Abstract There is a worldwide concern about a possible narrowing of the genetic base of most crops, as e.g. that of rice (Oryza sativa L.), as a result of the modern breeding practices. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate this phenomenon in the germplasm of elite paddy rice in southern Brazil, including frequently used accessions in crosses. The panel consisted of 91 accessions. Data of morphological traits, SNP markers and mineral content of husked and polished grain were analyzed by hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis. The SNP markers and hierarchical clustering proved most appropriate to assess the genetic variability. A narrowing of the genetic base of rice was confirmed, although a certain level of genetic variability was still found in the germplasm of elite paddy rice in south Brazilian rice, particularly for grain mineral content.

Abstract WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are responsible for the regulation of genes responsive to many plant growth and developmental cues, as well as to biotic and abiotic stresses. The modulation of gene expression by WRKY proteins primarily occurs by DNA binding at specific cis-regulatory elements, the W-box elements, which are short sequences located in the promoter region of certain genes. In addition, their action can occur through interaction with other TFs and the cellular transcription machinery. The current genome sequences available reveal a relatively large number of WRKY genes, reaching hundreds of copies. Recently, functional genomics studies in model plants have enabled the identification of function and mechanism of action of several WRKY TFs in plants. This review addresses the more recent studies in plants regarding the function of WRKY TFs in both model and crop plants for coping with environmental challenges, including a wide variety of abiotic and biotic stresses.

RESUMO A eficiência de conversão da radiação solar em fitomassa é uma variável frequentemente utilizada em modelos de simulação do crescimento das culturas, pois a produção de biomassa está relacionada com a eficiência com que uma planta converte energia radiante em química, dada pelo processo da fotossíntese. Dessa maneira, o objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a eficiência de conversão da radiação solar fotossinteticamente ativa interceptada (RFAi) em fitomassa aérea de Ilex paraguariensis, cultivada em consórcio (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. E Pinus elliottii Engelm) e solteira. Para tanto, foram determinados a radiação solar fotossinteticamente ativa interceptada (RFAi), o índice de área foliar e a fitomassa seca das erveiras sob sombreamento e a pleno sol, sendo então, a eficiência de conversão da RFAi em fitomassa seca produzida calculada por meio da relação entre a produção de fitomassa acumulada e a RFAi envolvida. Para um mesmo valor de radiação RFAi, obteve-se maior eficiência de uso da radiação no acúmulo em matéria seca aérea de Ilex paraguariensis cultivada em consórcio. A eficiência de conversão (εb) de fitomassa seca aérea de plantas de Ilex paraguariensis em relação à quantidade de radiação solar fotossinteticamente ativa interceptada acumulada foi de 0,83 g MJ-1 no sistema consórcio e de 0,23 g MJ-1 no sistema solteiro. Apesar disso, a produção de fitomassa aérea por planta de erva-mate foi maior no sistema solteiro.

ABSTRACT The efficiency of conversion of the solar radiation in biomass is a variable frequently used in models of simulation the culture growth, because the biomass production is related with the efficiency of which a plant converts radiant energy in chemistry, given by the process of the photosynthesis. The objective of this work was to determine the efficiency of conversion of the photosynthetically active and intercepted solar radiation (RFAi) in Ilex paraguariensis biomass, cultivated in consortium (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. E Pinus elliottii Engelm) and single. For so much, it was determined the photosynthetically active and intercepted solar radiation (RFAi), the index of leaf area and the biomass dries of the seedlings, being then, the efficiency of conversion of RFAi in biomass dries of the cultivated in consortium and single. For a same radiation value RFAi, is obtained larger efficiency of use of the radiation in the accumulation in matter dries when Ilex paraguariensis is cultivated in consortium. The conversion efficiency (εb) of biomass total drought of Ilex paraguariensis plants in relation to the amount of the photosynthetically active and intercepted solar radiation (RFAi) accumulated is of 0.83 g MJ-1 in the system consortium and of 0.23 g MJ-1 in the single system. In spite of that, the production of aerial biomass for plant was larger in the single system.