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The objective of this study was to evaluate methods of breaking dormancy in Sesbania punicea seeds for seedling production. The treatments used were control, manual scarification for 40 s, manual scarification for 60 s, thermal scarification and chemical scarification. After the treatments were carried out, the seeds were placed to germinate at 25 ºC and a 16-hour photoperiod for 14 days. The germination percentage, average germination time, germination speed index, percentage of normal seedling formation, shoot length, root system length and percentage of hard seeds were evaluated. A completely randomized design with four replications of 25 seeds was used. The data were submitted to ANOVA and the means compared by Tukey 5%. There was a difference for all the analyzes evaluated, except for the length of the aerial part. The treatment with manual scarification 60 s had superior results, being indicated for overcoming dormancy of seeds of S. punicea.

Contextualización: Sustrato es todo el material poroso, que, asociado a una maceta, proporciona ancoraje y suficientes niveles de agua y oxígeno al desarrollo de las plantas. Vacío de conocimiento: Algunos materiales cuando adjuntados a la formulación suelen generar alteraciones en el producto final, las cuales pueden ser desventajosas, dependientes de su aplicación. Propósito del estudio: Evaluar la influencia del suelo mineral bajo sus características química y física, cuando utilizado cómo componente de sustrato para plantas. Metodología: Se empleó un argisol rojo distrófico típico, que se autoclavó, tamizó (malla 4,75 mm) y posteriormente se mezcló bajo diferentes proporciones (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%) con turba de Sphagnum o polvo-de-coco (v/v). Las mezclas se sometieron a la caracterización física, química y biológica. Se empleó el diseño estadístico enteramente casualizado, con tres repeticiones por tratamiento. Los datos se sometieron al análisis de varianza y regresión polinomial (P < 0,05). Resultados y conclusiones: Al añadirse suelo en la formulación de los sustratos hubo disminución en la conductividad eléctrica y manutención del pH, además del aumento expresivo en las densidades húmeda y seca, y reducción en la porosidad total, espacio de aireación, disponibilidad y capacidad de retención de agua. Además, se encontraron hongos y nematodos en el suelo, que puede ser un inoculador de patógenos. Por lo tanto, el empleo de suelo mineral cómo componente de sustrato, además de generar formulaciones con características de cultivo inadecuadas, pudiendo influenciar negativamente el crecimiento y desarrollo vegetal, provoca daños ambientales debido a su extracción, conllevando a una producción insostenible a largo plazo.

Angelonia integerrima Sprengel is a native species of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and the Southern region (Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul) of Brazil, with features such as an unusual appearance and color of the flowers, indicating an ornamental use. To optimize the use of this species and to fill in gaps regarding its cytogenetic characterization, this study determined the chromosome number, meiotic index and pollen viability of plant individuals of four A. integerrima populations. All plant individuals of the four populations had 2n = 20 chromosomes. Still, the meiotic index of most analyzed plant individuals exceeded 90%, while pollen viability of all plant individuals was higher than 80%. These data suggest considerable cytological stability of the analyzed A. integerrima plant individuals, which may favor the selection of future genotypes for commercial purposes or their use in conservation and breeding programs of the species.

Angelonia integerrima is a native species that has ornamental potential, being cultivated in flowerbeds, flowerpots, pots, or even used as a complement in floral arrangements. Knowledge of mineral nutrition is required for the cultivation of the species, and slow release fertilization have become widespread in recent years, with a lower risk of toxicity to crops, an economy in relation to complementary fertilizers and may be an alternative to cultivation of potted plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of Angelonia integerrima Sprengel in pot under slow release fertilization doses. Acclimatized seedlings with approximately 1 cm height, from in vitro germinated seeds were transplanted into 1 L pots containing substrate composted Pinus bark. Five doses of Basacote ® 9M slow release fertilizer, formulation 16-8-12 (N - P2O5 - K2O), 9 months: control - 0 g L-1, 2.5 g L-1, 5.0 g L-1, 7.5 g L-1 and 10.0 g L-1. The plants were grown in a greenhouse under drip irrigation. The shoot length, length of the largest inflorescence, number of stems, diameter of the largest stem, mean length of the stems, number of open flowers, fruits and senescent flowers, chlorophyll a, b and total, mass of dry matter of shoot and root system were evaluated after 286 days. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates of six pots per plot. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by polynomial regression by SigmaPlot 11.0. It was possible to adjust a quadratic equation for the variables: shoot length (with maximum response point in 7.2 g L-1), mean length of stems (6.7 g L-1), diameter of the largest stem and the root system (5.9 g L-1), number of open flowers, buds, senescent flowers and total flowers (7.7 g L-1). For the variables, number of stems, number of fruits, chlorophyll a, b and total did not differ between treatments. The slow releaser fertilizer indicated dose for the cultivation of the potted species is 7.2 g L-1.

