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Matias Gaston Kohlmaier - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Nectar Source profitability influences individual foraging preferences for pollen and pollen foraging activity of honeybee colonies
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 2019Co-Authors: Andres Arenas, Matias Gaston KohlmaierAbstract:Abstract: Most foraging honeybees specialize in either pollen or Nectar collection, although some do alternate between both reSources. Little is known about this behavioral plasticity and the factors that control it. We studied how the profitability of Nectar Sources influences the transition of bees between Nectar and pollen collection at the individual response level, by measuring the number of switches when the productivity of a sugar Source (either sugar concentration or solution flow rate) was experimentally decreased or increased. At the social level, we studied whether the quality of the Nectar that circulates inside a hive alters the rate of incoming pollen foragers. We then calculated the ratio between pollen and non-pollen foragers, before and after the hives were fed either a 3 or a 50% w/w sugar solution. In the first experiment, we showed that bees that persisted in visiting the feeder when offered low-quality solutions were more likely to switch to pollen than those foraging only on highly concentrated solutions. Looking at the collective responses, the ratio of pollen over non-pollen foragers increased after the input of a low-quality sugar solution and decreased after the input of a high-quality sugar solution. We conclude that the profitability of Nectar Sources interacts with the sugar responsiveness of bees, thus driving foraging preferences for pollen and modifying the pollen foraging activity of the colony. The results also show that bees integrate gustatory information from both rewarding reSources based on local cues available either at the foraging site or inside the hive. Significance statement: Switching between reSource types could be adaptive for honeybees that specialize in either Nectar or pollen foraging. This would allow them to react to changes in the foraging environment. Although we observed that switching behavior is constrained by the responsiveness of bees to sugar, the switch from Nectar to pollen (and vice versa) is an active decision of the bees in response to the decreasing or increasing profitability of pollen versus Nectar Sources. Given the ability of some bees to switch between foraging tasks based solely on gustatory cues available at the foraging site, we investigated whether Source-related information conveyed inside the hive also affects colony foraging activity towards Nectar and pollen reSources. We observed that behavioral plasticity of individuals can be integrated into a social response by colonies reallocating their foraging forces according to the food-related information available inside the hive. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
Monika Stengl - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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mutagenesis of odorant coreceptor orco fully disrupts foraging but not oviposition behaviors in the hawkmoth manduca sexta
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2019Co-Authors: Richard A Fandino, Alexander Haverkamp, Sonja Bischknaden, Sascha Bucks, Tu Anh Thi Nguyen, Katrin Schroder, Achim Werckenthin, Jurgen Rybak, Jin Zhang, Monika StenglAbstract:The hawkmoth Manduca sexta and one of its preferred hosts in the North American Southwest, Datura wrightii, share a model insect–plant relationship based on mutualistic and antagonistic life-history traits. D. wrightii is the innately preferred Nectar Source and oviposition host for M. sexta. Hence, the hawkmoth is an important pollinator while the M. sexta larvae are specialized herbivores of the plant. Olfactory detection of plant volatiles plays a crucial role in the behavior of the hawkmoth. In vivo, the odorant receptor coreceptor (Orco) is an obligatory component for the function of odorant receptors (ORs), a major receptor family involved in insect olfaction. We used CRISPR-Cas9 targeted mutagenesis to knock out (KO) the MsexOrco gene to test the consequences of a loss of OR-mediated olfaction in an insect–plant relationship. Neurophysiological characterization revealed severely reduced antennal and antennal lobe responses to representative odorants emitted by D. wrightii. In a wind-tunnel setting with a flowering plant, Orco KO hawkmoths showed disrupted flight orientation and an ablated proboscis extension response to the natural stimulus. The Orco KO gravid female displayed reduced attraction toward a nonflowering plant. However, more than half of hawkmoths were able to use characteristic odor-directed flight orientation and oviposit on the host plant. Overall, OR-mediated olfaction is essential for foraging and pollination behaviors, but plant-seeking and oviposition behaviors are sustained through additional OR-independent sensory cues.
