De Plantas Research Articles

Germination Strategies and Seed Quality of Colobanthus quitensis: Implications for Sustainable Antarctic Ecosystems and Ex Situ Plant Conservation

The conservation of the Antarctic ecosystem is linked to scientific and tourism activities. The Colección Activa de Plantas Vasculares Antárticas at the Universidad de Concepción aims to help conserve the region’s vascular flora to support scientific research while minimizing anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems. Colobanthus quitensis is the only native dicotyledonous plant native to Antarctica and, as an extremophilic plant, is capable of withstanding extreme abiotic conditions. This species has potentially important use as a biological model to study the physiological deterioration of dormant seeds and other traits, some of which may contribute to vegetation development in Antarctica. Although studies have addressed the reproduction and germination of C. quitensis, there is no recent synthesis of information regarding its reproductive biology and seed traits that could support its conservation. This work synthesizes and critically analyzes the current knowledge of C. quitensis reproduction in natural and controlled environments, identifying factors that contribute to the decline in seed quality. We propose that growth conditions, seed morphology, and interactions with endophytic fungi influence germination and seedling establishment. We also highlight critical knowledge gaps that must be addressed to better understand the species’ phenology, the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on its development, strategies for seed conservation, and biotechnological applications.

Using biodiversity databases to assess vascular plant diversity in Protected Areas: a case study of Parque Estadual do Forno Grande, Brazil.

The Parque Estadual do Forno Grande is a fully protected area in the southern Espírito Santo State, Brazil. It belongs to the Atlantic Forest domain, with predominantly dense, ombrophilous, seasonal semi-deciduous forests and herbaceous/shrubby vegetation on rock outcrops. The area is recognised as highly important for conservation, designated as a priority biological area for protecting the Atlantic Forest's biodiversity. Although the importance of Protected Areas in conserving the Atlantic Forest biodiversity is unquestionable, it is crucial to understand the floristic patterns within these regions to develop effective conservation strategies. We utilised national online databases to compile species lists containing relevant information about their biodiversity. The updated list of vascular plants recorded in the Parque Estadual do Forno Grande is available in the "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil" and it is presented here with further information on richness, endemism and conservation status. The Parque Estadual do Forno Grande harbours 958 species of vascular plants, of which 79.2% are angiosperms, 18.4% are ferns and 2.4% are lycophytes. Amongst these species, 44% are endemic to the Atlantic Forest. There are 58 threatened species, of which six are Critically Endangered, 39 are Endangered and 13 are Vulnerable. Amongst the threatened species, 51 are endemic to the Atlantic Forest. The number of records and the species richness in this area are notably high for Atlantic Forest standards. Our findings suggest that floristic inventories of Brazilian Protected Areas are a key contribution to the general perception of how much we still do not know about our flora. It also highlights the necessity of supporting floristic surveys in poorly-known areas, especially those remaining as forest remnants.

Two new species of Clusia (Clusiaceae) endemic to Costa Rica

SummaryDuring the preparation of Clusiaceae for the Manual de Plantas de Costa Rica, several new species of Clusia L. were identified but left with lettered informal names. Here, we formally describe two of those. Clusia dotana Hammel can be distinguished most assuredly from morphologically related species by its pistillate flowers with 24 – 26 (– 42) staminodes and the unusual large mass of yellow arillate tissue covering the seeds. Clusia osaensis Hammel is similar to C. dotana but distinct by having relatively longer inflorescences (5 – 15 cm vs 4.5 cm), pistillate flowers with 16 staminodes, and seeds covered in an orange aril. These two new species are known from a limited number of localities and are endemic to mountain and lowland forests on the Pacific slopes in central and southern Costa Rica.

Checklist of marine macroalgae in two contiguous Marine Protected Areas in the south-western Atlantic.

The Costa das Algas Environmental Protection Area (EPA) and the Santa Cruz Wildlife Refuge (WR), located in the Espírito Santo Continental Shelf, Brazil, are outstanding marine protected areas due to their high biodiversity, particularly of macroalgae. Together, these two relatively small protected areas (1,150 and 177 km2, respectively) harbour about a quarter of all macroalgal species recorded in Brazil.The checklist presented herein updates the algal flora of these two protected areas with data obtained until 2019. Two hundred and sixty-five macroalgal taxa were recorded, most of which with vouchers. Checklists based on the collections of each protected area were published on: "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil" (https://catalogo-ucs-brasil.jbrj.gov.br/). Besides specimens collected between 2018 and 2019, the algal flora presented herein includes previous records from different Brazilian herbaria (e.g., SP, SPF, ALCB). Herbaria records may include species that do not occur in intertidal reefs (e.g., Laminaria). Overall, 249 macroalgal taxa and one marine angiosperm were recorded in the Costa das Algas EPA (87 new records) and 136 macroalgal taxa and one marine angiosperm in the Santa Cruz WR (46 new records). All taxa are native to Brazil and nine are endemic to Brazil. Our results provide a taxonomic foundation to support management, long-term monitoring and conservation in these protected areas.

