Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The studies on floristic composition are an aid in the understanding of the structure and dynamics of the plant communities, fundamental parameters for its management and conservation. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the floristic composition, species richness, Shannon’s diversity and models of species abundance over a 10-year period (2005 to 2015) in two terra firme forest areas, with and without water deficit in the soil. Data were collected in 98 subplots denominated A (control) and 98 subplots B (rainwater exclusion), each measuring 10 m x 10 m, of which plants species with diameter at breast height (DBH≥10 cm) were listed. The Fabaceae (33), Sapotaceae (27), Chrysobalanaceae (15) and Burseraceae (13) families were the most representated in the study areas. A small decrease was found in the observed species richness in area A, but the community evenness and the Shannon diversity index remained constant, and a small increase was found in the observed species richness in area B, which may have contributed to a increase in the diversity index over time. The Zipf and Zipf-Mandelbrot models adjusted for the plant communities of areas A and B, respectively, indicate that such areas indicate good ecological conditions for the establishment of late colonizing species. Thus, it can be inferred that water deficiency in the soil did not significantly affect the conservation of the forest under study.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to use quantitative traits to estimate the genetic distance among E. pellita provenances and progenies, to inform possible hybridization strategies in a species improvement program. A provenance and progeny test with 118 progenies from seven provenances was evaluated. The following quantitative traits were measured at seven years of age: diameter at breast height (DBH); height; and individual volume. The data were submitted to REML/BLUP analysis to obtain the predicted genetic value (BLUP). From this, the Mahalanobis (D²) genetic distance was estimated for provenances and progenies, which were then grouped by Tocher’s method, the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages (UPGMA), and principal component analysis (PCA). In total, 29 divergent groups were obtained among progenies based on Tocher’s method, which showed greater reliability according to the cophenetic correlation coefficient than UPGMA. The opposite was found between provenances, where the results for UPGMA demonstrated greater clustering reliability. Based on principal component analysis (PCA), the M. Ray and Tully provenances were the most similar, while Connl. A and Orchard were the most divergent. Height was the most important trait in estimating genetic distance. The results obtained offer important insights for breeding programs; with this information, crosses can be designed between contrasting individuals among and within provenances to obtain E. pellita hybrids, validating the possible heterotic groups identified through the genetic distance and grouping methods.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The usual propagation method for Dalbergia nigra is via seedings; however, the seasonal supply has a variable quantity of seeds which limits the continuous production of seedlings. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish a vegetative propagation protocol via mini-cuttings technique for D. nigra from juvenile shoots obtained from seedlings. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 2 x 4 factorial scheme, with two geographical origins: two controlled release fertilizer doses (4.0 and 8.0 g.dm-³) and four indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations (0; 2,000; 4,000; and 6,000 mg.Kg-1), with four replications. The mini-cuttings were removed from the tubes after 60 days of propagation in the greenhouse, and the substrate was completely removed by washing in running water to observe the roots. The survival percentage, rooting, rooting speed and variables related to mini-cuttings vigor (largest root length (RL, cm.plant-1), number of roots (NR), surface area (SA, mm2), root volume (RV, mm³) and root dry mass (RDM, g.plant-1) were measured. The results indicated that D. nigra has an aptitude for vegetative propagation by mini-cuttings with survival values and rooting greater than 70%. Geographical origins present a different set of responses for survival, rooting and vigor of mini-cuttings. Stock plant nutrition influences mini-cuttings root growth. IBA concentrations did not promote an effect on the mini-cuttings rooting percentage; however, exogenous auxin at the dose of 6,000 mg.Kg-1 provided mini-cuttings with greater vigor in their radical system. Nonetheless, further research is suggested to define the feasibility of using this regulator in the vegetative propagation of this species.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT: The evaluation of diversity and genetic structure allows us to verify with precision the effect of evolutionary and anthropic processes on species. The objective of this research was to evaluate the divergence and the genetic structure of two natural populations of Dalbergia nigra, using molecular markers Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR). Leaf samples were collected from two populations, located in the National Forest of Pacotuba and the Private Natural Heritage Reserve of Cafundó. Eight ISSR primers were used, which resulted in 97 bands, with 68.04% of polymorphism. Based on the joint data, the values of 0.33 for the Nei index (H*) and 0.50 for the Shannon index (I*) indicated moderate to high genetic diversity, being influenced by the presence of genetically dissimilar individuals in the National Forest of Pacotuba. Most of the genetic divergence was intrapopulational (85.96%), with moderate differentiation between populations (ΦST = 0.1404). The estimated historical gene flow between the fragments was low (Nm = 3.21) when compared with results from other tree species, and the genetic structuring analysis separated the populations into two groups, corresponding to the two populations evaluated. The results indicate a small genetic share among populations, however, populations are becoming structured. The satisfactory levels of genetic diversity benefit the use of the trees as matrixes for programs of restoration and recovery of degraded areas, connectivity of landscapes, and sustainable use of forest resources.