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mutagenesis of orco impairs foraging but not oviposition in the hawkmoth manduca sexta
bioRxiv, 2019Co-Authors: Richard A Fandino, Alexander Haverkamp, Sonja Bischknaden, Sascha Bucks, Achim Werckenthin, Monika Stengl, J Ryback, Jin Zhang, Markus KnadenAbstract:Abstract Plant volatile detection through olfaction plays a crucial role in insect behaviors. In vivo, the odorant receptor co-receptor orco is an obligatory component for the function of odorant receptors (ORs), a major receptor family involved in insect olfaction. We used CRISPR-Cas9 targeted mutagenesis to knock-out (KO) orco in a neurophysiological model species, the hawkmoth Manduca sexta. M. sexta and its host, the Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii) share a model insect-plant relationship based on mutualistic and antagonistic life history traits. D. wrightii is the innately preferred Nectar-Source and oviposition host for M. sexta. Hence, the hawkmoth is an important pollinator while the M. sexta larvae are specialized herbivores of the plant. We generated an orco KO through CRISPR-Cas9 to test the consequences of a loss of OR-mediated olfaction in this insect-plant relationship. Neurophysiological characterization revealed severely reduced antennal and antennal lobe responses to representative odorants emitted by D. wrightii. In a wind-tunnel setting with a flowering plant, orco KO hawkmoths showed disrupted flight orientation and an ablated proboscis extension response to the natural stimulus. However, when testing the oviposition behavior of mated females encountering a non-flowering plant, there was no difference between orco KO and wild type females regarding upwind flight orientation and number of eggs laid. Overall, OR-mediated olfaction is essential for foraging and pollination behaviors, but plant-seeking and oviposition behaviors appear largely unaffected. Significance statement Insects detect plant volatiles mainly through the expression of ORs and IRs on the antennal olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). In vivo, Orco is an obligate partner for OR, but not IR function and ORs mediate a vast spectrum of olfactory perception. We applied CRISPR-Cas9 in M. sexta to mutate the orco gene and determine the physiological and behavioral implication of a loss of Orco receptor function in a semi-ecological interaction with D. wrightii. We found that while behaviors related to foraging were largely disrupted, other sensory modalities outside Orco function determine the relationship between an ovipositing female and its plant host. These results have implications toward understanding the olfactory basis of insect-plant interactions shaping our ecological and agricultural landscapes.
Jason J. Wargent - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Soil influences on plant growth, floral density and Nectar yield in three cultivars of mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium)
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2016Co-Authors: Elizabeth M. Nickless, Christopher Anderson, Georgie Hamilton, Jonathan M. Stephens, Jason J. WargentAbstract:ABSTRACTHoney derived from the Nectar of Leptospermum scoparium J.R. et G. Forst. Myrtaceae (mānuka) is a high-value product and there is considerable potential for economic growth in honey-growing regions of New Zealand through increased Nectar yield from mānuka plantations. Leptospermum scoparium exhibits a significant amount of phenotypic plasticity throughout regions in New Zealand where it has established, although the influences on this plasticity are unknown. When assessing L. scoparium as a Nectar Source for honey in marginal land areas, the possible effect of soil on Nectar chemistry and yield should be considered. We investigated whether phenological patterns of flowering, plant growth, Nectar composition and Nectar yield were influenced by soil composition.Three different cultivars of L. scoparium were grown on 10 different soils in glasshouse conditions. The soils chosen were representative of the range of New Zealand soils where mānuka is being considered as a commercial crop for the honey in...
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Soil influences on plant growth, floral density and Nectar yield in three cultivars of mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium)
2016Co-Authors: Elizabeth M. Nickless, Georgie Hamilton, Jonathan M. Stephens, Christopher W.n. Anderson, Jason J. WargentAbstract:Honey derived from the Nectar of Leptospermum scoparium J.R. et G. Forst. Myrtaceae (mānuka) is a high-value product and there is considerable potential for economic growth in honey-growing regions of New Zealand through increased Nectar yield from mānuka plantations. Leptospermum scoparium exhibits a significant amount of phenotypic plasticity throughout regions in New Zealand where it has established, although the influences on this plasticity are unknown. When assessing L. scoparium as a Nectar Source for honey in marginal land areas, the possible effect of soil on Nectar chemistry and yield should be considered. We investigated whether phenological patterns of flowering, plant growth, Nectar composition and Nectar yield were influenced by soil composition. Three different cultivars of L. scoparium were grown on 10 different soils in glasshouse conditions. The soils chosen were representative of the range of New Zealand soils where mānuka is being considered as a commercial crop for the honey industry. ANOVA and general linear models revealed no significant effect of soils on Nectar composition or production; however, significant but complex interactions between cultivars and soils influenced plant growth and flowering (P ≤ 0.05). Accordingly, the overall Nectar yield was influenced by cultivar and soil interaction. Measured attributes of the soil such as cation exchange capacity, sulphate, iron, manganese, calcium and chloride were shown to influence the plant parameters assessed. Results allowed modelling of Nectar potential against each soil type and established a mānuka soil index to determine the most appropriate soil for each cultivar. The results indicated that potential Nectar yield increases will be dependent on cultivars being deployed according to the nature of the soil present. Furthermore, the mānuka cultivars displayed significantly greater growth in response to increased nutrients and some cultivars increased floral density, suggesting potential to improve Nectar yield by greater plant growth using targeted fertilisation.
