ABSTRACT. Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. is a pioneer plant native from Brazil that has great importance due to its secondary metabolites (essential oil and Brazilian green propolis) and its potential in the recovery of degraded areas. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the propagation techniques of B. dracunculifolia by sexual reproduction and asexual propagation of male and female stem cuttings. For reproduction, female individuals from a natural population were periodically monitored for their reproductive development and their diaspores were collected to evaluate the maximum dry mass accumulation to determine physiological maturity. The germination test was performed by testing four temperatures (20, 25, 30, and 20-30°C), in addition to the germination speed index (GSI) and first count. For vegetative propagation, stem cuttings (8 cm) of male and female individuals were treated with an indole butyric acid (IBA) solution at 0, 1,500, 3,000, 4,500, and 6,000 mg L−1. The cuttings were evaluated for mortality, survival, rooting, sprouting, leaf retention, callogenesis, number of roots, and average length of roots (cm) after 120 days. The physiological maturity of diaspores occurred at 40 days after anthesis, which was the best time for collection in the field. The temperatures of 25 or 20-30°C should be used in the germination tests of the species. The first count was identified four days after sowing and the last count after 11 days. The rooting of B. dracunculifolia cuttings is very low. Sex did not influence the evaluated parameters, but increasing IBA doses positively influenced rooting, number of roots, and average length of roots and negatively influenced calluses formation.

ABSTRACT Barbados gooseberry (BGB) is a non-conventional vegetable highlighted for its nutritional value, particularly its protein content. However, there is a lack of scientific information for improving the plantation system of this plant. This research proposed to evaluate high-density systems to cultivate BGB plants for sprout production. The experiment was carried out in the Horticulture Sector of the Canguiri Experimental Station Farm from UFPR, located in the county of Pinhais, Paraná State, Brazil. BGB was planted in open field beds using distinctive plantation systems according to plant stands and pruning and thinning management. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three repetitions per treatment. Five high-density plantation systems (treatments) were tested: 10 (10?10): 10 × 10 cm; 2) (20?20): 20 × 20 cm; and 3) (30?30): 30 × 30 cm spacing with thinning to keep one sprout growing per primary branch per plant; 4) (30?30TS) was represented by 30 × 30 cm spacing with thinning to keep one sprout growing from each of two secondary branches grown from the primary branch to give two sprouts (TS) per plant; 5) (30?30FS) consisted of plants with 30 × 30 cm spacing with no thinning (FS = free growing sprouts). The first three treatments were thinned to one sprout per plant. Protein content of BGB sprouts was also determined to verify its real protein content. A high-density plantation system promoted BGB sprouts productivity with high protein content (28.8% from leaves of sprout). Treatment 5 produced the highest yield (21.7 t/ha per month).

RESUMO O ora-pro-nóbis (OPN) é uma olerícola não convencional que se destaca pelo seu valor nutricional, especialmente, em relação a seu teor proteico. Porém, há escassez de informações técnico-científicas sobre sistemas de cultivo recomendados. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a produção de brotos de OPN em sistema superadensado. O experimento foi desenvolvido no Setor de Horticultura da Fazenda Experimental Canguiri da UFPR, em Pinhais-PR. Para isso, efetuou-se o plantio do OPN em canteiros a céu aberto em diferentes sistemas de cultivo que variaram conforme a densidade de plantas (espaçamento) e manejo de podas e desbrotas. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso com três repetições por tratamento. Foram testados cinco sistemas de cultivo em alta densidade de plantio (tratamentos): 1) 10 cm × 10 cm, 2) 20 cm × 20 cm, 3) 30 cm × 30 cm, 4) 30 cm × 30 cm e 5) 30 cm × 30 cm de espaçamento de plantio; sendo os três primeiros com desbrotas para produção de um broto por planta por colheita, o quarto com desbrota para produção de dois brotos por planta por colheita e o último sem desbrotas para livre produção de brotos. Foi também avaliada a porcentagem de proteína nos brotos de OPN para verificar o seu real conteúdo proteico. Os resultados mostraram que sistema de cultivo superadensado do OPN promove alta produtividade ao mesmo tempo que oferece um produto de alto conteúdo proteico (28,8% em folhas de broto). O cultivo no espaçamento de 30 × 30 cm e sem desbrotas proporcionou a maior produção de brotos (27,1 t/ha por mês).

