Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz"

The Myrtaceae family is the eighth largest family of higher plants, including fruit species native to Brazil with significant commercial potential due to their bioactive and antioxidant properties, such as Eugenia involucrata DC. (Rio Grande cherry) and Eugenia pyriformis Cambess. (uvaia). However, their production chains are under-researched, particularly regarding fruit growth and development. This study aimed to fill this gap by describing the anatomical changes occurring during fruit development in these species, focusing on epicarp and pericarp structures. Fruit samples were collected from an experimental orchard, fixed in FAA solution, and prepared for microscopic analysis. Sections were stained with toluidine blue, and a descriptive analysis was conducted at various developmental stages. The study revealed that both species produce simple, fleshy, indehiscent fruits. E. involucrata fruits are smooth and wine-red when ripe, while E. pyriformis fruits are yellow and trichome-covered in early stages, losing their trichomes as they mature. Both species exhibited significant phenolic content during fruit development. The findings show that E. involucrata and E. pyriformis share anatomical traits common to other Myrtaceae species, such as secretory cavities, vascular bundles, and crystal accumulation. Moreover, this study is the first to report the presence of stomata on the outer ovarian epidermis and endocarp of E. involucrata mature fruits. The intense formation of intercellular spaces during fruit development contributes to their poor postharvest storage. However, these anatomical traits suggest a potential positive response to calcium application, which may help extend postharvest longevity. These results provide valuable anatomical insights that can guide future studies on the commercial and agronomic potential of these species.

Nitrogen fertilization can significantly enhance the productivity of maize and peanuts in an intercropping system. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of full, partial, or complementary substitution of nitrogen fertilization through intercropping with peanuts on leaf nutrient levels and maize yield. The experiment was conducted from February to May 2021, at an area belonging to the Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira (UNILAB) in Redenção, Ceará state (Brazil). The experimental design was a randomized block design with five treatments: MP0 (maize intercropped with peanuts without nitrogen fertilization), MP50 (maize intercropped with peanuts with 50% of the recommended nitrogen dose), MP100 (maize intercropped with peanuts with 100% of the recommended nitrogen dose), MN50 (maize in monoculture with 50% of the recommended nitrogen dose), and MN100 (maize in monoculture with 100% of the recommended nitrogen dose), each with four replications. The results indicate that intercropping maize with peanuts improves the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization and land use. However, complete substitution of nitrogen fertilization in the maize-peanut intercropping system is not recommended due to the observed lower growth and yield indices.

Management interventions in agroforestry systems can reconcile ecological and productive outcomes while serving as part of forest restoration strategies. However, current knowledge on these impacts is still limited and controversial. Here, we assessed the effects of management intensity on coffee production and ecological indicators in coffee agroforests, as well as their potential for landscape restoration. Specifically, we identified key management practices, assessed their effects on production and ecology, analyzed potential trade-offs, and compared agroforests with old-growth forests. We assessed 10 old agroforests (15–19 years), 7 young agroforests (5–6 years), and 3 old-growth forests in the Atlantic Forest. We identified management practices most associated with coffee production using Principal Component Analysis and assessed management effects through Multiple Linear Regression. Trade-offs were tested with Spearman’s correlations, and ecological differences among systems were analyzed with ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Higher management intensity—primarily through pruning, weeding, and natural fertilizers —significantly increased coffee production (p = 0.03) but did not impact ecological indicators. No trade-off was observed between production and ecological indicators. Overall, the management intensity and coffee production in the agroforestry were low. Old agroforests exhibited aboveground biomass levels comparable to old-growth forests. Despite relatively low coffee production, these agroforests enhance food security, income, and ecological benefits with minimal external inputs, offering a cost-effective strategy to landscape restoration. Our findings highlight that agroforestry with similar configurations but under low-intensity management can provide different benefits over time, depending on the combination of management practices.

