An analysis is made of beech from Ohio and white oak from Illinois using a stepwise multiple regression technique to evaluate ring growth and climatic relationships. Ring widths for beech are directly related to the moisture supply during August and to temperatures for May-July of the preceding year. They are equally related to moisture during June-August of the current year and somewhat dependent upon the precipitation of the previous winter. The earlywood width of white oak is directly related to available moisture during the preceding September and to moisture during the current June, and inversely related in slight degree to the temperature of April. Latewood width of oak is primarily dependent upon the availability of moisture during the current June and July but is somewhat related to the moisture during May of the previous year. Serial correlation is prominent from growth layer to growth layer in both species. The physiological relationships which may produce these results are discussed. Some relationships involving considerable lag in the growth response are possible controls of bud formation and food accumulation, while others involving more immediate response are primarily the effect of moisture stress within the tree.

Comprendre l'influence de l'environnement sur la distribution des espèces végétales est une préoccupation à la base même de l'écologie végétale. L'objectif de cette thèse est de comprendre comment les communautés végétales de parcours des Grands Causses s'assemblent en fonction de la disponibilité en ressources édaphiques. Pour cela, la structure de niche des communautés a été caractérisée en termes de gestion des ressources, de stratégie de régénération, de niche temporelle et d'histoire évolutive des espèces le long d'un gradient édaphique. Par une approche basée sur les traits fonctionnels, nous avons mis en évidence (i) des processus de filtres, d'origine abiotique et biotique, qui restreignent localement la gamme de variation des traits et trient les espèces le long du gradient, ainsi que (ii) des patrons de divergence ou de convergence des traits au sein des communautés qui révèlent les conditions locales de coexistence des espèces. En milieux peu contraints et productifs, nous observons une convergence des stratégies d'utilisation des ressources, probablement en réponse à une forte compétition aérienne, qui est associée à une divergence des stratégies de reproduction et de régénération. A l'inverse, vers les milieux plus contraignants, une diversité de stratégies de gestion de la ressource coexiste, entrainant un maximum de diversité fonctionnelle en conditions de contraintes intermédiaires. Nous montrons par ailleurs une forte convergence phylogénétique dans ces parcours, associée à la dominance des espèces graminoïdes, qui s'atténue dans les milieux les plus contraints, où une diversité de lignées évolutives adaptées à la sécheresse coexiste. De plus, nous avons pu mettre en évidence que la dominance dans ces parcours est associée à des caractères fonctionnels généraux – tels qu'une teneur en matière sèche élevées, de grosses graines et une hauteur reproductive élevée – mais que celle-ci est ensuite modulée par les conditions édaphiques à une échelle plus fine via d'autres traits tels que la surface spécifique foliaire. Enfin, nous montrons que la phénologie des communautés joue un rôle essentiel dans l'assemblage de ces communautés le long du gradient, à la fois en réponse aux contraintes abiotiques saisonnières, particulièrement la précocité de la sécheresse édaphique, mais également aux interactions biotiques qui limitent le chevauchement des floraisons dans les milieux productifs. La combinaison des différentes approches fonctionnelle, phénologique et phylogénétique de la structure des communautés nous permet ainsi de proposer une vision intégrative des processus complexes d'assemblage des communautés dans ces parcours. / Understanding how the environment influences plant species distribution is a fundamental question in plant ecology. This work aims at understanding how soil resource availability influences plant community assembly and structure in Mediterranean rangelands of Southern France. To do this, the niche structure of plant communities has been described in terms resource use, regeneration strategy, phenology and evolutionary history along a soil resource gradient. Using a trait-based approach, we show that (1) filtering processes, both abiotic and biotic, may restrain trait ranges within communities and sort species along a gradient of soil resource availability, and (2) patterns of functional convergence and divergence among species within communities may reveal different processes of local species coexistence under different soil conditions. Within productive habitats, we found a strong convergence in resource use strategies, possibly resulting from strong aboveground competition, which was accompanied by a divergence in reproductive and regenerative strategies. By contrast, towards more constrained habitats, and despite a strong abiotic filter, a diversity of resource use strategies coexisted, creating a maximum of functional diversity at intermediate levels of constraints. Moreover, the strong phylogenetic convergence in these rangeland communities, mainly related to the dominance of graminoid species, diminished towards the more constrained soils where a diversity of drought-adapted lineages coexisted. In addition, we were able to relate dominance in these rangelands to a few general characters – namely high leaf dry matter content, large seeds and high reproductive heights – which were modulated at a finer spatial scale by local soil conditions influencing different criteria such as specific leaf area. Finally, we highlight the strong phenological response of communities to soil resource availability and the timing of summer drought. However, results also suggest a role of biotic factors, such as competition, in limiting flowering overlap among coexisting species in productive habitats. Combining functional, phenological and phylogenetic approaches allowed us to provide an integrative understanding of the complex processes driving community assembly in these rangelands.

