Principal Component and Biplot Analysis in the Agro-industrial Characteristics of Anacardium spp.

The cajuí Anacardium spp., which is similar to the caju Anacardium Ocidentale L., is a species adapted to edaphic-climatic conditions of the biome Cerratinga (Cerrado e Caatinga). Its fruit is composed of one swollen stalk (pedicel) which is formed by nutritional reserves rich in vitamin C and drupe (cashew nut). It is also rich in protein and lipids, but with smaller size. This paper focuses on investigating the applicability of the biplot graphical analysis in the process of selective breeding of cajuí population. The cajuí working European Scientific Journal October 2019 edition Vol.15, No.30 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e - ISSN 1857- 7431 22 population in Embrapa Meio Norte comprises of 11 genotypes collected in areas of natural habitat in the state of Piaui. The experiment was designed in randomized complete blocks with two plants per plot and four replications. A graphical analysis (biplot) was used to study the relationships between variables and behavior of the experimental genotypes. This was implemented to principal component analysis based on singular value decomposition biplot. The total variable weight can be predicted from length of peduncle, basal and apical diameter of peduncle, and variables of easy mensuration. Genotypes M40A, M23, M14, and M17 are similar to each other and they have high amounts of brown, apical and basal diameter of the peduncle, total weight, and peduncle length. They are considered as candidates selected for consumption in natura and industrial processing. The graphical analysis (biplot) showed robustness in the presentation of relationships between variables considered and the indication of the selection candidate genotypes in the population studied

Application of a double-enrichment procedure for microsatellite isolation and the use of tailed primers for high throughput genotyping

The number of microsatellite loci and their allelic diversity contribute to increase accuracy and informativity of genetic estimates, however, the isolation of microsatellite loci is not only laborious but also quite expensive. We used (GATA)n and (GACA)n tetranucleotide probes and single- and double-enrichment hybridization to construct and screen a genomic library with an increased proportion of DNA fragments containing repeat motifs. Repeats were found using both types of hybridization but the double-enrichment procedure recovered sequences of which 100% contained (GATA)n and (GACA)n motifs. Microsatellite loci primers were then designed with an M13R-tail or CAG-tag to produce scorable PCR products with minimal stutter. The approach used in this study suggests that double-enrichment is a worthwhile strategy when isolating repeat motifs from eukaryotic genomes. Moreover, the use of tailed microsatellite primers provides increased resolution for compound microsatellite loci, with a significant decrease in costs

Transference of a crystal protein gene from bacillus thuringiensis and its expression in bradyrhizobium sp. cells

The plasmid pHT409 that harbours the cryIA(a) gene for the production of a δ-endotoxin (crystal protein) from Bacillus thuringiensis was transferred into Bradyrhizobium sp. A conjugal transfer system aiming to introduce the plasmid into the Bradyrhizobium sp. host from colonies of an Escherichia coli donor strain (DH5

VARIABILIDADE DE CARACTERíSTICAS FÍSICAS E QUÍMICAS DE FRUTOS DE GERMOPLASMA DE BACURI DA REGIÃO MEIO-NORTE DO BRASIL

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as características físicas e químicas de frutos de bacuri coletados de plantas matrizes de ocorrência na região Meio-Norte. As características analisadas foram: comprimento, largura e peso médio de fruto; peso médio de polpa; relação comprimento/largura, espessura de casca; percentagem de casca; percentagem de polpa; percentagem de sementes; número de sementes/fruto; número de secção partenocárpica/fruto; teor de sólidos solúveis totais; acidez total titulável e relação sólidos solúveis totais/acidez total titulável. Os frutos foram coletados de 26 plantas matrizes de bacuri mapeadas em nove locais de coleta no Piauí e Maranhão. Efetuou-se a avaliação das características físicas e químicas no Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegetal da Embrapa Meio-Norte, em Teresina-PI, utilizando-se de amostras de frutos de tamanho variável em função da disponibilidade de produção. Foi evidenciado o efeito significativo de local de coleta e de matrizes para todas as características estudadas, à exceção do número de secção partenocárpica/fruto para o qual não houve efeito de local de coleta. As características peso médio de fruto e peso médio de polpa; peso médio de fruto e largura de fruto; peso médio de polpa e largura de fruto; comprimento de fruto e espessura de casca; comprimento de fruto e percentagem de casca; espessura de casca e percentagem de casca, e peso médio de fruto e comprimento de fruto apresentaram altos valores de correlações fenotípicas (rP > ou = 0,85). Estimativas de repetibilidade, variando de 0,50 (percentagem de polpa) a 0,98 (acidez total titulável), indicaram ampla variabilidade das características analisadas em relação ao efeito do ambiente permanente