Marcia Aparecida Novaes Gomes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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In vitro cultivation of cerrado species Sinningia allagophylla (Martius) Wiehler (Gesneriaceae) : rooting, tuberization and nutrition with emphasis in aluminium
2017Co-Authors: Marcia Aparecida Novaes GomesAbstract:Resumo: Sinningia allagophylla (Gesneriaceae) é uma herbácea perene amplamente distribuída no Brasil, encontrada principalmente em formações campestres do Cerrado, bem como em alguns afloramentos rochosos da Mata Atlântica, crescendo, assim, em ambiente inóspito (sujeito à seca e ao fogo, em solos ácidos, deficientes em nutrientes e com teores elevados de alumínio e de manganês). Como outras espécies do Cerrado, apresenta fases fenológicas bem definidas: no outono as partes aéreas das plantas morrem e o órgão subterrâneo passa por um período de dormência no inverno, seguido por um período de rápida brotação na primavera. É uma espécie com potencial ornamental e o tubérculo que produz possui potencial exploração econômica pelo conteúdo de carboidratos que apresenta. Também é ecologicamente importante como fonte de néctar para beija-flores. Estudos anteriores mostraram que S. allagophylla responde de forma satisfatória ao cultivo in vitro, podendo ser obtido em um curto período um número grande de plantas. Entretanto, em tais estudos as microplantas não produziram o microtubérculo que apresentam in natura e um sistema radicular desenvolvido, estes necessários para a produção de mudas da espécie, disponíveis o ano todo, para a sua comercialização, preservação e para a realização de estudos fisiológicos. Para tanto, foram realizados estudos utilizando-se como explantes segmentos nodais da região mediana do caule de plântulas, estas resultantes da germinação in vitro de sementes da espécie. As sementes foram obtidas a partir de plantas crescidas em área de Campo Cerrado (solos com valor de pH 3,9, com baixos teores de nutrientes e altos para alumínio trocável), da Reserva Biológica e Estação Experimental de Moji-Guaçu (22° 15-16?S e 47° 8-12? W, 585 ?635 m de altitude), SP. Investigações in vitro de vários aspectos da presença de alumínio no cultivo de S.allagophylla, bem como do enraizamento e da tuberização, resultaram três experimentos, estes realizados com explantes cultivados em meio líquido ½ B5, com valor de pH 4,6 e fotoperíodo de 16 h. No primeiro experimento verificou-se o efeito da concentração de sacarose e de diferentes temperaturas na produção de raízes adventícias e de microtubérculos. No segundo experimento procurou-se obter uma melhor produção de microtubérculos pelas microplantas, tendo sido testados os efeitos do regulador de crescimento ANA e da intensidade luminosa. Já no terceiro experimento foram avaliadas as respostas da espécie ao estresse do alumínio, bem como para a deficiência de nutrientes e baixo valor do pH. Os resultados obtidos foram: (a) maior concentração de sacarose (40 g/kg) que a usada no meio padrão MS (30 g/kg) promoveu a produção de raízes adventícias em S. allagophylla; (b) a temperatura de 25 ± 2°C no período de luz e 20 ± 2°C no período de escuro apresentou um efeito indutor no crescimento radicular e na produção de microtubérculos pela microplanta; (c) a aclimatação bem sucedida ocorreu apenas nas microplantas apresentando microtubérculos com diâmetro aproximado de 8,0 mm, num período de cultivo de pelo menos 120 dias; (d) A presença do regulador de crescimento ANA, suplementado ao meio de cultivo, foi tóxico, induzindo a formação de calo na base da microplanta e de clorose nas folhas; (e) a mistura de luz fluorescente com incandescente (F+I) induziu a produção de microtubérculos e estes com diâmetro maior; (f) o efeito do alumínio sobre o crescimento da microplanta dependeu da concentração testada: em 200 µM ocorreu clorose nas folhas e necrose nas extremidades das raízes, cessando o crescimento das microplantas; em 100 µM não ocorreram sintomas de toxicidade, o crescimento das microplantas não foi prejudicado e, ao contrário, ocorreu um crescimento significativamente maior do diâmetro do microtubérculo e uma tendência, em nível não significativo, de maior crescimento do sistema radicular; (g) as análises químicas da parte aérea das microplantas revelaram um acúmulo de alumínio e de manganês, em mais de 1000 mg/kg e de 300 mg/kg, respectivamente, não apresentando deficiência dos demais nutrientes e (h) com o aumento da concentração de alumínio no meio, de 50 µM para 100 µM, ocorreu um maior acúmulo, tanto de alumínio como de manganês, na parte aérea das microplantas. Os resultados obtidos permitiram a elaboração de um protocolo de micropropagação