Resumo A palmeira Acrocomia totai pode ser encontrada em áreas do Cerrado e Pantanal, no Brasil, Argentina, Bolívia e Paraguai. Seus frutos são utilizados por comunidades tradicionais e rurais como meio de subsistência ou como fonte de renda. Da importância deste recurso genético, foram realizadas a avaliação de caracteres morfológicos e agronômicos, e a estimativa da densidade populacional em duas fisionomias do Pantanal. Foi encontrada variação em todos os caracteres analisados, tais como: a densidade de espinhos no estipe, a coloração das folhas, do epicarpo e do mesocarpo. O número médio de frutos por cacho foi de 392.30±134.53, massa fresca (g) de um fruto inteiro de 15.50±3.87 e teor de óleo (%) no mesocarpo de 14.94±8.06. A densidade populacional variou de 48 pls.ha-1 em área de ‘campo sujo’ a 287 pls.ha-1 em áreas de ‘campo limpo’. Estima-se a produção por hectare de 8.65 t de frutos, 4.77 t de polpa e 270 kg de óleo, em áreas de ‘campo sujo’, e 1.45 t de frutos, 0.8 t de polpa e 50 kg de óleo, em áreas de ‘campo limpo’. Os dados demonstram a possibilidade de exploração rentável da espécie via extrativismo ou cultivo. A variação encontrada pode ser útil à taxonomia do gênero, a programas de melhoramento e à conservação.

Abstract The Acrocomia totai palm can be found in areas of Cerrado and Pantanal in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. Its fruits are used by traditional and rural communities for subsistence or income source. Given the relevance of this genetic resource, we assessed the morphological and agronomic characters and estimated the population density in two physiognomies of the Pantanal. We found variation in all analyzed characters, such as the density of spines on the stipe, coloration of leaves, epicarp and mesocarp. The average number of fruits per bunch was 392.30±134.53, fresh mass (g) of the whole fruit of 15.50±3.87 and, the mesocarp oil content (%) of 14.94±8.06. The population density varied between 48 pls.ha-1 in area of shrubby grassland to 287 pls.ha-1 in open grassland. We estimated yields per hectare of 8.65 t of fruits, 4.77 t of pulp and 270 kg of oil in areas of shrubby grassland and 1.45 t of fruits, 0.8 t of pulp and 50 kg of oil in areas of open grassland. The data demonstrate the potential of profitable exploitation of the species in extractive or cultivation. The variation found can be useful for the genus taxonomy, breeding and conservation programs.

ABSTRACT Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex. Mart. (Arecaceae) is a neotropical oil palm of widespread occurrence in the American continent and with great economic potential for the energy and food sectors. Genetic breeding studies for the species are very recent, with a need for basic knowledge from the genetic diversity in agronomic traits. Thus, the aim of this work was to estimate genetic variance, heritability, and genetic gain as well as to propose strategies of selection. Two-year evaluations of eight agromorphological characteristics were carried out in two experimental fields composed of 50 open-pollinated progenies. The results revealed moderate heritability for progeny average to thorn density in the abaxial side ( = 0.402 in Pindorama) and relative chlorophyll index ( = 0.458 in Presidente Prudente). The selective accuracy was 0.634 and 0.677 for the same traits, respectively. In the combined analysis, the higher values of heritability were obtained to thorn density on the abaxial region of leaves and relative chlorophyll index (0.616 and 0.666, respectively). Moderate to high magnitude values of genetic gain was reached for traits with greatest agronomic interest, as plant height Gs (%) = 19.64, number of leaves Gs (%) = 26.43, stipe diameter at breast height Gs (%) = 12.51, and relative chlorophyll index Gs (%) = 38.12. In conclusion, the results indicate considerable genetic variability for the evaluated traits and suggest that their most effective use for the purpose of genetic gains would be based on the combined selection between and within progenies.

