In order to search for novel bioactive compounds, we have investigated the secondary metabolites of the soft corals Nephthea erecta, Lobophytum durum, and Sarcophyton ehrenbergi. Chemical examinations on the organic extracts of N. erecta, have resulted in the isolation of six new sesquiterpenoids (1-6), a new calamenene-type sesquiterpene with a mercaptan group, erectathiol (7), a new tri-nor-eudesmadienone (8), two known sesquiterpenoids (9 and 10), one novel seco-germacrane sesquiterpene (11), three unexpected artificial 19-oxygenated steroids (12-14), as well as twelve new polyhydroxylated steroids (15-26). Furthermore, twelve new cembranolids, durumolides A-L (27-38), three unprecedented hemiketal cembranoids, durumhemiketalolides A-C (39-41), six previously described cembranolids (42-47), together with one known metabolite, peridinin (48), were isolated from the acetone extracts of L. durum. Chemical investigation of S. ehrenbergi, has led to the isolation of a known ceramide (49), two new cerebrosides, sarcoehrenosides A (50) and B (51), along with three previously characterized cerebrosides (52-54). The structures of the isolated metabolites were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses, while the relative stereochemistry of 10 and 44 were further confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. Moreover, the absolute configurations of 24, 25, 29, 34, 38, and 43-45 were established by application of modified Mosher¡¦s method. The cytotoxicities, antibacterial activities, anti-inflammatory effects, and inhibition assay of HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) endonuclease activities of these isolated metabolites were evaluated in vitro.

As an alternative to testing nutrient components separately, four common media formulations were used: Murashige and Skoog (MS), Driver and Kuniyuki (DKW), woody plant medium (WPM) and Anderson's revised medium (AND). Each medium was tested separately. Then high salts formulation (MS and DKW) were mixed with low salts formulation (WPM and AND) at a half and half concentration. In total, eight different media were tested spanning high, intermediate and low nutrient salts concentrations. To test the media two different plant species were chosen, a woody species Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf hydrangea) and an herbaceous species Tagetes erecta (African marigold). Nodal explants were harvested from H. quercifolia `Dayspring' stock plants grown in raised beds in a greenhouse. After being disinfested, explants were placed on the eight treatment media, along with 1.0 µM benzyladenine (BA) and 1.0 µM indolebutryic acid (IBA). In addition to the plant growth regulators (PGR's), 10 ppm Orthene insecticide and 150 ppm Benlate fungicide were included in the tested media to prevent contamination from a spider mite infestation. Explants placed on WPM were significantly different than explants on other media. WPM explants initiated growth the most, but elongation was sluggish and leaves showed signs of deficiencies after 8 to 10 weeks in vitro. Intermediate salts media DKW/WPM and DKW/AND had fewer explants initiate growth then explants on WPM, but the few that did elongated. These explants had the maximum lengths of any other explant on all other treatments. Tagetes erecta `Marvel Orange' seeds were sown in polyethylene flats in a lab under cool white fluorescent lamps. After about a month apical shoot tips were harvested, surface disinfested, and placed in vitro on the eight treatment media, with the same PGR's and additives as the hydrangea experiment. Tagetes explants responded substantially faster than the Hydrangea explants, with growth initiating on all treatments within a week. Initially there were significant differences between treatments, but after 3 months in vitro there were no differences between treatments. Although no data was taken, there was observed differences between the treatment media. Explants on low salts media of WPM and AND show signs of nutrient deficiencies, with high salt media showed no deficiencies. Overall the best growth of axillary shoots was seen on high salt media of MS and DKW.

