Search

The apoplast performs important functions in the plant, such as defense against stress, and compounds present form the apoplastic washing fluid (AWF). The fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of witches' broom disease (WBD) in Theobroma cacao, initially colonizes the apoplast in its biotrophic phase. In this period, the fungus can remain for approximately 60 days, until it changes to its second phase, causing tissue death and consequently large loss in the production of beans. To better understand the importance of the apoplast in the T. cacao-M. perniciosa interaction, we performed the first apoplastic proteomic mapping of two contrasting genotypes for WBD resistance (CCN51-resistant and Catongo-susceptible). Based on two-dimensional gel analysis, we identified 36 proteins in CCN-51 and 15 in Catongo. We highlight PR-proteins, such as peroxidases, ß-1,3-glucanases, and chitinases. A possible candidate for a resistance marker of the CCN-51 genotype, osmotin, was identified. The antioxidative metabolism of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the AWF of the two genotypes under field conditions (FD). T. cacao AWF inhibited the germination of M. perniciosa basidiospores (>80%), in addition to causing morphological changes. Our results shed more light on the nature of the plant's defense performed by the apoplast in the T. cacao-M. perniciosa interaction in the initial (biotrophic) phase of fungal infection and therefore make it possible to expand WBD control strategies based on the identification of potential targets for resistance markers and advance scientific knowledge of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnobotany consists of the study of the existing affinity between human communities and plant resources, based on the knowledge of the past and the present. Several researches have focused on ethnobotanical studies in Brazil, seeking to have information that guides studies with the aim of consolidating this area of science. The present work aims to provide a theoretical contribution to scientific production using bibliometric indicators, in order to demonstrate the current arrangement of Ethnobotanical studies in Brazil. The study was based on a survey of scientific articles published from 2010 to 2020 in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The work was divided into two sections. In Section I, indicators and descriptive statistics are presented. Section II aims to categorize the articles extracted from the databases into: regions of the country; biomes; social groups and research purpose. Bibliometric analyzes found a growing number of research on medicinal plants. In the analyzes by categories, it was found that the Northeast region concentrates the largest number of works carried out. The North region is the second with more ethnobotanical studies in the decade. It also showed the lag of work in the Midwest and South regions of the country. The Atlantic Forest was the most studied biome in recent years in Brazilian research. In conclusion, the advance of Brazilian ethnobotanical research in the 2010 - 2020 decade suggests its great potential, especially for medicinal plants, as well as high ethnic knowledge of plants in their biomes. Despite this, the indicators show that there are still gaps in the development of these studies such as biomes, regions, underreported social groups or with a significant lack of information. Overcoming this scarcity of information can contribute to the adoption of strategies in future ethnobotanical research in the national territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]