A mamoneira é uma cultura de relevância econômica e social no Brasil e no mundo. O óleo produzido por suas sementes, composto principalmente pelo ácido ricinoleico, é estratégico para as indústrias de lubrificantes, cosméticos, polímeros, dentre outras. Embora a mamoneira seja considerada tolerante à seca, a ausência de chuvas no período da floração pode reduzir a produtividade da planta. Respostas diferenciais ao déficit hídrico na espécie têm sido observadas em acessos de bancos de germoplasma e entre cultivares comerciais. Com intuito de conhecer melhor os mecanismos fisiológicos de resposta ao déficit hídrico e direcionar programas de melhoramento genético, o objetivo do trabalho foi analisar a expressão diferencial de genes potencialmente relacionados com a tolerância da mamoneira ao déficit hídrico e o comportamento de enzimas do sistema de defesa antioxidante. O estudo foi conduzido com três acessos (China Careca, IAC 2028 e PB 07) submetidos a um ensaio com solução de polietilenoglicol (PEG 6.000) por um período de 24 horas para indução do déficit hídrico. Os genes CAT, APX, SOD-Cu/Zn, SOD-Fe e SOD-Mn tiveram maior expressão diferencial no acesso China Careca. O gene SOD-Cu/Zn foi o mais diferencialmente expresso quanto comparado ao controle (3,57 vezes) no acesso China Careca. Análise da atividade de enzimas relacionadas com estresse oxidativo (Catalase – CAT, Ascorbato Peroxidase – APX, Guaiacol Peroxidase – GPOX e Superoxide Dismutase – SOD) revelou que os acessos possuem diferentes mecanismos de resposta ao déficit hídrico. Os resultados apontam que o acesso China Careca pode ser considerado de grande importância para programas de melhoramento genético por apresentar característica de precocidade, sistema de defesa antioxidante mais eficiente e resistência ao déficit hídrico.

Castor bean is a crop of social and economic importance in Brazil and worldwide. The oil produced from its seeds, comprised mainly of ricinoleic acid, is strategic for the manufacture of lubricants, cosmetics, polymers, among others. Although castor bean is considered drought tolerant, the lack of rain during flowering can reduce plant yield. Differential responses to drought in the species have been observed in the genebank accessions and between cultivars. In order to better understand the physiological mechanisms of response to water deficit and direct breeding programs, the objective was to analyze the differential expression of genes potentially related to tolerance to water deficit in castor bean and the behavior of enzymes of the antioxidant defense system. The study was conducted with three accessions (China Careca, IAC 2028 and PB 07) subjected to a test solution with polyethylene glycol (PEG 6.000) for a period of 24 hours for induction of drought. CAT, APX, SOD-Cu/Zn, Fe-SOD and Mn-SOD genes had higher differential expression in China Careca accession. The SOD-Cu/Zn gene was the most differentially expressed in China Careca access when compared to control (3.57 times). Analysis of the activity of enzymes related to oxidative stress (catalase - CAT, ascorbate peroxidase - APX, Guaiacol Peroxidase and Superoxide Dismutase-GPOX activity-SOD) revealed that the accessions have different mechanisms of response to water deficit. The results indicate that China Careca accession can be considered of great importance for breeding programs by presenting precocity characteristic, more efficient antioxidant defense system and resistance to drought.

Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) represents a complex of cryptic species that causes losses of many valuable crops. Even though there are differences in their ability to colonize hosts, transmit phytovirus and develop resistance to insecticides, the genetic differentiation of the insect populations is important for the adoption of control measures. Therefore, the genetic diversity of B. tabaci populations in economically important crops in Brazilian locations was characterized through a microsatellite analysis. Eight microsatellite markers were used for the analysis of eight populations, three in Solanum tuberosum (States of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Bahia), two in Glycine max (States of São Paulo and Mato Grosso), one in Phaseolus vulgaris and Brassica oleracea var. acephala (States of São Paulo and Distrito Federal, respectively) and a cabbage population from Florida (USA). The number of alleles varied between two and 13 and the average value of F ST was 0.13. The population occurring in beans was genetically different, suggesting that the excessive use of insecticide or the host itself may have caused the modification of its allele frequency. The American population presented a large diversity and small differentiation compared to the Brazilian populations, especially from the Southeast, supporting the hypothesis that the B biotype was probably introduced into Brazil by the trade of plant material between the USA and the State of São Paulo. The genetic diversity found within and among the populations is geographically structured, and the insects from the central region of Brazil had superior genetic divergence when compared to the others Brazilian locations.