Ph.D., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / Deep-level gold mining in the Witwatersrand Basin Goldfields (WBG) of central South Africa is characterised by the production of extensive unlined tailings storage facilities (TSFs) comprising large quantities of pulverised rock and water contaminated with salts and a wide range of other inorganic pollutants (Weiersbye et al., 2006). There are more than 200 such TSFs covering a total area of more than 400 km2 (Rosner et al., 2001), and significant contaminated “footprint” areas occur after removal and reprocessing of the original TSFs (Chevrel et al., 2003). It is estimated that the Witwatersrand Basin contains six billion tons of gold and uranium tailings (Chevrel et al., 2003), 430 000 tons of uranium (Council of Geoscience, 1998; Winde, 2004a; b; c) and approximately 30 million tons of sulphur (Witkowski and Weiersbye, 1998a). An estimated 105 million tons of waste per annum is generated by the gold mining industry within the WBG (Department of Tourism, Economic and Environmental Affairs, 2002; Chamber of Mines of South Africa, 2004). A major environmental problem resulting from deep level mining in the WBG is the contaminated water that seeps from TSFs into adjacent lands and groundwater. Van As (1992) reported on the significant environmental hazards resulting from the storage of highly pulverised pyrite rock waste in TSFs (Straker et al., 2007). Adjacent lands become polluted through near-surface seepage, and this is enhanced by the movement of polluted groundwater in shallow aquifers that are commonly 1-30 m below ground (Funke, 1990; Hodgson et al., 2001; Rosner et al., 2001; Naicker et al., 2003). The impact of the mines and the TSFs extends far beyond their localities (Cogho et al., 1990). The Vaal River catchment receives a large proportion of the pollutants from WBG mining activities, with consequent acidification and salinisation of surface and ground waters. Salt discharges to the Vaal River were estimated to be 170 000 t/annum (Best, 1985), whereas discharges from the Free State gold mines south of the Vaal catchment were estimated at 350 000 t/annum of salts (Cogho et al., 1990). Concern also exists over the spread of dangerous contaminants such as uranium, chromium and mercury (Coetzee et al., 2006; Winde, 2009). Engineering solutions to these problems are hindered by the large sizes and great extent of TSFs, the high and indefinite costs involved, and the typically low hydraulic conductivity in affected aquifers, which makes the “pump and treat” option impractical. An alternative phytoremediation strategy is to establish belts or blocks of trees in strategic areas surrounding the TSFs in order to reduce the seepage of contaminated water into adjacent lands and groundwater bodies. The major reasons why trees are likely to have a greater impact on seepage water than the existing grasslands that characterise the area around most TSFs in the WBG, are that some tree species have the potential to develop very deep root systems and to continue transpiring water throughout the year. This is in contrast to seasonally dormant grasslands. In addition, some tree species are known to be tolerant to salts and other pollutants. Trees are thus potentially able to reach deep water tables, take up large quantities of water, and remove some of the pollutants in this water. It is crucial for a successful implementation of this strategy to know on what sites trees are able to access mine seepage water, and consequently maintain a high year-round rate of water use. If this access is limited, then growth and water use will be curtailed during the long winter dry season, and control of seepage will be considerably below potential. A primary aim of this study was to develop methodologies to discriminate between water-stressed and non-water-stressed trees currently growing in three gold mining districts (Welkom, Vaal River, West Wits) within the WBG. This information was required to assess what site types are likely to support adequate tree growth and permit high rates of water use and seepage control. The tree species selected were those most widely occurring in these areas, and include the non-native species Eucalyptus sideroxylon A. Cunningham ex Woolls and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnhardt, as well as the indigenous species Searsia lancea L.f. Various remote sensing technologies including leaf-level spectroscopy, satellite and airborne remote sensing images were evaluated for their usefulness in detecting levels of winter-time water stress. Four commonly used ground-truthing techniques (predawn leaf water potential, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment content, and leaf water content) were used for localised measurements of plant water stress and for ground-truthing of remotely sensed data on 75 sample sites and 15 sample sites. This study provided a unique opportunity to test and compare the use of stress reflectance models derived from different remote sensing data acquired at different spatial and spectral resolutions (i.e. multispectral and hyperspectral) for the same geographical location. The use of remote sensing to examine the spectral responses of vegetation to plant stress has been widely described in the scientific literature. A collation of published spectral reflectance indices provided the basis for investigating the use of hand-held remote sensing technology to detect plant water stress, and was used as a stepping stone to further develop spectral plant water stress relationships for specific tree species in this study. Seventy seven spectral reflectance indices and specific individual spectral wavelengths useful for detecting plant water stress, plant pigment content, the presence of stress related pigments in vegetation, and changes in leaf cellular structure, were investigated using hand-held spectroscopy. Ground-based measurements of plant water stress were taken on 75 sample trees. In this study, the measurement of predawn leaf water potential has been identified as a key methodology for linking remotely sensed assessments of plant water stress to actual plant water stress; a reading of -0.8 MPa was used to separate stressed trees from unstressed trees in the landscape (Cleary and Zaerr, 1984). The results of the predawn leaf water potential measurements ranged from -0.56 to -0.68 MPa at unstressed sites, and from -0.93 to -1.78 MPa at stressed sites. A novel approach of using spectral reflectance indices derived from previous studies was used to identify specific indices which are applicable to South Africa and to the three species investigated in the WGB. Maximal multiple linear regression models were derived for all possible combinations of plant water stress measurements and the 77 spectral reflectance indices extracted from leaf-level spectral reflectance data, and included the interactions of district and species. The results of the multiple linear regression models indicated that the (695/690) index, DATT index (850-710)/(850-680), near infra-red index (710/760) and the water band (900/970) index performed well and accounted for more than 50% of the variance in the data. The stepwise regression model derived between chlorophyll b content and the DATT index was selected as the “best” model, having the highest adjusted R2 of 69.3%. This was shown to be the most robust model in this application, which could be used at different locations for different species to predict chlorophyll content at the leaf-level. Satellite earth observation data were acquired from two data sources for this investigation; the Hyperion hyperspectral sensor (United States Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation Systems) and the Proba Chris pseudo-hyperspectral sensor (European Space Agency). The Hyperion sensor was selected to obtain high spatial and spectral resolution data, whereas the Proba Chris sensor provided high spatial and medium spectral resolution earth observation data. Twelve vegetation indices designed to capture changes in canopy water status, plant pigment content and changes in plant cellular structure, were selected and derived from the satellite remote sensing imagery. Ground-based measurements of plant water stress undertaken during late July 2004 were used for ground-truthing the Hyperion image, while measurements undertaken during July 2005 and August 2005 were used for ground-truthing the Proba Chris images. Predawn leaf water potential measurements