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Pomegranate fruit is to rich in phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties and can show difference in the composition according to cultivars, part of fruit, environmental conditions and analysis method. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyse and to compare the chemical composition and antioxidant properties from the different parts of fruit Valenciana and Wonderful pomegranate cultivars. The pomegranate fruits were separated into aril, peel, membrane and seeds manually and analysed by phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant activity (DPPH method), soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and vitamin C content. The phenolic content and flavonoids were significantly affected by pomegranate cultivars and part of fruit. In the part of fruit showed differences by the DPPH, however the pomegranate cultivars not showed. Significant differences were revealed between the pomegranate cultivars and part of fruit for total soluble solids, titratable acidity and pH. The differents part of pomegranate fruit (aryl, membrane peeling and seed) has influences on the phenolic content, flavonoids, antioxidants, total soluble solids, pH and acidity. The cultivar does not show diffences on the antioxidants by DPPH method, pH and vitamin C.This study suggests the importance of the selection the different parts of fruit and cultivar that will be used as raw material in the preparation of pomegranate products with higher antioxidant activities.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi cultivar a bromélia Neoregelia “Fireball” em diferentes intensidades luminosas para verificar a capacidade de aclimatação e a influência do ambiente nas características morfoagronômicas da espécie. O experimento foi conduzido durante cinco meses em 2019 na Universidade Estadual de Londrina, nos tratamentos 0, 30, 50, 70 e 80% de sombreamento. Foi possível observar que, apesar de serem cultivas em ambientes diferentes, as plantas não apresentaram diferença estatística nos parâmetros analisados, além disso essas bromélias apresentaram um incrível comportamento de plasticidade vegetal aclimatando-se aos ambientes, sobrevivendo e se reproduzindo possibilitando a garantia de produtividade em caso de utilização destes tratamentos em um empreendimento de cunho comercial.

A produção de mudas florestais com qualidade e em quantidade é essencial para a restauração de ambientes outrora desmatados e degradados. Todavia, a obtenção de sementes com alto vigor é um desafio para diversas espécies arbóreas nativas do Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o potencial germinativo de sementes de jatobá-da-mata em diferentes estádios de maturação, de modo a favorecer a produção de mudas dessa espécie em viveiros. As sementes foram extraídas de frutos verdes e maduros destacados da planta mãe e frutos maduros coletados no chão. Foram mensurados o percentual de germinação, o tempo médio de germinação, o índice de velocidade de emergência, a velocidade média, a frequência relativa, área foliar da plântula e comprimento de parte aérea e raiz. A semeadura foi realizada com sementes escarificadas mecanicamente e intactas de cada grupo de maturação. Os resultados indicaram que as sementes verdes não escarificadas podem ser utilizadas para semeadura e produção de mudas, por dispensarem tratamento pré-germinativo e possuírem percentual de germinação favorável (79%). Já as sementes de frutos colhidos no chão necessitaram de um método para superar a dormência tegumentar, como a escarificação mecânica, obtendo a germinação de 85%. As sementes de frutos maduros colhidos na matriz apresentaram maior vigor, com maior percentual de germinação (96 a 100%), maior índice de velocidade de emergência, menor tempo médio de germinação, plântulas com maior área foliar e maior comprimento de parte aérea.e maior comprimento aérea parte.

Ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) is an unconventional food plant, where asexual propagation via cuttings and the use of plant regulators is seen as an alternative in seedling production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate different concentrations of 3-indolebutyric acid (IBA) in the rooting of semi-hardwood cuttings of Pereskia aculeata Mill. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in a completely randomised design, using cuttings of ora-pro-nobis at doses of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g L-1 IBA in talc. Five treatments were used, with four replications, each comprising 10 cuttings. After 60 days, the following were evaluated: rate of cutting survival (SUR), number of shoots (NS), number of leaves (NL), mean shoot length (MSL), stem diameter (SD), length of the largest root (LRL), shoot fresh weight (SFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), root fresh weight (RFW), and root dry weight (RDW). The results were submitted to analysis of variance and regression analysis. SD, SDW and NL were significantly affected by the IBA dose. The values for stem diameter and dry weight as a function of the dose were adjusted to the quadratic model, with the maximum dose estimated at 1.5 g L-1, to give an SD of 6 mm and an SDW of 1.68 g. Number of leaves showed an inverse quadratic adjustment. The doses of IBA used in the semi-hardwood cuttings of Pereskia aculeata Mill. are not a condition of rooting. Stem diameter and shoot dry weight are dependent on the action of IBA, with the maximum response at an approximate dose of 1.5 g L-1.