Aim Climate change represents one of the main threats to global biodiversity, and such alterations are expected to induce shifts in distribution ranges and diversity patterns. We evaluate if protected areas and forest remnants in the Atlantic Forest in South America (AF) are projected to ensure the taxonomic diversity (TD) and phylogenetic diversity (PD) of non‐volant small mammals under scenarios of future climate change. Location Atlantic Forest (AF), South America. Methods We used Species Distribution Modelling (SDMs) through an ensemble approach to assess the potential distribution of 101 species of small mammals using present (1979–2013) and future (2050 and 2070) climate scenarios. We consider optimistic and pessimistic greenhouse gas concentration scenarios (SSP370 and SSP585). We accessed TD through the sum of the suitable areas vs. areas of low or unknown suitability distribution maps for each species and PD using the sum of the branch lengths of a phylogenetic tree spatialised. Results Our models suggest that climate change is likely to reduce the suitable climatic areas for small mammals in the AF. The shrinkage in the potential distribution is projected to lead to high loss of TD and PD. The southeastern region of the Atlantic Forest is likely to experience the most pronounced decline in PD, while some small areas in the southern Atlantic Forest are projected to increase PD in the future. Main Conclusions Our models suggest a strong decline in TD and in PD from biodiversity hotspot regions in the AF under climate change scenarios. Since small mammals have low dispersal ability, and because most of the AF is highly fragmented, it is unlikely that this biome will sustain small mammal biodiversity in the future.

The development of orange-and purple-fleshed sweet potato genotypes with high nutritional quality and drought tolerance is paramount in the face of climate changes and exponential human population growth. Therefore, the objective was to select bio-fortified sweet potato genotypes tolerant to drought. Eight progenies developed by the NEOSC-UFSC group and one commercial genotype were grown in field and greenhouse conditions with drought periods. In the field trial, the plants were grown with very low rainfall from the 4th to the 13th and from 17th to the 18th weeks after planting (WAP). In the greenhouse trial, irrigation was suspended from the 4th to the 7th and 11th to 14th WAP (drought) or maintained throughout the experiment (control). The production of tuberous roots was evaluated in both trials, while biomass, gas exchanges, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll index, electrolyte leakage, relative water content, wilting tolerance and post-harvest attributes were determined in the greenhouse trial. The contents of phenolics and flavonoids did not differ among genotypes, which showed small colour variation in response to drought. Water deficit increased electrolyte leakage and reduced yield in all genotypes, which had different responses to drought, modulating gas exchanges, biomass partitioning, energy allocation and defences. The white-fleshed FW-42 and LW-102 and the purple-fleshed LP-115 and LP-75 were the most productive and the most tolerant to drought stress genotypes. These genotypes also showed higher yield than the global average and the commercial Brazlândia branca, pointing to their great potential to be used under well-water and drought conditions, providing higher nutritional quality.

This study compared Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and conventional methods in progeny trials of Eucalyptus cloeziana and E. saligna. Two populations, derived from open-pollinated progenies, were evaluated by using a randomized complete block design. Measurements were taken six years after planting for E. cloeziana and three years for E. saligna. The study aimed to assess genetic parameters and select individuals at typical breeding evaluation ages in Brazil. Both methods demonstrated strong alignment, with high correlations in genetic parameters and values at both progeny and individual levels. Correlations exceeded 97% for progenies and 81% for individuals when analyzing the genetic values of diameter at breast height and height. The methods aligned closely under lower selection intensities but diverged under higher selection intensities. While the accuracy of LiDAR can be improved through refinement, the choice between these methods ultimately depends on operational factors such as the availability of skilled labor and equipment.

