ABSTRACT. Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. is a pioneer plant native from Brazil that has great importance due to its secondary metabolites (essential oil and Brazilian green propolis) and its potential in the recovery of degraded areas. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the propagation techniques of B. dracunculifolia by sexual reproduction and asexual propagation of male and female stem cuttings. For reproduction, female individuals from a natural population were periodically monitored for their reproductive development and their diaspores were collected to evaluate the maximum dry mass accumulation to determine physiological maturity. The germination test was performed by testing four temperatures (20, 25, 30, and 20-30°C), in addition to the germination speed index (GSI) and first count. For vegetative propagation, stem cuttings (8 cm) of male and female individuals were treated with an indole butyric acid (IBA) solution at 0, 1,500, 3,000, 4,500, and 6,000 mg L−1. The cuttings were evaluated for mortality, survival, rooting, sprouting, leaf retention, callogenesis, number of roots, and average length of roots (cm) after 120 days. The physiological maturity of diaspores occurred at 40 days after anthesis, which was the best time for collection in the field. The temperatures of 25 or 20-30°C should be used in the germination tests of the species. The first count was identified four days after sowing and the last count after 11 days. The rooting of B. dracunculifolia cuttings is very low. Sex did not influence the evaluated parameters, but increasing IBA doses positively influenced rooting, number of roots, and average length of roots and negatively influenced calluses formation.

HIGHLIGHTS Essential oils from populations of B. dracunculifolia were investigated. β-pinene and (E)-nerolidol were the main compounds in B. dracunculifolia populations. The difference in the chemical profile of the essential oils is quantitative only. There is a negative correlation between the antioxidant activity and spathulenol.

Resumo A Floresta Atlântica é considerada uma rica fonte de plantas aromáticas com amplo espectro de propriedades biológicas. Na busca de novos inibidores da acetilcolinesterase (AChE) e α-glicosidase (AG), folhas de diferentes espécies de Piper localizadas na Floresta Atlântica no litoral do Paraná - Brasil, foram submetidas a hidrodestilação e seus óleos voláteis caracterizados por CG-DIC e CG-EM. A coleta ocorreu em duas estações distintas, inverno (I) e primavera (P), de 7 diferentes espécies. Sesquiterpenos foram identificados entre os compostos majoritários em todas as espécies estudadas, com dezenas de representantes. No entanto, foram observadas baixas concentrações de monoterpenos; α-pinene in Piper mosenii and P. cernuum, δ-3-carene in P. rivinoides, camphene and β-pinene in P. cernuum são exceções. Os arilpropanoides miristicina e elemicina foram identificadas em quantidades significativas em P. diospyrifolium (26.2%/P) e P. mosenii (16.4%/I), respectivamente. Para a AChE as amostras mais ativas foram P. diospyrifolium, P. aduncum e P. cernuum, com níveis de inibição > 93%. Para a AG, que se mostrou menos sensível às amostras, os candidatos mais promissores foram P. diospyrifolium e P. mosenii, ambos com níveis de inibição > 65%. Esses resultados destacam a importância das plantas nativas como fontes renováveis de novos inibidores para AChE e AG. Estudos adicionais se fazem necessários para identificar os constituintes ou frações mais ativas dos óleos voláteis selecionados.

Abstract The Atlantic Forest is regarded a rich source of aromatic plants with a broad spectrum of biological properties. The leaves of seven Piper species were collected from the Atlantic Forest domain in the coastal region of Paraná state in winter (W) and spring (S). The volatile oils were extracted from the leaves through hydrodistillation method. The volatile oils were characterized by means of GC-FID and GC-MS. Sesquiterpenes were among the major compounds in all species studied, with many dozens of representatives. However, very low concentrations of monoterpenes were observed; α-pinene in Piper mosenii and P. cernuum, δ-3-carene in P. rivinoides, camphene and β-pinene in P. cernuum are exceptions. The arylpropanoides myristicine and elemicin were found in considerable amount in P. diospyrifolium (26.2%/S) and P. mosenii (16.4%/W), respectively. These oils were also screened for inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and α-glucosidase (AG). For AChE the most active samples were P. diospyrifolium, P. aduncum and P. cernuum, with inhibiting level > 93%. For the less sensitive AG, the most promising candidates were P. diospyrifolium and P. mosenii, with inhibiting level > 65%. These results highlight the importance of native plants as renewable source of new inhibitors for AChE and AG. Further investigation is required to identify the most active constituents or fractions from the selected volatile oils.