Paspalum notatum is an important forage native to Southern Brazil and one of the most promising fodder species in terms of productivity, quality, resistance and growth speed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive mode and fertility of hybrid progenies resulting from artificial crosses among artificially duplicated sexual plants, selected intraspecific hybrids of the UFRGS breeding program and apomictic ecotypes of the species. The resulting F1 progenies were represented by 24 plants with high pollen viability (varying from 82.15 to 99.67%) and 1.2:1 segregation for the sexual: apomictic reproduction mode, indicating predominantly sexual hybrids, due to distorted segregation. In the apomictic plants, most chromosomes paired as bivalents in diakinesis. Since the low presence of abnormalities observed in the meiotic chromosome pairing and the high pollen viability of the hybrids, all plants were confirmed as promising parents for future crosses.

Entre os principais problemas relacionados ao manejo da vegetação nessa região, merece destaque a expansão da gramínea exótica Eragrostis plana Ness, que apresenta elevada capacidade de colonização dos campos naturais e tendência de exclusão da comunidade vegetal nativa. Algumas plantas são capazes de sintetizar determinados metabólitos secundários, liberados no ambiente e que podem interferir no ciclo de vida de outras plantas. A espécie Luehea divaricata Martius tem grande potencial para ser utilizada no controle do capim-annoni. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito de extratos de L. divaricata sobre a germinação, a emergência e o crescimento de plântulas de capim-annoni. Foram realizados dois experimentos: um em casa de vegetação para a avaliação da porcentagem de emergência (%E), índice de velocidade de emergência (IVE), comprimento da parte aérea e massa seca total de plantas; e outro em laboratório para a avaliação da porcentagem de germinação (%G), índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG), comprimento do sistema radicular. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: T1- água destilada; T2- extrato de L. divaricata 40 g.L-1 , T3- extrato de L. divaricata 80 g.L-1 e T4- extrato de L. divaricata 120 g.L-1 e o delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualisado. Os extratos de L. divaricata diminuem o índice de velocidade de emergência e comprimento do sistema radicular e aumentam o comprimento da parte aérea e massa seca total, não interferindo na porcentagem de germinação, porcentagem de emergência e índice de velocidade de germinação.