Plant domestication is a coevolutionary process in which plants are selected to make them more useful to humans and adapted to the environment created by humans, while at the same time becoming less adapted to their original habitat in nature. This process is often considered to be related to the origins of agriculture, which occurred later but simultaneously in several regions of the earth, including the Neotropics. However, plant domestication in the Neotropics occurred within agroecological systems that focused on individual plants rather than populations, as is typical of agriculture. In this chapter we define the concepts of population domestication and landscape domestication, as well as different levels of plant population domestication, such as incidentally co-evolved, incipiently domesticated, semi-domesticated, and domesticated plants, and centers of domestication, including single and multiple independent centers of plant domestication in this part of the American continent. We examined the roles of archaeology, archaeobotany, paleobiolinguistics, genetics and genomics, and ethnobotany for a greater understanding of plant domestication in the Neotropics. We also define the concepts of domestication syndromes, genetic drift, selection signatures, among others, related to domestication in the Neotropics. Numerous plant species were domesticated in the Neotropics, such as Capsicum spp., Manihot esculenta, Theobroma spp., Phaseolus spp., Bertholletia excelsa, Annona cherimola, Bixa orellana, Cucurbita spp., among others, and case studies were presented for Ananas comosus, Zea mays, Solanum lycopersicum and Bactris gasipaes. Finally, we present future directions in the study of plant domestication in the Neotropics.

The theory of natural selection is a crucial topic that any student focusing on population genetics should understand. Here, we provide a broad and simple definition of natural selection, accompanied by examples from the neotropical region. Moreover, the processes and mechanisms by which natural selection alters genetic variation are briefly described. Signatures of selection in living organisms such as plants refer to the observable patterns in the genetic variation of populations that may indicate the action of natural selection. These patterns are the result of specific alleles or genetic variants being favored or disfavored by selective pressures in the environment. Several methods are used by researchers to detect and study these kinds of signatures. The results can provide useful insights into how organisms adapt and evolve in response to their ecological surroundings, as well as providing valuable insights into their response to changes in their environment. Consequently, this can help us comprehend the mechanisms that underlie evolution and ultimately contribute to efforts in conservation and ecosystem recovery. In this chapter, we describe the results obtained from genetic analyses using different molecular markers and genomic sequencing methods, and present case studies involving the neotropical species Euterpe precatoria, Acrocomia aculeata and Bertholletia excelsa. This knowledge is critical for comprehending how these species respond to environmental changes, and for developing effective conservation strategies to preserve their genetic diversity and ecological roles in different ecosystems.

The neotropics harbor an enormous biological diversity, including the largest tropical rainforest in the world and some of the major hotspots for biodiversity conservation. Such environments have a long history of interaction with various human communities that have intensively used their genetic resources. Therefore, it must not be surprising that some of the most important centers of plant domestication are in the neotropics. There are many crops of local and global importance among the plants domesticated in the neotropics, and the diversity of their wild relatives is also high. This highlights the importance of the conservation of the native biomes along with their associated people and useful plant species. In situ preservation (or conservation) consists of maintaining the species in their habitats, enabling them to keep evolving within their environments. Alternatively, ex situ conservation consists of maintaining species outside their native environment under human care, which in principle, enables that their genetic resources are readily available for use. Both of them may be implemented by different means, such as in vitro conservation, an ex situ strategy that consists of keeping biological parts of species within test tubes in the laboratory. Population genetic studies are important sources of information for many applications, as discussed throughout this book. The aim of this chapter is to discuss how population genetics can be useful to assist the various conservation strategies aimed at plants of the neotropics.

Tobacco cultivation is important to the global economy and is the subject of genetic improvement efforts to enhance its characteristics. Improvement includes traditional and modern techniques, such as genetic transformation and marker-assisted selection, contributing to increased profitability of farmers and competitiveness in the tobacco industry. The main objective of this study is to identify, quantify, and contextualize research related to the genetic improvement of tobacco, focusing on resistance and productivity. A systematic review was conducted using the StArt software, and renowned databases were selected: PubMed, Scopus, Scielo, and Web of Science. The search string "Nicotiana tabacum" and "genetic improvement" or "genetics" was used to find articles published from 2019 to 2023. Inclusion criteria were established, such as publications in peer-reviewed journals in English and relevance to the genetic improvement of N. tabacum. Manuals, reports, reviews, and duplicates were excluded. During the evaluated period, we identified 97 relevant articles on tobacco. After selection, 41 articles were included, with most studies pertaining to Asia, especially China, covering various areas, including genetic improvement for stress tolerance; genetic engineering; gene editing, gene studies and gene expression; disease response and resistance; as well as plant physiology and metabolism. The research focused on topics such as optimizing tobacco varieties resistant to environmental stresses, improvements in response to viral infections, genetic engineering to increase resistance, and strategies to enhance plant metabolism. Overall, these studies reflect the continuous advancements in the genetic improvement of Nicotiana tabacum and the growing application of genetic engineering and gene editing techniques to improve tobacco production and resistance to environmental challenges.