As peçonhas de serpentes são uma mistura complexa de enzimas e proteínas tóxicas. No Brasil, as serpentes dos gêneros Bothrops são responsáveis pela maioria dos acidentes ofídicos, os quais provocam dano tecidual local (como hemorragia, necrose e edema) e efeitos sistêmicos (como alterações na coagulação sanguínea). Envenenamentos por picadas de serpente são frequentemente tratados com a administração parenteral de soro antiofídico, visando a neutralização de toxinas. No entanto, apesar do sucesso da soroterapia, é importante a busca de inibidores capazes de neutralizar o dano tecidual local. Os extratos de plantas constituem uma fonte extremamente rica de compostos farmacologicamente ativos, e muitos extratos possuem atividade antiofídica. Neste estudo, o extrato metanólico das folhas de Serjania erecta, planta medicinal com propriedade anti-inflamatória foi submetido ao fracionamento cromatográfico, obtendo-se quatro frações principais que foram avaliadas por testes fitoquímicos, revelando a presença de saponinas, terpenos, flavonóides (SF3) e taninos (SF4). O isolamento e a caracterização de duas flavonas glicosiladas da fração rica em flavonóides (isovitexina e vitexina) também foram alcançados. Além disso, foi realizado o estabelecimento de culturas in vitro de S. erecta para assegurar, em um futuro próximo, a produção constante de metabólitos secundários, bem como a conservação desta espécie vegetal. Nos testes de inibição de atividade de peçonha de serpentes, a atividade fosfolipásica induzida pelas peçonhas de B. jararacussu e C. d. terrificus, e toxinas isoladas (BthTX-II e crotoxina) foi inibida pelas amostras testadas, sendo que as frações SF3 e SF4 inibiram completamente a ação da toxina BthTX-II, enquanto que a crotoxina foi inibida com sucesso pela ação da fração SF4. O extrato metanólico de S. erecta e a fração SF3 foram capazes de prevenir a ação fibrinogenolítica da peçonha de B. moojeni. Já os extratos metanólicos in natura e dos calos, as frações SF3 e SF4, e as flavonas promoveram proteção parcial das cadeias do fibrinogênio quando incubados juntos com a peçonha de B. jararacussu. Nos ensaios sobre atividade coagulante, a vitexina e as frações SF3 e SF4 atuaram como potentes inibidores desta atividade induzida pela peçonha de B. jararacussu. O mesmo foi observado no ensaio sobre a inibição do edema induzido por BthTX-I. A atividade hemorrágica das peçonhas de B. jararacussu e B. neuwiedi foi inibida pela ação do extrato metanólico das folhas de S. erecta e de suas frações. Sendo assim, as frações SF3 e SF4, ricas em flavonóides e taninos, respectivamente, apresentam compostos capazes de inibir a ação de toxinas presentes nas peçonhas. Os estudos sobre modelagem molecular feito entre a miotoxina BthTX-I e os compostos isolados demonstraram que o complexo toxinainibidor é estabilizado por pontes de hidrogênio com as cadeias laterais dos resíduos de aminoácidos da região do sítio catalítico da toxina. Além disso, os espectros de ii dicroísmo circular não revelaram mudanças significativas nas estruturas secundárias das miotoxinas BthTX-I e II quando quando na presença das flavonas (vitexina e isovitexina). Entre as flavonas tanto a vitexina como a isovitexina mostraram resultados semelhantes em quase todas as atividades testadas, porém na atividade anticoagulante induzida pela peçonha de B. jararacussu, a vitexina impediu a coagulação do plasma testado, sugerindo que a posição do açúcar pode ter influenciado a inibição da atividade. Estes resultados sugerem que parte da ação antiofídica do extrato metanólico de S. erecta ocorre devido a ação dos compostos isolados em conjunto com outras classes de compostos presentes nesta planta medicinal. / Snake venoms are a complex mixture of enzymes and toxic proteins. In Brazil, Bothrops snakes are responsible for most accidents with venomous animals, which cause local tissue damage (hemorrhage, edema and necrosis) and systemic effects (blood clotting disorders). Snakebites are often treated with parenteral administration of antivenom, aimed at the neutralization of toxins. However, despite the success of serum therapy, it is important to search for inhibitors that can neutralize the local tissue damage. Plant extracts constitute a rich source of pharmacologically active compounds, and many extracts present antiophidian activity. In this study, the methanolic extract of leaves of Serjania erecta, a medicinal plant with antiinflammatory properties, was subjected to chromatographic fractionation, resulting in four main fractions that were evaluated by phytochemical tests, revealing the presence of saponins, terpenes, flavonoids (SF3) and tannins (SF4). The isolation and characterization of two flavone glycosides of the flavonoid-rich fraction (isovitexin and vitexin) were also achieved. Moreover, the in vitro cultures of Serjania erecta also established to allow, in the near future, the