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The relationship between aluminium (Al) and plants has been investigated for a long time. Al is typically harmful to plants, however Qualea grandiflora Mart., a compulsory accumulator of this metal, may benefit from it. To understand this peculiarity, proteomic and metabolite profiling analyses were carried out to investigate, at physiological, metabolic, and molecular levels, the relevance of Al for this species. Qualea grandiflora plants were grown with MS medium with or without Al-supplementation for 120 days. Metabolite profiling using GC-MS and growth analysis were conducted to evaluate the biochemical and physiological effects of Al. Concomitantly, root proteins were extracted, identified and quantified using label-free LC-MS/MS. Al-starved Q. grandiflora plants had shorter shoots, roots, lower biomass, and chlorotic leaves. Furthermore, there was a high coherence between proteomic and metabolomic data. Al was critical for cell wall and lignin syntheses, genetic information processing, and organic acid metabolism. Also, Al might help P uptake in this plant. Qualea grandiflora plants needed Al to grow and develop properly. Moreover, there was a good match between the data from physiological/metabolic analyses and the upregulated metabolic pathways indicated by proteome investigation. Hence, we propose that Q. grandiflora root metabolism is highly dependent on Al.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T17:03:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-04-14 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Aims: Cerrado woody species are divided into a small group of aluminum (Al)-accumulating species and the rest of the woody species. Both groups grow well on acidic and Al-rich soils. We found a Cerrado remnant growing on a calcareous soil with high calcium (Ca) and low Al saturations (m%). We checked whether Al deposition differs between leaf veins and leaf blade, and predicted that plants grown on the acidic soil store more Al than those grown on the calcareous soil. Methods: Adult plants of Qualea grandiflora and Q. parviflora, two Al-accumulators, were found in this area, and we compared leaf Ca and Al concentrations with those of the same species growing on a dystrophic Cerrado soil. Results: Leaf Ca concentration reflected differences between the soil types, and Ca was more accumulated in leaf veins. However, Al accumulation was independent of m%, and it was more deposited in the leaf blade of both species, which was confirmed by hystochemical reactions and X-ray spectra in SEM analysis (EDS). Conclusions: The leaf tissue to which Al is preferentially allocated in the leaf blade could not be distinguished. Granules in epidermal cells exhibiting high Al EDS peaks suggest an important allocation for this metal. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. 24-A, 1515 Laboratório de Botânica e Ecologia no Domínio Cerrado (LABEC) Universidade Federal de Uberlandia (UFU), Rua 20, 1600 Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. 24-A, 1515 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. 24-A, 1515 Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. 24-A, 1515 FAPESP: 2014/14386-0 CNPq: 309149/2017-7