undertaken for the three species, ranged from -0.42 to -0.78 MPa at unstressed sites, and -0.95 to -4.66 MPa at stressed sites. Predawn leaf water potentials measured for E. camaldulensis trees sampled in species trials in Vaal River were significantly different between stressed and non stressed trees (t = 3.39, 8df, P = 0.009). In contrast, E. camaldulensis trees sampled near a pan within the Welkom mining district, which had greater access to water but were exposed to higher concentrations of salts and inorganic contaminants, displayed differences in total chlorophyll content (t = -2.20, 8df, P = 0.059), carotenoid content (t = -5.68, 8df, P < 0.001) and predawn leaf water potential (t = 4.25, 8df, P = 0.011) when compared to trees sampled on farmland. E. sideroxylon trees sampled close to a farm dam in the West Wits mining district displayed differences in predawn leaf water potential (t = 69.32, 8df, P < 0.001) and carotenoid content (t = -2.13, 8df, P = 0.066) when compared to stressed trees further upslope away from the water source. Multiple linear regressions revealed that the predawn leaf water potential greenness normalised difference vegetation index model, and the predawn leaf water potential water band index model were the “best” surrogate measures of plant water stress when using broad band multispectral satellite and narrow-band hyperspectral satellite data respectively. It was concluded from these investigations that vegetation indices designed to capture changes in plant water content/plant water status and spectral changes in the red edge region of the spectrum, performed well when applied to high spectral resolution remote sensing data. The greenness normalised difference vegetation index was considered to be a fairly robust index, which was highly correlated to chlorophyll fluorescence and predawn leaf water potential. It is recommended that this index has the potential to be used to map spatial patterns of winter-time plant stress for different genera/species and in different geographical locations. Airborne remote sensing surveys were conducted to investigate the application of high spatial resolution remote sensing data to detect plant water stress. Multispectral airborne imagery was acquired by Land Resource International (PTY) Ltd, South Africa. Ground-based measurements of plant water stress were carried out during July and August 2005.Four individual spectral bands and two vegetation spectral reflectance indices, which are sensitive to changes in plant pigment content, were derived from the processed multispectral images viz. red, green, blue and near-infrared spectral bands and the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and greenness normalised difference vegetation index (GNDVI).The results of the multispectral airborne study revealed that carotenoid content together with the green spectral waveband resulted in the “best” surrogate measure of plant water stress when using broad-band multispectral airborne data. Airborne remote sensing surveys were conducted by Bar-Kal Systems Engineering Ltd, Israel, to investigate the application of hyperspectral airborne imagery to detect plant water stress. Six vegetation spectral reflectance indices designed to capture changes in plant pigment and plant water status/content, were derived from the processed hyperspectral images. When using airborne hyperspectral data, predawn leaf water potential with the normalized difference water index was selected as the most appropriate model. It was concluded, upon evaluation of the multiple linear regression models, that the airborne hyperspectral data produced several more regression models with higher adjusted R2 values (Ra2 range 6.2 - 76.2%) when compared to the airborne multispectral data (Ra2 range 6 - 50.1). Exploration of relationships between vegetation indices derived from leaf-level, satellite and airborne spectral reflectance data and ground-based measurements used as “surrogate” measures of plant water stress, revealed that several prominent and recurring spectral reflectance indices could be applied to identify species-specific plant water stress within the Welkom, Vaal River and West Wits mining districts. The models recommended for mapping and detecting spatial patterns of plant water stress when using different sources of remote sensing data are as follows: the chlorophyll b DATT spectral reflectance model when derived from leaf-level spectral reflectance data, can be applied across all three mining districts the predawn leaf water potential GNDVI spectral reflectance model and predawn leaf water potential water band index spectral reflectance model when utilising satellite multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing data carotenoid content green band spectral reflectance model can be used for airborne multispectral resolution data predawn leaf water potential NDVI spectral reflectance model is best suited for airborne high spatial and hyperspectral resolution data. These results indicate that measurements of predawn leaf water potential and plant pigment content have been identified as key methodologies for ground-truthing of remotely sensed data and can be used as surrogate measures of plant water stress. Some preliminary research was undertaken to evaluate if wood anatomy characteristics could be used as a non-destructive and rapid low-cost survey approach for identifying trees which are experiencing long-term plant stress. Seventy two wood core samples were extracted and analysed. Predawn leaf water potential measurements were used to classify stressed and unstressed trees. Relative differences in radial vessel diameter, vessel frequency and wood density were examined. Comparison of the radial vessel diameter and vessel frequency measurements revealed significant differences in three of the five comparative sampling sites (p <0.05). The results of the density analyses were significantly different for all five comparative sampling sites (p < 0.01). In general, trees experiencing higher plant water stress displayed smaller vessel diameters, compared to less stressed or healthy trees. Sites which were influenced by high levels of contaminated water also displayed smaller vessel diameters, indicating that the uptake of contaminants could affect the wood anatomy of plants. Trees considered to be experiencing higher plant water stress displayed higher vessel frequency. This preliminary study showed that plant stress does influence the wood anatomical characteristics (radial vessel diameter, vessel frequency and wood density) in E. camaldulensis, E. sideroxylon and S. lancea in the three mining districts. Spatial patterns of trees, mapped in the three gold mining districts, Welkom (27º57´S, 26º34´E) in the Free State Province, Vaal River (26º55´S, 26º40´E) located in the North West Province, and West Wits (26º25´S, 27º21´E) located in Gauteng, which were not experiencing winter-time water stress were correlated to site characteristics such as average soil depth, percent clay in the topsoil, groundwater chloride and sulphate concentrations, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity and groundwater water level. The spectral reflectance model derived between predawn leaf water potential and the green normalised difference vegetation index using broad-band multispectral Proba Chris satellite data was used to map spatial patterns of unstressed trees across the three mining districts. Very high resolution (75 cm) multispectral airborne images acquired by LRI in 2005 were used to demarcate and classify vegetation using the maximum likelihood supervised classification technique. Interpolated surfaces of groundwater chloride and sulphate concentrations, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, pH and groundwater table levels were created using the kriging geostatistical interpolation technique for each mining district. Random sample analyses between stressed and unstressed trees were extracted in order to determine whether site characteristics were significantly different (using t-tests). Site characteristic surfaces which were significantly different from stressed areas were spatially linked to trees which were not experiencing winter-time plant water stress for each tree species investigated in each mining district. This spatial correlation was used to make recommendations and prioritise sites for the establishment of future block plantings. Analysis of the site characteristic data and the geophysical surveys undertaken in the three mining districts which provided detailed information on groundwater saturation and an indication of the salinity conditions, confirmed the presence of relatively shallow and saline groundwater sources. This would imply that tree roots could access the relatively shallow groundwater even during the dry winter season and assist in containing contaminated groundwater seeping into surrounding lands. Keywords : airborne imagery, ground-based measurements of plant water stress, hyperspectral, leaf-level spectroscopy, multispectral, satellite imagery, spatial patterns of unstressed trees, spectral reflectance indices

