The latex obtained from Hancornia speciosa is used in folk medicine for treatment of several diseases, such as acne, warts, diabetes, gastritis and inflammation. In this work, we describe the biocompatibility assessment and angiogenic properties of H. speciosa latex and its potential application in medicine. The physical-chemical characterization was carried out following different methodologies (CHN elemental analyses; thermogravimetric analyses and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). The biocompatibility was evaluated through cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests in fibroblast mouse cells and the angiogenic properties were evaluated using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay model. The physical-chemical results showed that the structure of Hancornia speciosa latex biomembrane is very similar to that of Hevea brasiliensis (commercially available product). Moreover, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays showed that H. speciosa latex is biocompatible with life systems and can be a good biomaterial for medical applications. The CAM test showed the efficient ability of H. speciosa latex in neovascularization of tissues. The histological analysis was in accordance with the results obtained in the CAM assay. Our data indicate that the latex obtained from H. speciosa and eluted in water showed significant angiogenic activity without any cytotoxic or genotoxic effects on life systems. The same did not occur with H. speciosa latex stabilized with ammonia. Addition of ammonia does not have significant effects on the structure of biomembranes, but showed a smaller cell survival and a significant genotoxicity effect. This study contributes to the understanding of the potentialities of H. speciosa latex as a source of new phytomedicines.

The latex obtained from Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Mangabeira tree) is widely used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases, including diarrhea, ulcer, gastritis, tuberculosis, acne and warts. In this study, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity effects of H. speciosa latex on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa were examined. Onion bulbs were exposed to different concentrations of latex and then submitted to microscopic analysis using Giemsa stain. Water was used as a negative control and sodium azide as a positive control. The results showed that, under the testing conditions, the mitotic index (MI) of the onion roots submitted to latex treatment did not differ significantly from the negative control, which suggests that the latex is not cytotoxic. Low incidence of chromosome aberrations in the cells treated with H. speciosa latex was also observed, indicating that the latex does not have genotoxic effect either. The MI and the chromosome aberration frequency responded to the latex concentration, requiring more studies to evaluate the dosage effect on genotoxicity. The results indicate that in tested concentrations H. speciosa latex is probably not harmful to human health and may be potentially used in medicine.Keywords: Cerrado, popular medicine, mutagenesis. Avaliação da citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade do látex de Hancornia speciosa usando o modelo da raiz de Allium cepaResumo O látex obtido de Hancornia speciosa é amplamente utilizado na medicina popular para tratar uma variedade de doenças, tais como: diarreia, úlcera, gastrite, tuberculose, acne e verrugas. Nesse estudo, foram avaliados os efeitos citotóxicos e genotóxicos do látex de H. speciosa sobre as células meristemáticas das raízes de Allium cepa. Os bulbos das cebolas foram expostos a diferentes concentrações de látex e depois submetidos à analise microscópica usando o corante Giemsa. A água foi usada como controle negativo e a ázida sódica como controle positivo. Os resultados mostraram que o índice mitótico (IM) das raízes de cebola submetidas ao tratamento com látex, nas condições testadas, não diferiram significativamente do controle negativo, e sugerem que o látex não é citotóxico. Também foi observada uma baixa incidência de aberrações cromossômicas nas células tratadas com látex de H. speciosa, o que sugere que o látex também não possui efeito genotóxico. O IM e a frequência de aberrações cromossômicas foram dependentes da concentração de látex. Outros estudos devem ser realizados para avaliar o efeito da dose na genotoxidade. Os resultados indicam que o látex de mangabeira, nas concentrações testadas, provavelmente não é danoso para saúde humana e pode ter potencial para ser usado na medicina.Palavras-chave: Cerrado, medicina popular, mutagênese.

Seis genótipos de feijão-vagem arbustivo foram avaliados em Anápolis-GO, sob sistema orgânico de produção, nos períodos de outono-inverno (2002) e primavera-verão (2002/2003). Avaliou-se a precocidade, produtividade de vagens, peso e número de vagens por planta, total e comercial, peso e número de vagens com defeito (%), produtividade e peso de 100 sementes. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso, com seis tratamentos (linhagens Hab 1, Hab 19, Hab 39, Hab 46, e as cultivares Coralina e Turmalina), em quatro repetições. Todos os genótipos apresentaram maior rendimento no período de outono-inverno. As cultivares Coralina e Turmalina foram as mais precoces nos dois períodos. As maiores produtividades, total e comercial, observadas no outono-inverno foram apresentadas por 'Coralina' e linhagem Hab 39, superando 'Turmalina', mas igualaram-se às demais linhagens, enquanto que na primavera-verão 'Coralina' mostrou-se superior apenas à linhagem Hab 46.