ABSTRACT Despite the great economic importance of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.), information about clonal plantations and planting conditions of this tree is still scarce. Thus, we evaluated initial field establishment of five clonal yerba mate cultivars, planted at three seasons of the year (summer, autumn, and spring) in a shaded environment, and in the autumn, we also established blocks in a full sunlight environment, to compare both cultivation environments. We evaluated plants at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after planting, counting the surviving plants, shoots number, and measuring height and canopy diameter. At 12 months we also analyzed the caffeoylquinic acids (CQA) contents in mature leaves from different environments. Plant survival and growth were not affected by planting seasons. Cultivars Aupaba and BRS 409 had the highest survival rates in all seasons evaluated. The shaded environment provided greater survival and growth than full sunlight, also showing higher CQA levels in the leaves. Clonal cultivars Aupaba, BRS 408, and BRS 409 presented higher growth in both environments. The severe drought in the first year may have affected survival; however, growth was considered satisfactory and plants’ initial establishment was better in the shaded environment.

ABSTRACT Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is one of the most important raw materials of beer production. Despite being the third-largest producer and consumer of beer worldwide, Brazil imports almost all hops for production. Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for hop development and its behavior under different doses is still unknown for Brazilian conditions. Our goal was to evaluate the dry matter and essential oil yields of the Chinook hop fertilized with five N rates during three harvests. Leaves, branches, and cones were sampled to determine their dry matter production, and cones were also analyzed for essential oil contents, extracted by hydrodistillation. Cone number per plant, cone, branch, and leaf dry matter yields, as well as total essential oil yield per plant, increased linearly as nitrogen rates were raised. The production of DM of cones obtained ranged between 245.8 (N:0) and 386.7 kg ha-1 (N:250 kg N ha-1). Yield differences were also noted between harvest years due to weather conditions. Therefore, we can conclude that increasing N rates and climatic conditions affect N contents in hop leaves, as well as hops overall and oil yields, due to the higher cone dry matter. However, essential oil contents in cone dry matter did not change.

Resumo Estudos sobre propagação de espécies vegetais medicinais e ornamentais são de grande relevância por contribuírem para a sua domesticação, cultivo e produção. Entretanto, ainda há escassez de informações acerca da interação dos diferentes reguladores vegetais e veículos de diluição recomendados. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar os efeitos do hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) e do etanol como indutores de enraizamento, bem como seu desempenho como veículos de diluição do ácido indolbutírico (AIB) e do ácido naftalenoacético (ANA) em estacas caulinares das espécies Varronia curassavica e Melaleuca alternifolia. Estacas caulinares das duas espécies foram submetidas aos tratamentos: controle com água destilada, solução hidroetanólica (50% v v-1), solução de NaOH (0.5N) em água destilada, ácido indolbutírico diluído em solução hidroetanólica, ácido indolbutírico diluído em solução de NaOH, ácido naftalenoacético diluído em solução hidroetanólica e ácido naftalenoacético diluído em solução de NaOH. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, sendo as médias comparadas pelo teste Scott-Knott a 5% de probabilidade. O enraizamento das estacas foi mais satisfatórios quando aplicado AIB em ambos os veículos de diluição. Para M. alternifolia, verificaram-se percentagens de sobreviência média de 26,43%. O enraizamento se mostrou mais satisfatório quando utilizado o NaOH como veículo de diluição tanto AIB (16,66%) quanto ANA (23,33%). Para V. curassavica o AIB é o regulador vegetal mais indicado, diluído tanto em solução hidroetanólica quanto em NaOH, enquanto para M. alternifolia recomenda-se o NaOH como veículo de diluição dos reguladores vegetais ANA (500 mg L-1) e AIB (500 mg L-1). Isoladamente, os veículos de diluição não estimulam e não prejudicam o enraizamento das duas espécies.

