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This study aimed at verifying the lead tolerance of water hyacinth and at looking at consequent anatomical and physiological modifications. Water hyacinth plants were grown on nutrient solutions with five different lead concentrations: 0.00, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00 and 4.00 mg L -1 by 20 days. Photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and the Ci/Ca rate were measured at the end of 15 days of experiment. At the end of the experiment, the anatomical modifications in the roots and leaves, and the activity of antioxidant system enzymes, were evaluated. Photosynthetic and Ci/Ca rates were both increased under all lead treatments. Leaf anatomy did not exhibit any evidence of toxicity effects, but showed modifications of the stomata and in the thickness of the palisade and spongy parenchyma in the presence of lead. Likewise, root anatomy did not exhibit any toxicity effects, but the xylem and phloem exhibited favorable modifications as well as increased apoplastic barriers. All antioxidant system enzymes exhibited increased activity in the leaves, and some modifications in roots, in the presence of lead. It is likely, therefore, that water hyacinth tolerance to lead is related to anatomical and physiological modifications such as increased photosynthesis and enhanced anatomical capacity for CO 2 assimilation and water conductance.

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The seeds of Schinus molle are referred to as displaying physical dormancy because of their water-impermeable endocarp. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the germination of S. molle seeds as related to environmental conditions, scarification, storage time and seed anatomy. Various experiments were conducted to test the alleviation of dormancy in newly collected and stored seeds. Acid-scarified seeds incubated under continuous light at 25°C showed greatest vigour and germination. The separation of seeds by specific gravity revealed a higher germination percentage for those seeds that sank. In addition, dry storage alleviated dormancy with a remarkable increase in the various germination parameters. Overall, germination traits decreased after prolonged storage, but even after 12 months the means for germination parameters for stored seeds were still higher than those of newly collected ones. S. molle seeds remain attached to parts of the fruit mesocarp and endocarp. The mesocarp contains several layers of parenchyma showing secretory cavities. The endocarp consists of three layers of sclereids surrounding the embryo. Acid scarification strongly changed the structure of the external layers in the mesocarp, digesting parenchyma cells and removing the contents from both parenchyma cells and the secretory cavities; this improved water uptake during imbibition, which occurred only at the carpellary hilar slit. In conclusion, S. molle seeds are positively photoblastic and show physiological dormancy which can be alleviated by acid scarification and dry storage. Seeds can be stored for over 12 months without significant losses in germination parameters compared to newly collected seeds.

Typha domingensis (cattail) is a native macrophyte known by its capacity to tolerate several heavy metals effects and the potential use for phytoremediation. However, in despite that cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic pollutants; its effects in T. domingensis biology remain uninvestigated. Thus, the objective of this study was to study the tolerance of T. domingensis to cadmium contamination by evaluating its growth, Cd uptake, leaf anatomy and gas exchange. The experiment was designed using three cadmium concentrations (0, 10 and 50 µM) and ten replicates for 90 days. The cadmium uptake, growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll content and leaf anatomy were evaluated. Data was submitted to ANOVA and Scott-Knott test for P<0.05. Typha domingensis accumulates Cd proportionally to its concentration on the solution and the content of this metal was higher in roots as compared to shoots. Plants showed no significant modifications on growth parameters such as the biomass production, number of leaves, number of clones and the biomass allocation to organs. The photosynthesis, transpiration and chlorophyll content were not modified by Cd. Most anatomical traits evaluated were not modified by the metal but the stomatal density and the proportion of vascular tissues were reduced under 50 µM of Cd. In despite, the leaf anatomy showed no toxicity evidences for any Cd level. The absence of growth reduction and the stability of anatomical and physiological traits give insight about the Cd tolerance of this species. Therefore, T. domingensis is able to overcome Cd toxicity and shows potential for phytoremediation. Keywords

Resumo -Objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar a fitotoxicidade de cinco concentrações de chumbo na germinação, anatomia radicular, e divisão celular de alface. Cipselas de alface foram colocadas em placas de Petri com papel de filtro e 2,5 mL de solução contendo 0,0; 0,5; 1,0; 2,0 e 5,0 mM de Pb(NO 3 ) 2 . As placas permaneceram em câmara do tipo B.O.D. a 25°C com fotoperíodo de 12 h, sendo avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: germinação, crescimento inicial, anatomia radicular, índice mitótico e frequência de anormalidades cromossômicas no meristema apical radicular. O delineamento estatístico foi inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e regressão. A germinação das sementes e o crescimento inicial das plântulas foram reduzidos proporcionalmente ao aumento nas concentrações de chumbo. A anatomia radicular apresentou reduções nas barreiras apoplásticas e modificações do xilema relacionadas com um aumento na condutividade hidráulica na presença de chumbo. O índice mitótico foi reduzido e as anormalidades cromossômicas foram aumentadas na presença das diferentes concentrações de chumbo. O sistema radicular da alface foi mais afetado que a parte aérea pelas doses de chumbo e os sintomas de fitotoxicidade mostraram-se relacionados a redução no índice mitótico do meristema apical radicular e maior condução de chumbo para a parte aérea. Palavras-chave -Bioindicadores. Citogenética. Lactuca sativa. Metais pesados. Mudanças estruturais.Abstract -This work aimed to evaluate the phytotoxicity of five lead concentrations on germination, root anatomy and cell cycle of lettuce. Lettuce cypselae were placed in Petri dishes covered with filter paper and 2.5 mL of solution containing 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 mM of Pb(NO 3 ) 2 . Dishes were maintained in growth chamber B.O.D. type at 25ºC and photoperiod of 12 h, the following variables were evaluated: germination percentage, early growth, root anatomy, mitotic index and the rate of chromosomal abnormalities on root apical meristem. The seed germination and seedlings early growth were both reduced proportionally to the increase in lead concentrations. The root anatomy showed decreases in apoplastic barriers and modifications on the xylem related to the increase of hydraulic conductivity in the presence of lead. There were reductions in the mitotic index and na increase in chromosomal abnormalities under the different lead concentrations. Therefore, the lettuce root system were more affected by lead concentrations and the phytotoxicity symptoms are related to the reductions on mitotic index on root apical meristem and anatomical modifications related to higher lead translocation to plant shoots.

Some macrophytes species show a high growth potential, colonizing large areas on aquatic environments. Cattail (Typha angustifolia L.) uncontrolled growth causes several problems to human activities and local biodiversity, but this also may lead to competition and further problems for this species itself. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate anatomical modifications on T. angustifolia plants from different population densities, once it can help to understand its biology. Roots and leaves were collected from natural populations growing under high and low densities. These plant materials were fixed and submitted to usual plant microtechnique procedures. Slides were observed and photographed under light microscopy and images were analyzed in the UTHSCSA-Imagetool software. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments and ten replicates, data were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Scott-Knott test at p<0.05. Leaves from low density populations showed higher stomatal density and index. These modifications on stomatal characteristics were more evident on the leaf abaxial surface. Plants from low density populations showed thicker mesophyll and higher proportion of aerenchymal area. Roots from low density populations showed a higher proportion of the vascular cylinder. Whereas, plants from higher density populations showed greater thickness of the endodermis, exodermis, phloem and root cortex. Higher density populations showed a higher proportion of aerenchymal gaps in the root cortex. Therefore, cattail plants from populations growing under high density population show anatomical traits typical of plants under stress, which promotes the development of less functional anatomical modifications to aquatic environments.Keywords: anatomical plasticity, cattail, macrophytes, plant handling, eutrophication, stress. Características anatômicas relacionadas ao estresse em altas densidades populacionais de Typha angustifolia L. (Typhaceae)