ABSTRACT The sweet potato cultivar ‘IAC 134 AL01’ has tuberous roots with high β-carotene content, with the fresh pulp having an intermediate orange colour (based on international descriptors for the crop), which turns bright orange after cooking, and a mildly sweet taste. These roots have a long-irregular shape, red skin and are of medium size, weighing, on average, 300 g and measuring 14 x 6 cm. The first biofortified sweet potato cultivar of the Campinas Agronomic Institute reaches an average yield of 43.9 t/ha and is recommended for planting in the state of São Paulo to supply the domestic market and for export.

RESUMO A cultivar de batata-doce ‘IAC 134 AL01’ tem raízes tuberosas de elevado teor em β-caroteno, com a polpa fresca de coloração (com base nos descritores internacionais para a cultura) laranja intermediário, gosto levemente doce e sabor característico da espécie, e coloração laranja intenso, após cocção. Estas raízes têm formato longo-irregular, pele vermelha, e são de tamanho intermediário, pesando, em média 300 g e medindo 14 x 6 cm. A primeira cultivar de batata doce biofortificada do Instituto Agronômico de Campinas alcança o rendimento médio de 43,9 t/ha, sendo recomendada para plantio no estado de São Paulo, visando abastecer o mercado interno e a exportação.

Abstract The objective of this research was to select orange-fleshed sweet potato clones with high stability, yield, and β-carotene content in different planting seasons, using a selection index. Joint analysis of experiments and analysis of responsiveness and stability by the GGE biplot method were performed for the variables yield, dry matter percentage, and root flesh color. The variables yield, dry matter, color and stability were used to estimate a selection index. The GGE biplot analysis indicated that there are differences among clones in stability for Yield. However, the percentage of dry matter and color of the roots show low interaction in the different environments. Because of that, stability for yield was included in the selection index, together with yield, dry matter, and root orange color intensity. Finally, the selection index based on stability, yield, dry matter percentage and root color was efficient in the selection of a new biofortified sweet potato cultivar. orangefleshed fleshed βcarotene β carotene seasons Yield However environments intensity Finally cultivar

ABSTRACT Tomato is one of the most important crops worldwide. Bacterial wilt (BW), caused by Ralstonia spp., is a major disease for tomato production around the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Currently in Brazil, only commercial hybrids are available as resistant rootstocks for use in infested areas, and we lack information regarding resistance to aggressive strains. Thus, the aims of this work were to estimate combining abilities of five tomato inbred lines and hybrids and to identify resistant genotypes for using as rootstocks resistant to Ralstonia solanacearum biovar 2, phylotype II, one of the most aggressive strains in Brazil. Combining abilities for BW resistance were assessed through full diallel crossings among five tomato inbred lines without reciprocals. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a complete randomized blocks design, using 15 genotypes (hybrids and parents). Additive genetic effects showed to be the most important for controlling bacterial wilt. The inbred line Hawaii 7996 exhibited the highest general combining ability among the five parents assessed. The hybrid Hawaii 7996 × Rodade was the best crossing in terms of resistance and specific combining ability, which was greater than those of all other hybrids. Although Hawaii 7996 remains as a major source for BW resistance, further researches are needed to better understand the resistance dynamics, seeking to develop hybrids with transgressive segregations and more stable resistance against aggressive strains and thrive under environmental conditions highly favorable to bacterial wilt infection.

ABSTRACT: In general, the effects of Cadmium (Cd) on crop quality are evaluated solely by Cd accumulation in the edible plant parts; thus, the potential effects on several nutritional features are not often taken into account. This study evaluated Cd effects on the enzymatic activities of lysine (Lys) metabolism, storage protein and amino acid profile in maize. Stress parameters were also assessed. In vegetative organs, Cd was accumulated in the following decreasing order: roots > stems > leaves. Cadmium accumulation in grains decreased at grain maturity (from 0.25 to 0.07 µg g−1 DW). In leaves, neither hydrogen peroxide content nor superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxide and guaiacol peroxidase activities did not change in Cd-treated plants compared to control plants. Lipid peroxidation was not detected in immature grains and leaves of plants under Cd exposure, indicating that Cd accumulation mainly in the roots is a mechanism to avoid oxidative stress in aboveground parts of the plant. However, Lys metabolism in immature grains was modified, showing increases in the specific activities of aspartate kinase (AK) and dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS) after Cd exposure. AK sensitivity to Lys feedback inhibition increased, but decreased in DHDPS in Cd-treated plants, suggesting differential regulation for these enzymes. In mature grains, the Lys content did not change, while the proline content increased by 54 % in Cd-treated plants. This is the first report on Cd effects on amino acid profile, storage protein contents and enzymes from Lys metabolism in grains of a cereal plant species.