continuous production of secondary metabolites, as well as the conservation of this plant species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of aerial parts of S. erecta and its fractions, isolated compounds and methanolic extract of callus against the enzymatic and pharmacological effects induced by snake venoms and isolated toxins. The phospholipase A2 activity induced by snake venoms of B. jararacussu and C. d. terrificus, and isolated toxins (BthTX-II and crotoxin) was inhibited by the samples tested, and the fractions SF3 and SF4 completely inhibited the toxin BthTX-II, whereas crotoxin was inhibited successfully by the action of fraction SF4. The methanolic extract of S. erecta and fraction SF3 were able to prevent the fibrinogenolytic action of B. moojeni venom. The methanolic extracts of callus and aerial parts of S. erecta, fractions SF3 and SF4, and flavones promoted partial protection of fibrinogen chains when incubated together with the B. jararacussu venom. Vitexin, SF3 and SF4 were potent inhibitors of the coagulant activity induced by B. jararacussu venom. BthTX-I edema-inducing activity was inhibited by vitexin, SF3 and SF4. The hemorrhagic activity of B. jararacussu and B. neuwiedi venoms were inhibited by the action of methanolic extract of aerial parts of S. erecta and its fractions. This extract is a promising source of natural inhibitors, as flavonoids and tannins, which act forming complexes with metal ions and proteins, inhibiting the action of serine proteases, metalloproteases and phospholipases A2. The molecular modeling studies done between myotoxin BthTX-I and the compounds showed that the toxin-inhibitor complex is stabilized by hydrogen bonds with the side chains of amino acid residues in the region of the catalytic site of toxin. Moreover, the circular dichroism spectra revealed no significant changes in the secondary structures of iv BthTX-I and II in the presence of flavones (vitexin and isovitexin). Vitexin and isovitexin showed similar results in almost all tested activities, but in the anticoagulant activity induced by B. jararacussu snake venom the vitexin prevented plasma coagulation, suggesting that the position of the sugar may have influenced the inhibition of this activity. These results suggest that part of the action antiophidic the methanol extracts of S. erecta occurs due the action of the compounds isolated in conjunction with other compounds present in this medicinal plant.

As peçonhas de serpentes são uma mistura complexa de enzimas e proteínas tóxicas. No Brasil, as serpentes dos gêneros Bothrops são responsáveis pela maioria dos acidentes ofídicos, os quais provocam dano tecidual local (como hemorragia, necrose e edema) e efeitos sistêmicos (como alterações na coagulação sanguínea). Envenenamentos por picadas de serpente são frequentemente tratados com a administração parenteral de soro antiofídico, visando a neutralização de toxinas. No entanto, apesar do sucesso da soroterapia, é importante a busca de inibidores capazes de neutralizar o dano tecidual local. Os extratos de plantas constituem uma fonte extremamente rica de compostos farmacologicamente ativos, e muitos extratos possuem atividade antiofídica. Neste estudo, o extrato metanólico das folhas de Serjania erecta, planta medicinal com propriedade anti-inflamatória foi submetido ao fracionamento cromatográfico, obtendo-se quatro frações principais que foram avaliadas por testes fitoquímicos, revelando a presença de saponinas, terpenos, flavonóides (SF3) e taninos (SF4). O isolamento e a caracterização de duas flavonas glicosiladas da fração rica em flavonóides (isovitexina e vitexina) também foram alcançados. Além disso, foi realizado o estabelecimento de culturas in vitro de S. erecta para assegurar, em um futuro próximo, a produção constante de metabólitos secundários, bem como a conservação desta espécie vegetal. Nos testes de inibição de atividade de peçonha de serpentes, a atividade fosfolipásica induzida pelas peçonhas de B. jararacussu e C. d. terrificus, e toxinas isoladas (BthTX-II e crotoxina) foi inibida pelas amostras testadas, sendo que as frações SF3 e SF4 inibiram completamente a ação da toxina BthTX-II, enquanto que a crotoxina foi inibida com sucesso pela ação da fração SF4. O extrato metanólico de S. erecta e a fração SF3 foram capazes de prevenir a ação fibrinogenolítica da peçonha de B. moojeni. Já os extratos metanólicos in natura e dos calos, as frações SF3 e SF4, e as flavonas promoveram proteção parcial das cadeias do fibrinogênio quando incubados juntos com a peçonha de B. jararacussu. Nos ensaios sobre atividade coagulante, a vitexina e as frações SF3 e SF4 atuaram como potentes inibidores desta atividade induzida pela peçonha de B. jararacussu. O mesmo foi observado no ensaio sobre a inibição do edema induzido por BthTX-I. A atividade hemorrágica das peçonhas de B. jararacussu e B. neuwiedi foi inibida pela