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ABSTRACTFruits, like other parts of the plant, appear to have a rich electrical activity that may contain information. Here, we present data showing differences in the electrome complexity of tomato fruits through ripening and discuss possible physiological processes involved. The complexity of the signals, measured through approximate entropy, varied along the fruit ripening process. When analyzing the fruits individually, a decrease in entropy values was observed when they entered the breaker stage, followed by a tendency to increase again when they entered the light red stage. Consequently, the data obtained showed a decrease in signal complexity in the breaker stage, probably due to some physiological process that ends up predominating to the detriment of others. This result may be linked to processes involved in ripening, such as climacteric. Electrophysiological studies in the reproductive stage of the plant are still scarce, and research in this direction is of paramount importance to understand whether the electrical signals observed can transmit information from reproductive structures to other modules of plants. This work opens the possibility of studying the relationship between the electrical activity and fruit ripening through the analysis of approximate entropy. More studies are necessary to understand whether there is a correlation or a cause-response relationship in the phenomena involved. There is a myriad of possibilities for the applicability of this knowledge to different areas, from understanding the cognitive processes of plants to achieving more accurate and sustainable agriculture.

Being sessile organisms that need to effectively explore space (above and below ground) and acquire resources through growth, plants must simultaneously consider multiple possibilities and wisely balance the energy they spend on growth with the benefits for survival [...]

Background: Crop yields have been affected by many different biotic and abiotic factors. Generally, plants experience more than one stress during their life cycle, and plants can tolerate multiple stresses and develop cross-tolerance. The expected rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) can contribute to cross-tolerance. Priming is a strategy to increase yield or to maintain yield under stress conditions. Thus, our objective was to evaluate if priming the rice plants with water deficit during the vegetative stage can induce tolerance to heat stress at anthesis and to evaluate the contribution of e[CO2]. Methods: The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement. Factor A consisted of the following treatments: water deficit at four-leaf stage (no-stress, and drought stress), heat at anthesis (normal temperature, high temperature), and priming with water deficit at four-leaf stage and heat stress at anthesis; and Factor B was two [CO2] treatments: a[CO2] = 400 ± 40 μmol mol−1 and e[CO2] = 700 ± 40 μmol mol−1. We assessed the effect of the treatments on plant growth, yield, biochemical, and transcriptome alterations. Results: Although e[CO2] affected rice growth parameters, it did not affect the priming effect. Primed plants showed an increase in yield and number of panicles per plant. Primed plants showed upregulation of OsHSP16.9A, OsHSP70.1, and OsHSP70.6. These results showed induced cross-tolerance. Conclusions: Water deficit at the rice vegetative stage reduces the effect of heat stress at the reproductive stage. Water deficit at the vegetative stage can be used, after further testing in field conditions, to reduce the effect of heat stress during flowering in rice.

Selective attention is an important cognitive phenomenon that allows organisms to flexibly engage with certain environmental cues or activities while ignoring others, permitting optimal behaviour. It has been proposed that selective attention can be present in many different animal species and, more recently, in plants. The phenomenon of attention in plants would be reflected in its electrophysiological activity, possibly being observable through electrophytographic (EPG) techniques. Former EPG time series obtained from the parasitic plant Cuscuta racemosa in a putative state of attention towards two different potential hosts, the suitable bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and the unsuitable wheat (Triticum aestivum), were revisited. Here, we investigated the potential existence of different band frequencies (including low, delta, theta, mu, alpha, beta, and gamma waves) using a protocol adapted from neuroscientific research. Average band power (ABP) was used to analyse the energy distribution of each band frequency in the EPG signals, and time dispersion analysis of features (TDAF) was used to explore the variations in the energy of each band. Our findings indicated that most band waves were centred in the lower frequencies. We also observed that C. racemosa invested more energy in these low-frequency waves when suitable hosts were present. However, we also noted peaks of energy investment in all the band frequencies, which may be linked to extremely low oscillatory electrical signals in the entire tissue. Overall, the presence of suitable hosts induced a higher energy power, which supports the hypothesis of attention in plants. We further discuss and compare our results with generic neural systems.

To survive in a dynamic environment growing fixed to the ground, plants have developed mechanisms for monitoring and perceiving the environment. When a stimulus is perceived, a series of signals are induced and can propagate away from the stimulated site. Three distinct types of systemic signaling exist, i.e., (i) electrical, (ii) hydraulic, and (iii) chemical, which differ not only in their nature but also in their propagation speed. Naturally, plants suffer influences from two or more stimuli (biotic and/or abiotic). Stimuli combination can promote the activation of new signaling mechanisms that are explicitly activated, as well as the emergence of a new response. This study evaluated the behavior of electrical (electrome) and hydraulic signals after applying simple and combined stimuli in common bean plants. We used simple and mixed stimuli applications to identify biochemical responses and extract information from the electrical and hydraulic patterns. Time series analysis, comparing the conditions before and after the stimuli and the oxidative responses at local and systemic levels, detected changes in electrome and hydraulic signal profiles. Changes in electrome are different between types of stimulation, including their combination, and systemic changes in hydraulic and oxidative dynamics accompany these electrical signals.

The physiological processes underlying fruit ripening can lead to different electrical signatures at each ripening stage, making it possible to classify tomato fruit through the analysis of electrical signals. Here, the electrical activity of tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) during ripening was investigated as tissue voltage variations, and Machine Learning (ML) techniques were used for the classification of different ripening stages. Tomato fruit was harvested at the mature green stage and placed in a Faraday's cage under laboratory-controlled conditions. Two electrodes per fruit were inserted 1 cm apart from each other. The measures were carried out continuously until the entire fruits reached the light red stage. The time series were analyzed by the following techniques: Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Wavelet Transform, Power Spectral Density (PSD), and Approximate Entropy. Descriptive analysis from FFT, PSD, and Wavelet Transform were used for PCA (Principal Component Analysis). Finally, ApEn, PCA1, PCA2, and PCA3 were obtained. These features were used in ML analyses for looking for classifiable patterns of the three different ripening stages: mature green, breaker, and light red. The results showed that it is possible to classify the ripening stages using the fruit's electrical activity. It was also observed, using precision, sensitivity, and F1-score techniques, that the breaker stage was the most classifiable among all stages. It was found a more accurate distinction between mature green × breaker than between breaker × light red. The ML techniques used seem to be a novel tool for classifying ripening stages. The features obtained from electrophysiological time series have the potential to be used for supervised training, being able to help in more accurate classification of fruit ripening stages.