Abstract Studies on the propagation of medicinal and ornamental plant species show of great relevance as they contribute to the domestication, cultivation and production of these species. However, there are not enough information concerning the interaction of the different plant growth regulators and the recommended dilution vehicles. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and ethanol as rooting inducers, as well as their performance as vehicles for diluting indolebutyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in stem cuttings of the species Varronia curassavica and Melaleuca alternifolia. Stem cuttings of both species were submitted to the treatments: control with distilled water, hydroethanolic solution (50% v v-1), NaOH solution in distilled water, indolebutyric acid diluted in hydroethanolic solution, indolebutyric acid diluted in NaOH solution, naphthalene acetic acid diluted in hydroethanolic acid and naphthalene acetic acid diluted in NaOH solution (0.5 N). The design used was completely randomized, with the averages compared by the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. Better rooting of the cuttings was observed when IBA was applied using both dilution vehicles. For M. alternifolia, percentages of average survival of 26.43% were verified. Rooting was more satisfactory when using NaOH as a dilution vehicle for both IBA (16.66%) and NAA (23.33%). For V. curassavica, IBA (2000 mg L-1) is the most suitable plant regulator, diluted in both hydroethanolic solution and in NaOH, while for M. alternifolia, NaOH is recommended as a dilution vehicle for plant growth regulators NAA (500 mg L-1) and IBA (500 mg L-1). When applied isolated, the dilution vehicles do not stimulate and do not harm the rooting of the two species.

ABSTRACT The effects of different nitrogen doses on dry weight yield, stevioside and rebaudioside A contents, and yields were evaluated in stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni). This study was carried out at the Instituto Federal Catarinense, Rio do Sul (SC), Brazil, under decreasing photoperiods. A randomized complete block design with four blocks and five treatments (0, 65, 135, 200 and 270 kg ha-1 N) was used. Variables related to dry weight yield (total dry weight, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, number of secondary branches and tertiary branches, and main stem length), growth rates (total leaf area, leaf area index, specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, leaf weight ratio), and stevioside and rebaudioside A contents and yields were evaluated. The doses of nitrogen fertilization did not affect the variables related to dry weight yield, stevioside and rebaudioside A contents and yields, or rebaudioside A:stevioside ratio in stevia genotype 8 (G8), grown under decreasing photoperiods.

RESUMEN El efecto de diferentes tasas de nitrógeno en la producción de biomasa, el contenido y rendimiento de esteviósido y rebaudiósido A en el cultivo de estevia se evaluaron en un experimento de campo en el Instituto Federal Catarinense, Rio do Sul (SC), Brasil, en condiciones de fotoperíodo decreciente. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques completos al azar con cuatro bloques y cinco tratamientos (0, 65, 135, 200 y 270 kg ha-1 N). Se evaluaron las variables relacionadas con la producción de biomasa (DM total, tallo MS, hojas MS, número de ramas secundarias, número de ramas terciarias y longitud de rama más grande), variables relacionadas con los índices de crecimiento (AFT, IAF, AFE, RAF y RPF) y también variables relacionadas con el contenido y el rendimiento de esteviósido y rebaudiósido A. Las diferentes dosis de fertilización nitrogenada no afectaron las variables relacionadas con la acumulación de materia seca en el genotipo G8 cultivado en condiciones de fotoperíodo decreciente en las condiciones de campo. Los niveles de fertilización nitrogenada no afectaron los niveles de esteviósido y rebaudiósido A, la productividad de esteviósido y rebaudiósido A y la proporción de rebaudiósido A / esteviósido en el G8 cultivado en condiciones de fotoperíodo de disminución de campo.

