No abstract

Phytoremediation is an eco-friendly and economical technology in which plants are used for the removal of contaminants presents in the urban and rural environment. One of the challenges of the technique is the proper destination of the biomass of plants. In this context, the use of ornamental plants in areas under contamination treatment improves landscape, serving as a tourist option and source of income with high added value. In addition to their high stress tolerance, rapid growth, high biomass production, and good root development, ornamental species are not intended for animal and human food consumption, avoiding the introduction of contaminants into the food web in addition to improving the environments with aesthetic value. Furthermore, ornamental plants provide multiple ecosystem services, and promote human well-being, while contributing to the conservation of biodiversity. In this review, we summarized the main uses of ornamental plants in phytoremediation of contaminated soil, air, and water. We discuss the potential use of ornamental plants in constructed buffer strips aiming to mitigate the contamination of agricultural lands occurring in the vicinity of sources of contaminants. Moreover, we underlie the ecological and health benefits of the use of ornamental plants in urban and rural landscape projects. This study is expected to draw attention to a promising decontamination technology combined with the beautification of urban and rural areas as well as a possible alternative source of income and diversification in horticultural production.

RESUMOAs espécies tropicais apresentam grande importância no mercado de flores, mas informações sobre colheita e procedimentos pós-colheita ainda são limitados. Para a maioria das espécies tropicais, existem poucas informações sobre soluções a serem utilizadas para condicionamento ou manutenção após a colheita. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a durabilidade e qualidade pós-colheita de hastes florais de bastão-do-imperador em concentrações de sacarose na solução de condicionamento e diferentes estádios de abertura floral. Hastes florais foram colhidas no início da manhã e tratadas com solução de condicionamento com sacarose nas concentrações 0 (controle), 10, 20, 30% por 24h, nos três estádios de abertura floral: inflorescências com as brácteas 1/3, 2/3 ou totalmente abertas. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4x3x6, com 3 repetições em parcela subdividida no tempo. As avaliações foram realizadas em intervalos de 3 dias, determinando-se a massa fresca das hastes florais e avaliação de qualidade das inflorescências por meio de notas, em escala de 0 a 4. Observou-se que a durabilidade comercial das hastes florais é maior (10 dias) quando as inflorescências são colhidas com 1/3 das brácteas abertas. Recomenda-se a realização de condicionamento em hastes florais de bastão-do-imperador com concentração de 20% de sacarose por 24h para inflorescências colhidas com 1/3 e 2/3 das brácteas abertas. Palavras-chave: Etlingera elatior, plantas tropicais, pós-colheita, sacarose. ABSTRACT Developmental stage and pulsing in inflorescences of torch gingerTropical species are very important in the flower market, but information in harvest and postharvest procedures are not enough. There is not enough information on pulsing or holding solutions for most tropical species. The objective was to evaluate the durability and quality of postharvest torch ginger flower stems (Etlingera elatior) at sucrose concentrations in pulsing solution and different flower opening stages. Flower stems were harvested early morning at three flower opening stages: inflorescences with 1/3, 2/3 and completely open bracts, withal the stalks were pulsed with sucrose solution at concentrations of 0 (control), 10, 20, and 30% for 24h. Experimental design was completely randomized in a 4x3x6 factorial with 3 replications in a split plot in time. Evaluations were performed every 3 days, determining the fresh weight of flowers and assessing inflorescence quality through scores on a 0-4 point scale. Commercial vase life of stalks is longer (10 days) when inflorescences are harvested with 1/3 bracts opened. It is recommended to carry out pulsing in torch ginger flower stems with concentration of 20% sucrose for 24h for inflorescences harvested with 1/3 or 2/3 of the bracts opened.

As informações sobre a conservação pós-colheita de copo-de-leite são escassas, apesar da sua importância comercial. Este trabalho teve como objetivo testar soluções de condicionamento para aumentar a durabilidade dessas inflorescências. Assim, testou-se o efeito do tratamento das hastes de copo-de-leite em soluções de condicionamento com hipoclorito de sódio (2%), ácido cítrico (200mg L-1) e cloreto de cálcio (1000mg L-1). Avaliou-se também a influência da imersão pré-armazenamento das inflorescências em solução com Hidrosan® e a utilização deste conservante em solução de condicionamento das hastes para armazenamento em câmara fria. As inflorescências foram avaliadas diariamente quanto à durabilidade a partir do critério de classificação estabelecido (classes A1, A2, B e C) e pela medida do comprimento e largura da espata. O pré-tratamento das inflorescências em Hidrosan® ou a colocação das hastes neste conservante em câmara fria ou nos demais produtos não influenciaram na durabilidade das inflorescências de copo-de-leite, que apresentaram uma longevidade total de 11 dias. Os diferentes produtos avaliados não influenciaram na largura e no comprimento da espata. Observou-se que, independentemente dos tratamentos, a largura da espata aumentou até o 7° dia e o comprimento até o 8° dia, diminuindo após este período. O aumento das dimensões da espata caracteriza o processo de abertura e a redução da mesma indica a senescência pela murcha.

Green manure promotes efficient suppression of weeds, but green manure species can exhibit distinct behaviors, depending on the environmental conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of soil mulching and weed suppression by spring/summer green manure species grown in the spring/summer season, at different growth stages and after management (cut), for 90 days during the cassava crop cycle. The study was carried out in the 2010/2011 season, in a system managed under agroecological principles. The treatments consisted of different green manure species and arrangements: Crotalaria juncea, Cajanus cajan, Canavalia brasiliensis, Canavalia ensiformis, Pennisetum americanum, Crotalaria juncea and Pennisetum americanum intercropped; Mucuna aterrima, Sorghum bicolor, a mixture of all the green manures in study and a control plot under fallow. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. The evaluations of the soil cover either by the green manures or weeds were performed at 45, 90 and 105 days after the emergence of the green manures. The cassava crop was planted under reduced tillage system at 11 days after the cut of the green manures. The percentage of soil covered by weeds and the dry matter produced were evaluated at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting. The results showed that the green manures had a suppressive effect on weeds during their life cycle, as well as during the first months after its management (cut), composing the mulch.