Floristic survey of vascular plants of the Parque Estadual da Pedra Selada, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most diverse and threatened phytogeographical domains in the world. Despite that, it includes regions with poor floristic knowledge, even in protected areas. Although the importance of protected areas in conserving the Atlantic Forest hotspot is undisputed, it is necessary to recognise the floristic richness of these areas to propose effective conservation actions. In this sense, online databases have proved to be a promising tool for compiling species lists with relevant biodiversity information. This study is based on the list of vascular plants of the "Parque Estadual da Pedra Selada", published in the "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil". It summarises the species richness, endemism and conservation status of this protected area. The published list of vascular plants was based on data obtained from herbarium collections available in online databases. A total of 303 species have been recorded for the "Parque Estadual da Pedra Selada," of which 297 are native to Brazil, 78 are endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, and seven are endemic to the State of Rio de Janeiro. More than 60% of the species are woody, and more than 40% are trees. Eight threatened species (Endangered - EN and Vulnerable - VU), of which five are endemic to the State of Rio de Janeiro, are housed in this protected area. One species was classified as Data Deficient (DD). Our results increase the knowledge of the Atlantic Forest flora in the State of Rio de Janeiro and support effective conservation planning for this protected area.

A comprehensive floristic knowledge of a fragment of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest [Parque Estadual da Serra da Concórdia], Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The "Serra da Concórdia" is part of the Atlantic Forest phytogeographical domain in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro and it has a predominant phytophysiognomy of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest. This region underwent intense habitat loss and fragmentation during the 19th century, due to coffee plantations and later pastures. With the decline of these activities, the areas were abandoned, triggering secondary succession. In 2002, the "Parque Estadual da Serra da Concórdia" was established in this region to preserve the remaining forest fragments. The updated list of vascular plants recorded in this protected area, published in the "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil", is presented here, along with information on richness, endemism, and conservation status. The "Parque Estadual da Serra da Concórdia" houses 231 vascular plant species, of which 90% are angiosperms, 10% ferns and lycophytes, and 27% endemic to the Atlantic Forest. Ten species are threatened with extinction, three are categorized as Endangered, and seven as Vulnerable. Although there have been expeditions in the "Parque Estadual da Serra da Concórdia", they have been limited, resulting in a low number of records and the species richness for a protected area. This is notable considering the 2,130 Brazilian native vascular plant species recorded in the semideciduous seasonal forest of Rio de Janeiro. Our data indicates that floristic inventories of Brazilian protected areas could help highlight gaps in flora knowledge and support the proposal of effective conservation actions.

(2961) Proposal to conserve Bellucia, nom. cons., against the additional names Myriaspora and Loreya (Melastomataceae: Henrietteeae)

(2961) Proposal to conserve <i>Bellucia</i>, nom. cons., against the additional names <i>Myriaspora</i> and <i>Loreya</i> (<i>Melastomataceae</i>: <i>Henrietteeae</i>)

Plantas de cobertura e agentes de biocontrole no manejo de nematoides na cultura da soja

ABSTRACT In the Brazilian Cerrado, phytonematodes, phytonematodes are a challenge for agriculture, and the association of forms of control is the best strategy to be used in coexistence with this pathogen. Faced with this problem, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of cover crops and biocontrol agents in the management of nematodes in soybean. For each nematode species under study (Meloidogyne incognita and Pratylenchus brachyurus), two experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design arranged in a 6 × 2 factorial scheme with eight replications. Six cover crops (millet ADRG 9050, millet ADR 300, Urochloa ruziziensis, Crotalaria ochroleuca, C. spectabilis, and corn hybrid DKB 290) and two treatments (treated or not with Bacillus subtilis and B. methylotrophicus - 1×106 CFU per seed) were evaluated. The cover crops were sown in soil infested with nematodes and then soybeans were sown under the straw, and cultivated for 45 and 60 days, for M. incognita and P. brachyurus, respectively. Fresh root mass, total nematode population, and the number of nematodes per gram of root were evaluated. The association of microorganisms with C. spectabilis, U. ruziziensis, and millet ADR 300 conferred an additional effect in reducing the population of P. brachyurus. For M. incognita, the association was successful only for combining C. spectabilis with B. methylotrophicus. DKB 290 corn, when treated with B. methylotrophicus, had the nematode population per gram of soybean root reduced by 90% compared to plants that did not receive biological treatment.