Several studies have reported the relationship of deforestation with increased incidence of infectious diseases, mainly due to the deregulation caused in these environments. The purpose of this study was to answer the following questions: a) is increased loss of vegetation related to dengue cases in the Brazilian Cerrado? b) how do different regions of the tropical savanna biome present distinct patterns for total dengue cases and vegetation loss? c) what is the projection of a future scenario of deforestation and an increased number of dengue cases in 2030? Thus, this study aimed to assess the relationship between loss of native vegetation in the Cerrado and dengue infection. In this paper, we quantify the entire deforested area and dengue infection cases from 2001 to 2019. For data analyses, we used Poisson generalized linear model, descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, non-parametric statistics, and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models to predict loss of vegetation and fever dengue cases for the next decade. Cluster analysis revealed the formation of four clusters among the states. Our results showed significant increases in loss of native vegetation in all states, with the exception of Piauí. As for dengue cases, there were increases in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Mato Grosso. Based on projections for 2030, Minas Gerais will register about 4,000 dengue cases per 100,000 inhabitants, São Paulo 750 dengue cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and Mato Grosso 500 dengue cases per 100,000 inhabitants. To reduce these projections, Brazil will need to control deforestation and implement public health, environmental and social policies, requiring a joint effort from all spheres of society.

Miltonia flavescens is a species vulnerable to extinction, which justifies research on preservation methods. Cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen (LN) consists of maintaining biological material at a low-temperature (-196 °C). Thus, the aim of the experiment is to evaluate the influence of different cryoprotective solutions on cryopreservation in LN of the Brazilian orchid Miltonia flavescens seeds. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD), with eight treatments and six replications. The treatments were composed as follows: control; immersion in LN, no cryoprotectant adding; and immersion in LN, with the addition of cryoprotectants: sucrose 0,4 mol L-1; glycerol 2 mol L-1; protection by vitrification in solution (PVS)1; PVS2; PVS2 + 1% phloroglucinol, and PVS3. Except for the control treatment, which was kept in a freezer (10±2 °C), the others remained frozen for 15 days. After this period, the viability of the seeds was evaluated. These seeds were sown and, 30 days after germination, then the frequency of protocorm formation was verified. Before the cryopreservation, the seeds showed 75% viability and 9.5% water content. After cryopreservation, the seeds varied between 67 to 75% viability. However, treatment with glycerol 2 mol L-1 exhibited lower performance than the others (58%). The control treatment showed a higher percentage of protocorm formation (71%) followed by treatments PVS1 (63%), PVS2 (64%), and PVS2PHLO (66%). For the purpose of preserving Miltonia flavescens seeds in liquid nitrogen for a prolonged period, the treatments PVS1, PVS2, and PVS2PHLO proved to be viable and promising alternatives.

Association between auxins and plant growth-promoting bacteria can stimulate root growth and development of fruit crop nursery plants, and can be a promising biological alternative to increase the rooting of cuttings. The objective of this study was to assess the viability of producing ‘Powderblue’ blueberry nursery plants from cuttings using different doses of indolebutyric acid (IBA) in association with Azospirillum brasilense. The following treatments were tested: 0 (control); 500 mg L−1 of IBA; 1000 mg L−1 of IBA; A. brasilense; 500 mg L−1 of IBA + A. brasilense; and 1000 mg L−1 of IBA + A. brasilense. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six treatments and four replicates, and each plot (box) consisted of 10 cuttings. The boxes were arranged in a mist chamber with an intermittent regimen controlled by a timer and solenoid valve. After 90 days, the following variables were assessed: rooted cuttings; survival of cuttings; foliar retention; sprouting; cuttings with callus; root dry mass per cutting; number of roots per cutting; and root length. It was observed that the application of IBA with the A. brasilense rhizobacteria increased the number of roots of ‘Powderblue’ blueberry cuttings, while the treatments with IBA alone and IBA 1000 mg L−1 + A. brasilense increased the root length of cuttings. However, treatments with IBA and A. brasilense had no impact on % rooted cuttings and % survival of cuttings.