para S. allagophylla, o qual torna possível a produção de mudas homogêneas da espécie. Também, demonstrou que S. allagophylla é uma espécie acumuladora de alumínio e de manganês e é eficiente na absorção dos nutrientes presentes em substratos com deficiências minerais, com baixo valor do pH e com alumínio disponível. A espécie apresenta, assim, estratégias que permitem a sua sobrevivência nas condições a que está sujeita no bioma Cerrado ;;Abstract: Sinningia allagophylla (Gesneriaceae) is a perennial herb found throughout Brazil, found mainly in the Cerrado, and also in rocky outcrops within the Atlantic forest, growing in environments subject to drought, fire and soils with low pH, deficient in nutrients and with high aluminium and manganese saturation. As other plants of the Cerrado, it is characterized by well defined phenological phases: in autumn, the aerial parts of the plants die and the underground organs remain dormant throughout winter, followed by a rapid sprouting period at the beginning of spring. The species presents ornamental potential and possesses a tuber with potential use for economic exploitation due to the carbohydrates content present and it is ecologically important as Nectar Source for hummingbirds. Earlier studies showed that in vitro propagation of S. allagophylla is successful, with rapid propagation of plants. However, the formation of adventitious roots and microtuber is difficult but necessary for seedling production, including commercial production, preservation and for ecophysiological studies. Therefore, studies were developed using nodal segment explants, obtained the germination of in vitro seedlings. The seeds were collected from plants growing in ?campo cerrado? (soil with pH 3,9, low nutrient availability and high aluminium content), of the Reserva Biológica e Estação Experimental de Moji-Guaçu (22° 15-16? S e 47° 8-2? W, 585 ? 635 m of altitude), SP, Brazil. Research of various aspects of rooting, microtuber induction and interface of aluminium presence in vitro cultivation was wade in S. allagophylla. From those results, three experiments were performed with explants cultivated in liquid ½ B5 medium with pH 4,6 and under 16 h photoperiod. The first experiment examined the effect of sucrose concentration and different temperatures on adventitious roots and microtubers production. The second experiment aimed to improve microtubers production, by testing the effects of the growth regulator ANA and light intensity. In the third experiment responses of the species to aluminum stress, as well as nutrient deficiency and low pH condition were tested. The results show that: (a) higher sucrose concentration (40 g/kg) than the standard MS medium (30 g/kg) optimized in vitro adventitious roots production; (b) temperature of 25 ± 2°C in the light period and 20 ± 2°C in the dark period induced rooting and microtubers formation in vitro; (c) successful acclimatization occurred in microplants that produced microtubers with diameters around 8.0 mm, for a cultivation period of at least 120 days; (d) the growth regulator ANA, when inoculated to the medium was toxic, inducing callus formation in the base of the microplant and chlorosis in the leaves; (e) mixture of fluorescent with incandescent light (F+I) induced microtuber production, and stimulated larger diameters of these; (f) aluminium effect depended on the concentration: 200 µM was toxic, causing foliar chlorosis and root necrosis, ceasing the growth of microplants; while 100 µM did not produce toxic symptoms; in fact, there was a significant positive effect on the growth of microtubers (larger diameter) and in larger rooting, but not to a significant statistical level (g) chemical analysis of the aerial part of the microplants revealed aluminium and manganese accumulation, in more than 1000 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, respectively, without any deficiency in concentrations of other nutrients and (h) the increase of concentration of aluminium in the medium, from 50 mM to 100mM, resulted in a higher aluminium and manganese accumulation in aerial part of microplants. These in vitro studies allowed the elaboration of a protocol for in vitro propagation of S. allagophylla that makes possible the production of homogeneous seedlings of the species. Besides demonstrated that S. allagophylla is an aluminium and manganese accumulator and efficient in absorbing of the nutrients present in a substratum poor in these, with low pH values and considerable aluminium concentration. Therefore it is a species with strategies that allow its survival in Cerrado condition