The electrical activity of tomato plants subjected to fruit herbivory was investigated. The study aimed to test the hypothesis that tomato fruits transmit long-distance electrical signals to the shoot when subjected to herbivory. For such, time series classification by machine learning techniques and analyses related to the oxidative response were employed. Tomato plants (cv. “Micro-Tom”) were placed into a Faraday's cage and an electrode pair was inserted in the fruit's peduncle. Helicoverpa armigera caterpillars were placed on the fruit (either green and ripe) for 24 h. The time series were recorded before and after the fruit's exposure of the caterpillars. The plant material for chemical analyses was collected 24 and 48 h after the end of the acquisition of electrophysiological data. The time series were analyzed by the following techniques: Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Wavelet Transform, Power Spectral Density (PSD), and Approximate Entropy. The following features from FFT, PSD, and Wavelet Transform were used for PCA (Principal Component Analysis): average, maximum and minimum value, variance, skewness, and kurtosis. Additionally, these features were used in Machine Learning (ML) analyses for looking for classifiable patterns between tomato plants before and after fruit herbivory. Also, we compared the electrome before and after herbivory in the green and ripe fruits. To evaluate an oxidative response in different organs, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity were evaluated in fruit and leaves. The results show with 90% of accuracy that the electrome registered in the fruit's peduncle before herbivory is different from the electrome during predation on the fruits. Interestingly, there was also a sharp difference in the electrome of the green and ripe fruits' peduncles before, but not during, the herbivory, which demonstrates that the signals generated by the herbivory stand over the others. Biochemical analysis showed that herbivory in the fruit triggered an oxidative response in other parts of the plant. Here, we demonstrate that the fruit perceives biotic stimuli and transmits electrical signals to the shoot of tomato plants. This study raises new possibilities for studies involving electrical signals in signaling and systemic response, as well as for the applicability of ML to classify electrophysiological data and its use in early diagnosis.

The differential growth and yield response of plant species to rising carbon dioxide concentrations and climatic change may alter species diversity within biomes. The Pampa Biome in South America is an important grassland biome of agronomic and environmental importance. Acanthostyles buniifolius (Chirca) is one of the most important weeds in natural pasture areas widely distributed in southern South America and can adversely affect livestock production. The current study was designed to identify possible responses of Chirca to CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and drought that would indicate higher adaptation and potential proliferation within the Pampa Biome. Chirca plants were cultivated at two CO2 concentrations (400 (a[CO2]) and 700 (e[CO2]) µmol mol−1) and two water conditions (under water restriction—15% of the pot capacity; and plants without water restriction—pot capacity). Besides growth parameters, we also determined water potential (ѱw), relative water contents (RWC), proline, glycine betaine, total soluble sugars, hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, chlorophyll A and B, carotenoids and root dry mass (RDM). Plants exposed to e[CO2] are more efficient in water use and have a greater increase in root dry mass, enabling greater adaptation to climate-induced droughts. Among the biochemical changes observed in the plants under drought stress, the accumulation of proline, glycine betaine, and total soluble sugars were the most evident mechanisms allowing plants to tolerate drought stress by osmotic adjustment.

In our study, we investigated some physiological and ecological aspects of the life of Cuscuta racemosa Mart. (Convolvulaceae) plants with the hypothesis that they recognise different hosts at a distance from them, and they change their survival strategy depending on what they detect. We also hypothesised that, as an attempt of prolonging their survival through photosynthesis, the synthesis of chlorophylls (a phenomenon not completely explained in these parasitic plants) would be increased if the plants don’t detect a host. We quantified the pigments related to photosynthesis in different treatments and employed techniques such as electrophysiological time series recording, analyses of the complexity of the obtained signals, and machine learning classification to test our hypotheses. The results demonstrate that the absence of a host increases the amounts of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and β-carotene in these plants, and the content varied depending on the host presented. Besides, the electrical signalling of dodders changes according to the species of host perceived in patterns detectable by machine learning techniques, suggesting that they recognise from a distance different host species. Our results indicate that electrical signalling might underpin important processes such as foraging in plants. Finally, we found evidence for a likely process of attention in the dodders toward the host plants. This is probably to be the first empirical evidence for attention in plants and has important implications on plant cognition studies.

(1) Background: Eragrostis plana Ness is a invasive C4 perennial grass in South America and very adaptable to environmental stresses. Our hypothesis is that there is a transgenerational cross-talk between environmental stresses and weed response to herbicides. This study’s objectives were to: (1) evaluate if E. plana primed by drought stress (DRY), a sub-lethal dose of quizalofop-p-ethyl (QPE), or a combination of both drought and herbicide stresses (DRY × QPE), produce a progeny with decreased sensitivity to quizalofop and (2) investigate the potential mechanisms involved in this adaptation; (2) Methods: A population of E. plana was isolatedly submitted to treatments for drought, quizalofop or drought plus quizalofop for two generations. The progenies were analyzed for sensitivity to the herbicide quizalofop and performed biochemical, chromatographic and molecular analyses.; (3) Results: In the G2 generation, the quizalofop-treated CHK population had reduced stomatal conductance and increased hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation. On the other hand, there was no change in stomatal conductance, hydrogen peroxide level, and lipid peroxidation in the quizalofop-treated DRY population. In addition, this population had increased antioxidant enzyme activity and upregulated CYP72A31 and CYP81A12 expression, which was accompanied by reduced quizalofop-p-ethyl concentrations; (4) Conclusions: E. plana demonstrated a capacity for transgenerational adaptation to abiotic stresses, with the population exposed to drought stress (DRY) becoming less sensitive to quizalofop-p-ethyl treatment.