Preliminary report on the allelopathic potential of South American Imperata species (Poaceae: Andropogoneae)

Background: A significant number of species of grasses (Poaceae) have allelopathic properties and two genera of Andropogoneae -Cymbopogon and Bothriochloa- are the main aromatic genera recognized in the family. The genus Imperata (Poaceae: Andropogoneae) is widely distributed, with several species being present around the world.&#x0D; Questions and / or Hypotheses: This study assessed the allelopathic potential of some South American species of Imperata taking into account previous reports on I. cylindrica, which has been extensively studied due to its invasiveness and allelopathic potential.&#x0D; Studied species / data description /Mathematical model: I. brasiliensis, I. condensata, I. minutiflora, and I. tenuis&#x0D; Study site and dates: Greenhouse of the Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal, Sistemática y Filogeografía de Plantas, Córdoba, Argentina.&#x0D; Methods: We obtain the aqueous extract from the studied species and we evaluated its effect on germination and root and shoot growth of lettuce, corn, and tomato.&#x0D; Results: In bioassays, aqueous leaf extract of I. brasiliensis, I. condensata, I. minutiflora, and I. tenuis inhibited seed germination and root and shoot growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and maize (Zea mays). The extracts mainly affected root and shoot length, whereas the effect on seed germination was low.&#x0D; Conclusions: The studied species may contain allelochemicals, which interfere with seed germination and seedling growth. Future research on the type of chemical compounds present in aqueous extracts may contribute to their use for agroecological purposes.

Uso y conservación de plantas medicinales obtenidas de agroecosistemas y ecosistemas por los grupos étnicos Mochó y Kakchikel del sureste de Chiapas, México

Even though the ethnic groups Mochó and Kakchikel of the Sierra Mariscal, Chiapas, Mexico, have formal medical services, they still preserve and use medicinal plants. This research had the aim to identify their conservation practices, by using ethnographic and ethnobotanical methods with direct interviews, participatory observation and a questionnaire; furthermore, a Jaccard ́s similarity index for plant species was estimated. Both groups (97% each) use medicinal plants for various reasons and obtain them mainly from their agroecosystems. Within the Kakchikel territory, 53% are native plants, 43% introduced, while 4% does not have a report; within the Mochó territory 56% are native plants and 44% introduced ones. The similarity index showed 0.33 of shared taxonomic species within both territories (33 out of 131 of total). The Kakchikel use more conservation practices than the Mochó ethnic group, to have their medicinal plants ready available, mainly from their agroecosystems.

Lithothamnion sp. como bioestimulante no cultivo de plantas

ABSTRACT One of the various seaweed species with biostimulating properties is Lithothamnion sp., a calcareous seaweed recognized for its nutritional attributes. This review article aimed to gather information on Lithothamnion sp. and its applications in agricultural cultivation, focusing on identifying and analyzing its biostimulant effects. The practical use of this biostimulant in farming has been confirmed by studies highlighting its efficiency, which varies according to the source material (deposit and particle fraction), application methodology (dosage, methods and frequency) and specific crop (genotype and development stages). Lithothamnion sp. is notable for promoting vegetative growth and has established itself as an invaluable biostimulant in producing seedlings of various species. Its application, either via soil or by foliar methods, has led to improvements in the yield and quality of vegetables, fruits, oilseed crops, grains and forage plants. Although the underlying mechanisms need further investigation, the results suggest that Lithothamnion sp. contributes to amplifying photosynthesis, water-use efficiency and phytoalexin production.

A field experiment characterizing variable detection rates during plant surveys.

Surveys aimed at finding threatened and invasive species can be challenging due to individual rarity and low and variable individual detection rates. Detection rate in plant surveys typically varies due to differences among observers, among the individual plants being surveyed (targets), and across background environments. Interactions among these 3 components may occur but are rarely estimated due to limited replication and control during data collection. We conducted an experiment to investigate sources of variation in detection of 2 Pilosella species that are invasive and sparsely distributed in the Alpine National Park, Australia. These species are superficially similar in appearance to other yellow‐flowered plants occurring in this landscape. We controlled the presence and color of flowers on target Pilosella plants and controlled their placement in plots, which were selected for their variation in cover of non‐target yellow flowers and dominant vegetation type. Observers mimicked Pilosella surveys in the plots and reported 1 categorical and 4 quantitative indicators of their survey experience level. We applied survival analysis to detection data to model the influence of both controlled and uncontrolled variables on detection rate. Orange‐ and yellow‐flowering Pilosella in grass‐ and heath‐dominated vegetation were detected at a higher rate than nonflowering Pilosella. However, this detection gain diminished as the cover of other co‐occurring yellow‐flowering species increased. Recent experience with Pilosella surveys improved detection rate. Detection experiments are a direct and accessible means of understanding detection processes and interpreting survey data for threatened and invasive species. Our detection findings have been used for survey planning and can inform progress toward eradication. Interaction of target and background characteristics determined detection rate, which enhanced predictions in the Pilosella eradication program and demonstrated the difficulty of transferring detection findings into untested environments.