Resumo Devido à dificuldade de obtenção de mudas de Agelonia integerrima, espécie com potencial ornamental, a partir de sementes, por métodos convencionais, foram desenvolvidos estudos com o objetivo de testar a viabilidade da produção de mudas in vitro. Foram conduzidos quatro experimentos: a) germinação de sementes armazenadas em dois locais (ambiente refrigerado e bancada de laboratório) e concentrações de sais (100, 75 e 50%) do meio MS; b) multiplicação com benzilaminopurina (BAP) (0,0, 0,5 e 1,0 mg L-1) e ácido naftalenoacético (ANA) (0,0, 0,1 e 0,5 mg L-1); c) enraizamento in vitro com ácido indolbutírico (AIB) (0; 0,25; 0,50; 0,75 e 1,0 mg L-1); d) aclimatização das mudas. Sementes armazenadas sob ambiente refrigerado apresentaram maior porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação e de plântulas formadas. A germinação não foi afetada pela concentração de sais do meio. Para a multiplicação, houve interação entre as concentrações de BAP e ANA, recomendando-se utilizar 1,0 mg L-1 de BAP e 0,1 mg L-1 de ANA. No enraizamento, foi ajustada uma equação quadrática para as variáveis: porcentagem de formação de calo e enraizamento, sendo que a concentração de 0,83 mg L-1 é o ponto de máxima resposta para a porcentagem de enraizamento. A espécie apresentou 50,8% de aclimatização. Abstract Due to the difficulty of obtaining seedlings of Agelonia integerrima, species with ornamental potential, from seeds, by conventional methods, studies were carried out to test the viability of in vitro seedling production. In order to propagate Angelonia integerrima, studies have been developed to generate information for the in vitro production of seedlings. Four experiments were conducted: a) germination of seeds stored at two locations (refrigerated environment and laboratory bench) and different salt concentrations (100, 75 and 50%) in a MS medium; b) multiplication using benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg L-1) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.0, 0.1 and 0.5 mg L-1); c) in vitro rooting using indolebutyric acid (IBA) (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 mg L-1) and d) acclimatization of seedlings. Seeds stored at refrigerated environment showed higher germination percentages, germination speed indexes (GSI) and plantlets formed. Germination was not affected by the concentration of salts in the medium and can be used at low concentrations. For multiplication, there was an interaction between BAP and NAA. 1.0 mg L-1 of BAP and 0.1 mg L-1 of NAA are recommended. For rooting, a quadratic equation was adjusted for the variables percentage of callus formation and rooting. The concentration 0.83 mg L-1 results in the maximum response point for rooting. The species presented 50.8% of acclimatization.

The objective of this study is to test stem apex sizes in the in vitro establishing of Angelonia integerrima in order to obtain explants without by fungi and bacteria contamination for further multiplications. The treatments consisted of different stem apex sizes (1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 9.0 and 11.0 mm). At 45 and 90 days of cultivation, a count of contaminated explants and a count of shoots per explant formed were performed. In a second experiment, explants were cultivated in a medium containing different concentrations of benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 mg L-1). After 56 days of cultivation, the following variables were evaluated: shoot length, shoot fresh mass and number of shoots. During the explant establishment phase (45 days), only stem apexes with 1.0 mm in size were not contaminated. However, in the second subculture (at 90 days), only shoots from initial explants, with 7 mm in size or larger, were contaminated. Regarding multiplication, the presence of BAP showed a positive linear behavior for all variables. It is possible to obtain A. integerrima seedlings free of contamination in vitro by fungi and bacteria, using initial explants less than or equal to 5 mm. IBA provided a linear increment for the multiplication of this species. O objetivo do trabalho foi testar tamanhos de ápices caulinares no estabelecimento in vitro de Angelonia integerrima, a fim de obter explantes sem contaminações por fungos e bactérias para posterior multiplicação. Os tratamentos consistiram de tamanhos de ápices caulinares: 1,0; 3,0; 5,0; 7,0; 9,0 e 11,0 mm. Após 45 e 90 dias de cultivo foi realizada a contagem de explantes contaminados e o número de brotos formados por explante. Em um segundo experimento, explantes foram cultivados em meio contendo diferentes concentrações de benzilaminopurina (BAP): 0,0; 0,05; 0,10; 0,15 e 0,20 mg L-1. Após 56 dias de cultivo foram avaliados: comprimento e massa fresca da parte aérea e número de brotos. Durante a fase de estabelecimento (45 dias), somente explantes com 1,0 mm não apresentaram contaminação, já no segundo subcultivo (aos 90 dias) somente brotações oriundas de explantes com tamanho inicial igual ou superior a 7 mm apresentaram contaminação. Com relação à multiplicação, a presença de BAP apresentou comportamento linear positivo para todas as variáveis analisadas. É possível obter mudas de A. integerrima livres de contaminações in vitro por fungos e bactérias, utilizando explantes iniciais menores ou iguais a 5 mm. O BAP proporcionou incremento linear para a multiplicação da espécie.