Abstract Urochloa brizantha is one of the most important warm season forage grasses in tropical countries. Despite its importance, there are few studies on gene expression in this species under stressful conditions. Real-time (RT-qPCR) is an accurate technique for gene quantification analysis, but reference genes must be validated under the same conditions used to assess the expression of the target genes. Here, we evaluated the stability of nine reference genes: Actin 12, Eukaryotic initiation factor 4 A, Elongation factor-1 alpha, FTSH protease 4, U2 auxiliary fator, Succinol Co-enzyme A, Tubulin alfa-5, Tubulin beta-6, Ubiquitin conjugating enzyme. Total RNA was extract from leaf tissues of U. brizantha subjected to 6, 12 and 24 h of cold and heat stresses (10 and 45 °C, respectively), and drought, including moderate (−0.5 to −0.7 MPa), severe (−1.1 to −1.8 MPa) and recovery after re-watering. The RefFinder web-based tool was used to rank the most stable reference genes for each stress. Elongation factor-1 alpha, Elongation factor-1 alpha or Ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, and Eukaryotic initiation factor 4 A were the most stable genes for heat, cold and drought stress, respectively. The expression of Rubisco large subunit gene was normalized against the most stable gene selected by ReFfinder for each stress.

Weeds represent an increasing challenge for crop systems since they have evolved adaptability to adverse environmental conditions, such as salinity stress. Herbicide effectiveness can be altered by the quality of water in which the weed is growing. This research aimed to study the combined effect of salt stress and recurrent selection with a sublethal dose of imidazolinone herbicides in the shifting of the sensitivity of Echinochloa colona (L.) Link (junglerice) to imidazolinone herbicides. This study was divided into two experiments; in experiment I, three recurrent selection cycles were conducted in Pelotas/RS/Brazil with imazapic + imazapyr at 0.125× the field rate; and in experiment II, three recurrent selection cycles were conducted in Fayetteville/AR/USA with imazethapyr, at 0.125× the recommended dose. Salt stress was implemented by irrigation with 120 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. The effective dose for 50% control of the population (ED50) values increased from the field population to the second generation (G2) after recurrent selection with a sublethal dose of imidazolinone combined with salt stress, supporting the hypothesis of reduced susceptibility by the combination of these abiotic factors. Recurrent exposure to a sublethal dose of imazapic + imazapyr or imazethapyr, combined with salt stress, reduced susceptibility of Echinochloa colona (L.) plants to imidazolinone herbicides.

The maintenance of a plant water status is essential for keeping of its development in environments with limited water availability. Different species have different mechanisms that provide greater ability to survive under drought conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate physiological parameters changes of the isohydric species Beaucarnea recurvate Lem. under irrigation suspension. The study involved experiments with slow dehydration (SD) performed by withholding water followed by plants rehydration, and with rapid dehydration (RD), where individual leaves were detached and placed to dehydrate in the laboratory bench. The results showed that although of the soil water content (% H2O) reach critical values (12%) in the first days of the irrigation suspension, the plants showed maintenance of the relative water content (≅80%) over the 54-day SD period, when the net photosynthesis (PN) reached null values. Throughout SD, it was observed that the PN, stomatal conductance (gs), instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, the electrons transport rate, the potential quantum efficiency of PSII and chlorophyll content were reduced. In RD, experiment was observed a high correlation between PN and gs . The results suggest that the reduction in photosynthesis was initially caused by a stomatal adjustment that culminated in an imbalance between photochemical energy production and its consumption by biochemical apparatus of photosynthesis. However, after rehydration, all gas exchange parameters were recovered, indicating that the isohydric behavior of this species contributed to the plants did not suffer extensive damage during a prolonged period of irrigation suspension.

The luminosity is the most important factor in the growth and development of seedlings. Plants can change their growth model and resource allocation in response to the light environment. Biometric, biochemical and physiological parameters of Guanandi seedlings grown in full sun and under 50% shade using photo-converter (blue, black and red) screens were evaluated and analyzed in the summer and fall of 2012 The seedlings grown in full sunlight showed higher quality, vigour and mass accumulation. The screens have changed the microclimate, causing changes in gas exchange and limiting the growth of seedlings. The activity of antioxidant enzymes showed that the treatments did not cause oxidative stress. Guanandi presented ample capacity for acclimation to shade and full sun. However performed better in full sun, even been considered late climax species.

The agricultural and forest productivity suffer restrictions imposed by water stress, high temperature and high solar radiation. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of stress attenuation and growth promotion of salicylic acid (SA) application in eucalyptus (E. urophylla x E. grandis hybrid) seedlings under water stress. A completely randomized design, in a 3x4 factorial scheme (three water treatments: constant irrigation with daily replacement of 40% (CI40%) or 100% (CI100%) of evapotranspirated water, and temporary irrigation suspension with replacement of only 40% of evapotranspirated water (S40%); and four SA concentrations: 0 mg L-1, 100 mg L-1, 200 mg L-1 and 300 mg L-1), was used. Plant photosynthetic parameters and biometric features were evaluated. The stomatal limitation was higher in plants under S40% irrigation, however, the SA application reverted this result, allowing the maintenance of the photosynthetic potential. There was interaction between irrigation regimes and SA doses for number of leaves, leaf area/number of leaves ratio and shoot and root dry mass. It was concluded that the application of 200 mg L -1 of SA positively affected the growth of eucalyptus seedlings under water stress, being considered an auxiliary management technique to their hardening process.