Floristic survey of vascular plants of a poorly known area in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Flona do Rio Preto, Espírito Santo).

BackgroundThe Atlantic Forest is one of the most threatened biomes in the world. Despite that, this biome still includes many areas that are poorly known floristically, including several protected areas, such as the "Floresta Nacional do Rio Preto" ("Flona do Rio Preto"), located in the Brazilian State of Espírito Santo. This study used a published vascular plant species list for this protected area from the "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil" as the basis to synthesise the species richness, endemism, conservation and new species occurrences found in the "Flona do Rio Preto".New informationThe published list of vascular plants was based on field expeditions conducted between 2018 and 2020 and data obtained from herbarium collections available in online databases. Overall, 722 species were documented for the "Flona do Rio Preto", 711 of which are native to Brazil and 349 are endemic to the Atlantic Forest. In addition, 60 species are geographically disjunct between the Atlantic and the Amazon Forests. Most of the documented species are woody and more than 50% of these are trees. Twenty-three species are threatened (CR, EN and VU), while five are Data Deficient (DD). Thirty-two species are new records for the State of Espírito Santo. Our results expand the knowledge of the flora of the Atlantic Forest and provide support for the development of new conservation policies for this protected area.

New antioxidant lauryl-free herbal shampoo formulation with a Brazilian plant extract.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is the main cleaning ingredient in shampoos, even though it may be potentially damaging to hair. The demand for antioxidant-rich cosmetics, on the other hand, has encouraged green cosmetics research. Brazil has vast biodiversity that can be exploited for the production of these cosmetics. This work aimed to develop a minimalist antioxidant lauryl-free shampoo formulation with leaf extracts from the Brazilian plant Hancornia speciosa Gomes. Two hydroethanolic extracts were prepared using different extraction methods, Soxhlet, and ultrasound. The extracts were characterized by the presence of saponins, polyphenol quantification, and HLPC chemical identification of the compounds. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH method. The antioxidant lauryl-free shampoo was developed using hydroxyethyl cellulose with two concentrations of leaf extract obtained by Soxhlet, 0.125 mg/g (XP1) and 0.250 mg/g (XP2). Along with the antioxidant activity, the physical and chemical properties, cleaning potential, and foam quality were evaluated. The Soxhlet leaf extract revealed a more favorable chemical profile, including a positive result for saponins, as well as a larger quantity of polyphenols and increased antioxidant activity. The XP2 formulation showed better foam height, dirt dispersion, and antioxidant activity. Thus, the use of mangabeira leaf extract appears to be promising for the development of shampoos with antioxidant activity.

A list of land plants of Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Brazil, highlights the presence of sampling gaps within this protected area

BackgroundBrazilian protected areas are essential for plant conservation in the Atlantic Forest domain, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. A major challenge for improving conservation actions is to know the plant richness, protected by these areas. Online databases offer an accessible way to build plant species lists and to provide relevant information about biodiversity. A list of land plants of “Parque Nacional do Caparaó” (PNC) was previously built using online databases and published on the website "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil." Here, we provide and discuss additional information about plant species richness, endemism and conservation in the PNC that could not be included in the List. We documented 1,791 species of land plants as occurring in PNC, of which 63 are cited as threatened (CR, EN or VU) by the Brazilian National Red List, seven as data deficient (DD) and five as priorities for conservation. Fifity-one species were possible new ocurrences for ES and MG states.New information"Parque Nacional do Caparaó" houses 8% of the land plant species endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, including 6% of its angiosperms, 31% of its lycophytes and ferns and 14% of its avascular plants. Twelve percent of the threatened species listed for the State of Espírito Santo and 7% listed for the State of Minas Gerais are also protected by PNC. Surprisingly, 79% of the collections analysed here were carried out in Minas Gerais, which represents just 21% of the total extension of the Park. The compiled data uncover a huge botanical collection gap in this federally-protected area.