HIGHLIGHTS Essential oils from populations of B. dracunculifolia were investigated. β-pinene and (E)-nerolidol were the main compounds in B. dracunculifolia populations. The difference in the chemical profile of the essential oils is quantitative only. There is a negative correlation between the antioxidant activity and spathulenol.

Abstract Eugenia uniflora, known as the “Brazilian cherry”, is an economically important neotropical Myrtaceae in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries due the production of essential oils with antioxidant activity. On account of its significant genetic variability, genotype evaluations are needed in order to identify genetic features related to the essential oil production that meet the industry requirements. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the yield, composition, and antioxidant activity of essential oils isolated from the leaves of 36 genotypes of E. uniflora. Essential oil samples were obtained by hydrodistillation, and their composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. A variation of 0.22% to 1.68% in the essential oil yield was observed, in which 78 compounds, namely oxygenated sesquiterpenes, were identified. According to the cluster analysis of the major compounds, six groups were revealed. The observed diversity demonstrates the genetic variability of the species. Also, the antioxidant activity was affected by the composition of the essential oils, ranging from 176.66 to 867.57 µM TEAC.

RESUMEN El aceite esencial producido por las hojas de Eugenia uniflora es utilizado intensamente por las industrias cosmética, farmacéutica y de perfumería principalmente debido a su efecto antioxidante y sus actividades antimicrobianas y antihelmínticas. El secado y el almacenamiento de las hojas de plantas aromáticas pueden afectar el rendimiento y la calidad de su aceite esencial. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto del método de secado y las condiciones de almacenamiento sobre el rendimiento y la composición del aceite esencial en las hojas de Eugenia uniflora. El aceite esencial se extrajo de hojas secas a temperatura ambiente y a 45°C durante seis períodos de secado (0, 6, 24, 48, 72 y 96 horas). El rendimiento del aceite esencial también se analizó después de 0, 60, 120 y 180 días de almacenamiento en tres tipos de envases. El aceite se extrajo por hidrodestilación y la composición se determinó por cromatografía de gases - espectrometría de masas. Los resultados mostraron que el secado de las hojas a temperatura ambiente y 45°C durante 48 y 24 h, respectivamente, aumentó el rendimiento del aceite esencial. A 45°C, los compuestos de monoterpeno y sesquiterpeno aumentaron, con curzereno + viridifloreno identificado como los compuestos principales. Los tipos de paquetes no afectaron el rendimiento del aceite esencial, pero el aumento del período de almacenamiento lo disminuyó.

ABSTRACT The essential oil produced by Eugenia uniflora leaves is intensively used by the cosmetic, pharmaceutic and perfumery industries, mainly because its antioxidant effect and antimicrobial and antihelmintic ativities. Drying and storage of aromatic plant leaves can affect yield and quality of essential oils. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of drying method and storage conditions on the essential oil yield and composition in Eugenia uniflora leaves. The essential oil was extracted from dried leaves at ambient temperature and at 45°C for six drying periods (0, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours). The essential oil yield was also analyzed after 0, 60, 120, and 180 days of storage in three types of packaging. The oil was extracted with hydrodistillation, and the composition was determined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that drying leaves at ambient temperature and 45°C for 48 and 24 h, respectively, increased the essential oil yield. At 45°C, the monoterpene and sesquiterpene compounds increased, with curzerene+viridiflorene identified as the major compounds. The packaging did not affect the essential oil yield but increasing the storage period decreased it.