Resumo Este estudo descreve as potencialidades do uso sustentável de espécies nativas do Litoral do Paraná. O trabalho foi conduzido com comunidades tradicionais da região com o objetivo de contemplar o recurso genético disponível na floresta, a diversidade cultural local e o uso sustentável dos recursos naturais. A abordagem feita aos entrevistados seguiu um roteiro norteador, com informações sobre a identificação dos entrevistados, dados referentes às Plantas Medicinais e Plantas Alimentares não Convencionais e demais usos da biodiversidade. Foram citadas 67 plantas com algumas utilizações. Identificou-se que, na comunidade, 64% dos moradores entrevistados eram aposentados e vivem da pesca e lavoura. Observou-se que as mulheres detêm amplo conhecimento sobre plantas medicinais, já os homens conhecem muito mais sobre espécies arbóreas destinadas à construção, seja de barcos ou casas. Constatou-se a importância do saber tradicional acerca das plantas medicinais para a descoberta de compostos bioativos e geração de renda.

Abstract This study describes the use of native species of the Paraná Coastal. The work was carried out with traditional communities of the region with the objective of contemplating the genetic resources available in the forest, local cultural diversity and the sustainable use of natural resources. The approach taken to the interviewees followed a guideline, with information on the identification of respondents, data referring to Medicinal Plants and Non-Conventional Food Plants. There were 67 plants with some uses mentioned. It was identified that in the community 64% of the residents interviewed were retired and live on fishing and farming. It was observed that women have extensive knowledge about medicinal plants, men already know much more about tree species destined to the construction, either of boats or houses. It was verified the importance of the traditional knowledge about the medicinal plants for the discovery of bioactive compounds and income generation.

Resumen El artículo describe el uso sostenible de especies nativas del Litoral del Paraná. El trabajo fue conducido con comunidades tradicionales de la región con el objetivo de contemplar el recurso genético disponible en el bosque, la diversidad cultural local y el uso sostenible de los recursos naturales. El enfoque de los entrevistados siguió un itinerario orientador, con informaciones sobre la identificación, datos referentes a las plantas medicinales y Plantas Alimentares no Convencionales y demás usos de la biodiversidad. Se han citado 67 plantas. Se identificó que en la comunidad el 64% de los residentes entrevistados eran jubilados y viven de la pesca y la labranza. Se observó que las mujeres poseen amplio conocimiento sobre plantas medicinales, ya los hombres conocen mucho más sobre especies arbóreas destinadas a la construcción. Se constató la importancia del saber tradicional acerca de las especies para el descubrimiento de compuestos bioactivos y generación de ingresos.

RESUMEN Las especies nativas de Piper presentan importantes actividades biológicas repelentes, antimicrobianos, insecticidas, antitumoral y anti-protozoario. Los estudios sobre nuevas especies representan potenciales descubrimientos sin publicar y la propagación vegetativa es necesario para el desarrollo del protocolo de cultivo; además, reduce la extracción natural. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el enraizamiento de esquejes de P. arboreum, P. cernuum y P. diospyrifolium con diferentes tratamientos que contienen dosis del ácido indolbutirico (0, 500, 1.000, 1.500, 2.000 y 3.000 mg L-1). Ramas fueran colectadas en la Reserva Biológica Bom Jesus, estado de Paraná, Brasil. Los cortes con una longitud de 12 cm y el diámetro promedio de 6 mm se instalaron en tubos de plástico de 53 cm3 usando el sustrato comercial Tropstrato HP® y riego por nebulización intermitente. Después de 90 días se evaluaron las tasas de supervivencia, mortalidad y esquejes con nuevos brotes, número y longitud de las tres raíces principales. Los porcentajes de enraizamiento alcanzaron un promedio de 67,5% para P. arboreum, 51,6% para P. cernuum y 50,4% para P. diospyrifolium. Se encontró respuesta positiva de los tratamientos que contienen el regulador vegetal para las variables de enraizamiento, porcentaje de esquejes con brotes y número de raíces por estaca, pero hubo variaciones en las respuestas de cada especie. La permanencia de hojas fue un factor importante para el proceso de enraizamiento adventicio en las especies evaluadas.