Frente às mudanças climáticas faz-se necessário não somente conhecer os efeitos da temperatura do ar no desenvolvimento das plantas, mas, também, conhecer quais fatores fisiológicos estão relacionados à redução e/ou aumento da fotossíntese. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da temperatura do ar sobre a fotossíntese e o desenvolvimento na fase inicial de crescimento da cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi conduzido em câmara climatizada tipo fitotron com controle de temperatura, fotoperíodo e irradiância. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com oito repetições e três regimes de temperatura: temperaturas baixas (19 ºC diurna e 13 ºC noturna); temperaturas médias (29 ºC diurna e 23 ºC noturna) e temperaturas altas (33 ºC diurna e 27 ºC noturna), durante 150 dias. Aos 120 dias após o plantio (DAP) foi realizado, nas folhas +1, avaliações de parâmetros fisiológicos relacionados à fotossíntese. Aos 150 DAP foi avaliado o número de folhas, a altura, o diâmetro e a massa do colmo. Baixas temperaturas reduziram a eficiência fotossintética das plantas de cana-de-açúcar, como também o desenvolvimento e crescimento (altura das plantas, massa seca e diâmetro do colmo), tendo como causa principal uma limitação bioquímica pela redução da atividade enzimática da Rubisco. Altas temperaturas não afetaram a eficiência fotossintética das plantas de cana-de-açúcar, as quais apresentaram aumento em altura e redução do diâmetro do colmo.

Water deficiency during the dry seasons influences the relationship between water and gas exchange in tropical grasses, reducing their productive potential. In addition, the phosphorus (P) deficiency Brazilian soils adds to the set of factors limiting crop production. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of different tropical forage species to phosphorus supplementation as mitigating the damage caused by water stress. Seeds of Urochloa brizantha cv. MG-4, Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, Panicum maximum cv. Áries, Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia and Paspalum atratum cv. Pojuca were germinated in pots containing 10 liters of red-yellow podzolic type soil. Experiments were conducted by combining levels of phosphorus, 8,0 and 100,0 mg of P dm-3, with two irrigation regimes, 100% and 40% replacement of transpired water. The biometric parameters, photosynthetic capacity, leaf water potential and soil chemical characteristics were evaluated, and the data was submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA, p < 0.05), and subsequently the means were compared using a Tukey test (p < 0.05). The results showed for tropical grasses grown under water stress, there is a clear mitigating effect of phosphorus supplementation, especially on the maintenance of biomass growth.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a interferência da adubação potássica em parâmetros fisiológicos de duas cultivares de soja, sob diferentes regimes hídricos. O experimento foi realizado em condições de casa de vegetação, em Presidente Prudente, SP. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2x2x3, com as cultivares BR‑16 (tolerante ao estresse hídrico) e Embrapa 48 (suscetível), regimes hídricos com reposição diária de água de 100% (controle) e de 40% da capacidade de campo, e três níveis de suplementação com K (0, 90 e 180 mg dm‑3). Duas semanas após a imposição da restrição hídrica, foram avaliados: conteúdo relativo de água, potencial fotossintético e rendimento de biomassa. As plantas que se desenvolveram sob restrição hídrica tiveram sua capacidade fotossintética reavaliada após 12 horas de reidratação. Em condições de restrição hídrica, a adubação potássica não interferiu significativamente nos parâmetros fisiológicos e de crescimento avaliados. A suplementação com potássio promoveu melhor eficiência dos parâmetros fisiológicos, no regime sem deficiência hídrica, nas duas cultivares, e as principais variáveis influenciadas pelo nutriente foram: condutância estomática, taxa máxima de carboxilação da Rubisco e assimilação máxima de CO2. A suplementação com K melhora a recuperação fotossintética das plantas após a reidratação, especialmente na cultivar Embrapa 48.

This paper presents an alternative proposal for the analysis of data from plant physiology, using as support, information visualization techniques. These techniques can generate visualizations directly from data of high dimensionality, which can help to understand the data and serve to support the identification of the most relevant attributes for the discrimination of species. The selection of the most important parameters is essential for the construction of a classification model, either using a Bayesian classifier or Artificial NeuralNetwork.

The main goal of the study was to evaluate the effects on the development and physiological aspects of soybean plants grown under water deficiency at greenhouse conditions, comparing the levels of tolerance to water deficiency between one transgenic and one conventional cultivar, enabling a systematic way to carried out physiological comparisons between soybean cultivars under drought. The study was divided into completely randomized using a factorial 2×2 design, with five replicates. The experimental design included two replenishment levels of daily irrigation (100% and 40%), applied to the leaves during the V4 developmental stage (fourth trifoliate fully expanded) and two cultivars, 'CD 202' conventional and 'CD 226RR' transgenic. The results showed that both cultivars had similar effects, caused by water deficiency, on dry mass production, but the transgenic cultivar tended to maintain higher biomass allocation in pods, as well as, higher efficiency of leaves to support dry mass production than conventional cultivar in both water conditions. Moreover, the higher maximum CO2 assimilation values and lower membranes damages in the transgenic cultivar under water deficiency showed that the expected higher drought tolerance of the conventional cultivar was not supported by a more accurate physiological investigation.O principal objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos sobre o desenvolvimento e aspectos fisiológicos de plantas de soja cultivadas sob deficiência hídrica em condições de casa de vegetação, comparando os níveis de tolerância à deficiência de água entre um cultivar transgênico e um convencional, gerando uma forma sistemática de realizar comparações fisiológicas entre cultivares de soja sob déficit hídrico. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2×2, com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos hídricos foram dois níveis de reposição de irrigação diária (100% e 40%), aplicados a partir do estádio V4 (quarto trifólio completamente expandido), em dois cultivares ('CD 202' convencional e 'CD 226RR' transgênico). Os resultados evidenciaram que ambos os cultivares tiveram as mesmas respostas na produção de massa seca, mas o cultivar transgênico tendeu a manter maior alocação de biomassa em vagens, assim como maior eficiência da área foliar para a produção de massa seca em ambas as condições de irrigação. Além disso, os maiores valores de assimilação máxima de CO2 e menores danos às membranas no cultivar transgênico, sob deficiência hídrica, mostraram que a maior tolerância à seca esperada do cultivar convencional não foi apoiada por uma investigação fisiológica mais acurada.

