The objective was to characterize the species’ biotechnological potential and its phenotypes, with an emphasis on the morphophysiology and biochemistry of fruits, seeds, and germination, as well as the antioxidant activity of the leaf essential oil.
Abstract
Amazonian biodiversity is home to species with great potential for integrating environmental conservation, biotechnological innovation, and sustainable development. Among them, Eugenia patrisii Vahl (Myrtaceae) stands out for its many applications, including fruit production, the restoration of degraded areas, and the extraction of essential oils of economic interest. In cultivation conditions, it exhibits intraspecific variations manifested in different phenotypes. Thus, the objective was to characterize the species’ biotechnological potential and its phenotypes, with an emphasis on the morphophysiology and biochemistry of fruits, seeds, and germination, as well as the antioxidant activity of the leaf essential oil. First, a literature review was conducted on the potential of Eugenia species to provide raw materials and establish crops; subsequently, sowing was carried out, and the germination and initial growth of the seedlings were monitored using descriptive, quantitative, and comparative approaches for seven phenotypes (F1 through F7), Subsequently, the nutritional content of the fruit pulp and the mobilization of primary reserves of carbohydrates, amino acids, and proteins from the seeds of the distinguished phenotypes—F2, F3, and F6—were analyzed, and, finally, the essential oil was extracted from the leaves of the species, and its composition and electron-scavenging activity against ABTS and DPPH radicals were described. The literature review revealed gaps regarding germination, chemical composition, and biological activity, particularly for Eugenia patrisii. From the germination and post- germination experiments, 28 traits were described, which were used to assess the divergence among the seven phenotypes (F1 through F7), including the biometry and morphoanatomy of fruits, seeds, and seedlings, as well as germination parameters; this information is previously unpublished for this species. For these criteria, F2, F3, and F6 performed distinctly compared to the others, forming a separate group, indicating intraspecific resources for the selection of species for silviculture. In contrast, F7 fell short of the others for the same parameters, failing even to produce seedlings for analysis. Regarding the mobilization of primary seed reserves, it was possible to identify distinct strategies for the synthesis and degradation of carbohydrates and proteins among the F2, F3, and F6 phenotypes, which sometimes adopt a conservative metabolic strategy and sometimes a dynamic one. The nutritional composition of the fruits revealed that the pulp had a high carbohydrate content—which significantly distinguished F2—and a high protein content—which set F6 apart from the other two—suggesting their potential for use in different types of dietary supplements. The extracted essential oil had a yield of 2.48%, while its chemical composition was notably dominated by sesquiterpenes (95.2%), particularly oxygenated sesquiterpenes (47.9%). The major constituent was β- elemene, at 21%, followed by compounds belonging to the cardinol skeleton group, while for the DPPH assay, the inhibition percentage was 51.4 ± 0.6%, and the ABTS assay indicated a TEAC value of 254 ± 2.0, suggesting moderate to strong antioxidant activity, with oxygenated sesquiterpenes being directly correlated with this potential. Furthermore, this study provides new insights into the morphology and physiology of E. patrisii, filling important gaps in our knowledge of the species. The results expand the available scientific basis and provide a foundation for its conservation, domestication, and sustainable use, while also strengthening research aimed at utilizing other native Amazonian fruit trees.