In 2024, a tobamovirus was found in a symptomless prickly pear (Opuntia leucotricha) plant in Brazil. Transmission electron microscopy examinations revealed tobamovirus-like particles ca. 300 nm long in negatively stained cladode's extracts from an asymptomatic O. leucotricha plant. High-throughput sequencing resulted in a 6374 nucleotide contig that shares 98.68% nucleotide sequence identity with rattail cactus necrosis-associated virus (RCNaV, Tobamovirus muricaudae), first detected in Aporocactus flagelliform, in South Korea. The near-complete genome of the RCNaV_BR1 isolate has the canonical genomic organisation of viruses in the genus Tobamovirus. The viral infection in the cactus was validated by RT-PCR using RCNaV_BR1-specific primers followed by Sanger sequencing. The RCNaV_BR1 could be mechanically transmitted to the experimental hosts Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. quinoa and Datura stramonium, and by grafting to some cactus plants (dragon fruit-Selenicereus spp., Opuntia brasiliensis, Epiphyllum sp.), which remained symptomless. This is the first report of RCNaV infecting any cactaceae in Brazil.

The rust fungal pathogen Cerotelium fici infects mulberry (Morus nigra) and fig (Ficus carica), significantly impacting yields. This study aimed to evaluate the comparative susceptibility of these hosts to isolates of C. fici via cross-inoculations: Morus nigra isolate (CFM) and Ficus carica isolate (CFF) inoculated on both hosts. Evaluations were made for spore germination and appressoria formation on the leaf surface and the number and size of lesions, disease severity and sporulation. Urediniospore germination rates on the leaf surface ranged from 85.3% to 94.3%, with high appressoria formation rates observed for CFM on both hosts (53.2–55%), whereas CFF showed very low appressoria formation rate on M. nigra (3.5%). No lesions were formed in the CFF-Morus nigra combination. In the other combinations,, the lesion areas ranged from 2.44 to 3.04 mm2, with no statistical differences across pathogen-host combinations. Disease severity ranged from 18 to 20% in F. carica, independently of the inoculum origin. In the combination CFM- M. nigra disease severity was 4.2% and spore production per pustule was the greatest (3,295 spores). Conspecific combinations demonstrated a high compatibility, with M. nigra showing susceptibility to its native isolate (CFM) but complete resistance to CFF. Conversely, F. carica exhibited high susceptibility to both isolates, characterized by extensive lesions, rapid tissue colonization, and premature defoliation. These findings highlight host-specific responses and reinforce the pathogen’s potential to exploit alternate hosts under favorable conditions.

Potato is a vital food source worldwide, but its production is frequently threatened by viral diseases. Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) primarily affects solanaceous crops, especially tomatoes. Although ToCV has been reported in potatoes, its relevance in this crop remains understudied in Brazil. This study evaluated the incidence of ToCV in major potato‐producing regions of São Paulo state and identified the predominant whitefly species. Transmission efficiency of ToCV by Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 and MED, vertical transmission via tubers, and the latent and incubation periods in potato plants were also investigated. Field surveys (2022–2024) showed a low ToCV incidence in potato crops. MEAM1 was the predominant whitefly species, whereas MED was detected at a single location. MED transmitted ToCV to potato plants of cv. Agata with higher efficiency (36.6%) than MEAM1 (10%), but no significant difference was observed for plants of cv. Asterix. Vertical transmission rates via tubers were high, reaching 76.7% for cv. Agata and 88.1% for cv. Asterix. The mean latent period was 8 days, with symptom expression approximately 35 days post‐inoculation. These findings suggest that ToCV is currently not widely distributed in potato crops in São Paulo state. However, the high vertical transmission rates and the demonstrated transmissibility by both MEAM1 and MED highlight the potential risks for future spread. Continued monitoring of potato fields and whitefly populations is crucial to mitigate the potential risk posed by ToCV in the region.

