Oil palm is one of the most economically valuable oil seed plants, but the expansion of plantations has been limited by availability of seedlings, as the conventional propagation is through seeds, which have low germination rates. One possible solution for the large-scale production is the use of somatic embryogenesis. The aim of this study was evaluate the effects auxins 2,4-D and picloram on the induction of pro-embryogenic masses in E.guineenesis hybrid leaf explants and characterize, regarding embryogenic characteristics, with cytochemical and ultrastructural analisys. Specifically, in vitro plantlets leaves fragments were inoculated in ). After 90 days the presence/ absence of cell masses were evaluated. Both growth regulators efficiently induced cellular masses regardless of the concentrations applied. As the cell masses were not homogeneously formed, they were classified according to color and shape into four types: TYPE 1 -elongated and translucent, TyPE 2 -uneven and translucent, TyPE 3 -globular and beige TyPE 4 -globular and white. Based on the anatomical and ultrastructural features, TyPE 2, 3 and 4 cell masses were considered to have the highest embryogenic potential and therefore may be most suited to large-scale vegetative propagation of oil palm.

A wide range of alternative cellulose fibers for the development of new green nanomaterials can be obtained from Brazil's natural resources. The objective of the work is to evaluate the influence of the chemical composition of hardwoods on the nanofibrillation process and optical quality of nanofiber films. Wood wastes were selected from three native Amazonian species and from exotic planted Eucalyptus grandis species. Wood sawdust was submitted to chemical alkali and bleaching pretreatments. Nanofibers were produced from the bleached fibers after 10, 20, 30 and 40 passes through a Super Mass Colloider grinder, and films were produced by the casting method. Raw sawdust, alkali-treated fibers and bleached fibers were evaluated by the major chemical components, syringyl/guaiacyl ratio, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, oxygen/carbon ratio and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological characteristics of nanofibers and films were analyzed by transmission and scanning electron microscopies. Optical parameters studied for the films were the opacity, total color difference and b value. The main challenge to delignification was attributed to the low syringyl/guaiacyl ratio. The different chemical natures of Amazonian and eucalyptus hardwoods greatly affected pretreatments and, consequently, the nanofibrillation and optical quality of the films. Consequences observed for highly purified cellulose starting fibers are: (1) lower diameters for individual nanofiber elements; (2) fewer opaque and colored films produced from nanofibers; (3) a tendency to stabilization of the nanofibrillation process after 20 passes through the grinder. For species whose chemical nature hindered cellulose purification, the increased number L. Bufalino (of passes through the grinder continuously decreased the opacity.

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RESUMO -Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a relação entre o teor de 2-tridecanona (2-TD) em materiais selecionados e o nível de resistência à traça-do-tomateiro (Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)) em gerações avançadas de Lycopersicon spp. derivado de cruzamentos interespecíficos. Foi usada uma população de tomateiros segregantes (geração F 4 RC 2 ) para 2-TD, uma metilcetona que confere resistência à traça-do-tomateiro. Genótipos foram selecionados e avaliados quanto à resistência do tipo não-preferência: três materiais com alto teor do aleloquímico 2-TD (HI1, HI2, HI3) e dois materiais com baixo teor (LO1, LO2), além das testemunhas. Após infestação controlada, foram avaliados: contagem do número de ovos postos, evolução da lesão nos folíolos, porcentagem de folíolos atacados, e índice geral de lesão causada pela traça. Plantas com alto teor de 2-TD (HI1 e HI3) tiveram uma baixa progressão das lesões ocasionadas pelo ataque de T. absoluta. A planta LO1 foi muito atacada pela praga, o mesmo não ocorrendo com a planta LO2, que foi infestada acidentalmente por ácaros do gênero Tetranychus, acarretando, provavelmente, uma disputa de nicho ecológico entre os dois artrópodes. Concluiu-se que altos teores de 2-TD estão ligados a mecanismos de resistência à traça-do-tomateiro do tipo não-preferência por oviposição e alimentação.Termos para indexação: Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon esculentum, Tuta absoluta, resistência de plantas, antixenose, metilcetona. INDIRECT SELECTION TO 2-TRIDECANONE CONTENT AND ITS RELATION TO TOMATO PINWORM RESISTANCEABSTRACT -This work had the objective to verify the relation between 2-tridecanone (2-TD) in selected plants and resistance level to tomato pinworm (Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)) in advanced generations of Lycopersicon spp. interspecific crosses. It was used a tomato population (F 4 RC 2 generation) segregant for 2-TD, a methyl ketone that controls the resistance of the tomato pinworm. Materials were selected and evaluated for a non-preference mechanism of resistance. Three genotypes with high level of the allelochemic 2-TD (HI1, HI2, HI3), two with low level (LO1, LO2) and two check genotypes were used. After a controlled infestation, oviposition preference, type and percent of leaflet damage, and damage index caused by the tomato pinworm were evaluated. Plants with high level of 2-TD (HI1, HI3) had a low progression of leaflet damage by Tuta absoluta. The LO1 genotype was much attacked by the tomato pinworm, while the LO2 genotype was accidentally attacked by acari of the Tetranychus genus, probably causing a dispute between the two arthropods. It was concluded that 2-TD high levels are associated to non-preference ovipositions and feeding resistance mechanisms to tomato pinworm.