ação do extrato metanólico das folhas de S. erecta e de suas frações. Sendo assim, as frações SF3 e SF4, ricas em flavonóides e taninos, respectivamente, apresentam compostos capazes de inibir a ação de toxinas presentes nas peçonhas. Os estudos sobre modelagem molecular feito entre a miotoxina BthTX-I e os compostos isolados demonstraram que o complexo toxinainibidor é estabilizado por pontes de hidrogênio com as cadeias laterais dos resíduos de aminoácidos da região do sítio catalítico da toxina. Além disso, os espectros de ii dicroísmo circular não revelaram mudanças significativas nas estruturas secundárias das miotoxinas BthTX-I e II quando quando na presença das flavonas (vitexina e isovitexina). Entre as flavonas tanto a vitexina como a isovitexina mostraram resultados semelhantes em quase todas as atividades testadas, porém na atividade anticoagulante induzida pela peçonha de B. jararacussu, a vitexina impediu a coagulação do plasma testado, sugerindo que a posição do açúcar pode ter influenciado a inibição da atividade. Estes resultados sugerem que parte da ação antiofídica do extrato metanólico de S. erecta ocorre devido a ação dos compostos isolados em conjunto com outras classes de compostos presentes nesta planta medicinal. / Snake venoms are a complex mixture of enzymes and toxic proteins. In Brazil, Bothrops snakes are responsible for most accidents with venomous animals, which cause local tissue damage (hemorrhage, edema and necrosis) and systemic effects (blood clotting disorders). Snakebites are often treated with parenteral administration of antivenom, aimed at the neutralization of toxins. However, despite the success of serum therapy, it is important to search for inhibitors that can neutralize the local tissue damage. Plant extracts constitute a rich source of pharmacologically active compounds, and many extracts present antiophidian activity. In this study, the methanolic extract of leaves of Serjania erecta, a medicinal plant with antiinflammatory properties, was subjected to chromatographic fractionation, resulting in four main fractions that were evaluated by phytochemical tests, revealing the presence of saponins, terpenes, flavonoids (SF3) and tannins (SF4). The isolation and characterization of two flavone glycosides of the flavonoid-rich fraction (isovitexin and vitexin) were also achieved. Moreover, the in vitro cultures of Serjania erecta also established to allow, in the near future, the continuous production of secondary metabolites, as well as the conservation of this plant species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of aerial parts of S. erecta and its fractions, isolated compounds and methanolic extract of callus against the enzymatic and pharmacological effects induced by snake venoms and isolated toxins. The phospholipase A2 activity induced by snake venoms of B. jararacussu and C. d. terrificus, and isolated toxins (BthTX-II and crotoxin) was inhibited by the samples tested, and the fractions SF3 and SF4 completely inhibited the toxin BthTX-II, whereas crotoxin was inhibited successfully by the action of fraction SF4. The methanolic extract of S. erecta and fraction SF3 were able to prevent the fibrinogenolytic action of B. moojeni venom. The methanolic extracts of callus and aerial parts of S. erecta, fractions SF3 and SF4, and flavones promoted partial protection of fibrinogen chains when incubated together with the B. jararacussu venom. Vitexin, SF3 and SF4 were potent inhibitors of the coagulant activity induced by B. jararacussu venom. BthTX-I edema-inducing activity was inhibited by vitexin, SF3 and SF4. The hemorrhagic activity of B. jararacussu and B. neuwiedi venoms were inhibited by the action of methanolic extract of aerial parts of S. erecta and its fractions. This extract is a promising source of natural inhibitors, as flavonoids and tannins, which act forming complexes with metal ions and proteins, inhibiting the action of serine proteases, metalloproteases and phospholipases A2. The molecular modeling studies done between myotoxin BthTX-I and the compounds showed that the toxin-inhibitor complex is stabilized by hydrogen bonds with the side chains of amino acid residues in the region of the catalytic site of toxin. Moreover, the circular dichroism spectra revealed no significant changes in the secondary structures of iv BthTX-I and II in the presence of flavones (vitexin and isovitexin). Vitexin and isovitexin showed similar results in almost all tested activities, but in the anticoagulant activity induced by B. jararacussu snake venom the vitexin prevented plasma coagulation, suggesting that the position of the sugar may have influenced the inhibition of this activity. These results suggest that part of the action antiophidic the methanol extracts of S. erecta occurs due the action of the compounds isolated in conjunction with other compounds present in this medicinal plant.