The aim of this work was to verify the in vitro germination of pollen grains of Angelonia integerrima L., Campomanesia aurea O. Berg and Sesbania punicea (Cav.) Benth in different culture medium and temperatures. For this purpose, flower buds from which pollen was collected and sprayed on plates containing the three evaluated culture medium: M1 - agar and sucrose; M2 - agar, sucrose and H3BO3; M3 - agar, sucrose, H3BO3, Ca(NO3), MgSO4 and KNO3; and two incubation temperatures (20 °C and 30 °C). Data was subjected to analysis of variance after its transformation to square root and means were compared by Fisher’s test (LSD). For the three species, the temperature of 30 ºC provided the highest percentage of pollen grain germination. For A. integerrima, M1 and M3 promoted the highest germination percentages (40.7 % and 56.5 %, respectively). On the other hand, for C. aurea, M2 provided the highest germination average (43.7 %). At last for S. punicea, M3 was the one that provided the highest average (31.62 %). It was concluded that the evaluated species differ in micronutrient requirements for in vitro germination of pollen grains. The temperature of 30 °C was suitable for all three species.

Campomanesia aurea é uma planta nativa e frutífera de porte arbustivo com potencial ornamental. Ainda não foram encontrados trabalhos que abordem as características dos frutos e a capacidade de germinação das sementes dessa espécie. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar as propriedades físicas e químicas dos frutos e a germinação das sementes de dois acessos de C. aurea. O estudo foi conduzido com frutos coletados em áreas de vegetação nativa localizadas no Parque Natural Morro do Osso, em Porto Alegre, e em Barão do Triunfo, RS. Realizaram-se análises físicas e químicas, contagem de sementes e teste de germinação. Os resultados foram submetidos à ANOVA e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste t a 5%. Os frutos de C. aurea tem formato oblongo, pesam em média 1,26 g e apresentam elevado conteúdo de vitamina C. Cada fruto possui em média quatro sementes íntegras, sendo que 3% são poliembriônicas. A germinação média é de 93% e ocorre em 20 dias. Concluiu-se que os frutos de C. aurea coletados a partir de dois acessos diferem na concentração de TSS, na relação TSS/TA e no teor de vitamina C, entretanto, não há diferenças quanto às características físicas. As sementes da espécie possuem alta germinação. Campomanesia aurea is a potentially ornamental native fruit shrub. There are no studies on the seed germination capacity and fruit properties of the species. Therefore, the main goal of this paper was to describe the seed germination and the physical and chemical properties of fruits from two C. aurea accession areas. The study was conducted with fruits collected from two native vegetation areas located in the Morro do Osso Natural Park and in the municipality of Barão do Triunfo, Brazil. Physical and chemical analyzes, seed counting and germination tests were performed. Results were submitted to ANOVA and the means were compared by t test at 5% error probability. C. aurea has oblong-shaped fruits weighting around 1.26 g with a high content of vitamin C. Each fruit usually has four intact seeds of which 3% are polyembryonic. Seed germination averaged 93% in 20 days. It is concluded that the C. aurea fruits collected from two different accession areas differ in the concentration of TSS, TSS/TA ratio and vitamin C content, but not physically. Seeds have shown a high germination rate.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da concentração de ácido indol-3-butírico (AIB) e substratos no enraizamento de estacas apicais de Angelonia integerrima. Utilizou-se AIB em pó, nas concentrações de 0, 500, 1000, 2000 e 4000 mg kg-1 e dois substratos: casca de arroz carbonizada (CAC) e substrato comercial a base de turfa de Sphagnum. Avaliou-se: número de estacas enraizadas, comprimento da parte aérea e do sistema radicular, número de folhas novas, volume do sistema radicular, formação de calo na base da estaca, massa seca da parte aérea e do sistema radicular. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial (5 concentrações de AIB x 2 substratos). Não houve interação entre as concentrações de AIB e substratos, somente houve diferença para o fator substrato. As estacas apresentaram enraizamento médio de 79%, com formação de calo em 59,4%. O substrato CAC promoveu maior comprimento da parte aérea e maior número de folhas novas. O substrato comercial proporcionou maior volume médio de raiz, maior comprimento de raiz e maior incremento de massa seca radicular. No enraizamento por estaquia de A. integerrima não é necessário usar AIb e pode-se utilizar o substrato comercial à base de turfa ou a CAC. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the concentration of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and substrates in the rooting of apical cuttings of Angelonia integerrima. Powder IBA was used at the concentrations 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 mg kg-1, and two substrates containing carbonized rice husks (CRH) and commercial substrate based on Sphagnum peat were used. The number of rooted cuttings, shoot length, root system length, number of new leaves, root system volume, callus formation at the cutting base, and shoot and root dry matter were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized with a factorial design (5 IBA concentrations x 2 substrates). There were no interactions between the concentrations of IBA and the substrates. There was a difference only for the factor substrate. The cuttings presented an average rooting of 79%, with callus formation in 59.4% of them. The CRH substrate presented the highest shoot length and the highest number of new leaves. The commercial substrate resulted in a high average root volume, a large root length and a great increase in root dry matter. In the rooting by cutting of A. integerrima is not necessary to use IBA and the commercial substratum based on peat or CRH can be used.