Uma das principais dificuldades nos trabalhos visando a seleção de plantas tolerantes a metais pesados é a própria metodologia para avaliação eficiente de grande número de plantas, gerando poucos resíduos para o meio ambiente. Por esse motivo, propomos uma metodologia simples e eficaz que pode ser aplicada a metais ou outros elementos químicos, partindo de um estudo de caso, no qual selecionamos dois mutantes de tomateiro (cv Micro-Tom) tolerantes ao Cádmio, obtidos por mutagênese com etanosulfonato de metila (EMS). Além destes dois novos mutantes, selecionamos outros 21 com alterações potenciais quanto a respostas a este metal. Por fim, chegamos à conclusão de que o sistema proposto é ideal para trabalhos de seleção de plantas tolerantes a metais pesados e possivelmente a outros elementos, devido à facilidade de montagem da estrutura, baixo custo de implantação, minimização de geração de resíduos e possibilidade de uso em várias espécies e diferentes metais pesados.

One of the major difficulties in studies on the selection of heavy metal tolerant plants is the proper methodology that must ensure an efficient evaluation of a large number of plants, but reducing environmental contamination. For this reason, we propose a simple and effective method that can be applied to metals or other chemicals by means of a case study, in which we selected two cadmium-tolerant mutants of tomato (cv Micro-Tom) obtained by mutagenesis with methyl ethanesulfonate (MES). Aside from these two new mutants, we selected 21 others with possible alterations in the response to this metal. Finally, it was concluded that the proposed system is ideal for selection studies on plants tolerant to heavy metals and possibly to other elements, due to the ease of assembly of the structure, low installation cost, minimal waste generation and the possibility of using different species and heavy metals.

MT BB cultivar originated from a backcross program which aimed at adding two recessive mutations that alter leaf architecture (potato leaf - c) and flower color (white flower - wf) to Micro-Tom cultivar, which is a tomato miniature. MT BB was developed for use in practical classes of genetics and breeding in both undergraduate and graduate courses.

Soil contamination by heavy metals is a challenge faced by many countries, and engineering technologies to solve this problem are expensive and can cause negative impacts on the environment. One way to minimise the levels of heavy metals in the soil is to use plants that can absorb and accumulate heavy metals into harvestable parts, a process called phytoextraction. Typical plant species used in research involving phytoextraction are heavy metal hyperaccumulators, but plants from this group are not good biomass producers and grow more slowly than most species; thus, they have an important role in helping scientists understand the mechanisms involved in accumulating high amounts of heavy metals without developing symptoms or dying. However, because of their slow growth, it is not practical to use these species for phytoextraction. An alternative approach is to use non-hyperaccumulator plants assisted by chelating agents, which may improve the ability of plants to accumulate more heavy metals than they would naturally. Chelating agents can be synthetic or organic acids, and the advantages and disadvantages of their use in improving the phytoextraction potential of non-hyperaccumulator plants are discussed in this article. We hope to draw attention to ways to improve the phytoextraction potential of non-hyperaccumulator plants that produce a large amount of biomass and to stimulate more research on phytoextraction-inducing substances.

Xenia, the transmission of traits from the pollinizer to the female's tissues, is a phenomenon hitherto unknown in tomatoes. Here, we describe xenia effects on the seeds and fruits of Solanum lycopersicum, the tomato, elicited by S. galapagense. The wild tomatoes, such as S. galapagense, have highly pilose fruit surface and minute seeds, unlike the domesticated species. Crossings between S. galapagense (pollinizer) and two large-seeded, glabrous cultivars of S. lycopersicum (females) tested the former's ability to raise the trichome density and trichome-to-1000-cell ratio and to reduce the seed weight in the latter's fruits. Selfed fruits of the two cultivars, Micro-Tom and Pusa Ruby, were compared to the crossed fruits. The pollen of S. galapagense was able to raise pilosity and to reduce seed weight in the crossed fruits of both cultivars, but with different magnitudes: seed reduction was more intense in Pusa Ruby, while pilosity increase was greater in Micro-Tom, both of which characterize xenia. Pilosity increase is not completely dependent on variation in epidermal cell density, which displayed no xenia effect. The difference between the maternal cultivars in the magnitude of pilosity increase may be due to the higher dilution of a putative male chemical signal (either hormone or RNA) in the larger fruits of Pusa Ruby. However, one cannot use the signal diffusion hypothesis to explain the xenia effects on seed weight.

