utilizaron para evaluar los pará-metros de producción industrial, los cuales presentaron diferencias(P≥0,0001) entre las variedades. El rendimientopromedio de palmito foliar y caulinar por tallo, fue de226,67g y 397,57g por tallo en Diamantes-20; 208,91g y379,04g en Diamantes-10; 169,47g y 264,62g por tallo enDiamantes-1; y 124,81g y 122,01g por tallo en Utilis-Tucurrique.Además, las variedades sin espinas Diamantes-10 yDiamantes-20, produjeron un notorio mayor número de palmitos/ha y cajas/ha que la variedad Utilis-Tucurrique con espinas.Particular importancia reviste la gran diferencia obtenidaen la producción de palmito caulinar, habiéndosemostrado las variedades sin espinas muy superiores a la variedadcon espinas Utilis-Tucurrique.

Efecto de la poda en el trasplante del almácigo de pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes Kunth).

Cinco tratamientos con diferentescombinaciones de poda de follaje y raíz en pejibayese llevaron a cabo, al trasplantarlas al campo con raíz desnuda,y su comportamiento fue evaluado con base en siete variables.Además se evaluaron comparativamente las plántulasque mostraban la hoja emergente u hoja guía contra aquéllasen que ésta aún no era visible externamente. Las plántulas queno sufrieron poda alguna fueron significativamente superioresa todos los tratamientos con alguna forma de poda. Esto, nosólo en porcentaje de sobrevivencia (90,33%), sino tambiénen las otras variables estudiadas y en especial en cuanto a sudesarrollo posterior, medido por el peso total de la planta tomadoseis meses más tarde. Las plántulas sin follaje y sin raíz,mostraron un porcentaje de sobrevivencia del (66,33%), y surecuperación, medida por peso de raíz y peso aéreo, seis mesesmás tarde, fue muy inferior a todos los tratamientos. Entodos los casos, incluyendo el testigo, la presencia visible dela nueva hoja emergente u hoja guía significó un mayor porcentajede sobrevivencia. Las siete variables utilizadas resultaronaltamente correlacionados, siendo el peso total de laplanta quizás el mejor evaluador, pero en el campo, el diámetrodel tallo resulta más fácil de manejar en la práctica.

Aspectos fenológicos del desarrollo en cuatro variedades de pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) para palmito.

En esta investigacion se obtiene informacion sobre aspectosde comportamiento fenologico de cuatro variedades de pejibayepara palmito en cuatro estados de desarrollo. Se iniciacon la composicion fisica del palmito foliar estableciendo quela proporcion de las hojas embrionarias es superior al de lashojas maduras y que esta relacion es diferente en las variedades,por lo tanto se aparta de la proporcion 50/50 preponderanteen palmeras adultas en general. El numero de hojasembrionarias estuvo correlacionado con productividad y deigual manera mostro correlacion con el peso del palmito foliar,el peso total de todas las vainas y de las laminas embrionariasutiles y el peso del .domo. (sector apical del tallo endonde se asientan las hojas embrionarias). Sin embargo, elgrado de correlacion entre esos parametros difirio entre variedades.Una caracteristica importante de este cultivo, el macollamiento,mostro correlacion con precocidad y productividad.Se sugiere que las yemas axilares de las hojas juveniles(enteras) son las que dan origen a los brotes vegetativos yaquellas yemas de las hojas adultas (compuestas) dan lugar alas inflorescencias. La raiz, el tallo y el follaje mantuvieronun desarrollo equilibrado entre ellos a traves de los primeros12 meses. El diametro del tallo y su altura mostraron correlacion con el peso del palmito y la longitud del peciolo de lahoja externa, fue de los mas practicos para predecirlo. Deacuerdo con los resultados, las variables mas utiles en un programade seleccion incluyen: precocidad de brotacion, dia-metro y altura del tallo, longitud del peciolo de la hoja de mayoredad y suculencia/dureza del palmito.