Etnobotânica aplicada à seleção de espécies nativas amazônicas como subsídio à regionalização da fitoterapia no SUS: município de Oriximiná – PA, Brasil

O Brasil apresenta rica diversidade vegetal, sobretudo na Amazônia, onde grupos étnicos utilizam diversas plantas no preparo de remédios caseiros. Estas práticas terapêuticas ocorrem sem interface com políticas de saúde. Neste contexto, conduziu-se levantamento etnobotânico das plantas utilizadas como medicinais, por moradores de Oriximiná-PA, e analisou-se presença das nativas da Amazônia em documentos do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Após a realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas, obteve-se a coleta e identificação de 112 espécies pertencentes a 50 famílias, sendo a maior parte referente à família Fabaceae e nativas da Amazônia (56%). Após identificação, comparou-se as nativas da Amazônia com aquelas presentes em 14 documentos do SUS, onde a Relação de Plantas Medicinais de Interesse ao SUS (RENISUS) e o Programa de Pesquisa em Plantas Medicinais (PPPM) demonstraram mais quantidade de nativas, enquanto houve exclusão nas atualizações da Farmacopeia Brasileira. Porém, observou-se tendência de aumento em documentos elaborados após reconhecimento da fitoterapia no SUS. Entretanto, a maior parte das endêmicas da Amazônia não consta em nenhum dos documentos analisados. Logo, o estudo etnobotânico conduzido em Oriximiná demonstra a importância das nativas para a população, em contrapartida à sua pouca representatividade no SUS. Pesquisa desta natureza, objetiva alinhar políticas de saúde ao território.

Tratamiento biológico y fotocatalítico a escala de planta piloto para aguas residuales coloreadas sintéticas producidas en laboratorios de docencia universitaria

The dyes and chemical additives, present in the wastewater produced in the teaching laboratories of Microbiology, generate high contamination, are difficult to degrade and according with the Colombian regulation should be treated before final disposing. In this article, a pilot plant was used to treat a synthetic wastewater (SWW) containing a mixture of dyes. Initially, the capacity of a fungal/bacterial sludge to remove this type of contaminants on a 1L scale was determined. Subsequently, the operating conditions that favor tertiary treatment were selected by using TiO2/UV photocatalysis and finally the complete treatment plant was integrated and evaluated (Pre-treatment, secondary treatment and tertiary treatment). The SWW that entered the plant had the following characteristics: Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): 4033 mg/L, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5): 2750 mg/L, Unit Color (UC): 2010, BOD5/COD ratio: 0.68 and a pH of 7.0. At 37 hours of plant operation, overall removals were 98 ± 3 %, 99 ± 6 % and 99 ± 8 %, for COD, BOD5 and UC. Proving that the integration of unitary operations in a sequential and orderly manner, are a novel alternative for the treatment of this type of wastewater.

Uso de plantas medicinales durante el embarazo, parto y postparto de los grupos étnicos de la sierra del Ecuador

Medwave es una revista electrónica revisada por pares y de acceso gratuito, que contiene artículos originales de revisión sobre determinantes clínicos, sociales, políticos y económicos en salud, y de investigación en el ámbito clínico y biomédico. Medwave is an online-only, peer-reviewed and open Access biomedical general journal with original review articles con clinical, social, political and economic determinants of health, and research articles on clinical and biomedical aspects.

First Report of Cucurbit Chlorotic Yellows Virus Infecting Cucumber and Zucchini in Algeria

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades, cofunded with FEDER funds (project nos. AGL2017-85563-C2-1-R and RTA2017-00061-0O3-03 [INIA]) and the programa para grupos de investigacion de excelencia from the Conselleria d'Educacio, Investigacio, Cultura i Esport, (Generalitat Valenciana) (Prometeo Program 2017/078). A. Kheireddine thanks the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union for her mobility project (KA107 2018-20). C. Saez is a recipient of a predoctoral fellowship from Generalitat Valenciana, cofunded by the Operational Program of the European Social Fund (FSECV 2014-2020) (grant no. ACIF/2016/188). Plant Dis. 104: 1264, 2020; published online as https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-19-2091PDN.Accepted for publication 19 December 2019.

Duckweeds (Araceae: Lemnoideae) growing on wet, vertical rocks behind a waterfall in Costa Rica, with a new country record of Wolffiella oblonga (Phil.) Hegelm.

Fieldwork for this study was done during the field courses OET 2013-18 and OET 2015-18 (“Sistematica de Plantas Tropicales”) of the Organization for Tropical Studies, and during a field trip for the course “Morfologia de Flores y Frutos” of the Universidad de Costa Rica.