Orientador: Janete Apparecida Desidério / Coorientador: Renata Fuganti Pagliarini / Banca: Francismar Corrêa Marcelino / Banca: Sonia Marli Zingaretti / Resumo: No cenário atual de mudanças climáticas, com o aumento da população mundial e crescente demanda por alimentos, as ferramentas biotecnológicas veem sendo utilizadas na obtenção de plantas mais tolerantes a estresse ambientais como a seca, que provoca perdas financeiras e de produção significativas aos produtores. Os fatores de transcrição, são genes potenciais na estratégia de reduzir os prejuízos decorrentes de períodos de déficit hídrico, pois atuam controlando a expressão de genes estresse-induzidos e têm sido estudados na planta modelo Arabidopsis thaliana e em culturas de interesse agronômico. O fator de transcrição AtAREB1ΔQT, consiste na forma constitutivamente ativa de AREB1, (ABA Responsive Element Binding - elemento de ligação de resposta ao ABA) que está envolvido, na via de sinalização ABA (ácido abcísico) dependente de resposta ao estresse hídrico em plantas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi introduzir em soja, via biobalística, a construção gênica pBI35SΩ:AtAREB1ΔQT e caracterizar molecularmente os eventos quanto ao número de cópias inseridas, e análise da expressão gênica do transgene. Para a caracterização molecular, foram utilizadas as metodologias de Southern blot e RT-qPCR. Um total de 12 linhagens independentes foram obtidas na geração T0, com uma eficiência de transformação de 0,59%. Somente três eventos (2651, 2639 e 2654) segregaram e passaram o gene para a geração T1. O número de cópias do transgene quantificado via qPCR, foi diferente, para cada linhagem geneticamente modificada (GM) analisada, variando de poucas cópias (1 a 2) a várias (17 cópias). Estes dados foram corroborados pelos resultados obtidos via Southern blot. O nível de expressão gênica relativa do transgene foi variável entre os eventos e a análise da segregação em plantas... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In the actual scenario of climatic changes, with world population increase and growing food demand, biotechnological tools are being used to develop plants more tolerant to environmental stresses such as drought, which causes to producers, significant financial losses and yield production. The transcription factors are potential genes to be strategically used to reduce damage due to water deficit conditions, because they acts controlling the expression of numerous stress-induced genes and has been studied in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana as well as in agronomic crops. The transcription factor, AtAREB1ΔQT, consists in the constitutively active form of AREB1, (ABA Responsive Element Binding) that is involved, ABA signaling pathway (abscisic acid) dependent response pathway to drought in plants. The objective of this study was to insert the construction pBI35SΩ: AtAREB1ΔQT in soybean, via biolistics, and molecularly characterization of the events on the number of inserted copies, and analyze the relative expression level of transgene. Twelve independent lines were identified in T0 generation, with a transformation efficiency of 0.59%. Only three events (2651, 2639 and 2654) segregated and transmitted the gene for T1 generation. The number of copies quantified using qPCR was different for each modified genetically (GM) line, ranging from a few copies (1 to 2 copies) to many copies (17 copies). These data were corroborated by Southern blot results. The relative expression level of transgene was variable between events and segregation analysis in T2 generation showed that he transgene did not follow the Mendelian laws. Aiming to obtain more information on the effect of the transgene in response to water stress... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Parametrizações mecanísticas descrevem fisicamente a interação das plantas com o ambiente baseando-se em processos fundamentais, como assimilação de líquida de CO2 e extração da água do solo pelas raízes, influenciados pelas condições do ambiente. O objetivo principal dessas rotinas é aumentar o entendimento do sistema estudado pela integração quantitativa e qualitativa do conhecimento em um modelo de simulação dinâmica do sistema real. Definindo estresse hídrico como a condição em que uma planta aumenta a resistência estomática em conseqüência do aumento da demanda atmosférica e/ou da redução da disponibilidade hídrica no solo, tem-se como hipótese que o déficit hídrico em plantas é causado por fatores ambientais relacionados com as interfaces solo-raiz e folha-atmosfera. O objetivo geral desse estudo é identificar quais são as variáveis do solo e da atmosfera determinantes e que devem ser consideradas na modelagem da deficiência hídrica em plantas. Os teores de água no solo e na atmosfera foram monitorados em condições de campo durante o desenvolvimento da cultura de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) entre Junho e Setembro de 2010, e correlacionados ao estresse hídrico caracterizado por medições de temperatura do dossel. As variáveis de interesse, especificamente o potencial matricial da água do solo, a temperatura e a umidade do ar e a temperatura do dossel foram medidas regularmente em intervalos de 30 minutos. A taxa de transpiração e a condutância estomática foram medidas ocasionalmente. Uma parcela foi irrigada durante todo o ciclo da cultura (tratamento totalmente irrigada), enquanto a outra foi submetida ao estresse hídrico na fase reprodutiva (tratamento com déficit de irrigação). A metodologia utilizada neste estudo deu suporte à hipótese inicial. Os principais fatores relacionados à interface solo-raiz são as propriedades hidráulicas do solo, especialmente a condutividade hidráulica e da densidade de comprimento radicular; na interface atmosfera de folhas, os fatores mais importantes são o déficit de pressão de vapor do ar atmosférico VPD. Estes fatores devem ser considerados de alguma forma na modelagem estresse hídrico em plantas. A detecção da ocorrência de estresse hídrico nas plantas no tratamento com déficit de irrigação foi feito por comparações entre o VPD e diferença de temperatura entre o dossel e o ar tdossel-ar e entre tdossel e a temperatura do bulbo úmido twb dos dois tratamentos hídricos. O início do estresse hídrico nas plantas com déficit de irrigação ocorreu em 05 de Agosto. As simulações com os modelos mecanísticos de extração da água do solo pelas raízes proposto por Jong van Lier et al. (2008) e de assimilação de CO2 proposto por Jacobs (1994) foram feitos com os dados de ambos os tratamentos. O modelo de extração foi sensível aos parâmetros hidráulicos do solo, especialmente a condutividade hidráulica e o comprimento radicular. A taxa de transpiração estimada pelo modelo de Jacobs (1994) mostrou-se dependente da temperatura do dossel utilizada para calcular o déficit de umidade específica folha-ar Ds e a condutância do mesofilo, do próprio Ds (dependente também da temperatura do ar), e do índice de área foliar. / Mechanistic parameterizations describe physically the interactions between crop and environment based on primary processes such as CO2 net assimilation and root water uptake from soil and how they are influenced by environmental conditions. An important purpose of developing mechanistic routines is to improve the understanding of a system by qualitative and quantitative integration of knowledge in a dynamic simulation model of a real system. Defining water stress as the condition in which stomatal resistance of plant leaves increases as a consequence of enhanced atmospheric demand and/or reduced soil water availability, the investigated hypothesis was that plant water stress is caused by environmental factors related to both the soilroot and leave-atmosphere interfaces. The main objective of the research was to identify which atmosphere and soil