Peltodon longipes é utilizada como estimulante e emenagoga. Objetivou-se realizar análises genotóxica e cromatográfica dos extratos de duas amostras de P. longipes, coletadas nos municípios de Santa Maria e Tupanciretã, RS, Brasil. O teste de Allium cepa foi utilizado para análise da genotoxicidade e a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, para determinação dos compostos fenólicos. O experimento de genotoxicidade constou de nove grupos de quatro bulbos de A. cepa. Os bulbos foram enraizados em água destilada e após transferidos para os tratamentos, por 24 horas, permanecendo o controle negativo em água. Os tratamentos foram: extratos aquosos nas concentrações de 5 e 15 g L-1 de cada amostra, além de quatro grupos tratados com glifosato 1%, um deles usado como controle positivo e outros três para testar a recuperação de danos ao DNA, utilizando água e os extratos de P. longipes da amostra de Santa Maria. Todos os extratos de P. longipes demonstraram potencial antiproliferativo, porém o efeito foi significativamente maior para os extratos da amostra de Tupanciretã. Essa amostra também apresentou maior quantidade de ácido rosmarínico e canferol, o que pode estar relacionado com os efeitos encontrados nesses extratos. Somente extratos da amostra de Santa Maria demonstraram potencial genotóxico. Peltodon longipes is used as a stimulant and emmenagogue. The objective of this study was to perform genotoxic and chromatographic analyses of the extracts of two samples of P. longipes, collected from the cities of Santa Maria and Tupanciretã, RS, Brazil. The Allium cepa assay was used to analyze genotoxicity while high-performance liquid chromatography was employed to determine phenolic compounds. The genotoxicity experiment consisted of nine groups each comprising four A. cepa bulbs. Bulb roots were developed in distilled water and then transferred for the treatments, for 24 hours, and the negative control remained in water. The treatments were: aqueous extracts at concentrations of 5 and 15 g L-1 for each sample, plus four groups treated with 1% glyphosate, one of which was used as a positive control and the other three for testing DNA damage recovery using water and the extracts of P. longipes from Santa Maria. All extracts of P. longipes exhibited anti-proliferative potential, although the effect was significantly greater for the extracts from the Tupanciretã sample. This sample also contained the highest amount of rosmarinic acid and kaempferol, which may confer the effects found in these extracts. Only extracts from the Santa Maria sample exhibited genotoxic potential.