Abstract Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) is a native species from South America and is a rich source of bioactive compounds. There is a lack of research efforts on the phytochemical investigation of callus culture from this species. In the present study, an effort was made to optimize callus culture conditions and to identify secondary compounds. Calli were induced from 10 genotypes using leaf explants and the best genotype was selected to evaluate the effects of cytokinin types and concentrations on callus induction and biomass accumulation. The best genotype and cytokinin treatment were used to conduct one last experiment with sucrose concentrations in culture media and its effects on calli biomass, antioxidant activity and secondary compounds accumulation. Callus initiation was genotype dependent, and the 6-156-6 line had the best response. Zeatin supplemented medium showed higher callus induction rate (82%) and higher biomass accumulation after 120 days (328.2 mg). Higher biomass and secondary compounds accumulation were observed for calli on 3% sucrose medium. Antioxidant activity was not affected by sucrose concentrations. Yerba mate callus culture allowed the accumulation of chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, theobromine and caffeine.

RESUMEN La evaluación de cuatro genotipos de estevia para la producción de biomasa, el contenido y rendimiento de esteviósido y rebaudiósido A, se llevó a cabo en la región de Alto Vale do Itajaí, estado de Santa Catarina, SC (Brasil), en condiciones de disminución de fotoperíodo. El experimento se realizó en el campo de la Granja São Miguel, Lontras, SC, Brasil, bajo condiciones de disminución del fotoperíodo, con una variación de 13.72 h de luz, en el momento de la implantación del experimento, a 12.57 h de luz al final de las evaluaciones. Los tratamientos fueron cuatro genotipos (G4, G8, G9 y G12), procedentes de EMBRAPA-CENARGEN. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques completos al azar con cuatro tratamientos (genotipos de estevia) y cuatro repeticiones. Cada parcela constaba de 21 plantas y el área del piso por cinco plantas. G12 tuvo el mayor peso seco de la hoja (PSH), área foliar total, índice de área foliar, relación de área foliar y área foliar específica de todos los genotipos. G4 y G12 presentaron similitud en PSH, siendo superiores a los demás, con producción de 755,6 y 836,4 kg ha-1, respectivamente. El contenido de esteviósido fue mayor en G12 (200.07 mg g-1). G8 y G9 fueron iguales para el contenido de rebaudiósido A, presentando 64,77 y 49,05 mg g-1, respectivamente. La relación rebaudiósido A: esteviósido fue mayor en el genotipo G8 (0,44 g g-1). Ningún genotipo evaluado bajo las condiciones productivas del Alto Vale do Itajaí presentó la relación rebaudiósido A: esteviósido apropiada requerido para la industria.

ABSTRACT An evaluation of four stevia genotypes for biomass yield, stevioside and rebaudioside A content and yield under decreasing photoperiod conditions was carried out in the Alto Vale do Itajaí region, located in the State of Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil. This field experiment was conducted at Site São Miguel, a farm located in the city of Lontras (SC), Brazil, under conditions of decreasing photoperiods, with a variation of 13.72 h of light at experiment implantation to 12.57 h of light at the end of the evaluations. The treatments consisted of four genotypes (G4, G8, G9 and G12) provided by EMBRAPA-CENARGEN. A randomized complete block design with four treatments (stevia genotypes) and four replications was used. Each plot consisted of 21 plants, and the floor area had five plants. G12 had the highest leaf dry weight (LDW), total leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area ratio and specific leaf area of all the genotypes. G4 and G12 were equal for LDW and were higher than the other genotypes, with yields of 755.6 and 836.4 kg ha-1, respectively. The stevioside content was highest in G12 (200.07 mg g-1). G8 and G9 were similar for rebaudioside A content (64.77 and 49.05 mg g-1, respectively). The rebaudioside A: stevioside ratio was highest in G8 (0.44 g g-1). No genotype had a rebaudioside A: stevioside ratio suitable for industry requirements.