parameters are determinant and must be considered in crop water stress modeling. Soil and atmosphere water content were monitored under field conditions during the growing season of a Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) crop between June and September, 2010, and correlated to plant water stress characterized by measurements of canopy temperature. The variables of interest, specifically the soil water pressure head, air temperature and humidity and canopy temperature were measured regularly at short intervals. Transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were measured occasionally. One plot was irrigated during the whole crop cycle (fully irrigated treatment), while the other one was subject to water stress in the reproductive phase (deficit irrigated treatment). The methodology used in this study supported the initial hypothesis. The main soil-root interface related factors that determine water stress are the soil hydraulic properties, especially the hydraulic conductivity, and the root length density; at the leaf atmosphere interface, the most important factor is the vapor pressure deficit of atmospheric air VPD. These factors must be somehow considered in crop water stress modeling. The detection of water stress occurrence in the deficit irrigated plants was made by comparisons between VPD and temperature difference between canopy and air tcanopy-air and between tcanopy and wet bulb temperature twb of the two irrigation treatments. The onset of water stress in deficit irrigated plants occurred on August 5. The simulations with the mechanistic models of soil water root uptake proposed by Jong van Lier et al. (2008) and of CO2 assimilation by Jacobs (1994) were made with data from the two treatments. The soil water uptake model was sensitive to soil hydraulic parameters, especially hydraulic conductivity and root length density. The transpiration rate estimated by the Jacobs (1994) model showed to be dependent on the canopy temperature used to calculate the specific humidity deficit between leaves and air Ds and the mesophyll conductance, on Ds (on its turn also dependent on air temperature), and on the leaf area index

O amendoim (Arachis hypogaea L.) é um grão muito apreciado em todo o mundo, sendo cultivado em vários países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento. A planta é uma oleaginosa com alto valor nutricional e rica em compostos bioativos, cultivada largamente em zonas de clima semiárido, onde prevalece a seca, que pode afetar a produção e a composição dos grãos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição química, atividade antioxidante, compostos fenólicos, tocoferóis e ácidos graxos de genótipos de amendoim contrastantes quanto à adaptação a ambientes com limitação hídrica, bem como definir quais atributos são capazes de caracterizar esses genótipos. Os genótipos utilizados foram oriundos do programa de melhoramento genético de amendoim da Embrapa Algodão (Campina Grande - PB), os quais são adaptados ao estresse hídrico. Foram analisados grãos com e sem película, uma vez que seu consumo pode ocorrer de ambas as formas. Para os grãos sem a película a caracterização da fração oleosa foi realizada por meio da identificação e quantificação dos ácidos graxos e tocoferóis, enquanto que a avaliação química da fração fenólica foi feita por espectrometria de massas de alta resolução (LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS). A atividade antioxidante foi determinada por meio da desativação de espécies reativas de oxigênio (superóxido, ácido hipocloroso e peroxila) e do método on-line (HPLC-ABTS). Os resultados da caracterização da fração oleosa e fenólica dos grãos despeliculados foram ainda avaliados por análise multivariada para se definir quais atributos eram capazes de caracterizar os diferentes genótipos de amendoim. Para os grãos com a película foi realizada a caracterização química dos polifenóis por LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, e a avaliação da atividade antioxidante pelo sequestro dos radicais livres DPPH e ABTS, além da análise multivariada dos resultados. De maneira geral, os genótipos tolerantes à seca foram os que apresentaram maior capacidade antioxidante. Os genótipos de amendoim avaliados apresentaram de 36 a 58% de ácidos graxos monoinsaturados em sua constituição, e relação oleico/linoleico mais elavada para os genótipos rasteiros. Foram também encontradas quantidades significativas de tocoferóis nos materiais analisados. O ácido p-cumárico, ácido cafeíco e a rutina foram identificados e quantificados por cromatografia líquida de alta resolução. Foram identificados, por meio da técnica de espectrometria de massas de alta resolução, 26 compostos fenólicos nos genótipos de amendoim despeliculados. Os grãos com película apresentaram perfil fenólico mais complexo, sendo identificados 58 compostos pertencentes a cinco classes distintas. Os isômeros do ácido coutárico foram os principais polifenóis, seguidos pela isorhamnetina-3-O-rutinosideo e os isômeros de ácido cumárico. De acordo com os resultados obtidos e a literatura, foram identificados 9 compostos nunca relatados em amendoim. As variáveis analisadas neste estudo mostraram ser possível o agrupamento dos genótipos de amendoim contrastantes quanto à adaptação aos ambientes com restrição hídrica. / Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are a widely appreciated grains throughout the world and it has been grown both in developed and developing countries. The plant is an oleaginous with high nutritional value and rich in bioactive compounds that has been cultivated in semi-arid zones - where drought prevails and it affects grain yield and composition. Thus, the aim of this work was in evaluating the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, tocopherols and fatty acids of contrasting peanut genotypes in relation to the adaptation to water limitation environments, as well as defining which attributes are able to characterize these genotypes. The adapted peanuts to water stress used here came from the breeding program of Embrapa Algodão (Campina Grande - PB). Grains with and without skin were analyzed, since their consumption can occur in both forms. In relation to the grains without the skin, the characterization of the oily fraction was made through the identification and quantification of the fatty acids and tocoferols, whereas the chemical evaluation of the phenolic fraction was performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS). The antioxidant activity was determined by reactive oxygen species deactivation (superoxide, hypochlorous acid and peroxyl) and on-line method (HPLC-ABTS). The results obtained through characterization of the oily and phenolic fraction of the grains without skin were further evaluated by multivariate analysis to determine which attributes were able to characterize the different peanut genotypes. In relation to the grains with skin, it was made the chemical characterization of the polyphenols by LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS and the evaluation of the antioxidant activity by the sequestration of the radicals DPPH and ABTS; besides, it was made the multivariate analysis of the results. In general, the samples tolerant to drought were the ones that presented greater antioxidant capacity than the others. The evaluated peanut genotypes presented 36 to 58% of monounsaturated fatty acids in relation to the total lipids in its constitution and showed oleic/linoleic ratio classified in normal and mid-oleic, which is a higher ratio for non-drought tolerant genotypes. Significant amounts of tocopherols were also found in the analyzed materials. p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid and rutin were identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Twenty-six phenolic compounds were also identified in peanuts without skin using the high-resolution mass spectrometry technique. The peanuts with skin showed a more complex phenolic characteristc by being identified 58 compounds belonging to five different classes. The isomers of coutaric acid were the major polyphenols, followed by isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside and the isomers of coumaric acid. According to the results obtained and the literature, it is been identified 9 new compounds which were never found in peanuts. The variables analyzed in this study showed that it is possible to group contrasting genotypes peanuts as to drought tolerance.