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is a legume of great nutritional and economic importance, native to Africa and widely cultivated in Brazil, especially in the North and Northeast regions. Due to the species’ wide genetic variability and high adaptability, there is growing interest in obtaining morphological and agronomic information, which is essential for supporting genetic improvement programs. However, studies on these traits in traditional cowpea varieties under the edaphoclimatic conditions of Manaus, Amazonas, remain scarce. In this regard, the objective of this study was to characterize and evaluate traditional cowpea varieties in a dryland area in Manaus, Amazonas. The samples consisted of seeds from the cowpea collection maintained by the Active Germplasm Bank of the National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA). The experiments employed a randomized block design with a factorial layout of 16 treatments (traditional varieties) × 2 (growing seasons), with four replications, in which 31 qualitative and quantitative descriptors were evaluated. For the morphological descriptors, the mean values obtained from the two growing seasons were used. The qualitative data were described and, when necessary, subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. The quantitative data were subjected to analysis of variance and the Scott-Knott test at a 5% significance level. To study genetic diversity, the Mahalanobis dissimilarity matrix and the simple coincidence measure were used. The treatments were clustered using the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) and Tocher’s hierarchical agglomerative method. The relative importance of the descriptors for genetic divergence was determined using Singh’s method. In the evaluation of productive performance, a factorial design was adopted comprising the 16 varieties and two growing seasons (rainy season and dry season), followed by analysis of variance and the Scott-Knott test at a 5% significance level. Pearson’s correlation was also performed among the yield components (t-test, 5%). The results revealed genetic variability among the 16 traditional varieties evaluated. The clustering methods used identified 3 and 4 groups. The variables that contributed most to the dissimilarity among the evaluated varieties were the number of main branches, seed width, pod length, and apical leaflet width. There were significant differences among the cowpea varieties, across growing seasons, and for the cultivar × growing season interaction for all response variables analyzed. During the rainy season, the grain yield of the CFG variety stood out, at 1,467.03 kg ha−1. In the rainy season, yield correlated positively with the number of pods per plant, the number of seeds per pod, and the seed mass per plant, whereas in the dry season, negative correlations predominated, especially for the number of seeds per pod and the average pod weight.
ABSTRACT Erythrina velutina Willd., commonly known as mulungu, is a native Brazilian tree widely used in landscaping and traditional medicine, valued for its ecological functions such as nitrogen fixation and drought resistance. This study aimed to characterize its seedling development, geographic distribution, and preliminary conservation status. Seedlings were observed for 75 days, displaying traits such as compound leaves, epicotyl with aculeus, and nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Geographic data from speciesLink revealed the tree’s occurrence in Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru, with its presence confirmed in biomes like the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Amazon. The conservation status was classified as Least Concern based on its extent of occurrence, but as Vulnerable regarding its area of occupancy. The study highlights the species’ importance for restoration projects and provides essential information for its identification and conservation, suggesting that its morphological traits are valuable for both in situ and ex situ recognition, as well as for management efforts.
Carlos Alberto da Silva Oliveira, E. M. Fernando, Erika Rayra Lima Nonato et al.· Hoehnea· 0 citations
Talinum paniculatum is an unconventional food plant with nutritional and medicinal potential, yet it remains underexplored. Seed germination in this species may be limited by environmental factors and the occurrence of dormancy, requiring techniques that promote seedling establishment. Vegetative propagation emerges as an alternative method for its multiplication, potentially overcoming the limitations associated with sexual propagation. However, the lack of information on efficient propagation methods represents a barrier to the cultivation and valorization of this species. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate sexual and vegetative propagation methods of T. paniculatum under the environmental conditions of Central Amazonia. The research was conducted at the Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Sector of the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, using seeds and cuttings obtained from stock plants cultivated in a nursery. Three experiments were carried out: (1) evaluation of pre-soaking periods (0, 24, and 48 hours) and different germination conditions (sand at 25 °C, blotting paper at 25 °C, and commercial substrate under natural environmental conditions); (2) evaluation of cutting types (apical, middle, and basal) collected from stock plants aged 2, 4, and 6 months; and (3) evaluation of apical and basal cuttings with lengths of 5 and 10 cm. Germination conditions significantly influenced the performance of T. paniculatum seeds, with germination occurring only in commercial substrate maintained under natural environmental conditions, whereas pre-soaking periods had no significant effect. In the second experiment, basal cuttings obtained from six-month-old stock plants exhibited the highest percentages of survival, rooting, and sprouting, as well as the greatest number of shoots and biomass accumulation. In the third experiment, basal propagules and cuttings measuring 10 cm in length provided superior seedling establishment and vigor, demonstrating their superiority for species propagation. The propagation of T. paniculatum proved feasible under the environmental conditions of Central Amazonia, highlighting the species' potential for seedling production. These results contribute to the development of more efficient propagation strategies and to the promotion of this unconventional vegetable as an alternative for diversifying productive and food systems.