Eugenia uniflora (Surinam cherry tree) is an important species in traditional medicine and is used to decrease blood pressure and prevent heartburn, bronchitis, colic and stomachaches. The tealeaves have antirheumatic, anti-dysenteric, and febrifuge properties and are used to treat diabetes. This study aimed to assess the antiproliferative, mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of the leaves and fruits of E. uniflora through the Allium cepa test. The infusions were prepared using dried leaves (6.l−1 and 24 gl−1) and the oil extraction was undertaken using hydrolyzation (0.25%, in ethanol). For juice preparation, fruit pulp with and without seeds was used. Allium cepa root tips were used for slide preparation following the squashing technique. Analysis of 500 cells for each bulb was undertaken, 250 of each root, summing 2500 cells per treatment, a total of 17,500 and 10,000 cells in the first and second experiments, respectively. The mitotic index was calculated and statistical analyses were performed. We fo...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative and antigenotoxic activity of Sambucus australis Cham. & Schltdl. aqueous extracts on the cell cycle of Allium cepa L. as well as determine the phenolic compounds in such extracts. S. australis inflorescences and leaves of two accessions were used for aqueous extract preparation at concentrations: 0.003 g/ml and 0.012 g/ml. A. cepa bulbs were rooted in distilled water and, subsequently, placed in treatments for 24 hours. Rootlets were collected and fixed in modified Carnoy’s solution for 24 hours and kept. The squash technique was performed for slide preparation. Root tips were smashed and stained with 2% acetic orcein, and a total of 4000 cells per treatment were analyzed. The phenolic compounds were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography and data was analyzed using the Scott-Knott test. The results show that S. australis aqueous extracts have antiproliferative potential. Besides, the extracts prepared from S. australis leaves of both accessions at a concentration of 0.012 g/ml have shown antigenotoxic activity. The phytochemical analysis allowed us to determine the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids, of which kaempferol and chrologenic acid were the most predominant compounds in the extracts from the inflorescences and leaves, respectively.

Campomanesia aurea is a potentially ornamental native fruit shrub. There are no studies on the seed germination capacity and fruit properties of the species. Therefore, the main goal of this paper was to describe the seed germination and the physical and chemical properties of fruits from two C. aurea accession areas. The study was conducted with fruits collected from two native vegetation areas located in the Morro do Osso Natural Park and in the municipality of Barao do Triunfo, Brazil. Physical and chemical analyzes, seed counting and germination tests were performed. Results were submitted to ANOVA and the means were compared by t test at 5% error probability. C. aurea has oblong-shaped fruits weighting around 1.26 g with a high content of vitamin C. Each fruit usually has four intact seeds of which 3% are polyembryonic. Seed germination averaged 93% in 20 days. It is concluded that the C. aurea fruits collected from two different accession areas differ in the concentration of TSS, TSS/TA ratio and vitamin C content, but not physically. Seeds have shown a high germination rate.

The species Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (orange) is used in folk medicine as an infusion (tea) for the treatment of nerve irritation, insomnia, spasms, whooping cough, flue, and gastrointestinal problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative and genotoxic potential of aqueous extracts of C. sinensis testing by Allium cepa L., as well as to determine the components in the complex mixture (tea). Leaves from two populations of this species were used in the preparation of infusions at two concentrations: 6g.L-1 and 24g.L-1, besides using distilled water as a negative control and 9.6% glyphosate as a positive control. Six groups of four bulbs of A. cepa were used, each group corresponding to one of the treatments. The bulbs were rooted in distilled water and then transferred to the respective treatments where they remained for 24 hours (the bulbs of the negative control remained in distilled water). The rootlets were collected, fixated in ethanol-acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours and stored in 70% alcohol. 4,000 cells were analyzed per group of bulbs, and the calculated mitotic indices were submitted to statistical analysis using the c2 test. The aqueous extracts of C. sinensis have as main components flavonoids and phenolic acids. The values of the mitotic index decreased with increasing concentration of the extracts relative to the control in water. The results indicated that the orange aqueous extracts in the studied concentrations in both populations have antiproliferative and genotoxic effects on the cell cycle of A. cepa. The species Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (orange) is used in folk medicine as an infusion (tea) for the treatment of nerve irritation, insomnia, spasms, whooping cough, flue, and gastrointestinal problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative and genotoxic potential of aqueous extracts of C. sinensis testing by Allium cepa L., as well as to determine the components in the complex mixture (tea). Leaves from two populations of this species were used in the preparation of infusions at two concentrations: 6g.L-1 and 24g.L-1, besides using distilled water as a negative control and 9.6% glyphosate as a positive control. Six groups of four bulbs of A. cepa were used, each group corresponding to one of the treatments. The bulbs were rooted in distilled water and then transferred to the respective treatments where they remained for 24 hours (the bulbs of the negative control remained in distilled water). The rootlets were collected, fixated in ethanol-acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours and stored in 70% alcohol. 4,000 cells were analyzed per group of bulbs, and the calculated mitotic indices were submitted to statistical analysis using the c2 test. The aqueous extracts of C. sinensis have as main components flavonoids and phenolic acids. The values of the mitotic index decreased with increasing concentration of the extracts relative to the control in water. The results indicated that the orange aqueous extracts in the studied concentrations in both populations have antiproliferative and genotoxic effects on the cell cycle of A. cepa.

