Water deficit adversely affects photosynthetic pigment synthesis, photochemical processes, and seedling quality. Exogenous foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) is hypothesized to contribute to photochemical regulation and increase stress tolerance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SA in alleviating the effects of water deficit stress on the photosynthetic photochemical activities and quality of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi. seedlings. The seedlings were subjected to four regimes of water deficit: 0, 4, 8, and 12 days of water restriction (DWR), associated with the application of four concentrations of SA: 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg L-1 (via foliar spray; 10 mL per plant) during 48 days. Growth of S. terebinthifolia seedlings was adversely affected by longer duration of water restriction in absence of SA treatment. However, application of 200 mg L-1 of SA increased photosynthetic pigment levels, photochemical quantum efficiency in photosystem II, and absorbed energy conversion efficiency in seedlings under 12 DWR. The seedling quality was better at 7 and 12 DWR when associated with application of 100 and 200 mg L-1 SA, respectively. The exogenous application of SA contributed positively to pigment concentration and photochemical stability of photosynthesis, and it improved the quality of S. terebinthifolia seedlings subjected to long water restriction periods.

The aim this study was to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) in Schinus terebinthifolia seedlings subjected to irrigation intervals. The experiment was performed by 78 days, under four irrigation intervals: 0, 4, 8, and 12 days, in combination with four concentrations SA: 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg L -1 . The irrigation was individually maintaining water retention capacity of 100%, under each irrigation intervals. The maximum height across the irrigation intervals was 24.74 cm at 7-days intervals, and 24.31 cm with 200 mg L -1 of SA. The largest leaf areas were 116.03 cm 2 at 12-day interval and 123.71 cm 2 with 200 mg L -1 of SA. The highest production of dry masses of leaves, stem and roots was without and 12-days intervals, both with 200 mg L -1 of SA. Exogenous application of 200 mg L -1 of SA contributed on increased growth in S. terebinthifolia seedlings subjected to 12-days irrigation interval.

Premise A novel set of nuclear microsatellite markers was developed and characterized for Campomanesia adamantium (Myrtaceae) and tested for cross‐amplification in the related species C. sessiliflora. Methods and Results Forty‐one primer pairs were designed for simple sequence repeat loci, of which 36 successfully amplified and were polymorphic. The number of alleles ranged from two to 14, with an average of 8.14 alleles per locus. Additionally, cross‐amplification was tested in C. sessiliflora; more than 55.5% of the microsatellite loci amplified, confirming the use of these microsatellite markers in a related species. Conclusions We developed a set of microsatellite markers that will be useful for future studies of genetic diversity and population structure of C. adamantium and a closely related species, which will aid in future conservation efforts.

Background: Maytenus ilicifolia is a Brazilian popular medicine commonly used to treat ulcer and gastritis. Despite the absence of toxicity regarding its consumption, possible interactions when co-administrated with conventional drugs, are unknown. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of M. ilicifolia extracts on Cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activities. Method: The extracts were obtained by infusion (MI) or turbo-extraction using hydro-acetonic solvent (MT70). The content of polyphenols in each extract was determined. To assess the modulation of M. ilicifolia on P-gp activity, the uptake of fexofenadine (FEX) by Caco-2 cells was investigated in the absence or presence of MI or MT70. The effect on CYP3A activity was evaluated by the co-administration of midazolam (MDZ) with each extract in male Wistar rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug were determined and compared with those from the control group. The content of total phenolic compounds, tannins, and flavonoids on MT70 extract was about double of that found in MI. Results: In the presence of the extracts, the uptake of the P-gp marker (FEX) by Caco-2 cells increased from 1.7 ± 0.4 ng.mg-1 protein (control) to 3.5 ± 0.2 ng.mg-1 protein (MI) and 4.4 ± 0.5 ng.mg-1 protein (MT70), respectively. When orally co-administrated with MDZ (substrate of CYP3A), the extracts augmented the AUC(0-∞) (Control: 911.7 ± 215.7 ng.h.mL-1; MI: 1947 ± 554.3 ng.h.mL-1; MT70: 2219.0 ± 506.3 ng.h.mL-1) and the Cmax (Control: 407.7 ± 90.4 ng.mL-1; MI: 1770.5 ± 764.5 ng.mL-1; MT70: 1987.2 ± 544.9 ng.mL-1) of the drug in rats indicating a 50% reduction of the oral Cl. No effect was observed when midazolam was given intravenously. Conclusion: The results suggest that M. ilicifolia can inhibit the intestinal metabolism and transport of drugs mediated by CYP3A and P-gp, respectively, however, the involvement of other transporters and the clinical relevance of such interaction still need to be clarified.