A espécie Lippia alba, aromática e medicinal, é nativa da América do Sul (Mata Atlântica) e possui muito vigor e rusticidade. Por ser espécie alógama e autoincompatível, as populações naturais possuem elevada variabilidade morfológica e química. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo realizar uma triagem prévia para identificação de novos clones promissores, oriundos de uma população-base inédita (recombinante) de Lippia alba quanto às características agronômicas e fitoquímicas, tendo como modelo o óleo ou quimiotipo linalol. Como controles, utilizaram-se os dois melhores clones linalol, obtidos por coleta. As características avaliadas foram: massa seca de folhas (MSF), rendimento de óleo (RD%), produção de óleo por planta em g (PO) e porcentagem de linalol (LN%). Foram avaliados 40 clones de quimiotipo linalol em três experimentos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições e quatro estacas (clones) por parcela. Todos os dados foram obtidos com médias por planta. As médias foram testadas por Scott e Knott a 5% de probabilidade. Para auxiliar na seleção prévia de clones também foi empregada a análise multivariada. Houve correlações positivas moderadas a fortes para MSF x RD%, PO x RD% and MSF x PO. Para as características MSF, RD%, PO e LN% (análises univariadas) identificaram-se clones linalol superiores e semelhantes aos dois controles visando às experimentações posteriores de validação. Na análise de agrupamentos (UPGMA) foram definidos cinco grupos distintos e cada um deles também com subgrupos.

The aromatic and medicinal species Lippia alba is vigorous and rugged native to the South America (Atlantic Rainforest). Because it is an allogamous and self-incompatible species, natural populations have high morphological and chemical variability. This work had as objective to conduct a preliminary screening to identify new promising clones from a novel (recombinant) base population of Lippia alba with regard to its agronomic and phytochemical traits, using the linalool oil or chemotype as model. The two superior linalool clones, obtained by collection, were used as controls. Traits evaluated included: dry mass of leaves (DML), oil yield percentage (EOY%), oil production per plant (OP), and linalool percentage (LN%). Forty linalool chemotype clones were evaluated in three experiments, in a random block design with four replicates and four cuttings (clones) per plot. Besides means comparisons, multivariate analysis was used in order to aid in the preliminary selection of clones. There were positive correlations from moderate to strong for DML vs. EOY%, OP vs. EOY% and DML vs. OP. Linalool clones superior or similar to both controls were identified for the DML, EOY%, OP, and LN% traits (univariate analyses), aimed at further validating experimentation. Five distinct groups were defined in the cluster analysis (UPGMA), each containing subgroups as well.

Acrocomia aculeata is a perennial, fruit-producing palm tree, native to tropical forests. Its fruits have spurred interest because of their significant potential for use in the cosmetic industry and as feedstock for biofuel. In the present study, the genetic structure and mating system in Acrocomia aculeata were analyzed, using eight nuclear microsatellite loci and samples from São Paulo and Minas Gerais states, Brazil. By means of Bayesian analysis, these populations were clustered into two or three groups. A high multilocus outcrossing rate suggests that outcrosses were predominant, although a certain degree of biparental inbreeding also occurred. Thus, although monoecious and self-compatible, there is every indication that A. aculeata bears a mixed reproductive system, with a predominance of outcrossing. Given the genetic structure revealed hereby, future conservation strategies and germplasm collecting should be focussed on sampling and preserving individuals from different clusters.