Multivariate analysis of ‘bacuri’ reproductive and vegetative morphology

The objective of this study was to characterize sixteen genotypes of P. insignis available in the Embrapa Meio-Norte germplasm collection (Teresina, Piauí, Brazil) with respect to 33 morphological traits relating to leaves, flowers, branches, fruits and seeds. Phenotypic variance among genotypes was estimated using the Mahalanobis distance technique and the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean analysis (UPGMA). The method of Singh (1981) was used to determine which of the traits contributed most to diversity within genotypes. The occurrence of phenotypic variability among P. insignis genotypes indicated that it would be possible to achieve positive gains with selection. The most distant genotypes were BGB 16 and BGB 48, while crosses between genotype BGB 48 and genotypes BGB 32 and BGB 56 offers the greatest potential as parental types for this fruit tree breeding programs . The flesh content, ovary and fruit length , ratio between fruit length and diameter were the characters that most contributed to diversity among the studied genotypes.O objetivo do trabalho foi caracterizar dezesseis genótipos de bacurizeiro disponível na Coleção de Germoplasma da Embrapa Meio-Norte (Teresina, Piauí, Brasil) com base em 33 caracteres relacionados à folha, flor, ramos, fruto e semente. A divergência fenotípica entre os genótipos foi estimada pela distância de Mahalanobis e a análise de agrupamento dos genótipos por meio do método hierárquico da ligação média não ponderada (UPGMA). O método de Singh foi utilizado na determinação de quais caracteres mais contribuem para a diversidade dos genótipos. Observou-se diversidade fenotípica significativa entre os genótipos estudados, indicando que é possível obter ganhos genéticos importantes por meio da seleção. Os genótipos BGB 16 e BGB 48 são os mais divergentes. Entretanto, cruzamentos entre o genótipo 48 e os genótipos BGB 32 e BGB 56 oferecem potencial como parentais em programas de melhoramento da frutífera. O teor de polpa, comprimento do fruto, comprimento do ovário e relação comprimento / diâmetro do fruto são os caracteres que mais contribuem para a diversidade entre os genótipos estudados

Early selection in a population of the mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomes)

The mangaba is a fruit tree with great potential for the northeast of Brazil. Due to the scarcity of improved cultivars, and as it is a species that is still in the process of domestication, exploitation has been based on rational and sustainable extractivism by farmer-gatherers. The aim of this study was to analyse the correlations between technological variables of the mangaba, and to carry out an early selection of the genotypes that make up the base population of the mangaba improvement program of Embrapa Meio-Norte. The variables fruit weight, pulp weight and percentage pulp show significant correlation with fruit length and fruit diameter, allowing indirect selection for the first set of variables by means of the latter, which are easily measured. Genotypes 4, 13, 16, 21, 25, 32, 35 and 49 show a positive association with fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, pulp weight and percentage weight, and are therefore candidates for selection. Principal component 1 is associated with fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, skin weight, number of seeds per fruit, seed weight, TTA and pulp weight. These variables can be selected with greater mathematical certainty, since this component concentrates more information regarding variability and is therefore more important

Genetic diversity among genotypes of Parkia platycephala (Benth.), a typical tree of northeastern Brazil

Parkia platycephala (Fabaceae) is a useful tree. The leaves are rich in protein, fiber and minerals and are good quality, low-cost fodder for animals, making it a great option for animal feed during the dry season in Northeast Brazil. In addition, wood is used in small buildings and as fuel. With the aim of exploring genetic variation within the species, we have assessed the molecular and morpho-agronomic characteristics of 10 accessions (F1 - F10) of the species originating from the same location and maintained in the Forage Collection at Embrapa Meio Norte. Clustering analyses based on the amplicons generated by 12 inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers and on 36 qualitative/quantitative markers separated the accessions into two groups, the constituents of which were dependent on the characteristics considered. The most divergent genotypes according to ISSR analysis were F3 and F8. Morpho-agronomic analysis identified F2 and F7 as the most divergent, while the traits that contributed most (36.5%) to total diversity were, in order of importance, mature inflorescence length, stem length, immature inflorescence width, seed weight and pedicel length. The results revealed that there is sufficient genetic variability among the studied accessions. These accessions with greater diversity are candidates for actions that promote the conservation, domestication and genetic improvement of the species

Soil Chemical Quality in Integrated Production Systems with the Presence of Native and Exotic Tree Components in the Brazilian Eastern Amazon

Conservation systems involving trees enhance the sustainability of tropical soils. However, little is known on the effect of integrated systems with native and exotic trees on soil chemical quality in the eastern Amazon. We aimed to measure changes in soil chemical quality in integrated production systems in Pindaré-Mirim, Maranhão, Brazil. This study was carried out in 2017 and 2018, evaluating (i) perennial pasture; (ii) crop–livestock–forest integration-I (CLFI-I)—eucalyptus rows interspersed with maize + Urochloa brizantha intercropping; (iii) CLFI-II—babassu palm trees (Attalea speciosa Mart.) with maize + Megathyrsus maximus intercropping; and (iv) maize + M. maximus intercropping. Soil chemical attributes at depths of 0.00–0.10 m, 0.10–0.20 m, 0.20–0.30 m, and 0.30–0.50 m, forage productivity, and soil cover were evaluated. CLFI-II promoted the highest soil organic matter concentration in topsoil and highest pH, lowest Al3+ levels, and potential acidity (H+Al) at all soil depths. Soil under pasture showed the highest N, K+, Ca2+ concentrations, sum of bases, and cation exchange capacity. Changes in CLFI-II are associated with the babassu palm’s ability to modulate the surrounding environment, giving the species a competitive advantage in anthropic environments. The time of adoption is crucial for improving soil fertility in the Brazilian eastern Amazon. Sustainable production systems in the region must comply with long-term management plans