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar os efeitos do fósforo sobre a fotossíntese e o crescimento de Glycine max (L.) Merr. da cultivar 'Embrapa 48' sob deficiência hídrica controlada, em condições de casa de vegetação, considerando a hipótese de que suplementações de fósforo poderiam aumentar a tolerância das plantas ao déficit hídrico. Após a formação do primeiro par de folhas totalmente expandidas, foi iniciado o processo de indução de deficiência hídrica, utilizando dois regimes de irrigação, com 100% e 25% de reposição da evapotranspiração. A deficiência hídrica causou reduções significativas no acúmulo de massa seca, no potencial de água foliar, na condutância estomática e na assimilação líquida de CO2 em todos os tratamentos. Os resultados das trocas gasosas indicaram que a suplementação de P, na adubação de G. max da cultivar 'Embrapa 48', resultou em uma redução parcial dos efeitos da deficiência hídrica como suposto inicialmente. Porém, apenas em relação à biomassa do sistema radicular detectou-se algum efeito mitigador do P nas plantas sob deficiência hídrica.The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of phosphorus supplying on growth and photosynthesis of Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. 'Embrapa 48', cultivated under water deficit in greenhouse conditions, taking into account the hypothesis that phosphorus suply could improve plant tolerance to drough. After the development of the first pair of totally expanded leaves, it was initiate the process of induction of water deficit, using two irrigation levels, 100% and 25% of evapotranspiration replacement Water deficit reduced dry mass, leaf water potential, stomatal conduction, and net CO2 assimilation regardless P supply. The results of the photosynthetic analysis indicated that phosphorus supply was just partially effective to reduce water deficit effects on G. max cv. 'Embrapa 48'. However, additional P supply influenced positively the production of plants root biomass under water deficit.

A utilização fotossintética da luz é um componente fundamental para a distribuição das espécies ao longo de um gradiente de regeneração de clareiras. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as estratégias de utilização da luz e como isto poderia afetar a estabilidade do desenvolvimento de plantas da espécie Cordia superba crescidas em dois ambientes com irradiações contrastantes. Para tanto, foi conduzido um experimento com plantas de 12 meses de idade de C. superba, uma espécie pioneira arbórea, crescidas a pleno sol e sombreamento de 85%. Foram avaliados aspectos fisiológicos como crescimento e fluorescência da clorofila, e aspectos da arquitetura das copas como ângulo de folha e índice de área foliar. Também foi realizada uma análise da estabilidade do desenvolvimento por meio da avaliação da simetria foliar. Os resultados mostraram que esta espécie possui a capacidade de desenvolver diferentes fenótipos em resposta a disponibilidades de luz contrastantes, apresentando características de plantas de sol bem como de sombra nos respectivos ambientes de crescimento. Todavia, as plantas crescidas no ambiente ensolarado apresentaram folhas mais simétricas, em relação às plantas de sombra. Isto sugere que, apesar do ambiente de pleno sol possuir uma maior heterogeneidade ambiental do que ambientes sombreados, o status de espécie pioneira de C. superba parece ser uma característica adaptativa suficientemente desenvolvida para permitir a formação de um fenótipo estável em um ambiente variávelPhotosynthetic light utilization plays a major role in species distribution along gap regeneration gradients. The aim of this study was to evaluate strategies of light utilization and the possible influence on developmental stability of seedlings of the woody pioneer species Cordia superba grown under contrasting light environments. To this end, an experiment was carried out with 12-month-old C. superba seedlings grown under full sunlight and under 85% shade. Physiological aspects such as plant growth and chlorophyll fluorescence, and canopy architecture traits such as leaf angle and leaf area index were analyzed. A developmental stability analysis was also performed by leaf symmetry measurements. The results showed that C. superba seedlings have the capacity to develop different phenotypes in response to contrasting light availability, showing sun and shade plant traits according to respective growth environments. However, the plants grown in full sunlight showed more symmetric leaves than leaves developed in shade conditions. This suggests that, despite the greater environmental heterogeneity of full sunlight in relation to a shade environment, the status of pioneer species of C. superba seems to be a well developed adaptive trait allowing plants to develop a stable phenotype in a changing environment

A deficiência é um dos principais fatores limitantes da agricultura restringindo as taxas fotossintéticas das plantas e seu crescimento. Pela importância econômica das pastagens tropicais, que também sofrem com o problema de períodos de deficiência hídrica, este estudoteve como objetivo verificar os efeitos de diferentes doses de fósforo (24, 50, 100 e 150 mg P dm-3) combinadas com dois regimes de irrigação (com e sem déficit hídrico) sobre as trocas gasosasfoliares e o crescimento de B. brizantha cv. MG-5 Vitória. O experimento foi realizado em casade-vegetação, com quatro repetições por tratamento, e a deficiência hídrica foi imposta por suspensão da irrigação em plantas com 50 dias de idade após a germinação. Um tratamentocontrole foi mantido com plantas irrigadas, diariamente, com as mesmas concentrações de P. O fósforo influenciou positivamente o crescimento das plantas, sobretudo o número de novos perfilhos e área foliar. A deficiência hídrica causou reduções significativas da condutância estomática e assimilação líquida de CO2 em todos os tratamentos. Entretanto, os resultados das trocas gasosas indicaram que, efetivamente, a suplementação de P na adubação de B. brizantha cv. MG-5 pode levar à recuperação mais eficiente da fotossíntese das plantas após um período de deficiência hídrica.Water deficit is the most constraining factor on crop yield, reducing both plant photosynthesis and growth. Because of the economical importance of tropical grasses, which also are affected by water shortage, the objective of this study was to test the effects of phosphorus supply (24, 50, 100 and 150 mg P dm-3)in Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG-5 Vitória plants cultivated under water deficit. Plants were evaluated taking into account leaf gas exchanges and crop yield parameters. The study was carried out under greenhouse conditions, and the water deficit was imposed by irrigation withholding until the first sign of leaf wilting in 50-days-old plants. A control treatment was maintained, with plants under daily irrigation and the same P concentrations. Phosphorus supplying causedpositive effects on plant growth parameters, mainly in leaf area and new shoot formation. Water deficit reduced stomatal conduction and net CO2 assimilation in all treatments. However, a significant improvement was observed in gas exchange recovering after re-hydration in the plants with additional P supplying, which could support faster growth improvements after a dry season.