Global DNA methylation profiles of somatic embryos of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) are influenced by cryoprotectants and droplet-vitrification cryopreservation

Regrowth capacity and genetic stability of plants recovered following cryopreservation are associated with changes in DNA epigenetics, particularly in DNA methylation levels. In this study, global DNA methylation profiles associated with frequency of regrowth of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) somatic embryos following cryopreservation using droplet-vitrification were investigated. Somatic embryo clusters (SEC) subjected to plant vitrification solution 3 (PVS3) for different durations (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min) were evaluated for regrowth capacity. The highest frequency of regrowth (52.4 %) was obtained when SEC were incubated in PVS3 for 120 min prior to droplet-vitrification cryopreservation. Global DNA methylation profiles were influenced by both cryoprotectants and droplet-vitrification cryopreservation. Incubation of SEC in PVS3 for limited durations not only reduced frequency of regrowth, but also increased DNA methylations levels when compared with proliferating SEC grown in a temporary immersion system. Although SEC subjected to cryopreservation exhibited the highest DNA methylation variation, 120 min SEC incubation in a PVS3 solution resulted in the recovery of initial global methylation profiles after 24 weeks of regrowth.

A survey of the entomofauna associated with the inflorescences of pejibaye (Arecaceae: Bactris gasipaes Kunth) in the Ribeira Valley, SP, Brazil

The cultivation of pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) has been expanding in Brazil, especially in the Vale do Ribeira, SP, where the edaphoclimatic condition is compatible with its production. With the purpose of learning about insects that visit the inflorescence of pejibaye, a survey was conducted at Polo Regional do Vale do Ribeira, located in the municipality of Pariquera-açu, SP, Brazil, and on a private property located in the municipality of Registro, SP, areas where selected pejibaye palm trees from Yurimaguas, Peru, are grown. During the month of January of 2006 and 2007, yellow sticky insect traps were placed at the inflorescences of different pejibaye matrices, soon after the bracts opened. The traps were kept throughout female and male anthesis, and removed at the end of the cycle, which lasted for about 72 hours. The 9,743 insects collected were then separated, counted, and identified according to their orders. It was observed that the most frequent insects on the inflorescence of pejibaye palms in the Vale do Ribeira, SP are Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera.

TDZ pulsing evaluation on the in vitro morphogenesis of peach palm

Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth.) cropping is an excellent alternative to native species exploitation; nevertheless, the problems with seed germination and conventional propagation justify the use of in vitro culturing. Aiming to asses TDZ pulsing effect on B. gasipaes morphogenesis, explants obtained from unarmed microplants were maintained in two treatments, half of them in MS free medium (without growth regulator) and the other half in MS with TDZ (0.36μM). Both groups were transferred to growth regulator-free MS medium following 14days of culture. After 84days of culture, TDZ pulsing increased the growth and development of the shoots, restricted the growth and development of the roots, with no influence on adventitious bud induction or somatic embryogenesis. Furthermore, development of prickles, thickening of roots and chlorotic leaves were noted under TDZ pulsing. Leaf sheath histological analysis showed an epidermal origin and no vascularization of these prickles.

Anatomical and histochemical aspects of the peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) seed

Bactris gasipaes Kunth (peach palm) is a palm tree (Arecaceae) widely used by Amazon people, whose seeds have dormancy of unknown cause, which result in difficulties on producing uniform seedlings. This study aimed at identifying anatomical and histochemical aspects of peach palm seeds that may have influence on germination. Histological sections were performed with seed material embedded into hystoresin, which were then stained with toluidine blue and assessed under optical microscope to verify structural characteristics. Histological sections were manually performed to identify primary and secondary metabolites; and histochemical test were performed for fatty acids, alkaloids, starch, phenolic compounds, lignin, neutral and acidic lipids, pectins, polysaccharides, proteins, tannins, and terpenoids. Tegument is thin and contains two layers. The external layer is thicker and has vascular bundles; and the internal layer is thinner containing irregular cells replete of phenolic compounds. Endosperm is whitish in color, with cells with shapes that vary from oblong or ellipsoidal until oval; containing lipids, proteins, pectins, and polysaccharides. Embryo is relatively small as related to seed size, conical and vascularized at distal portion. On longitudinal sections, plumule appears in proximal region as three foliar primordia. At seedling protrusion region the cells contain acidic lipids, proteins, and neutral polysaccharides.