The exploitation of bioextractives from Tectona grandis L.f. still relies largely on destructive methods, limiting the development of sustainable non-timber management strategies. Although the species presents recognized phytochemical potential and applications in plant-based products, gaps remain regarding harvesting systems capable of balancing productivity, plant physiological recovery, and extract quality. This study aimed to establish an integrated framework for sustainable bioextract production in T. grandis by combining cyclic artificial defoliation of seedlings with phytochemical prospecting of coppice shoots from commercial plantations. The experiment was structured into two complementary components. In the first, 120-day-old seedlings were subjected to total artificial defoliation at 30-day intervals under nursery conditions, evaluating morphometric growth, extractive yield, quinone compound presence, and the potential of extracts as pH indicators. In the second, coppice shoots approximately 15 mm in diameter were separated into leaves, branches, and stems, followed by hydroalcoholic extraction and qualitative phytochemical screening to identify metabolite
classes. Quantitative data were analyzed under a completely randomized design. Results demonstrated that cyclic defoliation is a feasible non-destructive harvesting strategy, maintaining quinone detection and pH indicator capacity despite a reduction in extractive yield. In coppice shoots, leaves showed higher extractive content and distinct metabolite distribution compared to other plant parts. The integration of nursery-based leaf harvesting with field utilization of coppice biomass represents a promising pathway for non-timber management of teak, supporting bioeconomy-oriented production systems and value addition within the species’ productive chain.
The growing demand for sustainable agricultural systems has stimulated the development of microbial bioinputs capable of reducing dependence on mineral fertilizers while improving the efficient use of natural resources. In this context, the prospecting and characterization of plant growth-promoting bacteria represent a promising strategy to increase agricultural productivity and support environmental sustainability. This study aimed to perform the morphophysiological, molecular, and functional characterization of the experimental strain Mycobacterium agroflorensis, evaluating its potential for application as an agricultural bioinput. The research included macroscopic and microscopic characterization, cultivation on Middlebrook 7H10 medium, assessment of bacterial growth under different temperature and pH conditions, molecular identification based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and investigation of plant growth-promoting mechanisms, including phytohormone production, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and genes associated with plant–bacteria interaction. Agronomic assays were also conducted under controlled environmental conditions, combined with Internet of Things (IoT)-based environmental monitoring, to evaluate bacterial inoculation in different crop species. The results demonstrated that M. agroflorensis exhibited high phenotypic stability, optimal growth at 30 °C and pH 7.0, morphological characteristics consistent with the genus Mycobacterium, and functional traits associated with plant growth promotion. Bacterial inoculation improved plant development and demonstrated promising potential for application in sustainable agricultural systems. These findings highlight the biotechnological potential of M. agroflorensis as a candidate for the development of agricultural bioinputs, contributing to low-carbon agriculture and advancing research in agricultural microbiology.
Luís Dias Ferreira Soares, Zilmar Timóteo Soares, Aarão Felipe Ataídes Lima et al.· Revista ft· 0 citations
Megathyrsus maximus (Guinea grass) is an important forage species for livestock production, whose productivity has been adversely affected by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) associated with the rhizosphere of M. maximus. Rhizosphere samples were collected and processed for bacterial isolation, followed by microbiological, biochemical, and molecular characterization. Plant growth-promoting traits were assessed through urease activity, phosphate solubilization, catalase activity, amylolytic activity, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production. In addition, in vitro assays were conducted to evaluate seed germination, root length, leaf length, stem length, and fresh plant weight. The results demonstrated the successful isolation and identification of rhizosphere-associated bacteria with plant growth-promoting potential, regardless of their geographic origin, revealing considerable genetic diversity among the isolates. The best-performing strains were molecularly identified as Azospirillum lipoferum, Rhizobium etli, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Serratia marcescens. These findings highlight the potential of these bacterial species as biofertilizers to enhance the establishment, growth, and productivity of M. maximus, providing a sustainable alternative to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and supporting the development of more efficient and environmentally responsible livestock production systems under tropical conditions
Juan Pablo Avellaneda Vázquez, Karina Gabriela Martinez Lara, Karelys Edith Hidalgo Mendoza et al.· Multidisciplinary Collaborat...· 0 citations
