ROOTING OF Ficus enormis MINI-CUTTINGS WITH DIFFERENT LENGTHS

Ficus enormis is a native species with great ecological potential, especially for ecosystems restoration. The present study aimed to evaluate the rooting, root and vegetative vigor of Ficus enormis mini-cuttings and to determine its best length for the formation of seedlings. Mini-cuttings were collected from clonal mini-garden, prepared with 2 ± 0.2 cm, 4 ± 0.2 cm, 6 ± 0.2 cm, 8 ± 0.2 cm and 10 ± 0.2 cm of length and diameter of 0.5 ± 0.2 cm. The planting was carried out in plastic boxes filled with commercial substrate based on carbonized rice hulls and coconut fiber, conditioned in a greenhouse. After 45 days, were avaluated the rooting percentage, original leaf maintenance, mini-cuttings with roots and callus percentage, length of the three largest roots/mini-cutting, shoot emission percentage, number of root/mini-cutting and mortality percentage. The results showed that the mini-cuting length did not influenced the rooting percentage, callus and root formation, and root length mean. However, shoot emission, number of root and mortality were influenced by the mini-cutting length

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS, VIABILITY, AND SANITARY ANALYSIS OF Ilex paraguariensis SEEDS AND SEEDLING EMERGENCE FROM DIFFERENT MOTHER TREES

The present study aimed to analyze the physical characteristics, seed health, and seedling emergence of nine Ilex paraguariensis mother trees. Physical characterization included determining the thousand-seed weight, number of seeds per kilogram, and moisture content. Viability and embryonic development were determined by the tetrazolium test, using five replications of 20 seeds for each mother tree. Seedling emergence was evaluated under three treatments: non-stratified seeds, seeds stored for 70 days, and seeds stratified for 180 days, using three replications of 2 g, being sown in a commercial substrate. Sanitary analysis was conducted by Blotter-test, using five repetitions of 20 non-disinfested seeds. Significant results were observed among the mother trees for physical and biometric variables. The initial seed viability was 52%, with embryos in the heart and post-heart stages. The most prevalent fungal genera in yerba mate seeds were Trichoderma sp., Aspergillus sp., and Penicillium sp

POLYPHENOLS IN YERBA MATE SEEDS: POTENTIAL INHIBITORS OF GERMINATION

Due to its economic, social, and ecological potentials, yerba mate can be a source of employment and income in the southern region of Brazil. The objectives of the present study was to (1) quantify the total polyphenols in fresh yerba mate seeds (FS), seeds dehydrated for 70 d (SD), and seeds stratified in sand for 180 d (SS); (2) evaluate the potential germination and growth inhibitory effects of water, ethanol + water (1:1), and ethanol (99%) extracts of yerba seeds (FS, SD, and SS) using lettuce seedlings; and (3) verify the presence of polyphenols in fresh seeds of yerba mate through histochemical methods. In the bioassay, extracts of yerba mate seeds were used in the germination of lettuce seeds. For the histochemical analysis, sections of yerba mate seeds were stained with specific dyes. The results revealed that yerba mate fresh seeds contain higher concentration of phenolic compounds, which decreased in dehydrated seeds, and almost no phenolic compound was observed in stratified seeds. The bioassay results showed that the polyphenols present in the extracts of yerba mate seeds resulted in phytotoxic effect on the roots of lettuce seedlings. The histochemical observations revealed the presence of “lignified rough barrier” and phenolic compounds between the endocarp and endosperm of the yerba mate seeds.Due to its economic, social, and ecological potentials, yerba mate can be a source of employment and income in the southern region of Brazil. The objectives of the present study was to (1) quantify the total polyphenols in fresh yerba mate seeds (FS), seeds dehydrated for 70 d (SD), and seeds stratified in sand for 180 d (SS); (2) evaluate the potential germination and growth inhibitory effects of water, ethanol + water (1:1), and ethanol (99%) extracts of yerba seeds (FS, SD, and SS) using lettuce seedlings; and (3) verify the presence of polyphenols in fresh seeds of yerba mate through histochemical methods. In the bioassay, extracts of yerba mate seeds were used in the germination of lettuce seeds. For the histochemical analysis, sections of yerba mate seeds were stained with specific dyes. The results revealed that yerba mate fresh seeds contain higher concentration of phenolic compounds, which decreased in dehydrated seeds, and almost no phenolic compound was observed in stratified seeds. The bioassay results showed that the polyphenols present in the extracts of yerba mate seeds resulted in phytotoxic effect on the roots of lettuce seedlings. The histochemical observations revealed the presence of “lignified rough barrier” and phenolic compounds between the endocarp and endosperm of the yerba mate seed