Corals are the dominant species of the coral reefs. The diversity of species is classified by traditional morphological traits, especially relied on the calcious deposits-sclerites. The formation of sclerites may be affected by the environmental conditions; therefore, some controversies may exist. The ambiguities may be clarified with molecular approaches. Five soft coral species, Lobophytum pauciflorum, Sinularia leptoclado, Sinularia flexibilis, Sarcophyton sp., Nephthea erecta were chosen for this study. The total mitochondrial DNA sequences were determined by PCR and primer walking. The genome contains 18562 bp, 18732 bp, 18752 bp, 18806 bp, 18716 bp separately, which harbors 14 protein-coding genes (ATP6¡BATP8¡BCOI¡BCOII¡BCOIIII¡BCYTB¡BND1¡BND2¡BND3¡BND4¡BND4L¡BND5¡BND6¡BMSH), 2 rRNA and only 1 tRNA genes. The phylogenetic relationship of alcyonacea corals were analyzed and compared with published sequences. The possibility of using a short ¡§DNA bar-code sequence¡¨ of the mitochondria as an alternative for species identification may be feasible. We found the short DNA signature sequences for these five corals. They may speed up the identification of corals in the long run.

OLIVEIRA, Francisco Ítalo Fernandes de. Influência do modo de irrigação na tolerância de plantas ornamentais à salinidade da água. 2016. 103 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Solos e Nutrição de Plantas)-Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2016. / Submitted by Anderson Silva Pereira (anderson.pereiraaa@gmail.com) on 2017-01-26T16:59:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_fifoliveira.pdf: 2741362 bytes, checksum: 0461d0245af9c6ece1c9a5111667008f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jairo Viana (jairo@ufc.br) on 2017-01-26T20:32:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_fifoliveira.pdf: 2741362 bytes, checksum: 0461d0245af9c6ece1c9a5111667008f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-26T20:32:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_fifoliveira.pdf: 2741362 bytes, checksum: 0461d0245af9c6ece1c9a5111667008f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016 / World trade of flowers and ornamental plants, of which the most significant branch is cut flowers, followed by the live plants, is an important segment economically to Brazil especially for the Northeast. Although the Northeast region has favorable climatic conditions for the cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants, low quality irrigation water, it is revealed as a problem. The plant species exhibit different mechanisms of tolerance to salt, in some cases, allowing their survival and production. Thus, the research aimed to evaluate the tolerance of four ornamental species to increasing levels of salinity of irrigation water and different modes of supply of water. The research was conducted in a protected environment, in the period from September to November 2015, in the experimental area of the weather station at the University Campus of Pici, the Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza - Ceará. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks, arranged in a split plot design with four replications with six levels of salinity of irrigation water to the plots (A1 - 0.6; A2 - 1.2; A3 - 1.8; A4 - 2 4; A5 - 3.0 and A6 - 3.6 dS/m), two modes of irrigation in the subplots (M1 - localized irrigation and M2 - not localized irrigation) and four ornamental species in subsubplots (E1 - Catharanthus roseus; E2 - Allamanda cathartica; E3 - Ixora coccinea and E4 - Duranta erecta), with 48 plants in each block, totaling one hundred ninety-two experimental units. The seedlings of ornamentals were transferred to plastic pots with a volume of 7 liters filled with a gravel layer and substrate, comprising a mixture of sand and earthworm humus, in the ratio 2:1 respectively. They were evaluated biometric, physiological, nutritional and sensorial parameters in plants. The most appropriate variables to classify the species as tolerance to salinity, are related to biomass production. The species are more sensitive to the irrigation method not located than the localized mode. The species that are more tolerant to salinity of irrigation water were Catharanthus roseus and Ixora coccinea. / O comércio mundial de flores e plantas ornamentais, do qual o ramo mais expressivo é o de flores de corte, seguido pelo de plantas vivas, é um segmento importante economicamente para o Brasil, sobretudo, para a região Nordeste. Embora a região Nordeste apresente condições climáticas favoráveis ao cultivo de flores e plantas ornamentais, a água de irrigação de baixa qualidade, revela-se como um problema. As espécies vegetais apresentam diferentes mecanismos de tolerância aos sais, em alguns casos, permitindo sua sobrevivência e produção. Dessa forma, a pesquisa objetivou avaliar a tolerância de quatro espécies ornamentais a níveis crescentes de salinidade da água de irrigação e diferentes modos de fornecimento da água. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em ambiente protegido, no período de setembro a novembro de 2015, na área experimental da Estação Agrometeorológica, no Campus Universitário do Pici, da Universidade Federal do Ceará, município de Fortaleza – Ceará. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos casualizados, arranjados em parcelas subsubdivididas, com quatro repetições, com seis níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação nas parcelas (A1 - 0,6; A2 – 1,2; A3 – 1,8; A4 – 2,4; A5 – 3,0 e A6 – 3,6 dS/m), dois modos de irrigação nas subparcelas (M1 - irrigação localizada e M2 - irrigação não localizada) e quatro espécies ornamentais nas subsubparcelas (E1 - Catharanthus roseus; E2 - Allamanda cathartica; E3 - Ixora coccinea e E4 - Duranta erecta), com 48 plantas em cada bloco, totalizando cento e noventa e duas unidades experimentais. As mudas das espécies ornamentais foram transplantadas para vasos de material plástico, com volume de 7 litros, preenchidos com uma camada de brita e com substrato, composto por uma mistura de areia e húmus de minhoca, na proporção de 2:1, respectivamente. Foram avaliados parâmetros biométricos, fisiológicos, nutricionais e sensoriais nas plantas. As variáveis mais adequadas para classificar as espécies, quanto a tolerância a salinidade, são as relacionadas a produção de biomassa. As espécies são mais sensíveis à irrigação pelo modo não localizado do que ao modo localizado. As espécies que se mostraram mais tolerantes a salinidade da água de irrigação foram a Catharanthus roseus e Ixora coccinea.

Pine tree substrate (PTS) is a relatively new substrate for container crop production. There are no detailed studies that elucidate how storage time impacts PTS chemical, physical, and biological aspects. The objective of this research was to determine how PTS storage time influenced PTS chemical and physical properties, nitrification, and plant growth. Pine tree substrate was manufactured by hammer-milling chips of loblolly pine trees (Pinus taeda L.) through two screen sizes, 4.76 mm (PTS) and 15.9 mm amended with peat (PTSP). PTS and PTSP were amended with lime at five rates. A peat-perlite mix (PL) served as a control treatment. Prepared substrates were placed in storage bags and stored in an open shed in Blacksburg, Virginia. Subsamples were taken at 1, 42, 84, 168, 270, and 365 days. At each subsampling day, twelve 1-L containers were filled with each substrate. Six containers were left fallow and six were planted with marigold (Tagetes erecta L. "Inca Gold") seedlings. Substrate was also collected from select treatments for Most Probable Number assays to estimate density of nitrifying microorganisms, and for chemical and physical property analyses. Pour-through extracts were collected from fallow containers at 0, 2, and 4 weeks, and from marigold containers at harvest for determination of pH, electrical conductivity, ammonium-N and nitrate-N. At harvest, marigold height, width, and dry weight were measured. At least 1 kg·m-3 lime for PTS, and 2 to 4 kg·m-3 lime for PTSP were needed to maintain pH values ≥ 5.5 for 365 days. Bound acidity of unlimed PTS increased but cation exchange capacity for unlimed PTS and PTSP decreased over 365 days. Carbon to nitrogen ratio and bulk density values were unchanged over time in all treatments. There were minor changes in particle size distribution for limed PTS and unlimed and limed PTSP. Marigold growth in PTS and PTSP was ≥ PL in all limed treatments, except at day 1. Nitrite-oxidizing microorganisms were present and nitrification occurred in PTS and PTSP at all subsampling days. Pine tree substrate is relatively stable in storage, but pH decreases, and lime addition may be necessary to offset this decrease. / Ph. D.

No description available.