Fruits were collected from trees of Coffea arabica cv. Obatã grown at Mococa and Adamantina in São Paulo State, Brazil, which are regions with marked differences in air temperature that produce coffee with distinct qualities. Mococa is a cooler location that produces high-quality coffee, whereas coffee from Adamantina is of lower quality. The amino acid and protein contents, amino acid profile, and proteinase activity and type in endosperm protein extracts were analysed. Proteinase genes were identified, and their expression was assayed. All results indicate that temperature plays a role in controlling proteinase activity in coffee endosperm. Proteinase activity was higher in the endosperm of immature fruits from Adamantina, which was correlated with higher amino acid content, changes in the amino acid profile, and increased gene expression. Cysteine proteinases were the main class of proteinases in the protein extracts. These data suggest that temperature plays an important role in coffee quality by altering nitrogen compound composition.

Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. is an aromatic and medicinal shrub native to the American continent. Despite its potential as a source of essential oil for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, few selection and genetic improvement studies have been carried out. The aim of this study was to provide genetic information on this species for breeding programs, showing its selection potential, by investigating clonal half-sib progenies. The following characteristics were evaluated per plant: leaf dry mass (LDM), total dry mass (TDM), leaf yield (LY), essential oil yield (EOY) and oil production (OP). Estimates were made for the several genetic parameters including absolute genetic gain at 30% selection intensity, correlations and relative contribution of additive and environmental effects to phenotypic correlation. Two experimental trials on 30 progenies were conducted: one in Campinas, state of São Paulo (SP), Brazil, with two harvests of the aerial part, and one in Monte Alegre do Sul, SP, Brazil, with only one harvest. The trials were conducted in a randomized block design consisting of subplots with three replications, each plot (progeny) consisting of 8 to 15 clonally-replicated plants with subplot harvesting. Variations were detected between progenies and harvests, as well as progeny/harvest interactions in the split plot experiment. High heritability and genetic gains were obtained at both sites for LDM, TDM and OP. The lowest variations among progenies were obtained for LY and EOY, highlighting selection problems. Negative additive genetic correlations were obtained for EOY × LDM, EOY × TDM, LY × TDM and LY × LDM. Selection for LDM resulted in increased oil production per plant (OP), even where there was a negative correlation between LDM × EOY.

A wide array of molecular markers has been used to investigate the genetic diversity among common bean species. However, the best combination of markers for studying such diversity among common bean cultivars has yet to be determined. Few reports have examined the genetic diversity of the carioca bean, commercially one of the most important common beans in Brazil. In this study, we examined the usefulness of two molecular marker systems (simple sequence repeats - SSRs and amplified fragment length polymorphisms - AFLPs) for assessing the genetic diversity of carioca beans. The amount of information provided by Roger's modified genetic distance was used to analyze SSR data and Jaccards similarity coefficient was used for AFLP data. Seventy SSRs were polymorphic and 20 AFLP primer combinations produced 635 polymorphic bands. Molecular analysis showed that carioca genotypes were quite diverse. AFLPs revealed greater genetic differentiation and variation within the carioca genotypes (Gst = 98% and Fst = 0.83, respectively) than SSRs and provided better resolution for clustering the carioca genotypes. SSRs and AFLPs were both suitable for assessing the genetic diversity of Brazilian carioca genotypes since the number of markers used in each system provided a low coefficient of variation. However, fingerprint profiles were generated faster with AFLPs, making them a better choice for assessing genetic diversity in the carioca germplasm.

