Macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart.) is a tropical species with multiple uses, including oil supply for biodiesel production. However, structural and physiological studies of the seed are still scarce, as well as in vitro propagation techniques. The aim of this study was to characterize the anatomy, histochemistry and ultrastructure of the seed and the in vitro somatic embryo of A. aculeata, gaining insight into relationships between the post-harvest seed behavior and the somatic embryo conversion to plant. The zygotic embryo and the endosperm show high quantities of protein and lipids, stored in protein and lipid bodies, respectively. The cell wall storage polysaccharides occur in the thickened cell wall of the endosperm. The absence of vacuoles and the few organelles, except for the storage ones, indicate low metabolic state of the zygotic embryo, which suggests a orthodox behavior of the seed at maturity. The somatic embryo shows a shoot meristem with few leaf primordia, vacuolated cells and, occasionally, amyloplasts , but not lipid or protein reserves. These characteristics, common in somatic embryogenesis, could be associated with the maturation phase, and, consequently, with the low conversion of these embryos into plants. Key words: macaw palm, zygotic embryo, endosperm, storage reserves Anatomia, histoquímica e ultra-estrutura da semente e do embrião somático de Acrocomia aculeata (Arecaceae)RESUMO: A macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart.) é uma espécie tropical com múltiplos usos, incluindo a geração de óleo para a produção de biodiesel. Entretanto, estudos estruturais e fisiológicos da semente ainda são escassos, assim como as técnicas de propagação in vitro. Caracterizaram-se a anatomia, a histoquímica e ultraestrutura da semente e do embrião somático de A. aculeata obtido in vitro, visando a obter relações entre o comportamento pós-colheita da semente e a conversão em planta a partir do embrião somático. O embrião zigótico e o endosperma apresentam alta quantidade de proteínas e lipídios, estocados em corpos protéicos e lipídicos, respectivamente. Os polissacarídeos de reserva da parede celular estão presentes nas paredes celulares espessadas do endosperma. A ausência de vacúolos e as poucas organelas visualizadas, exceto as organelas de reserva, indicam baixo estado metabólico do embrião zigótico, o que sugere comportamento ortodoxo da semente madura. O embrião somático apresenta meristema apical com poucos primórdios foliares, células com vacúolos conspícuos e, ocasionalmente, amiloplastos, mas não há reservas protéicas ou lipídicas. Essas características, comuns na embriogênese somática, podem estar associadas à fase de maturação dos embriões e, consequentemente, com a baixa conversão desses embriões em plantas. Palavras-chave: macaúba, embrião zigótico, endosperma, substâncias de reserva

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The aim of this paper was to describe the histological events that led to somatic embryogenesis in macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Martius). Zygotic embryos were inoculated on Y 3 medium containing 9 lM 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolonic acid (picloram). Somatic embryos regenerated from nodular callus on induction medium with activated charcoal under photoperiod or without activated charcoal under dark. Many proembryos originated from the fundamental meristem after 10-20 days of culture. When transferred to medium containing activated charcoal, under photoperiod, calli regenerated into somatic embryos of unicellular origin. These embryos had protoderm, plumule and procambial strands and some of them could germinate. After 30-40 days of culture, meristematic masses grew from procambial cells. The masses generated nodular callus, and after transfer to medium without activated charcoal, under dark, they generated somatic embryos of multicellular origin. Those embryos did not regenerate into plants.