A falta de informações relacionadas às respostas das plantas ao alagamento tem sido alvo de inúmeras pesquisas no mundo todo. Essas informações tornam-se mais escassas quando relacionadas à gramíneas forrageiras de áreas inundáveis. A maioria dessas espécies pertence a ecossistemas de pastagens nativas de áreas inundáveis, os quais podem ter papel importante no desenvolvimento da pecuária brasileira, devido ao potencial de produção de forragem para alimentação de rebanhos. Diante do exposto, os objetivos do trabalho foram avaliar o desempenho da Brachiaria mutica (Forsk) Stapf e Echinochloa polystachya (H.B.K) Hitch.] tolerantes ao excesso hídrico por alagamento, cultivadas em dois Plintossolos (glei húmicos), submetidos a duas condições de umidade: alagamento e capacidade de campo, por meio de fotossíntese, condutância estomática, atividade da álcool desidrogenase, produção de matéria seca da parte aérea e raiz, composição química e qualidade das forragens, além de verificar alterações nas características físico-químicas dos solos sob excesso hídrico que pudessem influenciar no desempenho das espécies. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação do departamento de Ciências Biológicas/ESALQ/USP, em Piracicaba - SP. Os tratamentos foram a combinação entre capins x condições de umidade x tipos de solo em um delineamento experimental de parcelas subdivididas com arranjo fatorial 2 x 2 nas subparcelas e como repetições, quatro blocos casualizados. Consideraram-se como parcelas, condições de umidade (alagamento e capacidade de campo), e subparcelas interações entre dois capins e dois solos, totalizando 32 unidades experimentais.Foram realizados três cortes no durante o experimento, sendo apenas dois considerados para cômputo dos resultados. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que as gramíneas forrageiras respondem diferentemente em função do alagamento e dos tipos de solos em relação as variáveis estudadas, onde a E. polystachya apresenta melhor capacidade de adaptação em relação a B. mutica. A fotossíntese líquida e a condutância estomática dos capins B. mutica e E. polystachya não foram afetadas sob alagamento, essa resposta foi atribuída à ativação dos mecanismos de adaptações morfológicos, metabólicos e anatômicos das espécies, como a formação de raízes adventícias, o aumento na produção de matéria seca de hastes e raiz. Contudo, apesar da adaptação dos capins ao ambiente anóxico verificou-se reduções na área foliar, nas produções de matéria seca de lâmina foliar e total, relação folha:haste, no número de perfilhos, causando desequilíbrio na alocação da biomassa entre parte aérea e o sistema radicular. Os capins apresentaram alterações na composição química com o alagamento, reduzindo teores dos nutrientes para ambas as espécies, com exceção do fósforo e ferro sem, no entanto comprometer o estado nutricional das espécies. A composição químico-bromatológica também foi afetada pelo alagamento e tipo de solo gerando aumentos nos teores de fibra e redução nas concentrações de lignina. As mudanças ocorridas nas características morfofisiológicas, na produção, composição nutricional e bromatológica nas gramíneas forrageiras estão associadas às alterações nas propriedades físico-química dos solos causadas pelo déficit de oxigênio, transformando os solos em um ambiente reduzido. / The lack of information related on responses of plants to flooding has been the motivation of many research woks throughout the world. This information, become even scarcer when related to tropical forage tropical grasses of areas to flooding.The majority of those grasses characteristic of those areas, which could play an important role in the development of the livestock industry in Brazil, due to their potential of forage production. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the acting of the Brachiaria mutica (Forsk) Stapf and Echinochloa polystachya (H.B.K) Hitch.] the flooding tolerance, cultivated in two Plintossolos (gley), by subjecting the plants to two humidity conditions: flooding and field capacity and measuring photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, activity of the alcohol dehidrogenase activity, shoot and root dry matter productions, chemical composition and quality. Also it, was studying the influence of changes in the physiochemical characteristics of the soils under flood on the behavior of these species. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse of the Biology Science department at USP-ESALQ in Piracicaba - SP. The treatments were the combination among grasses; humidity conditions and soil types in a split plot design with a factorial arrangement of 2 x 2 and as repetitions four randomized blocks. The plot was considered as the humidity conditions (flooding and field capacity), and the split plot were the interactions between the two grasses and the two soil types, totaling 32 experimental units. Three harvests were made during the experiment, though, only the two were considered. Net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were not affected by flooding, which was attributed to the activation of the morphologic, metabolic and anatomical mechanisms of adaptations of these species. Adventitious roots formation, dry matter production of stems and roots were stimulated by flooding, however, leaf area, leaf and total dry mass productions, leaf:stem ratio and the number of tillers were reduced by flooding, causing detrimental effects in the biomass allocation between shoot and root. Flooding caused significant changes in the mineral composition reducing nutrients contents, except for phosphorus and iron, however, without compromising nutritional status of both species. The chemical composition of the species was also affected by flooding which caused an increase in the fiber contents and a reduction in lignin concentrations. The changes in the morphological characteristics, production, mineral and chemical composition in the tropical forage grasses were associated to the alterations in the physiochemical properties of the soils caused by the lack of oxygen, transforming the soils in a reduced environment.

As árvores de espécies de eucalipto de rápido crescimento, nas plantações florestais no Brasil e de outras regiões do mundo, encontram-se sob o efeito das mudanças climáticas, do estresse hídrico e da baixa fertilidade do solo, afetando o seu crescimento, a formação e a qualidade do lenho. O estudo teve o objetivo de analisar a interação do crescimento e da qualidade do lenho das árvores de eucalipto, submetidas à redução das chuvas e nutrição de K e Na. A dinâmica da formação do lenho com avaliações mensais da atividade cambial, incremento em diâmetro do tronco e as características físicas, químicas e anatômicas do lenho de árvores de E. grandis no 12º, 24º e 36º mês de idade foram avaliados em parcelas experimentais implantadas em maio de 2010 na Estação Experimental de Itatinga- SP. Os tratamentos foram definidos por dois regimes hídricos (100% e 66% das chuvas, com redução artificial com lonas em polietileno) e três tipos de nutrição: K (K - 4,5 kmol/ha), N (Na - 4,5 kmol/ha) e controle. Foram selecionadas 54 árvores de eucalipto com dezoito meses de idade, avaliando-se o incremento em diâmetro do tronco a cada trinta dias, no período de novembro de 2011 a outubro de 2013, utilizando-se dendrômetros de aço. A sazonalidade cambial foi avaliada por coletas mensais de amostras do lenho e as análises anatômicas da camada cambial realizadas no primeiro ano de avaliação. As variáveis climáticas e a umidade do solo foram correlacionadas com o incremento em diâmetro do tronco e a sazonalidade da atividade cambial das árvores. Na amostragem do lenho foram selecionadas quatro árvores por tratamento no 12º, 24º e 36º mês para a determinação da densidade básica na direção sentido longitudinal do tronco. Amostras do lenho do DAP foram avaliadas em relação às fibras e vasos, densidade básica e aparente e composição química. Os resultados indicaram efeito da sazonalidade climática na atividade cambial e incremento em diâmetro do tronco das árvores, além da influência da defasagem (lag) no crescimento. O tratamento de aplicação do K e 100% de disponibilidade hídrica (K/+A) induziu maior valor de incremento do tronco e altura total das árvores. Houve diferença significativa nos tratamentos de nutrição e disponibilidade hídrica em relação ao crescimento das árvores, à densidade do lenho, dimensões das fibras e vasos e composição química do lenho. As imagens digitais do