A espécie Lippia alba da família Verbenaceae, aromática e medicinal, é um arbusto nativo com muito vigor e variabilidade genética. O principal interesse dos estudos com esta espécie são os óleos essenciais, cujas funções têm sido comprovadas cientificamente para aplicações nas indústrias de fármacos, cosmética, perfumaria e alimentícia. Apesar desta importância potencial, inexistem pesquisas sobre estimativas de parâmetros genéticos nesta espécie como forma de subsidiar o melhoramento que até o presente momento é incipiente. Este trabalho teve como objetivo, avaliar o potencial genético de Lippia alba, estimando parâmetros genéticos inicialmente em caracteres obtidos em nível de estacas, uma vez que é a forma tradicional de multiplicação da espécie. Os caracteres avaliados foram: sobrevivência (S%), comprimento de brotos (Cb) e massa de brotos (Mb). Nesses estudos iniciais de parâmetros genéticos, envolvendo vigor de estacas, formaram-se três grupos de progênies com tamanhos efetivos de 30, 23 e 7. Excetuando-se S%, obtiveram-se altas herdabilidades, no sentido restrito, para os três tamanhos efetivos, variando de 90,2% a 94,5% para Mb e 95,2 %a 97,1% para Cb. Para S%, os valores de herdabilidade foram moderados, entre 50,0% e 56,0%. Os ganhos genéticos foram semelhantes também nos três grupos de progênies formados, refletindo ampla variabilidade genética mesmo para o grupo de reduzido tamanho efetivo de progênies. As correlações genéticas aditivas foram elevadas (87,9% a 99,9%), com predomínio nas correlações fenotípicas (G% entre 94,1% a 98,8%). Apesar das correlações elevadas de ambiente a proporção destes efeitos ambientais na correlação fenotípica foi baixa (E% entre 1,2% a 5,9%).

The species Lippia alba, belonging to the Verbenaceae family, is a vigorous wild bush with aromatic and medicinal properties. Due to the presence of several essential oils, it is used among others, mostly in drugs and cosmetics, perfumes. The species is poorly studied and no genetic parameter is known to help breeding programs. The main purpose of this research was to evaluate survival (S%), branches length (BL) and fresh weight (FW), in three progenies. High heritabilities, (FM 90.2% - 94.5%; BL 95.2% - 97.1%), in the narrow sense, were observed in all progeny groups, except for S% (50.0% - 56.0%). Genetic gains were similar for all three traits, strongly suggesting the presence of large genetic variability. Additive genetic correlations were high (87.9% - 98.8%) and predominate in the phenotypic correlations (G% - 94.1% - 98.8%). Despite the high environmental correlations, their effects on the phenotypic correlations were quite small (E% 1.2 % - 5.9%).

No Brasil, a produtividade do feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris) é baixa, decorrente principalmente de doenças, como a antracnose, causada pelo patógeno Colletotrichum lindemuthianum Sacc & Magnus. Já foram descritas no Brasil 50 raças fisiológicas do patógeno sendo as raças 31, 65 e 89 as mais importantes no Estado de São Paulo. No presente trabalho, seis marcadores do tipo SCAR (Sequence-Characterized Amplified Regions) foram avaliados em 42 genitores e 76 linhagens derivadas do Programa de Melhoramento do Instituto Agronômico - IAC. Os objetivos do trabalho foram: avaliar o potencial dos SCARs na identificação de genótipos contendo genes de resistência ao C. lindemuthianum e detectar os prováveis genes de maior freqüência nos genótipos avaliados. Com base nas avaliações, foram identificados três genitores e nove linhagens com quatro genes de resistência, sendo o gene Co-6 o mais freqüente, seguido por Co-4², Co-3³, Co-5, e Co-4.

Low yield of common bean, in Brazil, occurs mainly due to diseases such as anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum Sacc & Magnus. Fifty physiological strains of this fungus have already been described races 31, 65 and 89 being the most important in the State of São Paulo. In the present work, six SCAR (Sequence-Characterized Amplified Regions) markers were evaluated in 42 parental lines and in 76 lines of the bean breeding program of Instituto Agronômico (IAC) aiming at to identify genotypes carrying resistance genes to C. lindemuthianum and the probable most frequent genes. Based on the SCAR markers, three parents and nine derived lines were identified as carrying four resistance genes, demonstrating the effectiveness of the markers for the on going breeding program. Co-6 was the most frequent resistance gene followed by Co-4², Co-3³, Co-5, and Co-4.

A Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) é um arbusto produtor de óleo essencial com importantes atividades biológicas, farmacológicas e aromatizantes. Visando o cultivo sustentado de uma nova espécie com potencial econômico, os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar o desempenho da L. alba para massa de folha fresca (MF), massa de folha seca (MS), sintomas de vírus (SV - Cucumber mosaic virus, CMV), rendimento de óleo essencial (RE) e composição química do óleo (CQ), e avaliar a estabilidade e adaptabilidade fenotípica para o caráter MS. Dez genótipos pertencentes a quatro grupos químicos foram testados em seis experimentos instalados no estado de São Paulo, Brasil, com delineamento em blocos ao acaso e duas plantas por parcela. Em Monte Alegre do Sul e Pindorama, foi utilizado espaçamento de 2,0 x 0,4 x 1,6 m e em Campinas, foram instalados quatro experimentos 1,0 x 0,4 x 0,6 m sob condições distintas de adubação e irrigação. O efeito de genótipo foi significativo para todas as características avaliadas, revelando elevada produtividade de folhas do IAC-16 (citral), RE Yamamoto et al. superior dos quimiotipos linalol e limoneno/carvona e susceptibilidade deste último ao CMV. As oscilações no desempenho dos genótipos nos diferentes experimentos foram de baixa magnitude para os caracteres fitoquímicos (RE e CQ) e nenhuma variação qualitativa foi observada para CQ. Os genótipos IAC-2 (linalol) e IAC-13 (limoneno/carvona) apresentaram-se estáveis para MS e com ampla adaptabilidade, e são recomendados para o início do cultivo da espécie. A presente pesquisa fornece subsídios também para o início de programas de melhoramento genético em L. alba.

Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) is a shrub whose essential oil has important biological, pharmacological, and aromatizing properties. To reach the sustained cultivation of new species with economic potential, the present study aimed to evaluate L. alba performance for fresh leaf matter (FM), leaf dry matter (DM), virus symptoms (VS - Cucumber mosaic virus, CMV), oil yield (OY), and oil chemical composition (OC), and to evaluate DM stability and adaptability. Ten genotypes of four chemical groups (chemotypes) were evaluated in six experiments designed as randomized blocks with two plants per plot, over the whole State of São Paulo, Brazil. A 2.0 x 0.4 x 1.6 m spacing was used in Monte Alegre do Sul and Pindorama, while a 1.0 x 0.4 x 0.6 m spacing was used in Campinas, where four experiments were established under different irrigation and fertilization conditions. The genotype effect was significant (p < 0.05) for all traits evaluated, with high leaf productivity of IAC-16 (citral chemotype), best OY means in the linalool and limonene/carvone chemotypes, and susceptibility of the latter chemotype to CMV. The genotype performance oscillations in the six environments were significant for FM and DM, and despite their significance for phytochemical traits (OY and OC), they were of low magnitude. No qualitative variation was detected for OC. The IAC-2 (linalool) and IAC-13 (limonene/carvone) genotypes showed high stability and wide adaptability, and are recommended to establish initial cultivations of this species. This research also indicated genetic sources to start Lippia alba genetic breeding programs.

Bancos de germoplasma guardam amostras de genótipos, variedades melhoradas, crioulas e espécies selvagens, todas genericamente denominadas acessos. A importância da caracterização de bancos de germoplasma reside na identificação e no conhecimento de características relevantes para o melhoramento genético e para conservação ex situ do germoplasma. Avaliou-se a diversidade genética entre 220 acessos de feijoeiro de um banco brasileiro de germoplasma de feijoeiro localizado no IAC (Instituto Agronômico, Campinas), por meio de 23 descritores morfo-agronômicos e 19 locos de RAPD. Os acessos correspondem a genótipos do pool gênico andino e mesoamericano e também por cultivares resultantes de programas de melhoramento de feijoeiro. Os acessos mesoamericanos e as cultivares melhoradas foram agrupados em um mesmo grupo, distintamente dos acessos andinos. Com base nos dados moleculares, 47% de similaridade genética foi detectada entre acessos mesoamericanos e resultados semelhantes foram observados para as cultivares melhoradas (50%). Os andinos apresentaram 60% de similaridade genética. O cluster formado pelas cultivares melhoradas e genótipos mesoamericanos apresentou diferenças quanto à coloração do tegumento. Ambos os conjuntos de dados, moleculares e morfo-agronômicos, foram igualmente eficientes para quantificação e estruturação da diversidade genética de acessos de feijoeiro. Essas informações poderão ser utilizadas para orientação de cruzamentos e para a conservação adequada do banco de germoplasma de feijoeiro do IAC.