RESUMO:A espécie Polygonum punctatum Elliott (Polygonaceae) é amplamente utilizada pela população como planta medicinal. O objetivo deste trabalho é o de avaliar o potencial genotóxico e mutagênico de P. punctatum utilizando raízes de bulbos e radículas em sementes germinadas de Allium cepa através do teste in vivo, e realizar comparações da extração do material vegetal por calor (infusões) e extração a frio (extrato). Para isso, foram preparadas dois tipos de soluções, infusões e extratos foliares de P. punctatum, em duas concentrações 0,4 g mL-1 e 2,4 g mL-1. A infusão foi preparada pela adição das folhas secas em água destilada fervente (100ºC), permanecendo por 10 minutos enquanto o extrato foi preparado através da maceração das folhas secas em água destilada fria. Para o teste em A. cepa foram utilizados, para cada tratamento, seis grupos de quatro bulbos e seis caixas gerbox com 50 sementes em cada caixa. Duas lâminas para cada tratamento foram obtidas através da técnica de esmagamento das raízes e coradas com orceína acética 2%. Foram contadas 2000 células por grupo de bulbos e 3000 células por grupo de sementes, observando-se a ocorrência de interrupções em metáfases, alterações cromossômicas estruturais, bem como a inibição ou aumento da divisão celular. Os valores do índice mitótico foram calculados e analisados estatisticamente pelo Teste χ2(p≤0,05). Os resultados demonstraram que as infusões e os extratos de folhas apresentaram redução nos valores de índices mitóticos nas concentrações utilizadas em relação ao controle em água destilada. Foram identificadas alterações cromossômicas na divisão celular, tais como pontes anafásicas, em todas as concentrações de infusões e extratos indicando assim que P. punctatum possui atividade antiproliferativa e genotóxica. ABSTRACT:The species Polygonum punctatum Elliott (Polygonaceae) is widely used by the Brazilian population as a medicinal plant. The aims of this study are to evaluate the genotoxic and mutagenic potential of P. punctatum, using its root bulbs and rootlets in germinated seeds of Allium cepa by in vivo testing, and to compare the extraction of plant material by heat (infusions) and cold (extract). Thus, two types of solutions - infusions and leaf extracts - of P. punctatum were prepared at the two concentrations of 0.4 g ml-1 and 2.4 g mL- 1. The infusion was prepared by addition of dry leaves in boiling distilled water (100ºC), remaining for 10 minutes, while the extract was prepared by maceration of dried leaves in cold distilled water. For the A. cepa, we used for each treatment six groups of six bulbs and six seedling boxes with 50 seeds each. Two slides for each treatment were obtained by the technique of crushing the roots, and they were stained with 2 % acetic orcein. For the analysis, 2000 cells per group of bulbs and 3000 cells per group of seeds were counted, and we noted the occurrence of interruptions in the metaphase, chromosomal aberrations, as well as inhibited or increased cell division. The values of the mitotic index were calculated and statistically analyzed by the χ2 test (p ≤ 0.05). The results showed that the infusions and extracts of leaves showed reduced values of mitotic indices in the concentrations used compared to the control in distilled water. Chromosomal alterations were identified in the cell division, in all concentrations of infusions and extracts, thus indicating that P. punctatum has an antiproliferative and genotoxic activity.