lenho obtidas pelo raios X permitiram analisar a variação da densidade aparente do lenho. A análise colorimétrica possibilitou detectar a formação do cerne no lenho das árvores no 36º mês. Os resultados do trabalho poderão ser utilizados como subsídios para a adoção de práticas silviculturais nas plantações florestais em áreas com estresse hídrico e/ou afetadas pelas mudanças climáticas, bem como a substituição parcial de K por Na. / The forest plantations of eucalyptus of fast growing in Brazil and other regions of the world are under the effect of climate change, water stress and low soil fertility, affecting growth and wood quality. The study aimed to analyze the interaction of growth and quality of the wood of eucalyptus trees, subjected to reduced rainfall and nutrition of K and Na. The dynamics of the formation of the wood with monthly assessment of the cambial activity, an increase in trunk diameter and the physical, chemical and anatomical characteristics of the wood of trees of E. grandis on the 12th, 24th and 36th month of age were evaluated in experimental plots established in May/2010 in Experimental Station of Itatinga - SP. Treatments were defined by two water regimes (100% and 66% of rainfall, artificial reduction with polyethylene tarps) and three types of nutrition : K (K - 4.5 kmol/ha ), N (Na - 4.5 kmol/ha) and control. 54 trees of eucalyptus were selected to 18th month of age by evaluating the increase in trunk diameter every thirty days, from November/2011 by October/2013, using steel dendrometers. The cambial seasonality was assessed monthly by sampling of the wood and anatomical analyzes of the cambial layer performed in the first year of assessment. The climatic variables and soil moisture were correlated with the increase in trunk diameter and seasonality of cambial activity of trees. In the sample of the wood have been selected four trees per treatment in the 12th, 24th and 36th months of age for the determination of the density in the longitudinal direction of the trunk. Samples of wood from DAP were evaluated in relation to fibers and vessels, basic density and chemical composition. The results showed the effect of seasonality on cambial activity and increase in diameter of trees, beyond the influence of lag in growth. The treatment of applying K and 100% water availability (K/+A) induced larger increment value and the total height of the trunk of the trees. There was a significant difference in nutrition and water availability of the treatments in relation to the growth of trees, density of wood, fiber dimensions and vessels and chemical composition of wood. Digital images of the samples obtained by X-ray, allowed to analyze the variation of the apparent density of the wood. The colorimetric analysis allowed to detect the formation of heartwood in the wood of trees in the 36th month. The results may be used as subsidies for the adoption of silvicultural practices in forest plantations in areas with water and/or affected by climate change stress as well as the partial replacement of K by Na.

Os principais caracteres a serem considerados em programas de melhoramento de milho visando tolerância a estresses abióticos são: prolificidade (PRO), intervalo de florescimento (IF), número de ramificações do pendão (NRP) e stay green (SG). Diversos autores sugeriram que esses caracteres podem estar relacionados à estabilidade da produção de grãos. Ademais, apesar da importância da responsividade e estabilidade da produção de grãos para a seleção de cultivares, há poucos relatos sobre a herança desses parâmetros, com resultados controversos. Os objetivos desse estudo foram investigar a relação entre a estabilidade e os caracteres relacionados à tolerância a estresses abióticos e a herança dos parâmetros responsividade e estabilidade da produção de grãos de milho. Foram avaliados dois Grupos de híbridos simples de milho: Grupo I (GI) consituído por 100 híbridos e o Grupo II (GII) por 48 híbridos, os quais foram avaliados respectivamente em 12 e 28 ambientes. Esses híbridos foram avaliados seguindo delineamento látice 10 x 10 e 7 x 7, compreendendo os 100 e 49 híbridos simples, respectivamente, com duas repetições por ambiente. Para completar o delineamento látice no GII, um híbrido simples comercial foi adicionado aos demais híbridos. Utilizando técnicas uni e multivariadas, as correlações entre os caracteres envolvendo tolerância a estresses abióticos, isto é, PRO, IF, NRP e SG, e os parâmetros de estabilidade apresentaram baixas magnitudes e, de forma geral, não diferiram de zero. Esses resultados indicaram que a estabilidade da produção de grãos e os caracteres relacionados à estresses abióticos são provavelmente independentes. Os resultados das análises dialélicas da responsividade e estabilidade mostraram que a contribuição da capacidade específica de combinação foi superior à capacidade geral de combinação para ambos os parâmetros nos dois Grupos de híbridos. Desta forma, os efeitos gênicos não aditivos (dominância e epistasia) foram mais importantes que os efeitos aditivos para a responsividade e estabilidade da produção de grãos. Apesar de os híbridos selecionados apresentarem os caracteres relacionados à tolerância a estresses abióticos de forma desejada e, assim, possivelmente reduzirem as flutuações da produção de grãos devido principalmente às instabilidades de precipitação, esses não possuem relação direta com os parâmetros de estabilidade. De qualquer forma, é importante que esses caracteres estejam inseridos nos programas de melhoramento de milho visando obter cultivares tolerantes a esses tipos de estresses. Também, a maior importância dos efeitos não aditivos em relação aos efeitos aditivos no controle da responsividade e estabilidade possui uma série de implicações para os programas de melhoramento de milho, uma vez que a seleção deverá ser realizada em cruzamentos de linhagens e não nas performances das linhagens per se. / The main traits considered in maize breeding programs aiming tolerance to abiotic stresses are: prolificacy (PRO), anthesis-silking interval (ASI), number of tassel branches (TB) and stay green (SG). Several authors have suggested that these traits would be related to maize grain yield stability. In addition, despite the importance of grain yield responsiveness and stability for the cultivars selection, there are few reports about the inheritance of these parameters, and they usually have controversial results. The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between stability and traits related to tolerance to abiotic stresses and the inheritance of maize grain yield responsiveness and stability parameters. Two groups of maize single-crosses were evaluated: Group I (GI) consisted of 100 single-crosses and Group II (GII) of 48 single-crosses, respectively evaluated in 12 and 28 environments. These hybrids were evaluated following a 10 x 10 and a 7 x 7 lattice designs comprising the 100 and 49 single-crosses, respectively, with two replications per environment. To complete the lattice design in GII a commercial single-cross was added to entries. Using univariate and multivariate techniques, the correlations between the traits involving abiotic stress tolerance, i.e., PRO, ASI, TB and SG, and stability parameters presented low magnitudes and, in general, did not differ from zero. These results indicated that grain yield stability and traits related to abiotic stresses tolerance are likely independent. The diallel analyses results of responsiveness and stability showed that the contribution of the specific combining ability was higher than the general combining ability for both parameters in the two Groups of single-crosses. Therefore, the non-additive genetic effects (dominance and epistasis) were more important than the additive effects for the grain yield responsiveness and stability. Although the selected single-crosses have the traits related to abiotic stresses tolerance in a desired way and possibly reduce grain yield fluctuations due mainly to precipitation instabilities, they are not directly related to the stability parameters. However, it is important that these traits be included in maize breeding programs in order to develop cultivars that are tolerant to these types of stresses. Additionally, the greater importance of non-additive effects than additive effects on responsiveness and stability control have several implications for maize breeding programs, since selection should be assessed in crosses of inbred lines and not in lines per se performance.