The use of N fertilizers can contribute to seedling production in native species, such as Alibertia sessilis (Vell.) K. Schum, a fruit plant of the Cerrado ecoregion. Considering that there are few studies on mineral nutrition for this species, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of N on the growth and photosynthesis photochemical of A. sessilis. The experiment was carried out in plastic pots in a greenhouse with five N (urea) concentrations: 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg kg-1. The experimental design used was a randomized block design with four repetitions. At day 180 after transplantation, morphometric and photochemical characteristics, including biomass and seedling quality, were evaluated. Seedling survival, the stem diameter of the harvest, and the height/diameter ratio were not influenced by N. The maximum height was 14.38 cm with 54.2 kg-1 N. The greatest number of leaves and value of the chlorophyll index were found in seedlings produced with maximum doses of N. The photochemical characteristics of photosynthesis, except initial fluorescence, were positively influenced with N concentrations between 60-85 mg kg-1 N. The largest fresh leaf and stem biomass was 2.391 and 0.257 g plant-1 with 54.0 and 33.0 mg kg-1 of N, respectively. The multivariate analysis of the major components explained 79.81% of the remaining data variability. The seedlings of A. sessilis responded positively during the initial growth phase, reflected in their biomass, with N concentrations close to 50.0 mg kg-1.

Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. (lemongrass) is a spice and medicinal plant species, with fledgling studies related to mineral nutrition and luminosity on foliar and vegetative responses. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the foliar aspects and production of L. alba under two light conditions (full sun and 50% shading ) and four levels of phosphorus-P (0, 150, 300 and 450 mg kg-1). The L. alba seedlings presented changes in physiological indices and photochemical responses based on chlorophyll-a fluorescence. The phosphate fertilization helped mitigate the light stress for the synthesis of chlorophylls. The greatest leaf biomass production occurred with addition of P. The principal components analysis explained 74% of the variability, with leaf number, initial fluorescence and specific leaf area in principal component 1 (PC 1) and bud number, survival and leaf area in PC 2. Two groups formed in the cluster analysis, with lower distances between P300 full sun and P450 shading (2.31). The seedlings cultivated under full sun presented a higher survivability and seedling quality. The production of L. alba seedlings should be done under full sun with the addition of 450 mg kg-1 of phosphorus.

Physiological and nutritional management is an important practice for obtaining high quality seedlings. The use of seaweed extract has emerged as an alternative to fertilizers and biostimulants, although information on this with respect to Alibertia edulis, a fruit-bearing species native to the Cerrado region, is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Ascophyllum nodosum L. seaweed extract (ANE), both with and without the addition of mineral nitrogen, on the growth, nitrogen nutrient efficiency indices, and quality of A. edulis seedlings. The seedlings received five doses of ANE (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mL L-1 of water) via foliar application, with and without the addition of mineral N to the soil (50 mg kg-1 of urea). A randomized block design was used with the treatments arranged in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme. The plant height, stem diameter, chlorophyll index, and number of leaves obtained were analyzed in split-plots over time. Foliar application of 15 and 20 mL L-1 of ANE contributed to greater growth and seedling quality, regardless of the addition of mineral nitrogen. Seedlings treated with mineral N alongside 13.98 mL L-1 of ANE showed the greatest leaf area. The highest N use efficiency, N uptake, and nutrient use occurred in seedlings that received A. nodosum extract.

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