Since salinity is a common stress factor in agricultural areas, the objective of this study was to evaluate thefeasibility of morphological and physiological traits as selection criteria of maize genotypes under salt stress. The experimentswere carried out in the stages of germination and early seedling growth. Root and shoot weight, leaf area, root and leaf waterpotential, photochemical efficiency and growth rate were measured during salt stress and stress recovery. Our resultsindicated the presence of genetic variability for germination, but no association between germination and early seedlinggrowth under salt stress. Traits associated with seedling vigor, such as seedling weight and growth rate, and photochemicalefficiency under stress conditions can be used as selection criteria for salt-tolerant maize in breeding programs.

Because of depletion of the soils in south-east Brazil, Brachiaria sp. has increased its importance among cattle farmers, since it can tolerate soils with low nutrient levels. The hypothesis of this study took into account that, since Mo is a co-factor of nitrate reductase activity affecting nitrogen metabolism, different concentrations of this micronutrient could support an increase in B. brizanthagrowth. Therefore, the objective of this study was to verify the effects of different concentrations of Mo on physiology and yield of Brachiaria brizantha cv. 'Marandu', and the interaction with different N concentrations in Presidente Prudente – SP, Brazil. Under simulated graze in greenhouse conditions, percentage of total protein, dry matter production, number of shoots, and nitrate reductase activity was evaluated. Our results didn’t show any expected dose-response curve in relation to Mo concentrations. However, the results indicated that Mo supplies for B.brizantha should be carried out plus nitrogen supplementation.

In this study we hypothesized that chaotic or complex behavior of stomatal conductance could improve plant homeostasis after water deficit. Stomatal conductance of sunflower and sugar beet leaves was measured in plants grown either daily irrigation or under water deficit using an infrared gas analyzer. All measurements were performed under controlled environmental conditions. In order to measure a consistent time series, data were scored with time intervals of 20s during 6h. Lyapunov exponents, fractal dimensions, KS entropy and relative LZ complexity were calculated. Stomatal conductance in both irrigated and non-irrigated plants was chaotic-like. Plants under water deficit showed a trend to a more complex behaviour, mainly in sunflower that showed better homeostasis than in sugar beet. Some biological implications are discussed.Este estudo testou a hipótese de que a condutância estomática de uma população de estômatos em uma folha poderia apresentar um comportamento caótico ou complexo sob diferentes condições hídricas, o que poderia favorecer a capacidade homeostática das plantas. A condutância estomática em folhas de girassol e de beterraba cultivadas com irrigação diária e sob deficiência hídrica foi medida com um analisador de gás por infra-vermelho em condições controladas. Os dados foram registrados a cada 20s durante 6h. As séries temporais obtidas foram analisadas por meio dos coeficientes de Lyapunov, dimensão fractal, entropia KS e complexidade LZ relativa. A condutância estomática nas plantas cultivadas com e sem deficiência hídrica exibiu um comportamento provavelmente caótico. As plantas sob estresse hídrico mostraram uma tendência para um comportamento mais complexo, principalmente as plantas de girassol cuja capacidade homeostática foi superior. Algumas implicações biológicas destes comportamentos são discutidas no texto.

Photosynthetic responses to daily environmental changes were studied in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes 'Carioca', 'Ouro Negro', and Guarumbé. Light response curves of CO2 assimilation and stomatal conductance (g s) were also evaluated under controlled (optimum) environmental condition. Under this condition, CO2 assimilation of 'Carioca' was not saturated at 2,000 µmol m-2 s-1, whereas Guarumbé and 'Ouro Negro' exhibited different levels of light saturation. All genotypes showed dynamic photoinhibition and reversible increase in the minimum chlorophyll fluorescence yield under natural condition, as well as lower photosynthetic capacity when compared with optimum environmental condition. Since differences in g s were not observed between natural and controlled conditions for Guarumbé and 'Ouro Negro', the lower photosynthetic capacity of these genotypes under natural condition seems to be caused by high temperature effects on biochemical reactions, as suggested by increased alternative electron sinks. The highest g s values of 'Carioca' were observed at controlled condition, providing evidences that reduction of photosynthetic capacity at natural condition was due to low g s in addition to the high temperature effects on the photosynthetic apparatus. 'Carioca' exhibited the highest photosynthetic rates under optimum environmental condition, and was more affected by daily changes of air temperature and leaf-to-air vapor pressure difference.Foram avaliadas as respostas fotossintéticas às variações diárias do ambiente nos genótipos de feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) 'Carioca', 'Ouro Negro' e Guarumbé. Curvas de resposta da assimilação de CO2 e condutância estomática (g s) à luz foram realizadas em condição ambiental controlada (ótima). Nessa condição a assimilação de CO2 de 'Carioca' não foi saturada mesmo a 2.000 µmol m-2 s-1, enquanto Guarumbé e 'Ouro Negro' apresentaram diferentes níveis de saturação lumínica. Os genótipos mostraram fotoinibição dinâmica e aumento reversível da fluorescência mínima da clorofila em condição natural, assim como menor capacidade fotosintética quando comparada à sob condição controlada. Uma vez que Guarumbé e 'Ouro Negro' apresentaram valores similares de g s em ambas condições ambientais, a menor capacidade fotossintética desses genótipos sob condição natural parece ser causada pelos efeitos da alta temperatura nas reações bioquímicas, como sugerido pelo aumento dos drenos alternativos de elétrons. Os maiores valores de g s em 'Carioca' foram observados em condição controlada, podendo a redução da capacidade fotossintética em condição natural ser atribuída aos baixos valores de g s em adição aos efeitos da alta temperatura no aparato fotossintético. 'Carioca' exibiu as maiores taxas fotossintéticas em condições ambientais ótimas, sendo mais afetado pelas mudanças diárias de temperatura do ar e diferença de pressão de vapor folha-ar.