Gomes, Marcia Aparecida Novaes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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In vitro cultivation of cerrado species Sinningia allagophylla (Martius) Wiehler (Gesneriaceae) : rooting, tuberization and nutrition with emphasis in aluminium
[s.n.], 2018Co-Authors: Gomes, Marcia Aparecida NovaesAbstract:Orientador: Simone L. Kirszenzaft ShepherdTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: Sinningia allagophylla (Gesneriaceae) é uma herbácea perene amplamente distribuída no Brasil, encontrada principalmente em formações campestres do Cerrado, bem como em alguns afloramentos rochosos da Mata Atlântica, crescendo, assim, em ambiente inóspito (sujeito à seca e ao fogo, em solos ácidos, deficientes em nutrientes e com teores elevados de alumínio e de manganês). Como outras espécies do Cerrado, apresenta fases fenológicas bem definidas: no outono as partes aéreas das plantas morrem e o órgão subterrâneo passa por um período de dormência no inverno, seguido por um período de rápida brotação na primavera. É uma espécie com potencial ornamental e o tubérculo que produz possui potencial exploração econômica pelo conteúdo de carboidratos que apresenta. Também é ecologicamente importante como fonte de néctar para beija-flores. Estudos anteriores mostraram que S. allagophylla responde de forma satisfatória ao cultivo in vitro, podendo ser obtido em um curto período um número grande de plantas. Entretanto, em tais estudos as microplantas não produziram o microtubérculo que apresentam in natura e um sistema radicular desenvolvido, estes necessários para a produção de mudas da espécie, disponíveis o ano todo, para a sua comercialização, preservação e para a realização de estudos fisiológicos. Para tanto, foram realizados estudos utilizando-se como explantes segmentos nodais da região mediana do caule de plântulas, estas resultantes da germinação in vitro de sementes da espécie. As sementes foram obtidas a partir de plantas crescidas em área de Campo Cerrado (solos com valor de pH 3,9, com baixos teores de nutrientes e altos para alumínio trocável), da Reserva Biológica e Estação Experimental de Moji-Guaçu (22° 15-16¿S e 47° 8-12¿ W, 585 ¿635 m de altitude), SP. Investigações in vitro de vários aspectos da presença de alumínio no cultivo de S.allagophylla, bem como do enraizamento e da tuberização, resultaram três experimentos, estes realizados com explantes cultivados em meio líquido ½ B5, com valor de pH 4,6 e fotoperíodo de 16 h. No primeiro experimento verificou-se o efeito da concentração de sacarose e de diferentes temperaturas na produção de raízes adventícias e de microtubérculos. No segundo experimento procurou-se obter uma melhor produção de microtubérculos pelas microplantas, tendo sido testados os efeitos do regulador de crescimento ANA e da intensidade luminosa. Já no terceiro experimento foram avaliadas as respostas da espécie ao estresse do alumínio, bem como para a deficiência de nutrientes e baixo valor do pH. Os resultados obtidos foram: (a) maior concentração de sacarose (40 g/kg) que a usada no meio padrão MS (30 g/kg) promoveu a produção de raízes adventícias em S. allagophylla; (b) a temperatura de 25 ± 2°C no período de luz e 20 ± 2°C no período de escuro apresentou um efeito indutor no crescimento radicular e na produção de microtubérculos pela microplanta; (c) a aclimatação bem sucedida ocorreu apenas nas microplantas apresentando microtubérculos com diâmetro aproximado de 8,0 mm, num período de cultivo de pelo menos 120 dias; (d) A presença do regulador de crescimento ANA, suplementado ao meio de cultivo, foi tóxico, induzindo a formação de calo na base da microplanta e de clorose nas folhas; (e) a mistura de luz fluorescente com incandescente (F+I) induziu a produção de microtubérculos e estes com diâmetro maior; (f) o efeito do alumínio sobre o crescimento da microplanta dependeu da concentração testada: em 200 µM ocorreu clorose nas folhas e necrose nas extremidades das raízes, cessando o crescimento das microplantas; em 100 µM não ocorreram sintomas de toxicidade, o crescimento das microplantas não foi prejudicado e, ao contrário, ocorreu um crescimento significativamente maior do diâmetro do microtubérculo e uma tendência, em nível não significativo, de maior crescimento do sistema radicular; (g) as análises químicas da parte aérea das microplantas revelaram um acúmulo de alumínio e de manganês, em mais de 1000 mg/kg e de 300 mg/kg, respectivamente, não apresentando deficiência dos demais nutrientes e (h) com o aumento da concentração de alumínio no meio, de 50 µM para 100 µM, ocorreu um maior acúmulo, tanto de alumínio como de manganês, na parte aérea das microplantas. Os resultados obtidos permitiram a elaboração