The importance and protection of mangrove ecosystems has been recognized in Brazilian Federal law since 1965. Being protected in law, however, has not always guaranteed their protection in practice. Mangroves are found in coastal and estuarine locations, which are prime real estate for the growth of cities, ports and other economic activities important for Brazilian development. In this mini-review we introduce what mangroves are and why they are so important. We give a brief overview of the microbial diversity found in mangrove sediments and then focus on diversity studies from Brazilian mangroves. We highlight the breadth and depth of knowledge about mangrove microbial communities gained from studying Brazilian mangroves. We report on the exciting findings of molecular microbial ecology methods that have been very successfully applied to study bacterial communities. We note that there have been fewer studies that focus on fungal communities and that fungal diversity studies deserve more attention. The review ends with a look at how a combination of new molecular biology methods and isolation studies are being developed to monitor and conserve mangrove ecosystems and their associated microbial communities. These recent studies are having a global impact and we hope they will help to protect and re-establish mangrove ecosystems.

Leveduras de frutas e de solo isoladas da Floresta Amazônica, Mata Atlântica e de uma fazenda orgânica foram selecionadas em uma triagem para atividade micocinogênica. As estirpes micocinogênicas foram posteriormente testadas frente a Moniliophthora perniciosa (syn. Crinipellis perniciosa). Uma estirpe de Dipodascus capitatus e outra de Candida sp.inibiram o crescimento deste fitopatógeno.

Fruit and soil yeasts isolated from the Amazon, Atlantic Rainforests and an organic farm were screened for killer activity against yeasts. Killer yeasts were then tested against the phytopathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa (syn. Crinipellis perniciosa) and a Dipodascus capitatus strain and a Candida sp strain inhibited its growth.

As preocupações com o meio ambiente têm levado à necessidade do uso sustentável dos recursos naturais. A agricultura convencional tem causado impactos consideráveis no solo e nas águas. É importante mudar certas técnicas agrícolas por outras consideradas mais limpas para o meio ambiente. Uma estratégia é a utilização da microbiota do solo para induzir o crescimento de plantas, controlar fitomoléstias e para fazer a biodegradação de compostos xenobióticos. Estudos sobre a relação entre as raízes e a microbiota são essenciais para conseguir aplicações viáveis na agricultura. Estes estudos têm indicado que um dos mais abundantes microrganismos na rizosfera (região ao redor da raiz) é Pseudomonas spp. do grupo fluorescente. Estes têm sido considerados como alternativa tanto aos agrotóxicos no controle de doença de plantas como na indução do seu desenvolvimento. Esta revisão mostra os principais conhecimentos sobre Pseudomonas spp. do grupo fluorescente. Esta resume e discute aspectos significantes deste tópico, incluindo, (i) rizosfera como microhabitat; (ii) aspectos taxonômicos, genéticos e ecológicos de Pseudomonas spp. do grupo das fluorescentes na rizosfera; (iii) mecanismos de Promoção de Crescimento de Plantas e Controle Biológico e (iv) uso comercial de PGPR na agricultura.

Environmental concerns have led to the need of sustainable use of natural resources. The conventional agriculture caused considerable impacts on soils and waters. It is important to change certain agricultural managements to environmental cleaner techniques. The sustainable agriculture has pointed many approaches and techniques to reduce environmental impact. One of those strategies is the utilization of the soil microbiota to induce plant growth, control of plant diseases and biodegradation of xenobiotic compounds. Studies on the relationship between roots and microbiota are essential to achieve viable agricultural applications. These studies indicate that one of the most abundant microorganisms in the rhizosphere (area around the roots) is fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. They have been considered as an alternative to agrochemicals for controlling plant diseases and increasing plant development. This review addresses the main findings on fluorescent Pseudomonads. It summarizes and discusses significant aspects of this general topic, including (i) rhizosphere as a microhabitat; (ii) taxonomic, genetic and ecological aspects of fluorescent Pseudomonads in the rhizosphere; (iii) mechanisms of Plant Growth Promoting and Biological Control and (iv) commercial use of PGPR in agriculture.

Dezessete meses após um derramamento de 1,3 milhões de litros de óleo na Baía de Guanabara, análises de sedimento do manguezal mostraram que os três pontos de amostragem mais próximos do local do acidente permanecem altamente poluídos (>10 µg-g-1 hidrocarbonetos poliaromáticos). Do quarto ponto de amostragem, o menos poluído, foi isolada a maioria das bactérias degradadoras de hidrocarbonetos.

Seventeen months after a 1,3 million L oil spill into Guanabara Bay, analyses of mangrove sediments showed that the three sites closest to the spill remain highly polluted (>10 µg-g-1 polyaromatic hydrocarbons). A fourth site was less polluted, from which most hydrocarbon degrading bacteria were isolated.