The characterization of different ecological groups in a forest formation/succession is unclear. To better define the different successional classes, we have to consider ecophysiological aspects, such as the capacity to use or dissipate the light energy available. The main objective of this work was to assess the chlorophyll fluorescence emission of tropical tree species growing in a gap of a semi-deciduous forest. Three species of different ecological groups were selected: Croton floribundus Spreng. (pioneer, P), Astronium graveolens Jacq. (early secondary, Si), and Esenbeckia febrifuga A. Juss. (late secondary, St). The potential (Fv/Fm) and effective (deltaF/Fm') quantum efficiency of photosystem II, apparent electron transport rate (ETR), non-photochemical (qN) and photochemical (qP) quenching of fluorescence were evaluated, using a modulated fluorometer, between 7:30 and 11:00 h. Values of Fv/Fm remained constant in St, decreasing in P and Si after 9:30 h, indicating the occurrence of photoinhibition. Concerning the measurements taken under light conditions (deltaF/Fm', ETR, qP and qN), P and Si showed better photochemical performance, i.e., values of deltaF/Fm', ETR and qP were higher than St when light intensity was increased. Values of qN indicated that P and Si had an increasing tendency of dissipating the excess of energy absorbed by the leaf, whereas the opposite was found for St. The principal component analysis (PCA), considering all evaluated parameters, showed a clear distinction between St, P and Si, with P and Si being closer. The PCA results suggest that chlorophyll fluorescence may be a potential tool to differentiate tree species from distinct successional groups.A caracterização dos diferentes grupos ecológicos envolvidos nos processos de formação/sucessão florestal é ainda pouco precisa. Para melhor distinção das classes sucessionais deve-se levar em consideração aspectos ecofisiológicos, como a capacidade de aproveitamento da energia luminosa. O objetivo deste trabalho foi acessar a emissão da fluorescência da clorofila de espécies arbóreas tropicais crescendo em uma clareira de floresta semidecídua. Foram selecionadas três espécies de diferentes grupos ecológicos: Croton floribundus Spreng. (pioneira, P), Astronium graveolens Jacq. (secundária inicial, Si) e Esenbeckia febrifuga A. Juss. (secundária tardia, St). A eficiência quântica potencial (Fv/Fm) e efetiva (deltaF/Fm') do fotossistema II, a taxa aparente de transporte de elétrons (ETR) e os coeficientes de extinção fotoquímica (qP) e não-fotoquímica (qN) da fluorescência da clorofila foram avaliados, utilizando um fluorômetro modulado, entre 7h30 e 11h. Os valores de Fv/Fm permaneceram constantes em St, diminuindo em P e Si a partir das 9h30, indicando a ocorrência de fotoinibição. Entretanto, nas medidas realizadas na presença de luz (deltaF/Fm', ETR, qP e qN), P e Si apresentaram melhor desempenho fotoquímico, ou seja, com o aumento da intensidade luminosa os valores de DF/Fm', ETR e qP foram superiores aos valores de St. Os valores de qN indicaram que P e Si possuem a tendência crescente de dissipar o excesso de energia, sendo observado o contrário em St. A análise de componentes principais (PCA), considerando todos parâmetros avaliados, mostrou clara distinção entre St, P e Si, sendo estas últimas espécies mais próximas. Os resultados dessa análise evidenciam a fluorescência da clorofila como uma ferramenta potencial para diferenciar espécies arbóreas de grupos sucessionais distintos.

Shoots of E. camaldulensis seedlings from three distinct provenances were submitted to three different levels of in vitro water deficit induced by the addition of sorbitol in the growth media. Transversal sections from the leaf blades and stems were anatomically analysed using the historesin inclusion technique. Shoots from the different provenances presented distinct responses to the treatments. The Gilbert River provenance was the most sensible. The basic alterations found on the anatomical structure in response to the water deficit were: cell collapse, late tissue differentiation, vascular bundle and epidermis disorganization, and alterations on the mesophyll and epidermis thickness.

Este artigo apresenta uma proposta alternativa para a análise de dados de fisiologia de plantas, usando como apoio, técnicas de visualização de informações. Estas técnicas conseguem gerar visualizações diretamente a partir de dados de alta dimensionalidade, que auxiliam a compreensão dos dados e servem para auxiliar a identificação dos atributos mais relevantes para a discriminação das espécies estudadas. A identificação dos parâmetros mais relevantes é fundamental para a construção de um modelo de classificação, seja usando um classificador Bayesiano ou mesmo uma Rede Neural Artificial.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da deficiência hídrica e aplicação de ácido abscísico (ABA) sobre aspectos fisiológicos e teor de flavonoides em plantas de calêndula. O experimento foi instalado em condições de casa-de-vegetação com plantas envasadas. No início do florescimento de plantas de calêndula, foram aplicados quatro intervalos de suspensão da irrigação (irrigação diária; três; seis e nove dias sem irrigar), acompanhados por três doses de ABA (0, 10 e 100 µM). Avaliou-se o conteúdo relativo de água na folha (CRA) e as trocas gasosas, utilizando-se um analisador portátil por infravermelho (A: fotossíntese líquida, gs: condutância estomática, E: transpiração, Ci: concentração intercelular de CO2 e EUA: eficiência de uso da água). Aos nove dias sem irrigação ocorreram reduções significativas em todas as variáveis de trocas gasosas analisadas, independente da aplicação de ABA. Concluiu-se que o efeito principal do ABA foi o de causar diminuição na gs, a qual foi acompanhada de redução em A somente quando as plantas estavam desidratadas. As intensidades de deficiência hídrica testadas não causaram interferência no acúmulo de flavonoides nas inflorescências. Entretanto, o ABA restringiu a biossíntese de flavonoides, tanto nas plantas-controle como nas plantas submetidas à deficiência hídrica.