Nectar production in flowers has been associated with pollination systems and seen as part of plant reproductive strategies. But other factors may have a role on nectar features and its efficacy as reward. We investigated pollination system of Qualea grandiflora, the most widespread woody species of Cerrado, the Neotropical savannas in Central Brazil, focusing on nectar features, their relationship with nocturnal and diurnal pollinators and how nectar affects male fitness, measured through pollen removal. Qualea grandiflora flowers during rainy season; anthesis starts at dusk, with a slightly sweet scent, pollen release and receptive stigma. Flowers remained opened until next evening and were visited and pollinated by a wide range of nocturnal and diurnal animals. Hawk moths were more frequent and responsible for most Q. grandiflora male fitness. Nectar was secreted during the night and early morning, with maximum accumulated volume up to 20.9 μl. Sugar concentration (23.12%) and amount (1.79 mg) remained constant during flower lifespan. No signals of active nectar resorption were observed. Nectar sugar composition was sucrose dominant during the night, and sucrose and hexose rich during the day. Standing crop measurements indicated an important proportion of nectar intake by flower visitors. Qualea grandiflora seemed to synchronize its floral and nectar features with hawk moths. However, nectar composition encompasses general preferences by both diurnal and nocturnal pollinators, assuring a mixed pollination system which seems well adapted to the species continental-scale distribution.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:27:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-07-01 Aims: Aluminum (Al) accumulating plants are distributed throughout the world. In the Cerrado, Al-accumulating and non-accumulating species coexist. Therefore, we anatomically/histochemically explore the sites of Al deposits in Al-accumulating species, and we also ask whether Al can be observed in non-accumulating species. Methods: The anatomical patterns of Al storage in leaf tissues of Al-accumulating [Miconia albicans, M. rubiginosa (Melastomataceae), Qualea grandiflora, and Q. parviflora (Vochysiaceae)] and non-accumulating species [(Styrax ferrugineus and S. camporum (Styracaceae)] were described using different Al indicator dyes: hematoxylin and chrome azurol S (CAS). In addition, Al-specific x-ray spectra from different regions of leaf tissues were measured and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: When compared to hematoxylin, it was confirmed by x-ray spectra in SEM that CAS was a more contrasting indicator of Al presence. Silica granules associated to Al were observed on cell walls of non-lignified leaf tissues of Al-accumulating species. However, granules were also found in leaf midribs of S. camporum. Conclusions: The anatomical description of Al accumulation in leaves and the consistent pattern of Al association with cell walls strongly suggest that Al has structural rather than physiological roles in leaves of Cerrado woody plants, and that Al is perhaps isolated from metabolism. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Univ Estadual Paulista Unesp, Av. 24-A, 1515 Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Univ Estadual Paulista Unesp, Av. 24-A, 1515 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Univ Estadual Paulista Unesp, Av. 24-A, 1515 Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Univ Estadual Paulista Unesp, Av. 24-A, 1515

Many Vochysiaceae species, in special Qualea and Vochysia genera, are widely used in folk medicine to treat several diseases. This review describes some aspects of their ethnopharmacology potential, biological activity and the secondary metabolites reported so far for Vochysiaceae. The chemical constituents of this family include triterpenoids, steroids and polyphenols like flavonoids and ellagic acid derivatives.

The methanolic extract of the bark of the medicinal plant Qualea parviflora (Vochysiaceae) contains new nor-seco-triterpene and pentacyclic triterpenoids. They were separated in a preparative scale using droplet counter-current chromatography. The optimum solvent used was composed of a mixture of CHCl3/MeOH/H2O (43:37:20, v/v) in the descending mode and led to a successful separation of the new compound 28-nor-17, 22-seco-2α, 3β, 19, 22, 23-pentahydroxy-Δ12-oleanane, besides the known triterpenoids bellericagenin B, bellericaside B and arjunglucoside I . Identification was performed by ESI-MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR analyses.

Qualea parviflora Mart. (Vochysiaceae) is a deciduous tree, commonly observed in campo sujo, cerrado sensu stricto and cerradao vegetation types in Brazilian cerrado (savannas). In this study we investigated herbivory, nutritional, and water status effects on leaf sclerophylly of Q. parviflora. Twenty fully expanded leaves were taken from 10 plants in each vegetation type four times a year. Mean leaf concentration of N, P, K, Ca, C, Al, Si, and percentage of total phenols, herbivory and tannins were measured on a plant basis. Leaf specific mass (LSM) (g m 2 ), a sclerophylly index, and pre-dawn leaf water potential (MPa) were also recorded. Soil samples below each tree were collected to quantify N-NO3, N-NH4, P, K, Mn, soil moisture, organic matter, Si, and Al. Qualea parviflora showed a LSM from 69 to 202 g m 2 and leaves were younger and less sclerophyllous in November (beginning of rainy season). Q. parviflora inhabiting the cerradao had leaves with higher concentration of nutrients and lower sclerophylly while trees in campo sujo and cerrado sensu stricto did not show significant differences in leaf sclerophylly. The concentrations of N, P, K and tannins had an inverse relationship with leaf age. Concentration of phenols, Al, C, Ca, Si, C/N and Ca/K increased with leaf age. The concentrations of P and Ca/K ratio in leaves explained 60% of variation observed in leaf sclerophylly. We did not find any significant relationship between the level of sclerophylly and water potential or herbivory. Our results corroborate the hypothesis that predicts lower concentrations of essential macronutrients would be the main factors influencing higher sclerophylly in leaves of Q. parviflora plants in Cerrado.