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This study evaluated soil chemical and isotopic changes in soils of a chronosequence rainforest-sugarcane-pasture in the Atlantic Forest biome, Brazil. Soil samples were collected (0-20 cm) in areas of native Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, sugarcane plantation and pastures of Brachiaria decumbens. The soil analyses performed were: pH (water 1:2.5), P (Mehlich-I), (Al+3, H+Al, K+, Ca+2, Mg+2 and Na+), soil organic matter (SOM), N, organic carbon and δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes. The conversion of rainforest to sugarcane and pastures resulted in a reduction of the soil natural acidity. Forest areas had greater Al+3 and H+Al concentrations than cultivated areas. The conversion from forest to agricultural soil reduced Al+3 (44%) and H+Al (11%), approximately. Soils from pasture had a greater percentage of base saturation (37.3%) than forest soils (25.4%). Cation exchange capacity was strongly influenced by concentrations of K+, Ca+2 and Mg+2, but not by Na+. Carbon stable isotope (δ13C) was more depleted in forest areas (-28.14‰), followed by sugarcane (-21.33‰), and pastures (-19.54‰). The greatest δ15N values were found in sugarcane areas. The short chronosequence studied, had a strong influence of the conversion of the forest on the decrease of the natural acidity and modifications of the isotopic profile. The enrichment of soil δ13C was attributed to the changes from predominant C3 vegetation to C4 grasses.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT This study was carried on evaluating effects of inoculation with Bacillus species and generations of genetically improved seeds on Pinus taeda growth in nursery conditions. Two experiments, based on distinct inoculation methods (sowing and post-emergence) were performed under a 3 x 2 factorial, completely randomized block design (3 levels of inoculation and 2 levels of genetic improvement of Pinus taeda). Plant height and diameter were measured at different stages along seedling development. At harvest, root volume, root fresh and dry mass, shoot fresh and dry mass and quality index were also estimated. Data were submitted to a two-way analysis of variance (p<0.05) and Tukey´s test was used to separate means (p<0.05). Data from experiment with inoculation at sowing showed that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens improved plant height (20%) and shoot dry mass (28%) of 2.0 generation seedlings compared to control plants. Regarding post-emergence inoculation, plants from 1.5 generation presented more pronounced effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Overall, inoculated seedlings were 9.8% taller and produced 60% more root dry mass than non-inoculated plants. Regardless of seedling generation, B. amyloliquefaciens increased Dickson Quality Index by 30%. These results suggest that each generation of genetically improved P. taeda has different growth responses to B. amyloliquefaciens. Methods of inoculation, combined with level of genetic improvement, must also be considered to obtain the best benefit to seedling development when using this rhizobacterium. Based on the current findings, inoculation with B. amyloliquefaciens should be incorporated as a silvicultural practice to improve growth of P. taeda under nursery conditions.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Taper models are one of several necessary tools in modern forest inventory, giving information on diameter at any point along the tree stem and this information can also be used to estimate stem volume. In this study, we used nonlinear mixed-effects (NLME) modeling approach to minimize existing statistical problems in constructing taper equations. A segmented taper model of Max and Burkhart (1976) was fitted using this approach to consider for within- and between-tree variation in brutian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) stem taper. Based on evaluation statistics, the model including random-effects parameters β 1, β 3 and β 4 were found to be the best. Inclusion of random parameters were not completely eliminated heterogenous variance and autocorrelation in residuals. Incorporating variance function and a continuous autoregressive error structure (CAR(1)) to NLME Max and Burkhart model removed the heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation in residuals. Upper stem diameters were used to localized stem taper model to individual tree. For this, two different measurement scenarios were evaluated as one and two upper stem diameter measurements. Inclusion of random parameters were improved the predictive capability of taper model in particularly the middle and lower sections of stem based on upper stem diameter measurements. The calibration using upper stem diameter measurements can improve the tree-level accuracy of stem taper model is therefore recommended.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Wood plastic composite was fabricated using high density polyethylene and pine wood fiber. The effect of addition of TiO2 nanoparticles at different weight fractions (0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%) on some properties of the composite was examined. The experimental composites were tested for bending strength, tensile strength, Izod impact strength, thickness swelling, and contact angle. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was also investigated to study the distribution of TiO2 nanoparticles in the composites. The results showed that using TiO2 nanoparticles as a reinforcing agent in wood plastic composites resulted in an increase in the tensile and bending strengths and a decrease the thickness swelling of the composites. The effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the Izod impact strength of composites was not significant. The results also showed that the contact angle of wood plastic composites was improved by using TiO2 nanoparticles.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT A suitable experimental design should control the environmental effect and be capable of discriminating genotypes. Two clonal tests of Eucalyptus were planted side by side in a randomized block design with the same 32 treatments under two different plot designs. The first trial was designed with five plants per plot (linear plot, LP) and six block replicates at a spacing of 3 x 2 m. The second trial was designed with one plant per plot (single-tree plot, STP) and 30 block replicates also at a spacing of 3 x 2 m. Diameter at breast height (dbh), height (h), and individual volume (vol) were measured at five years of age. The STP design presented broad-sense heritabilities values of 0.23 for h and 0.41 for vol, which were higher than those found for the LP design (0.12 for h and 0.22 for vol). The ratio between the standard error and the estimated genotypic variance (Sg^ ) was lower for the three evaluated traits in the STP trial. The correlations between the genetic values were positive and of high magnitude, ranging from 0.87 (h) to 0.91 (vol), but there were many differences between the two designs with regard to the ranking of clones. The STP presented better discriminant power according to the biplot analysis, as well as more accurate and reliable estimates.