RESUMO: Guaco é uma espécie medicinal que apresenta em sua composição a cumarina, um metabólito secundário cuja concentração no vegetal é influenciada por fatores como os níveis de radiação UV-A (315-400 nm) e UV-B (280-315 nm) incidentes, bem como pela idade e posição do órgão de armazenamento na planta. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de bloqueio das radiações UV-A e UV-B sobre parâmetros de crescimento e teor de cumarina em dois acessos de guaco. Os tratamentos não apresentaram efeito sobre os parâmetros de crescimento avaliados, com exceção dos valores de área foliar. Em relação aos teores de cumarina, estes foram superiores nas folhas coletadas do dossel superior, bem como no tratamento sem bloqueio das radiações UV-A e UV-B incidentes.

ABSTRACT: Guaco is a medicinal plant species containing coumarin, a secondary metabolite whose concentration is influenced by various factors, such as the level of exposure to UVA (315-400 nm) and UVB (280-315 nm) radiation, age of the plant, and position of the storage organ in the plant. This study aimed to assess the effect of different blocking levels of UVA and UVB radiation on growth parameters and coumarin content of two guaco accessions. Treatments did not affect any of the growth parameters assessed, except leaf area. Coumarin content was higher in leaves collected from the upper canopy and with unblocked exposure to UVA and UVB.

Abstract Stevia (stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is a species characterized by producing non-caloric substances with high sweetening potential. Among these substances, rebaudioside A and stevioside are produced in greater quantity. Plant density and harvesting time are factors that affects biomass and sweetening compounds yield in this species. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of plant densities and harvesting times on the productive and physiological characteristics of stevia in southern Brazil. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, in a split-plot scheme, with 9 treatments comparing the effect of three planting densities (166 667, 83 333 and 33 333 plants ha-1) in the plots and three harvesting periods (before, in the beginning and in full flowering) in the subplots. Harvesting at the beginning of flowering promoted higher dry leaf biomass yield and, when associated with the lowest planting density, promoted higher levels of rebaudioside A and stevioside. The lowest planting density resulted in greater leaves biomass accumulation, whereas the highest density promoted higher yields per area. Interaction between density of 166 667 plants ha-1 and the harvest at the onset of flowering promoted higher yields of rebaudioside A (43.22 kg ha-1) as well as higher rebaudioside A/stevioside ratio (0.60).

RESUMEN La manzanilla [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert] pertenece a la familia Asteraceae y es parte de un gran grupo de plantas medicinales cultivadas y utilizadas en Brasil y en todo el mundo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la productividad de capítulos florales junto con el contenido y composición del aceite esencial de cuatro cultivares de manzanilla en tres períodos de cosecha. Se ha llevado a cabo el experimento en la Estación Experimental de Canguiri (UFPR) en el período del 15 de mayo hasta el 09 septiembre de 2015. Se evaluaron cuatro cultivares comerciales de manzanilla adquiridos en diferentes países: Twinings (Inglaterra), Auchan (España), Lipton (Escocia) y Mandirituba (Brasil), que tradicionalmente se cultivan en Paraná. El diseño experimental fue de bloques al azar a través de un factorial 4x3 (4 cultivares y 3 períodos de cosecha) y con cuatro repeticiones. A los 96 días tras la plantación se realizaron cosechas manuales, en un total de tres cosechas. Después de cada cosecha, se sometieron los capítulos a secado. La extracción de aceite esencial y la identificación de los componentes químicos del aceite esencial se realizaron en el Laboratorio de Ecofisiología de UFPR. La época de cosecha afectó la producción de capítulos y aceite esencial, siendo mayor en la primera (276,9 y 0,71 kg ha-1, respectivamente) y tercera cosechas (262,6 y 0,77 kg ha-1, respectivamente). Los cultivares y las cosechas no tuvieron influencia sobre el porcentaje de aceite esencial (0,22 a 0,29%) obtenido de los capítulos de las flores, pero contribuyen con la definición del compuesto químico a producirse.