ABSTRACT Native Piper species present significant repellent, antimicrobial, inseticidal, anti-tumor and anti-protozoal biological activities. Studies on new species can discover unpublished potentialities and vegetative propagation for the development of cultivation protocols and reduce the natural extraction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rooting of P. arboreum, P. cernuum and P. diospyrifolium stem cuttings with different treatments containing doses of indole butyric acid (0, 500; 1,000; 1,500; 2,000 and 3,000 mg L-1). Branches were collected in the "Bom Jesus Biological Reserve", Parana state, Brazil. The cuttings, with a length of 12 cm and average diameter of 6 mm, were placed in 53 cm3 plastic tubes with the commercial substrate Tropstrato HP® and intermittent misting. After 90 days, the survival, mortality, cuttings with new shoots, number and length of the three main roots were evaluated. The percentages of rooting reached an average of 67.5% for P. arboreum, 51.6% for P. cernuum and 50.4% for P. diospyrifolium. A positive effect in the treatments containing the plant regulator was observed for rooting development, percentage of cuttings with shoots and number of roots per propagule, but there were variations in the responses of each species. Leaf retention was an important factor for the adventitious rooting formation in all evaluated species.

O cultivo de camomila na região Sul do Brasil tem sido realizado utilizando-se como material genético a cultivar Mandirituba. Apesar da produção de capítulos florais e teor de óleos essenciais apresentado por esta cultivar ser considerado satisfatório, tem sido observada nas regiões produtoras a ocorrência de problemas fitossanitários que resultam em perdas significativas da produção. Este trabalho teve como objetivos comparar materiais genéticos de camomila provenientes da Holanda, Dinamarca e Mandirituba, e avaliar o efeito de diferentes densidades de semeadura no desenvolvimento das plantas, produção de capítulos, rendimento e qualidade do óleo essencial da cultivar Mandirituba, atualmente cultivada na região. Os experimentos foram conduzidos no município de Piraquara (PR). A extração do óleo essencial foi realizada por hidrodestilação em aparelho tipo Clevenger e a determinação da composição do óleo foi feita por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada ao espectrômetro de massa (GC/MS). Os materiais genéticos provenientes da Holanda e de Mandirituba apresentaram maior produção de biomassa seca de capítulos, em relação ao material genético da Dinamarca. A cultivar Mandirituba apresentou o maior rendimento de óleo essencial (4,71 mL g-1 ms), sendo também superior em relação à produtividade de óleo essencial (2,40 L ha-1). Os materiais procedentes da Dinamarca e de Mandirituba apresentaram composição do óleo essencial semelhantes. A densidade de plantio de 1,0 kg ha-1 da cultivar Mandirituba resultou em melhor desenvolvimento das plantas e maior produção de óleo essencial. Quantidades superiores a 3,0 kg ha-1 de sementes não resultaram em maior densidade de plantas tendo em vista a alta competição e percentual de plântulas mortas.

The cultivar Mandirituba is the only genetic material for chamomile cultivation in southern Brazil. Besides the limitations regarding floral buds and the yield of essential oil presented by this cultivar, phytosanitary problems have also been observed. The objectives of this work were to compare the genetic materials from the Netherlands, Denmark and Mandirituba and to evaluate the effect of seeding rate on floral heads development and essential oil production, yield and quality. The experiments were carried out at field conditions in Piraquara, Paraná state, Brazil. The essential oil extraction was obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus and the oil composition was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The genetic materials from the Netherlands and Mandirituba presented statistically higher dry mass accumulation than the ones from Denmark. However the material from Mandirituba showed a great essential oil yield (4.7 mL g-1 ms) and productivity (2.40 L ha-1). The genetic material from Denmark and Mandirituba showed similar essential oil composition. The density of 1.0 kg ha-1 for cultivar Mandirituba resulted on great plant development and essential oil production. The use of 3.0 kg ha-1 of seeds did not increase plant density due to the high plant competition.