Large-scale propagation of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq.) is difficult due to its single apical meristem. Thus, obtaining plants is mainly through seed germination, and a long growing period is required before oil production is possible. An alternative to large-scale seedling production is indirect somatic embryogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the somatic embryogenesis process in oil palm (E. guineensis Jacq.) with amino acids and low concentrations of auxins. The Tenera hybrid was analyzed by cytochemical and ultrastructural methods and was used to regenerate oil palm plants. First, calli were induced in MS culture media supplemented with 2,4-D and picloram. Two types of calli were obtained, characterized by beige or translucent color. Beige calli had embryogenic characteristics, such as large nuclei with prominent nucleoli, and they were multiplied for 8 months in MM culture (half strength MS, 1 mg L 2,4-D, 2 mg L 2iP, 1 mg L IBA, 250 mg L citric acid, 10 mg L cysteine, 100 mg L inositol, 1 mg L thiamine, 1 mg L pyridoxine, 1 mg L nicotinic acid, 1 mg L glycine, 200 mg L malt extract, and 100 mg L casein hydrolysate). After multiplication, the MCB culture medium (half strength MS, supplemented with 0.25 mg L NAA, 2 mg L BAP, MM vitamins and 200 mg L malt extract, and 100 mg L casein hydrolysate) was the most efficient for embryo formation, showing meristematic centers with totipotent cells in histochemical analyses. The somatic embryos were developed and germinated in MG medium (half strength MS, 0.45 mg L IAA, 0.25 mg L BAP, and MM vitamins), transplanted into polyethylene tubes containing pine bark substrates, and acclimatized in a greenhouse, achieving a 97% survival rate. The use of picloram for callus induction and somatic embryogenesis is advantageous and multiplication in MM medium is an important step for increasing cell mass. The calli with light beige color and nodular structures have meristematic cells with dense cytoplasm and totipotential features that later give rise to protoderm, procambium, and ground meristem during the globular, cordiform, and torpedo embryogenesis phases. In MCB medium, the concentration of vitamins and amino acids are crucial for somatic embryogenesis.

Preliminary results of in vitro experiments with multicontaminated soils and solid media indicated that nodulating diazotrophic bacteria of the genus Cupriavidus are promising for the remediation of contaminated environments due to their symbiosis with legumes and metal tolerance. Thus, strains of Cupriavidus spp. (LMG 19424 T , UFLA 01-659, UFLA 01-663, and UFLA 02-71) were tested for their ability to tolerate and bioaccumulate cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in Luria-Bertani broth. Changes in the growth pattern of Cupriavidus strains in the presence or absence of heavy metals were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and metal allocation by transmission electron microscopy, to clarify the mechanisms of bioremediation. Highest tolerance was detected for strain UFLA 01-659 (minimum inhibitory concentration of 5, 4.95, and 14.66 mmol L -1 of Cd, Cu, and Zn, respectively). Among the removal rates of the metals tested (9.0, 4.6, and 3.2 mg L -1 of Cd, Cu, and Zn, respectively), the bacterial activity was clearly highest for Cd. The efficiency of strain UFLA 01-659 in removing the heavy metals is associated with its high biomass production and/or higher contents of heavy metals adsorbed and absorbed in the biomass. In response to the presence of heavy metals in the liquid culture medium, the bacteria produced exopolysaccharides and small and aggregated cells. However, these responses varied according to the strains and heavy metals. Regarding allocation, all heavy metals were adsorbed on the cell wall and membrane, whereas complexation was observed intracellularly and only for Cu and Zn. These results indicate the possibility of using C. necator UFLA 01-659 for remediation in areas with very high Cd, Cu, and Zn contents.

-The aimed was characterization and determining the time for

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