Macroalgae beds are extensive and productive marine benthic vegetated habitats globally, occurring in nearly 28% of coastal habitats worldwide. These marine forests may be important coastal carbon sinks but there are very limited in-situ assessments of their carbon stocks. In this study, we assessed the blue carbon stocks (aboveground and belowground) of typical coastal macroalgae beds in the SW Atlantic coast by comparing shallow (< 2 m) subtidal environments with and without the presence of macroalgae. We estimated a total ecosystem carbon stock (TECS) of 1.64 ± 0.24 Mg C ha −1 on macroalgae beds, which was on average 30% higher than areas without macroalgae (1.14 ± 0.16 Mg C ha −1). The differences between areas were attributed to the aboveground carbon stock in macroal-gal biomass (0.49 ± 0.23 Mg C ha −1), which corresponded to nearly 30% of the total stocks. Sargassum sp. (Phaeophy-ceae) was the most representative macroalgae on the studied areas (59%), and contributed to a higher proportion of the aboveground carbon stocks. Using satellite imagery, we estimated an area of 527 ha of macroalgae beds along a stretch of 410 km in the Eastern Marine Ecoregion of Brazil, representing a TECS of 869 ± 128 Mg C. Nearly 45% of these macroalgae beds are currently within coastal marine protected areas in the region, and although they hold a limited value for climate mitigation, they remain largely unrecognized in the conservation planning in the SW Atlantic. Highlights • We present the first mapping and regional assessment of carbon stocks in macroalgal beds in the SW Atlantic. • We mapped 527 ha of macroalgae beds with carbon stocks of 869 ± 128 Mg C, with 30% as aboveground biomass. • Macroalgal beds hold on average 30% higher C stocks compared with bare sand subtidal habitats. • Coastal macroalgae beds are of limited value for climate mitigation.

The Cerrado is a highly threatened biome that harbors a great portion of Brazilian biodiversity, including many endemic species. Such richness may reflect its environmental heterogeneity, which includes different vegetation types (from grasslands to forests). Several endemic species in the Cerrado are strongly associated with open vegetation types. Recent studies have shown that woody encroachment can negatively impact several components of biodiversity. In the present study, we provide information on variation in lizard diversity across different vegetation types in a protected area located in the southern portion of the Cerrado and evaluated the effect of vegetation density on lizard taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity. We predicted that the three aspects of lizard diversity would be negatively affected by vegetation density and that Beta diversity would vary significantly across the vegetation gradient. We confirmed nearly all of our predictions, except for functional diversity, which, contrary to our expectations, was positively influenced by vegetation density. We also found that Beta diversity indices based on both species composition/abundance and phylogenetic features of communities experience a significant turnover across the vegetation density gradient. This study greatly strengthens previous studies that suggest a negative impact of vegetation density (and, consequently, woody encroachment) on lizard diversity. Therefore, managers of protected areas in the Cerrado should consider the use of strategies to avoid woody encroachment, like fire management with prescribed fires.

Background Viral metagenomics has expanded significantly in recent years due to advancements in next-generation sequencing, establishing it as the leading method for identifying emerging viruses. A crucial step in metagenomics is taxonomic classification, where sequence data is assigned to specific taxa, thereby enabling the characterization of species composition within a sample. Various taxonomic classifiers have been developed in recent years, each employing distinct classification approaches that produce varying results and abundance profiles, even when analyzing the same sample. Methods In this study, we propose using the identification of Torque Teno Viruses (TTVs), from the Anelloviridae family, as indicators to evaluate the performance of four short-read-based metagenomic classifiers: Kraken2, Kaiju, CLARK and DIAMOND, when evaluating human plasma samples. Results Our results show that each classifier assigns TTV species at different abundance levels, potentially influencing the interpretation of diversity within samples. Specifically, nucleotide-based classifiers tend to detect a broader range of TTV species, indicating higher sensitivity, while amino acid-based classifiers like DIAMOND and CLARK display lower abundance indices. Interestingly, despite employing different algorithms and data types (protein-based vs. nucleotide-based), Kaiju and Kraken2 performed similarly. Conclusion Our study underscores the critical impact of classifier selection on diversity indices in metagenomic analyses. Kaiju effectively assigned a wide variety of TTV species, demonstrating it did not require a high volume of reads to capture diversity. Nucleotide-based classifiers like CLARK and Kraken2 showed superior sensitivity, which is valuable for detecting emerging or rare viruses. At the same time, protein-based approaches such as DIAMOND and Kaiju proved robust for identifying known species with low variability.