Duplicates are common in germplasm banks and their identification is needed to facilitate germplasm bank management and to reduce maintenance costs. The aim of this work was to identify duplicates of cassava from a germplasm bank in Eastern Amazon, which had been previously characterized both morphological and agronomically. In order to be genotyped with 15 microsatellite loci, 36 accessions were selected. These accessions were classified into 13 groups of similar morpho-agronomical characteristics. All loci were polymorphic, and 75 alleles were identified, with an average of five alleles per loci and H E = 0.66. There were determined 34 pairs of genotypes with identical multiloci profiles and the probability of genetic identity was 1.1x10-12 with probability of exclusion of 99.9999%. Among these duplicates, there are accessions sampled on different years and places, but with different names and accessions with the same name sampled in different places and years. The study identified genotypes that are grown in different places and that have been maintained over the years by local farmers. KEYWORDS: Manihot esculenta; germplasm; molecular markers Identificação de duplicatas em acessos de mandioca coletados na Região Norte do Brasil por meio de marcadores microssatélites RESUMODuplicatas costumam ocorrer em bancos de germoplasma e a sua identificação é necessária para facilitar o manejo dos bancos ativos de germoplasma (BAGs) e diminuir custos de manutenção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar duplicatas de mandioca determinadas previamente pela caracterização morfo-agronômica, em um BAG da Amazônia Oriental. Foram selecionados 36 acessos que se agrupavam em 13 grupos de similaridade morfo-agronômica para serem genotipados com 15 locos microssatélites. Todos os locos foram polimórficos, sendo obtidos 75 alelos, com média de cinco alelos por loco e H E = 0,66. Foram encontrados 34 pares de genótipos que apresentaram perfis multilocos idênticos e a probabilidade de identidade genética foi de 1,1x10 -12 com probabilidade de exclusão de 99,9999%. Entre essas duplicatas, estão materiais coletados em épocas e locais diferentes, e com diferentes denominações e acessos com o mesmo nome coletados em diferentes locais e anos. O estudo identificou genótipos que vem sendo cultivados em diferentes locais e que vêm sendo mantidos pelos agricultores ao longo dos anos.

Vigna unguiculata , one of the most important legumes, mainly in underdeveloped countries, is susceptible to post-harvest losses in storage by Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The work evaluated the toxicity, inhibition of oviposition, instantaneous rate of population growth (r i ) and the development of fumigated C. maculatus with the essential oil of Vanillosmopsis arborea and its major constituent, α -bisabolol. The experimental units consisted of 0.8 L flasks treated with concentrations of 1.2–11.2 μL L −1 of air of the essential oil of V. arborea or its major constituent applied to disks of filter paper. α -Bisabolol was quantified as 409.33 mL L −1 of the essential oil. The development rate of C. maculatus was evaluated by daily adult counts. Oviposition was evaluated at lethal concentrations (LC 50 , LC 25 , LC 10 and LC 1 ). The LC 50 and LC 95 of the essential oil of V. arborea and α -bisabolol were 5.23 and 12.97 μL L −1 of air and 2.47 and 8.82 μL L −1 of air, respectively. At some concentrations, the α -bisabolol was more toxic to males than to females of the insect. Increased concentrations of the essential oil reduced the r i , rate of development, oviposition, and number of eggs of C. maculatus and therefore have potential for pest control.