Phosphorus is considered an essential element for plants, but it is found in low amounts in Brazilian soils, mainly in areas destined to pastures, and the application of organic matter contributes to the improvement of physical, chemical and biological soil attributes. The research had the objective of evaluating the application effects of the Bokashi organic compound on soil macro and micronutrients contents and leaves, as well as on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú dry mass yield, evaluating the potential of the organic fertilizer as phosphorus source, in comparison with conventional chemical fertilizers. Different organic compound doses supplied the soil with 17 kg P2O5 ha-1, 34 kg P2O5 ha-1, 68 kg P2O5 ha-1, 136 kg P2O5 ha-1, and 204 kg P2O5 ha-1, comparing it with the conventional chemical fertilizer and the control. The results revealed that the organic fertilizer Bokashi can adequately replace the conventional chemical fertilizer of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú, supplying the soil and plant with appropriate nutrients levels and maintaining the dry mass yield. KEY-WORDS: Organic matter; organic fertilizers; plants mineral nutrition; Bokashi. O fósforo é considerado elemento essencial para as plantas, mas é encontrado em baixas quantidades nos solos brasileiros, principalmente em áreas destinadas a pastagens, e a aplicação de matéria orgânica contribui para a melhoria dos atributos físicos, químicos e biológicos do solo. O trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos da aplicação do composto orgânico Bokashi sobre os teores de macro e micronutrientes do solo e nas folhas, além da produção de massa seca da Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú, avaliando o potencial do adubo orgânico como fonte de fósforo, em comparação à adubação química convencional. Foram aplicadas diferentes doses do composto orgânico, fornecendo ao solo 17 kg P2O5 ha-1, 34 kg P2O5 ha-1, 68 kg P2O5 ha-1, 136 kg P2O5 ha-1 e 204 kg P2O5 ha-1, comparando-o com a adubação química convencional e o tratamento testemunha. Os resultados revelaram que o adubo orgânico Bokashi pode substituir, de forma viável, a adubação química convencional da Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú, suprindo o solo e a planta com níveis adequados de nutrientes e mantendo a produção de massa seca. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Matéria orgânica; adubação orgânica; nutrição mineral de plantas; Bokashi.

A deficiência é um dos principais fatores limitantes da agricultura restringindo as taxas fotossintéticas das plantas e seu crescimento. Pela importância econômica das pastagens tropicais, que também sofrem com o problema de períodos de deficiência hídrica, este estudo teve como objetivo verificar os efeitos de diferentes doses de fósforo (24, 50, 100 e 150 mg P DM-3) combinadas com dois regimes de irrigação (com e sem déficit hídrico) sobre as trocas gasosas foliares e o crescimento de B. brizantha cv. MG-5 Vitória. O experimento foi realizado em casa-de-vegetação, com quatro repetições por tratamento, e a deficiência hídrica foi imposta por suspensão da irrigação em plantas com 50 dias de idade após a germinação. Um tratamento-controle foi mantido com plantas irrigadas, diariamente, com as mesmas concentrações de P. O fósforo influenciou positivamente o crescimento das plantas, sobretudo o número de novos perfilhos e área foliar. A deficiência hídrica causou reduções significativas da condutância estomática e assimilação líquida de CO2 em todos os tratamentos. Entretanto, os resultados das trocas gasosas indicaram que, efetivamente, a suplementação de P na adubação de B. brizantha cv. MG-5 pode levar à recuperação mais eficiente da fotossíntese das plantas após um período de deficiência hídrica.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar se as mudancas que ocorrem no solo, na planta e na atmosfera apos a pratica da queimada sao significativamente detectadas. Para tanto, foram coletadas amostras de solo e da planta em duas situacoes (tratamentos) pre e pos-queima. As areas padronizadas foram referenciadas como talhoes e foram repetidas cinco vezes, para cada talhao foram realizadas cinco amostras. Contudo, estimou-se a emissao de CO2 utilizando dados referentes aos tratamentos. Todos os dados foram submetidos a analise de variancia (ANOVA, p

Com o empobrecimento dos solos da região sudeste do país, o gênero Brachiaria vem sendo um importante aliado aos pecuaristas, na condição de suportar solos com baixa fertilidade. Desta forma, este estudo tem como objetivo verificar os efeitos de diferentes doses de Mo (0, 30 ,60 ,90 g ha-1) sobre a fisiologia e produção de B. brizantha cv. Marandu, e sua interação com diferentes doses de nitrogênio (0, 40, 80 kg ha-1). Para tanto foram avaliados durante um processo de simulação de pastoreio em casa de vegetação o teor de proteína bruta, produção de matéria seca, número de perfilhos e atividade da enzima nitrato redutase. A hipótese deste trabalho considerou que, uma vez que o Mo afeta o metabolismo do nitrogênio, interferindo na atividade da nitrato redutase (NR), espera-se que diferentes doses desse micronutriente influencie o crescimento da B. brizantha cv. Marandu. Entretanto, nossos resultados não evidenciaram um clássico padrão de dose-efeito em relação ao Mo. Por outro lado, os resultados sugeriram que as suplementações com Mo em B. brizantha cv Marandu devem ser realizadas em conjunto com uma adubação nitrogenada.