Germplasm banks store genotype samples, improved varieties, landraces and wild species, all generically denominated accessions. The importance of characterizing germplasm banks is based on the identification and knowledge of relevant traits for genetic improvement and ex situ germplasm conservation. Thus, the present study had as aim the evaluation of the genetic diversity among 220 accessions of a Brazilian common bean germplasm bank of the "Instituto Agronômico de Campinas" (IAC) by means of 23 morpho-agronomical descriptors and 19 RAPD loci. These accessions correspond to genotypes from the Andean and Middle American gene pool as well as from cultivars derived from common bean improvement programs. The Middle American accessions and the improved cultivars were clustered into one group, distinct from the one formed by the Andean accessions. In relation to the molecular data, 47% of the genetic similarity was detected among the Middle American accessions, and similar results were observed for the improved cultivars (50%). The Andean accessions revealed 60% of genetic similarity. The cluster constituted by the improved cultivars and the Middle American genotypes differed, basically, in tegument color. Both molecular and morpho-agronomical data sets were equally effective to quantify and organize the genetic diversity of common bean accessions. This information may be useful to direct crosses and for the proper organization of the IAC germplasm bank.

Oito linhagens de arroz (CNA 8983, IAC-1732, IAC-1733, IAC-1748, IAC-1736, IAC-201, Volano e Arborea) foram avaliadas em casa de vegetação para a resistência contra a brusone causada por Magnoparthe gracea. As linhagens CNA 8983, IAC 1732, IAC 1733 e IAC 1748 foram satisfatoriamente resistentes contra o fungo; IAC 1736 e IAC 201 foram intermediárias e Volano e Arbórea, suscetíveis. Em todas as linhagens não ocorreu atividade de lipoxigenase aumentada pela exposição ao ácido metiljasmônico, no entanto, a atividade enzimática mostrou correlação positiva com a resistência.

Eight rice lines viz. CNA 8983, IAC-1732, IAC-1733, IAC-1748, IAC-1736, IAC-201, Volano and Arborea were evaluated in greenhouse for resistance against the leaf blast disease caused by Magnoparthe gracea. Lines CNA 8983, IAC 1732, IAC 1733 and IAC 1748 showed satisfactory resistance against the blast fungus while IAC 1736 and IAC 201 were intermediate and Volano and Arborea susceptible. All lines did not have lipoxygenase activity increased by methyljasmonic acid, however enzyme activity showed a positive relationship with resistance.

Pilocarpina é um alcalóide imidazólico encontrado exclusivamente em plantas do gênero Pilocarpus, sendo que as folhas de P. microphyllus acumulam o maior conteúdo deste alcalóide. Não há na literatura nenhum relato sobre a variabilidade do conteúdo de pilocarpina nesse gênero. Uma população de 20 plantas de P. microphyllus do estado do Maranhão, Brasil, foi analisada por marcadores Aplicação de DNA polimórfico randomica (RAPD) e quanto ao conteúdo de pilocarpina. Apesar de não ter sido possível estabelecer uma associação entre as variáveis estudadas, a ausência ou a presença de alguns loci marcadores em certos genótipos puderam ser associados ao teor do alcalóide.

Pilocarpine is an imidazol alkaloid exclusively found in Pilocarpus genus and P. microphyllus accumulates its highest content in the leaves. There is no report in the literature on the variability of the pilocarpine content in this genus. A population of 20 genotypes of P. microphyllus from the state of Maranhão, Brazil, was analyzed for Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and pilocarpine content. Although it was not possible to establish any correlation between these features, the absence or presence of some markers could indicate in some genotypes a possible association with the content of the alkaloid.