ABSTRACT:This research aimed to determine the optimal size of guava fruits to be bagged, and to evaluate the efficiency of different bagging at the control of fruits flies, as well as their correlation with the fruit quality. The work was conducted in a commercial guava orchard of Paluma variety at the municipality of Crato, in Cariri region, Ceará, Brazil, from October 2011 until April 2012. Popcorn bags, parchment paper bags, newspaper bags, micropierced plastic bags, TNT and the control were tested in four groups of fruits diameters: first group (2.0 to 3.0 cm), second group (3.1 to 4.0 cm), third group (4.1 to 5.0 cm) and fourth group (5.1 to 6.0 cm). Fruits were collected when they became mature and after each collect they were transferred to the Laboratory of Entomology of the Federal University of Cariri in order to evaluate the fruit flies attacks and the physicochemical parameters of the fruits. Bagging the guava is effective to avoid attacks from fruit flies, regardless of the type of bag used. Moreover, one can recommend bagging the guava with diameter less than 2 cm. Fruits were heavier, larger in length and with better Brix degrees when bagged in newspaper bags, with diameters ranging from 4.1 to 5.0 cm. On the other hand, to obtain fruits with larger diameters, one can recommend bagging the fruits with 5.1 to 6.0 cm in diameter. KEYWORDS: mechanical control; orchading; frugivorous flies;Psidium guajava. RESUMO: Com o objetivo de determinar o tamanho ideal dosfrutos para serem ensacados e avaliar a eficiência de diferentes ensacamentos no controle de moscas-das-frutas, bem como sua correlação com a qualidade das goiabas do Cariri cearense, realizou-se esta pesquisa no Crato, Ceará, no período de 13 de outubro de 2011 a 16 de abril de 2012 em um pomar comercial de goiaba da variedade Paluma. Foram avaliados sacos de pipoca, papel manteiga, jornal, plástico microperfurado, TNT e a testemunha; e quatro grupos de diâmetro dos frutos: 1º grupo (2,0 a 3,0 cm), 2º grupo (3,1 a 4,0 cm), 3º grupo (4,1 a 5,0 cm) e 4º grupo (5,1 a 6,0 cm). Os frutos foram colhidos à medida que atingiam a maturação e após cada colheita eram levados ao Laboratório de Entomologia da Universidade Federal do Cariri, Campus do Crato, para avaliar o ataque das moscas-das-frutas e os parâmetros físico-químicos dos frutos. O ensacamento dos frutos é eficiente no controle das moscas-das-frutas independente do tipo de saco utilizado, recomendando-se ensacar quando as goiabas estiverem com diâmetro igual ou inferior a 2,0 cm. O jornal favorece o aumento do peso, comprimento e ºBrix quando os frutos são ensacados com diâme-tros de 4,1 a 5,0 cm. Já para obter frutos com maiores diâmetros, recomenda-se ensacar com 5,1 a 6,0 cm de diâmetro. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: INTRODUÇÃOAs moscas-das-frutas (Anastrepha spp e Ceratitis capitata) são as principais pragas para os pomares de goiaba (Psidium guajava L.) (Manica et al., 2000). Suas larvas se alimentam da polpa do fruto, o que acarreta baixa produção, tornando-o impróprio para o consumo in natura e sem...

The essential oil of basil (Ocimum basilicum) has significant biological activity against insect pests and can be extracted through various techniques. This work aimed to optimize and validate the extraction process of the essential oil of O. basilicum submitted to different drying temperatures of the leaves and extracted by the combination of a Clevenger method and ultrasound. The biological activity of the extracted oil under different conditions was evaluated for potential control of Sitophilus zeamais. The extraction method was optimized according to the sonication time by ultrasound (0, 8, 19, 31 and 38 min) and hydrodistillation (20, 30, 45, 60 and 70 min) and drying temperature (20, 30, 45, 60 and 70 °C). The bioactivity of the essential oil was assessed against adults of S. zeamais and the effects of each variable and its interactions on the mortality of the insects were evaluated. The best yield of essential oil was obtained with the longest sonication and hydrodistillation times and the lowest drying temperature of leaves. Higher toxicity of the essential oil against S. zeamais was obtained by the use of ultrasound for its extraction. The identification and the relative percentage of the compounds of the essential oil were performed with a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass selective detector. The performance of the method was assessed by studying selectivity, linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), precision and accuracy. The LOD and LOQ values for linalool were 2.19 and 6.62 µg mL−1 and for estragole 2.001 and 6.063 µg mL−1, respectively. The coefficients of determination (R2) were >0.99. The average recoveries ranged between 71 and 106%, with coefficient of variation ≤6.4%.

The objective of this work was to estimate genetic parameters and to evaluate simultaneous selection for root yield and for adaptability and stability of cassava genotypes. The effects of genotypes were assumed as fixed and random, and the mixed model methodology (REML/Blup) was used to estimate genetic parameters and the harmonic mean of the relative performance of genotypic values (HMRPGV), for simultaneous selection purposes. Ten genotypes were analyzed in a complete randomized block design, with four replicates. The experiment was carried out in the municipalities of Altamira, Santarém, and Santa Luzia do Pará in the state of Pará, Brazil, in the growing seasons of 2009/2010, 2010/2011, and 2011/2012. Roots were harvested 12 months after planting, in all tested locations. Root yield had low coefficients of genotypic variation (4.25%) and broad-sense heritability of individual plots (0.0424), which resulted in low genetic gain. Due to the low genotypic correlation (0.15), genotype classification as to root yield varied according to the environment. Genotypes CPATU 060, CPATU 229, and CPATU 404 stood out as to their yield, adaptability, and stability.