Objectives Primary Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a slow‐progressing autoimmune disease that affects salivary and lacrimal glands, causing dry eyes (xerophthalmia) and dry mouth (xerostomia). Diagnosing SjD involves clinical, serological, and histological assessments, but reliable biomarkers are lacking. Methods This study analyzed the metabolic and proteomic profiles of 19 female SjD patients (based on ACR‐EULAR criteria) compared to 20 healthy individuals. Saliva and blood samples were analyzed using mass spectrometry and chromatography. Proteomic analysis was performed with the nanoElute nanoflow system coupled to a timsTof‐Pro mass spectrometer, and metabolic profiling with a GC‐TOF/MS Pegasus HT. Results Statistical tests identified significant differences in metabolites and proteins between SjD patients and controls. Metabolome analysis revealed changes in amino acid synthesis, purine and lipid metabolism, and exposure to external compounds. Proteomic analysis indicated immune‐related proteins and inflammatory lipid metabolism. GNAI2, B2MG, NGAL, SLUR2, HS90, SODC, and A2GL emerged as potential biomarkers for SjD. Conclusion This study demonstrates the potential of high‐performance techniques in identifying biomarkers for SjD diagnosis and prognosis. Data are available via ProteomeXchange (PXD055629).

Myrtaceae is one of Brazil’s most significant plant families, including fruit trees and shrubs with a crucial role in the maintenance of the ecosystem. Although many Myrtaceous have agronomic potential, the production of nursery trees faces challenges due to seed recalcitrancy and low success on traditional vegetative multiplication methods. Micropropagation is a promising alternative, however, high contamination rates pose a significant barrier. This study evaluated the effectiveness of sonication, asepsis time, and the use of antibiotics in the decontamination of nodal segments from four native Myrtaceae fruit tree species: Campomanesia phaea, Eugenia brasiliensis, E. involucrata, and E. pyriformis. Sonication combined with a 20-minute asepsis treatment in NaOCl efficiently enhanced the control of fungal contamination, with no negative impact on oxidation and sprout emergence. Bacterial contamination was best controlled through the supplementation with antibiotics to the culture medium, with 500 mg L⁻¹ cefotaxime and a combination of 250 mg L⁻¹ cefotaxime and 200 mg L⁻¹ Timentin® being the most effective treatments.

The lady beetles Tenuisvalvae notata and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri are important predators of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Like the prey, these lady beetles produce wax filaments that cover their body during the larval stage. It has been hypothesized that lady beetle body wax chemical profiles are like their prey as i) a mechanism of camouflage, and ii) conveying protection to the lady beetle larvae against aphid-tending predatory ants. Here, we tested this hypothesis for the predators T. notata and C. montrouzieri and two mealybug prey species, Ferissia dasyrilii, and Planococcus citri. We assessed how prey species influence the predator’s cuticular chemistry throughout its development and evaluated the metabolic costs of wax production in both larvae and adults. Cuticular wax samples were analyzed using GC–MS and GC-FID, and metabolic costs were specifically evaluated in 4th instar larvae of both predator species. The larvae were subjected to body wax removal from 0 to 4 times. Results showed that predator body wax profiles are not like the chemical profile of prey body wax. There was a metabolic cost associated with wax removal; predators (male and female) showed a significant reduction in adult body weight when wax was removed. This suggests reallocation of energy to wax replacement instead of growth. In addition, we detected effects of wax removal on fecundity and egg viability. Our results do not support the hypothesis that predators mimic the cuticular wax composition of prey as a means of camouflage.