Punica granatum L., conhecida como romanzeira, é originária da Ásia e encontra-se distribuída por todo Brasil. É usada para o tratamento de doenças inflamatórias, infecciosas e respiratórias. Em decorrência da grande utilização de recursos fitoterápicos, é necessário esclarecer à população sobre a grande quantidade de substâncias existentes nas plantas e sobre os benefícios e prejuízos de tais substâncias à saúde. O presente trabalho objetivou realizar a análise cromatográfica e o estudo da genotoxicidade dos extratos aquosos das cascas dos frutos de P. granatum através do teste de Allium cepa L. Para a montagem do experimento, foram utilizados 7 tratamentos: T1-água destilada, T2-chá 5 g.L-1, T3-chá 10 g.L-1, T4-glifosato a 9,6%, T5-glifosato para recuperação em água destilada, T6-glifosato para recuperação em chá 5 g.L-1 e T7-glifosato para recuperação em chá 10 g.L-1. As radículas foram coletadas e fixadas em etanol:ácido acético (3:1) por 24 horas, e armazenadas em álcool 70%, sob refrigeração. Realizou-se análise por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência para quantificação dos compostos fenólicos. Nos extratos de P. granatum foram observados em maior quantidade: ácido gálico, catequina, ácido cafeico e rutina. Além disso, os extratos demonstraram potencial antiproliferativo, sem apresentar atividade antimutagênica e genotóxica. Punica granatum L., locally known as romanzeira, is native to Asia but found throughout Brazil. P. granatum is used for treating inflammatory, infectious and respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chromatography and genotoxicity of an aqueous extract of P. granatum (pomegranate) fruit peel using the Allium cepa L. test. The experiment set-up entailed 7 treatments: T1-distilled water, T2-tea 5 g.L-1, T3-tea 10 g.L-1, T4-glyphosate at 9.6%, T5-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in distilled water, T6-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in tea 5 g.L-1 and T7-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in tea 10 g.L-1. The rootlets were collected and fixed in ethanol:acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours, then stored in 70% ethanol under refrigeration. Analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromatography for the quantification of the extracted phenolic compounds. Gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and rutin were abundant in the extracts of P. granatum. The extracts were found to exhibit antiproliferative potential but not antimutagenic or genotoxic activity.

Calceolaria x herbeohybrida Voss (pocketbook plant, calceolaria) is an herbaceous perennial and floriferous species that can be grown in pots or beds. Nitrogen is usually the most required nutrient, being necessary to conduct studies in order to provide useful information for agronomic practices. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate nitrogen doses in the growth of Calceolaria x herbeohybrida in pots. Initially, assorted and pelleted calceolaria seeds were sow in multicellular trays containing a commercial substrate based on peat and kept in a floating irrigation system in a protected environment. At the greenhouse, seedlings with four true leaves were transplanted into 1 L pots containing the same substrate and a drip irrigation system. The treatments consisted of different nitrogen doses (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 4.0 g of N L-1) applied weekly using ammonium nitrate as source. Fertilization with P and K was also done, and all treatments received de same dose. At the end of the experimental period, shoot length, leaf area, shoot and root dry matter, number of buds and flowers, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications and five plants per plot. The data were treated with ANOVA and the means were treated with regression analysis using the SigmaPlot 11.0 software. There was no survival of plants at the highest N dose (4.0 g L-1). Shoot length showed a quadratic behavior, with a maximum point at 1.25 g L-1, where plants reached 13.3 cm. There was a similar behavior for the variable leaf area, with the highest point at 1.24 g L-1. Shoot dry mass presented the maximum point at a dose of 1.20 g L-1, resulting in 4.21 g of dry matter. Regarding root dry matter, no equation could be adjusted. For the variable number of buds and flowers, the highest point was at a dose of 1.20 g L-1, with 35.86 buds and flowers per plant. For chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, the maximum point was at 1.5 g L-1. The ideal nitrogen dose is between 1.2 and 1.5 g L-1 for most variables.