de um protocolo de micropropagação para S. allagophylla, o qual torna possível a produção de mudas homogêneas da espécie. Também, demonstrou que S. allagophylla é uma espécie acumuladora de alumínio e de manganês e é eficiente na absorção dos nutrientes presentes em substratos com deficiências minerais, com baixo valor do pH e com alumínio disponível. A espécie apresenta, assim, estratégias que permitem a sua sobrevivência nas condições a que está sujeita no bioma CerradoAbstract: Sinningia allagophylla (Gesneriaceae) is a perennial herb found throughout Brazil, found mainly in the Cerrado, and also in rocky outcrops within the Atlantic forest, growing in environments subject to drought, fire and soils with low pH, deficient in nutrients and with high aluminium and manganese saturation. As other plants of the Cerrado, it is characterized by well defined phenological phases: in autumn, the aerial parts of the plants die and the underground organs remain dormant throughout winter, followed by a rapid sprouting period at the beginning of spring. The species presents ornamental potential and possesses a tuber with potential use for economic exploitation due to the carbohydrates content present and it is ecologically important as Nectar Source for hummingbirds. Earlier studies showed that in vitro propagation of S. allagophylla is successful, with rapid propagation of plants. However, the formation of adventitious roots and microtuber is difficult but necessary for seedling production, including commercial production, preservation and for ecophysiological studies. Therefore, studies were developed using nodal segment explants, obtained the germination of in vitro seedlings. The seeds were collected from plants growing in ¿campo cerrado¿ (soil with pH 3,9, low nutrient availability and high aluminium content), of the Reserva Biológica e Estação Experimental de Moji-Guaçu (22° 15-16¿ S e 47° 8-2¿ W, 585 ¿ 635 m of altitude), SP, Brazil. Research of various aspects of rooting, microtuber induction and interface of aluminium presence in vitro cultivation was wade in S. allagophylla. From those results, three experiments were performed with explants cultivated in liquid ½ B5 medium with pH 4,6 and under 16 h photoperiod. The first experiment examined the effect of sucrose concentration and different temperatures on adventitious roots and microtubers production. The second experiment aimed to improve microtubers production, by testing the effects of the growth regulator ANA and light intensity. In the third experiment responses of the species to aluminum stress, as well as nutrient deficiency and low pH condition were tested. The results show that: (a) higher sucrose concentration (40 g/kg) than the standard MS medium (30 g/kg) optimized in vitro adventitious roots production; (b) temperature of 25 ± 2°C in the light period and 20 ± 2°C in the dark period induced rooting and microtubers formation in vitro; (c) successful acclimatization occurred in microplants that produced microtubers with diameters around 8.0 mm, for a cultivation period of at least 120 days; (d) the growth regulator ANA, when inoculated to the medium was toxic, inducing callus formation in the base of the microplant and chlorosis in the leaves; (e) mixture of fluorescent with incandescent light (F+I) induced microtuber production, and stimulated larger diameters of these; (f) aluminium effect depended on the concentration: 200 µM was toxic, causing foliar chlorosis and root necrosis, ceasing the growth of microplants; while 100 µM did not produce toxic symptoms; in fact, there was a significant positive effect on the growth of microtubers (larger diameter) and in larger rooting, but not to a significant statistical level (g) chemical analysis of the aerial part of the microplants revealed aluminium and manganese accumulation, in more than 1000 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, respectively, without any deficiency in concentrations of other nutrients and (h) the increase of concentration of aluminium in the medium, from 50 mM to 100mM, resulted in a higher aluminium and manganese accumulation in aerial part of microplants. These in vitro studies allowed the elaboration of a protocol for in vitro propagation of S. allagophylla that makes possible the production of homogeneous seedlings of the species. Besides demonstrated that S. allagophylla is an aluminium and manganese accumulator and efficient in absorbing of the nutrients present in a substratum poor in these, with low pH values and considerable aluminium concentration. Therefore it is a species with strategies that allow its survival in Cerrado conditionsDoutoradoDoutor em Biologia Vegeta
