No abstract

Passiflora actinia Hook (common name: ‘maracujá do mato’) is an important medicinal species due to significant sedative and anxiolytic activities. In order to commercially exploit the plant, however, studies on propagation to improve rooting in stem cuttings are needed. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of the brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol.) extract when applied on P. actinia stem cuttings bases. Five concentrations of the extract in distilled water were evaluated: 0% (pure distilled water), 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. The experimental design was completely randomized with 4 repetitions and 12 cuttings per experimental unit. Cuttings were evaluated 45 days from planting. Data were analyzed through polynomial regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated for all the variables. On average, 51.27% rooting was achieved. Rooting percentage increased linearly according to the brown seaweed extract concentrations. When compared to the control treatment, about 10% increase in rooting was observed at the treatment with 40% seaweed extract. Leaf retention response to A. nodosum increasing concentrations was also adjusted in a positive linear model. A 15.6% increase in leaf retention was observed at the 40% seaweed concentration when compared to the control. Positive correlations were observed for leaf retention and rooting percentage and leaf retention and roots length. The immersion of P. actinia stem cuttings bases in A. nodosum extract at a concentration of 40% promote positive effects on rooting and facilitate the species propagation.

Ilex paraguariensis, commonly known as yerba mate, is a tree species native to South America. Its commercial value is due to the manufacturing of teas, with potential also in the pharmacological and cosmetic industries. Vegetative propagation of yerba mate is considered an innovation to the traditional production systems based on sexual propagation. The present study aimed to evaluate the rhizogenic potential and chemical attributes of mini-cuttings from 15 yerba mate genotypes, as well as to verify the correlation between phytochemical and rooting-related variables. Mini-cuttings were collected from a pre-existing mini-clonal hedge and the experimental design was completely randomized, with 15 treatments (genotypes), four replications and 10 mini-cuttings per plot. After 120 days, mini-cuttings were assessed regarding rooting, mortality, callogenesis and leaf retention percentages, percentage of mini-cuttings with both calluses and roots, number of roots and average root length. At the time of collection, subsamples from each plot were used for phytochemical analyses including total phenolic compounds, protein, caffeine and theobromine contents and antioxidant activity. Rooting percentages ranged from 5 to 72.5%, with significant variation among genotypes. Adventitious rooting and phytochemical profile of yerba mate mini-cuttings are genotype-dependent. Leaf retention is a relevant factor in the rooting of yerba mate mini-cuttings and the levels of total phenolic compounds, antioxidants and theobromine present in mini-cuttings are negatively correlated components to Ilex paraguariensis adventitious rooting.

Buxus sempervirens L., popularly known as boxwood, is a woody shrub widely used in gardening and landscaping. One of the most important factors for B. sempervirens commercial production is its propagation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of indolebutyric acid (IBA) concentrations on the adventitious rooting of semihardwood stem cuttings of the species. Branches with new shoots were collected from stock plants with approximately 17 years of growth. Stem cuttings of six centimeters in length with two leaves in the upper region were made with a straight cut at the apex and a bevel cut at the base. Cuttings bases were immersed for 10 seconds in hydroalcoholic solutions (50% v v-1) with IBA at 0, 1500, 3,000 or 6,000 mg L-1. The cuttings were evaluated at 64 and 116 days after planting. Rooting, mortality, callus formation and sprouting percentages as well as root number and root length were measured. At 64 days, no significant percentage of rooting was observed in B. sempervirens stem cuttings and sprouting and callus formation were not significantly affected by the treatments. Keeping the cuttings in the greenhouse for 116 days led to rooting rates up to a 97.5%, with no statistical difference among treatments. Root lengths and root numbers did not differ as a function of treatments. The required period for B. sempervirens stem cuttings rooting is around 116 days; IBA application does not affect rooting, survival or sprouting of B. sempervirens stem cuttings.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the changes in intestinal tract microbiota, hematological parameters and zootechnical indexes of yellowtail lambaris (Astyanax bimaculatus) fed with different probiotic supply frequencies (Lactobacillus spp.). Lambaris (1,200) were distributed in twelve boxes, divided in three treatments, 100% supply; 25% and 0% (control) of feeds supplemented with probiotic. After 87 days, fish fed with supplemented diet, regardless of frequency (100% and 25%), showed an increase in the total lactic acid bacteria count of 7.99±0.15 log CFU mL-1 and 7.04±1, 29 log UFC mL-¹ respectively, in the intestinal tract and decrease of Pseudomonas spp. in both 100% and 25% (4.09±0.84log UFC mL-1 and 4.00±1.12log UFC mL-1, respectively) in relation to the control treatment (6.74±1.04log UFC mL-1). Fish fed with 100% of diets supplemented with probiotics had a higher leukocyte count (47.7±6.7x103μL-1), lymphocytes (36.0±2.6x103μL1), monocytes (12.0±4.2x103μl-1), as well as higher mean final weight (10.60±0.89g) and weekly growth rate (0.80±0.08g.week-1) than the other treatments (25% of probiotic offered and control). Probiotic (Lactobacillus spp.) offered in 25% of feeds (or more) alters the yellowtail lambari microbiota (A. bimaculatus); however, must be offer in 100% of feeds to improve the hematology profile and productive performance.

Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze (Araucariaceae), commonly known as araucaria and Brazilian pine tree, can be grown for their edible pine nuts (pinhões), medicinal properties, and ornamental purposes. The aim was to assess the shoot and root growth and the overall quality of A. angustifolia seedlings grown in containers with different sizes, shapes and composition. Seeds were sowed in five containers: I – 126cm3 polypropylene cone-tainers (small cone-tainers); II – 290cm3 cone-tainers (large cone-tainers); III – 879cm3 polyethylene black bags; IV- 275 cm3 nonwoven fabric (TNT) containers (small TNT container) and; 493 cm3 nonwoven fabric (TNT) containers (large TNT container). Seedlings were evaluated 210 days after sowing, regarding the following variables: aboveground height (cm), root collar diameter (mm), shoot dry mass (g), roots dry mass (g), total dry mass (g), leaf area (cm2), roots area (cm2), roots volume (cm3), sturdiness quotient, root-shoot ratio and Dickson quality index. Height was superior for seedlings grown in the plastic bags (27.6 cm) and the large TNT containers (27.02 cm) when compared to the small and large cone-tainers (21.75 and 21.78 cm, respectively). Plastic bags also presented greater values of root-collar diameter, shoots, roots and total biomass and Dickson Quality index. Small and large TNT containers promoted lower root area and volume when compared to large polyethylene cone-tainers, but allowed for the same or better aboveground growth. Taking all results analyzed together, the polyethylene black bag promoted better growth and quality of Brazilian pine tree seedlings in comparison to the other containers.

No abstract

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) is a South American tree cultivated in systems with or without shading at different intensities; however, there is no consensus about shading effect on leaf biomass production. Therefore, we evaluated yerba mate clones under different shading levels over one year to determine the influence of shading and genotype on biomass production. Two yerba mate genotypes (EC22 and EC40), cultivated in a semi-hydroponic system, were subjected to five shading levels (0%, 40%, 51%, 76%, and 82%) in a greenhouse. We determined total fresh biomass (branches and leaves) and fresh biomass of young and mature leaves on six harvests. Biomass production was influenced by harvest season, genotype, and shading levels. Spring and summer harvests provided higher biomass production than the other seasons. EC40 genotype produced higher total fresh and young leaf biomass than EC22. Although we observed differences among genotypes and harvest seasons, shading was the factor that most influenced biomass production. Total fresh biomass productivity was reduced 6.8 times between 0% and 82% shading for the EC40 genotype. Thus, we do not recommend high levels of shade, such as 76% and 82%, in this new yerba mate cultivation system. Study Implications In this study we demonstrated that yerba mate biomass production is influenced by shading levels, harvest seasons, and genotypes. Summer and spring favored biomass production, probably because of high temperatures and solar irradiation. The EC40 genotype had higher biomass production than EC22. Shade at any level reduced yerba mate biomass productivity, and we do not recommend 76% and 82% shade in species cultivation. This study with yerba mate clones clarified issues related to shading effects on biomass production. The semi-hydroponic system proved to be viable for yerba mate cultivation, with high biomass productivity, especially young leaves.