N o início de um programa de melhoramento de qualquer espécie é desejável que se conheça, além da herança dos caracteres envolvidos, a base genética dos progenitores a serem utilizados (Falconer, 1981). O estudo da divergência genética poderá orientar cruzamentos que possam resultar em combinações híbridas de maior heterozigose, de forma que nas gerações segregantes haja maior possibilidade de recuperação de genótipos superiores (Hanson 1959a,b; Maluf & Ferreira, 1983;Miranda et al., 1988;Oliveira, 1989;Oliveira et al., 1999). Na previsão da divergência genética, diferentes métodos multivariados podem ser aplicados, como a análise por componentes principais, por variáveis canônicas e por métodos aglomerativos. Quando o objetivo é identificar progenitores para hibridação, a distância Euclidiana média e, sobretudo a distância generalizada de Mahalanobis são utilizadas rotineiramente (Manly, 1986; Braz, 1992;Cruz & Regazzi, 1997). Em Phaseolus vulgaris L. encontram-se estudos principalmente com feijão comum (Oliveira, 1989; Faria, 1994;Maia, 1996). Maluf & Ferreira (1983) Preferido AG482 formed a third group. The remaining genotypes formed a single group. The characteristic time from sowing to beginning of blooming and pod length, with 58.11% of the contribution, followed by percentage of straw in the dry pod, pod width, plant height, pod weight and number of pod per plant. These characteristics were the most effective to genotypes divergence, reaching 85.73% of the total contribution.

IV

The characterization and identification of genetically divergent parents for crosses are important tasks in snap bean breeding programs, for a greater availability of cultivars to growers. This study aimed at characterizing bush snap bean genotypes originating from different countries; assessing the genetic divergence between the genotypes and the genetic variability extent, concerning 12 agro-morphological traits; and determining the relative importance of these traits for the genetic divergence. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, with 29 genotypes and four replications. The UPGMA and Tocher optimization methods, both based on the generalized distance of Mahalanobis, and the canonical variables method were used to analyze the genetic divergence. The genotypes exhibited a wide range of genetic variability for the agro-morphological traits evaluated, mainly for 100-seed weight, aspect and yield of commercial pods, plant height at harvest and pod weight. A high genetic divergence was detected between the genotypes, in which the 100-seed weight and aspect of commercial pods were the most important traits for clustering. Some genotypes own desirable characteristics for these and other traits, given the favorable genetic associations between traits. The snap bean genotypes originated from different countries tended to cluster together, indicating that similar germplasm is shared among different countries, thus suggesting a strong trans-national seed exchange.

Core Ideas Dehydration of C. adamantium seed is followed by a decrease in seed viability and vigor. Physical injury damage and internal free space increase as the seed dehydrates. X‐ray images can be used to evaluate the internal morphology of C. adamantium seed. Internal morphology is related to germination and vigor. Sensitivity to desiccation is a characteristic that hinders the ex situ conservation of seeds, which can result in reduction of viability and vigor as the water is lost. Dehydration is sometimes followed by the occurrence of injuries and retraction of tissues. In this study, radiographic images of Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg. seed were used to evaluate changes caused by desiccation in the internal morphology and their relationships with germination and vigor. The initial water content of the seed was determined (48%) and adjustments were made to obtain samples with water content of 36, 30, 27, 24, and 21% (wet basis). Evaluations of germination, germination first count, speed germination index, mean germination time, and seedling length were performed. Individual radiographs of the seed were obtained using digital x‐ray equipment. The images were used to identify cracked seed (CS) and to determine the internal free space (IFS). Data were subjected to analysis of variance and the effect of desiccation studied through polynomial regression. Seed viability and vigor decreased linearly as the seed desiccated. The results indicated that IFS and CS are positively associated with the loss of water. The loss of germination and vigor of C. adamantium seed is related to changes in the internal morphology during desiccation, which can be identified by x‐ray imaging.

Palavras-chave: Lycopersicum esculentum Mill., potencial de água no solo, ºBrix, pH. MOREIRA, J. A. A.; CARDOSO, A. F.; COSTA, L L.; RODRIGUES. M. R.; PEIXOTO, N.; BRAZ, L. T. IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT TO OPTIMIZE THE YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF TOMATO CROP IN NO TILLAGE SYSTEM ABSTRACTThere is much information on the adequate soil water matrix potential for returning irrigation in conventional soil tillage systems; however there is not enough information on the best soil water matrix potential for no-tillage production systems. This work aimed to study the effect of five irrigation levels on yield, soluble solids, and fruit acidity of the Hypeel tomato, cultivated for industrial processing and cropped on no-tillage system in Yellow Latosol. The experiment was carried out on a randomized block design with five treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted in different soil water matrix potentials for returning irrigation (m at 13cm of soil depth): -15, -30, -45, -60 and -75 kPa. The results obtained showed that the soil water matrix potential of -28.5 kPa resulted in maximum yields for