Korupodendron songweanum is described as the second genus of Vochysiaceae from Africa. Its classification, biogeography, conservation status, and local name and uses are discussed.

Vochysia palmirana is described and illustrated as a new species. It is a member of sect.Vochysiella subsect.Decorticantes. It grows in sandy Cerrados of the Central Brazilian Plateau and is similar toV. sessilifolia. A key to the species ofVochysia sect.Vochysiella subsect.Decorticantes is provided.

Fourth year results are presented from a species screening trial established at the La Selva Biological Station in northeastern Costa Rica. Of the 14 tropical hardwood species evaluated on survivorship, growth, form, and volume the most promising were (survival, diameter and height): Vochysia guatemalensis (84%, 12.2 cm, 10.5 m); Vochysia ferruginea (79%, 9.7 cm, 7.8 m); Hyeronima alchorneoides (83%, 8.1 cm, 7.9 m); Dipteryx panamensis (78%, 5.5 cm, 7.2 m); and Calophyllum brasiliense (80%, 6.3 cm, 6.2 m).

Litterfall, forest-floor litter biomass and nutrients, short-term litter decomposition and the effects of leaf mulches on initial growth of maize were studied for four indigenous tree species with agroforestry potential:Stryphnodendron microstachyum Poepp. et Endl.(S. excelsum), Vochysia ferruginea Mart,Vochysia guatemalensis Donn. Sm. (V. hondurensis) andHyeronima alchorneoides (O), growing in a young experimental plantation in the Atlantic humid lowlands of Costa Rica. Total annual leaf litterfall was higher inV. ferruginea plots, followed byS. microstachyum, V. guatemalensis andH. alchorneoides; all with values comparable to those reported for other tree species grown in agroforestry combinations in humid tropical regions. Forest-floor litter accumulation was highest underV. ferruginea andV. guatemalensis. Both litterfall and forest-floor litter material had similar patterns in nutrient concentrations: N was higher inS. microstachyum, Ca was higher inV. guatemalensis, K was higher inH. alchorneoides; Mg was higher inV. guatemalensis andH. alchorneoides; H. alchorneoides andV. guatemalensis had the highest P.V. ferruginea litter decomposed more slowly, whileS. microstachyum apparently decomposed faster than the other species. The twoVochysia species showed increases in N and P concentration in decomposing litter after seven weeks in the field,H. alchorneoides showed an increase in litter N and a decrease in litter P, andS. microstachyum showed a net decrease in both N and P over the same time period. The patterns found in the litter bag study were confirmed by results obtained in a tethered-leaves experiment.S. microstachyum andV. ferruginea litters lost more weight when mixed in a 1∶1 proportion than either of them alone. Maize seedlings growing in plots mulched withS. microstachyum andH. alchorneoides leaves showed greatest initial growth, confirming patterns found in decomposition and nutrient release studies. The results show that these species could be used in agroforestry combinations with different advantages according to the specific objectives desired, whether these are soil protection, nutrient recycling, or enhancement of the growth of associated crops.

Among thirty species belonging to seventeen families common in the cerrado region of central Brazil, eight species belonging to three families were found to accumulate aluminium in their leaves in considerable amounts (4,310 to 14,120 mg/kg on dry weight basis) from a dark red latossol which is strongly-acid and low in available nutrient cations. The aluminium-accumulating species areMiconia ferruginata (DC.) Cogn.,Miconia pohliana Cogn. (Melastomataceae);Palicourea rigida H. B. K. (Rubiaceae);Qualea grandiflora Mart.,Qualea multiflora Mart.,Qualea parviflora Mart. (Vochysiaceae);Vochysia elliptica (Spr.) Mart., andVochysia thyrsoidea Pohl (Vochysiaceae). High levels of aluminium in the leaves of these plants were not associated with low foliar levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, or phosphorus as compared to the other species which do not accumulate aluminium. In spite of the low pH and the low base saturation of the soil the aluminium-accumulating species seem to have an efficient mechanism for absorbing all cations from the soil.