A cana-de-açúcar é uma gramínea C4 de alta biomassa que acumula grandes quantidades de sacarose e é utilizada para produção de etanol, um combustível de baixa emissão de carbono. Restrições bióticas e abióticas afetam significativamente a produtividade das culturas, pois elas podem prejudicar severamente o crescimento e desempenho da planta. Compreender as bases moleculares para essa perda de produtividade ajudará na investigação das estratégias de mitigação. Para estudar estes dois tipos de estresses, plantas jovens de cana-de-açúcar foram submetidas à herbivoria e à privação de água. Uma investigação foi realizada para estudar as mudanças transcricionais em cana-de-açúcar sujeita ao ataque da Diatraea saccharalis, usando macroarranjo para monitorar a seleção de transcritos, contendo sequências de ESTs de serina proteases e inibidores de serina proteases de cana-de-açúcar do banco de dados SUCEST. Análises do macroarranjo revelaram sequências diferencialmente expressas em resposta à herbivoria. PCR em tempo real confirmou que 10 ESTs homólogos à inibidores de protease (4 homólogos aos inibidores do tipo Bowman-Birk de arroz e milho (BBI), 5 homólogos à inibidores de proteinase de milho (MPI) e 1 homólogo ao inibidor de subtilisina) e 3 ESTs homólogos à serina proteases das famílias S1, S10 e S14 foram positivamente regulados pela herbivoria. Embora a função dos inibidores de protease na defesa está bem estabelecida, o envolvimento de proteases de planta na resposta à herbivoria ainda precisa ser elucidado. Neste trabalho nós mostramos que uma protease da família S14 foi induzida em resposta ao ataque da lagarta e ao ferimento mecânico em cana-de-açúcar. Curiosamente, sequências homólogas de arroz e Arabidopsis também responderam aos mesmos tratamentos, sugerindo um papel conservado desta protease S14 na defesa contra herbívoros. Uma importante aplicação destes resultados é a identificação de genes para utilização em estratégias biotecnológicas para melhorar a resistência da cana-de-açúcar a insetos. Outra investigação foi realizada para estudar os parâmetros fisiológicos e perfis transcricionais de genes responsivos ao estresse hídrico em plantas jovens de cana-de-açúcar. Resultados deste trabalho indicaram que a interrupção da irrigação resultou em efeitos fisiológicos mensuráveis e análises de expressão de genes selecionados de resposta ao estresse revelaram expressão diferencial significativa entre os grupos irrigado e não irrigado. Resultados do RNA-Seq revelaram atividade transcricional de 24.142 transcritos de folhas de cana-de-açúcar submetidas à seca. Análises de expressão gênica em resposta à seca revelaram 68 (resposta precoce) e 2.390 (resposta tardia) transcritos diferencialmente expressos no 3º e 7º dia de tratamento, respectivamente. O decréscimo em vários parâmetros fisiológicos foi observado depois de seis dias de privação de água. Reduções na taxa de fotossíntese, condutância estomática e transpiração foliar ocorreram antes que fossem observadas alterações físicas visíveis, mas estas foram precedidas por mudanças significativas na expressão de genes com papel na fotossíntese. RNA-Seq identificou novos transcritos com papéis na defesa precoce e tardia à seca e a validação por PCR em tempo real confirmou os resultados obtidos pelo RNA-Seq. Isto irá incentivar mais pesquisas sobre a eficiência do uso da água em cana-de-açúcar, levando a identificação de variedades com maior tolerância às condições ambientais adversas. / Sugarcane is a high biomass tropical C4 grass crop which accumulates large quantities of sucrose and is used for bioethanol production, a low-carbon emission fuel. Biotic and abiotic constraints significantly impact crop productivity, because they can severely impair plant growth and performance. Understanding the molecular basis for this loss in productivity will aid in identifying strategies for mitigation. To study these two types of stresses, young sugarcane plants were subject to herbivore and water privation. An investigation was undertaken to study the sugarcane transcriptional changes following Diatraea saccharalis damage, using macroarrays to monitor a selection of transcripts, containing sequences of sugarcane ESTs of serine proteases and serine proteinase inhibitors from the SUCEST (Sugarcane EST Project) database. Macroarray analyses revealed differently expressed sequences in response to herbivory. Real-Time PCR confirmed that 10 ESTs homologous to proteinase inhibitors (4 homologous to maize and rice Bowman-Birk inhibitors (BBI), 5 homologous to maize proteinase inhibitors (MPI) and 1 homologue to subtilisin inhibitor) and 3 ESTs homologous to serine proteases of the S1, S10 and S14 family were positively regulated by herbivory. While the protease inhibitor\'s function in defense is well established, the involvement of plant proteases in response to herbivory still remains to be elucidated. In this work we show that a sugarcane encoding S14 family protease member was upregulated in response to both D. saccharalis damage and wound treatment. Interestingly, homologous sequences from rice and Arabidopsis also responded to the same treatments, suggesting a conserved role of this S14 protease in defense against herbivores. One important application of these results is the identification of genes for use in biotechnological strategies to improve sugarcane insect resistance. Another investigation was undertaken to study the physiological parameters and transcriptional profiles of genes responsive to water stress in young sugarcane plants. Results of this work indicated that termination of irrigation resulted in measurable physiological effects in sugarcane plants and analysis of the expression of the chosen stress-response genes revealed significant differential expression between the control and treatment groups. RNA-Seq results revealed transcriptional activity of 24.142 transcripts from sugarcane leaf subjected to water stress. Gene expression analyses in response to water deprivation revealed 68 (early response) and 2,390 (later response) differentially expressed transcripts on day 3 and day 7, respectively. Sustained decreases in various physiological parameters were observed in water-stressed sugarcane plants after six days of water deprivation. Reductions in photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance and leaf transpiration occurred before visible physical changes were observed, but this was preceded by significant changes in expression of genes with roles in photosynthesis. RNA-seq identified novel transcripts with roles in early and late response to drought stress and Real-Time qPCR validation confirmed the RNA-Seq results. This will inform further research on water use efficiency in sugarcane, leading to identification of varieties with improved tolerance to adverse environmental conditions.