Variedades ou híbridos de tomateiro utilizados para produção de molhos e ketchups costumam ter hábito determinado, enquanto a maioria dos genótipos utilizados na produção para mesa (consumo in natura) possuem hábito indeterminado. Além de influenciar no manejo da cultura, o hábito de crescimento pode alterar parâmetros de produtividade, como o teor de sólidos solúveis totais (SST) nos frutos. O hábito de crescimento é controlado principalmente pelo gene SELF-PRUNING (SP), que é um dos componentes de uma pequena família gênica da qual faz parte também o gene SINGLE FLOWER TRUSS (SFT), atualmente considerado um dos componentes do tão buscado "florígeno". O entendimento da função bioquímica e o efeito fisiológico de tais genes em interação com o ambiente e outros genes (epistasia) possibilita a manipulação de parâmetros como precocidade e SST. Além disso, fornece subsídios para compreender a base genética do crescimento semideterminado, que combina vantagens do hábito determinado e indeterminado, podendo ser usado pelos melhoristas de plantas para o desenvolvimento de novas cultivares.

Hybrids or open pollinated tomato cultivars used for sauces and ketchups production usually has determinate growth habit, while most of the genotypes used in the production to salads (in natura consumption) has indeterminate growth habit. Additionally, growth habit can have influence on culture management, productivity and total soluble solids (TSS) in fruits. The growth habit is mainly controlled by the gene SELF-PRUNING (SP), which is a component of a small gene family which is also part of the gene SINGLE FLOWER TRUSS (SFT), currently considered one of the components so sought after 'florigin'. Understanding the biochemical function and physiological effect of such genes in interaction with the environment and other genes (epistasis), allows the manipulation of parameters such as precocity and TSS. It also provides subsidies to understand the genetic basis of semideterminate growth, which combines the advantages of determinate and indeterminate habit and can be used for plant breeders to development of new cultivars.

The present work characterized and compared the anatomical structures of the leaves of Bactris gasipaes (Arecaceae) plants grown under different cultivation conditions (in vitro, ex vitro and in vivo) with the goal of identifying the origins of the difficulties encountered in acclimatizing micro-plants. The Quant program was used to determine leaf tissue thicknesses and areas, and histochemical tests were performed on leaf sections and analyzed using light microscopy. Stomatal and trichome densities were determined using the epidermal impression method and by scanning electronic microscopy. Our results indicated that there were no discernible alterations of the anatomical characteristics of the leaves of micro-plants cultivated under differing conditions and that the thickening of the mesophyll and the vascular fibers indicated adaptive responses to ex vitro conditions. As such, the observed difficulties in acclimatizing peach palm micro-plants to ex vitro conditions cannot be attributed to plant anatomical characteristics acquired during in vitro cultivation.

Seed priming with hormones has been an efficient method for increasing seed vigor as well as seedling growth under stressful conditions. These responses have in the past been attributed to the activation of antioxidant systems in a range of crops. The results described in this work show that hormonal priming with methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid or CEPA (chloroethylphosphonic acid), an ethylene (ET) releaser, does not induce the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase or glutathione reductase in maize seedlings subjected to salt stress. The enhanced biomass of maize seedlings under salt stress that was observed only from ET priming indicates that the stress tolerance in maize from ethylene priming is a fundamental process for stress tolerance acquisition, which is explained, however, by other biochemical mechanisms but not by changes in the antioxidant system.

A evolução das plantas cultivadas, que teve início há cerca de 13.000 anos, está sujeita aos mesmos processos evolutivos naturais, aliada à ação do homem de forma consciente ou inconsciente, levando à domesticação. Nesta revisão, são apresentados os principais fatores evolutivos, tais como mutação, hibridação, migração, seleção e deriva genética, que, de alguma maneira, estão envolvidos com a origem, evolução e domesticação de plantas cultivadas. São apresentados também exemplos de como esses processos influenciaram na diversidade intra e interespecífica de plantas cultivadas, com o aparecimento de novas variedades ou mesmo de novas espécies. De modo geral, tais processos atuaram na ampliação, na manutenção, bem como na redução da variabilidade genética das plantas cultivadas.

The evolution of crop plants, which began at about 13,000 years ago, is subject to the same natural evolutionary processes, coupled with the action of man, consciously or unconsciously, leading to domestication. This review presents the main evolutionary factors such as mutation, hybridization, migration, selection and genetic drift, which somehow are involved in the origin, evolution and domestication of crop plants. Examples of how these processes influenced in the intra and interespecific diversity of crop plants, with the uprise of new varieties or even of new species, are also presented. In general, these processes have worked well in the increase, maintenance, as well as in the reduction of genetic diversity of crop plants.