ABSTRACT Chamomile [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert] belongs to the Asteraceae family and is part of a large medicinal plant group that is cultivated and used in Brazil and in the world. The objective of this study was to evaluate the floral capitula productivity and essential oil content and composition of four cultivars of chamomile in three harvesting periods. The experiment was conducted at the Canguiri Experimental Station (UFPR) from May 15th to September 9th, 2015. Four cultivars of chamomile were evaluated, from commercial products purchased in different countries: Twinings (England), Auchan (Spain), Lipton (Scotland) and Mandirituba (Brazil), which is traditionally grown in Paraná. The experiment design used randomized blocks in a 4x3 factorial scheme (4 cultivars and 3 harvesting periods), with four replicates. At 96 days after planting, manual harvests were performed, for a total of three harvests. After each harvest, the floral chapters were dried. The extraction of the essential oil and the identification of the chemical constituents of the essential oil were carried out in the Laboratory of Ecophysiology of UFPR. The harvest time affected the productivity of the floral capitula and essential oil, being higher in the first (276.9 and 0.71 kg ha-1, respectively) and third harvests (262.6 and 0.77 kg ha-1, respectively). The cultivars and harvests did not influence the essential oil percentage (0.22 to 0.29%) obtained from the floral capitula; however, they contributed to the definition of the produced chemical compound.

RESUMEN Las especies nativas de Piper presentan importantes actividades biológicas repelentes, antimicrobianos, insecticidas, antitumoral y anti-protozoario. Los estudios sobre nuevas especies representan potenciales descubrimientos sin publicar y la propagación vegetativa es necesario para el desarrollo del protocolo de cultivo; además, reduce la extracción natural. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el enraizamiento de esquejes de P. arboreum, P. cernuum y P. diospyrifolium con diferentes tratamientos que contienen dosis del ácido indolbutirico (0, 500, 1.000, 1.500, 2.000 y 3.000 mg L-1). Ramas fueran colectadas en la Reserva Biológica Bom Jesus, estado de Paraná, Brasil. Los cortes con una longitud de 12 cm y el diámetro promedio de 6 mm se instalaron en tubos de plástico de 53 cm3 usando el sustrato comercial Tropstrato HP® y riego por nebulización intermitente. Después de 90 días se evaluaron las tasas de supervivencia, mortalidad y esquejes con nuevos brotes, número y longitud de las tres raíces principales. Los porcentajes de enraizamiento alcanzaron un promedio de 67,5% para P. arboreum, 51,6% para P. cernuum y 50,4% para P. diospyrifolium. Se encontró respuesta positiva de los tratamientos que contienen el regulador vegetal para las variables de enraizamiento, porcentaje de esquejes con brotes y número de raíces por estaca, pero hubo variaciones en las respuestas de cada especie. La permanencia de hojas fue un factor importante para el proceso de enraizamiento adventicio en las especies evaluadas.

ABSTRACT Native Piper species present significant repellent, antimicrobial, inseticidal, anti-tumor and anti-protozoal biological activities. Studies on new species can discover unpublished potentialities and vegetative propagation for the development of cultivation protocols and reduce the natural extraction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rooting of P. arboreum, P. cernuum and P. diospyrifolium stem cuttings with different treatments containing doses of indole butyric acid (0, 500; 1,000; 1,500; 2,000 and 3,000 mg L-1). Branches were collected in the "Bom Jesus Biological Reserve", Parana state, Brazil. The cuttings, with a length of 12 cm and average diameter of 6 mm, were placed in 53 cm3 plastic tubes with the commercial substrate Tropstrato HP® and intermittent misting. After 90 days, the survival, mortality, cuttings with new shoots, number and length of the three main roots were evaluated. The percentages of rooting reached an average of 67.5% for P. arboreum, 51.6% for P. cernuum and 50.4% for P. diospyrifolium. A positive effect in the treatments containing the plant regulator was observed for rooting development, percentage of cuttings with shoots and number of roots per propagule, but there were variations in the responses of each species. Leaf retention was an important factor for the adventitious rooting formation in all evaluated species.