Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-07-07T19:34:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LuecyaSilva.pdf: 2660181 bytes, checksum: 43c675e9011eb6a8b5a8e8e2efc29119 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-07T19:34:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LuecyaSilva.pdf: 2660181 bytes, checksum: 43c675e9011eb6a8b5a8e8e2efc29119 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-06 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Maranhão (FAPEMA) / The plant species Anacardium Occidentale known in Brazil as cashew tree represents a great economic, social and medical relevance. This study aims to perform the synthesis of the emulsion-type formulation with extract of flowers from A. occidentale L. and evaluates its cicatrizant effect (Chapter I); evaluates the leishmanicidal activity in vitro and in vivo from the extract and base formulation of the flowers from A. occidentale L. (Chapter II); develops and testes a biotech product with biological activity, based on the extract from the flowers of A. occidentale (Chapter III). After developing the biotechnological product, a formulation of emulsion-type based extract of A. occidentale flowers, physicochemical stability tests were performed. It was found, that the formulation showed more stability at room temperature showing no phase separation, loss of viscosity or any of its desirable characteristics throughout the study. In addition, it was shown that the formulation has important cicatrizing activity, possibly related to the IL-6 increase. Furthermore, in vitro antiLeishmania tests were performed using infected macrophages Raw and promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis, and in vivo using BALB / c mice infected with this protozoan. The results show that the extract of A. occidentale flowers inhibits the growth of promastigotes of L. amazonensis, in vitro and in vivo, as it reduces the viability of promastigotes and infection in macrophages, and reduce the parasitic load of the infection in vivo, possibly by direct action of the extract on the protozoa. Isolated compounds present in plant species, on the other hand, do not exhibit Leishmanicidal effect against L. amazonensis promastigotes. In the same manner, the formulation emulsion-type containing A. occidentale extract has no Leishmanicidal effect while reducing the size of the lesion, when compared to treatment with standard drugs. In conjunction, the results indicate that Anacardium occidentale has pharmacological potential for mining products to be used in the treatment of leishmaniasis and scarring. / A espécie vegetal Anacardium occidentale, conhecida, no Brasil, como cajueiro é uma árvore que apresenta grande relevância econômica, social e medicinal. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: realizar a síntese de formulação do tipo emulsão com extrato das flores de A. occidentale L e avaliar seu efeito cicatrizante (CAPÍTULO I); avaliar a atividade leishmanicida in vitro e in vivo do extrato e formulação a base das flores de A. occidentale L. (CAPÍTULO II); desenvolver e testar um produto biotecnológico com atividade biológica, tendo como base o extrato das flores de A. occidentale (CAPÍTULO III). Após o desenvolvimento do produto biotecnológico, uma formulação do tipo emulsão a base do extrato de flores de A. occidentale, foram realizados testes de estabilidade físico-química. Constatou-se que a formulação demonstrou maior estabilidade na temperatura ambiente não apresentando separação de fases, perda de viscosidade ou de qualquer uma das suas características ideais durante todo o estudo. Em adição, mostrou-se que a formulação possui importante atividade cicatrizante, possivelmente associada ao aumento de IL-6. Ademais, foram realizados ensaios anti-Leishmania in vitro, utilizando macrófagos Raw infectados, bem como formas promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis, e in vivo utilizando-se camundongos Balb/c infectados com este protozoário. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o extrato das flores de A. occidentale inibe o crescimento das formas promastigotas de L. amazonensis, in vitro e in vivo, pois reduz a viabilidade de promastigotas, bem como a infecção em macrófagos, além de diminuir a carga parasitária na infecção in vivo, possivelmente por ação direta do extrato sobre os protozoários. Compostos isolados presentes na espécie vegetal, por outro lado, não apresentam efeito leishmanicida contra as formas promastigotas de L. amazonensis. Do mesmo modo, a formulação do tipo emulsão contendo extrato de A. occidentale não apresenta efeito leishmanicida embora reduza o tamanho da lesão, quando comparado ao tratamento com droga padrão. Em conjunto os resultados indicam que Anacardium occidentale apresenta potencial farmacológico para prospecção de produtos a serem utilizados no tratamento das leishmanioses e cicatrização.

As plantas tropicais vêm ocupando uma parcela crescente do setor de floricultura, tanto no mercado nacional quanto no internacional, por apresentarem formas exuberantes e coloridas. Neste sentido, o Costus lasius Loes. tem se destacado entre as plantas ornamentais por possuir, como característica mais atraente, pequenas inflorescências amarelo-ouro e caule pouco espiralado, marcas que dão leveza à combinação de plantas de vaso. Entretanto, esta espécie é pouco pesquisada no Brasil, principalmente quanto às condições ambientais de cultivo, de nutrição e de manejo da fertirrigação. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes malhas fotoconversoras de sombreamento e diferentes concentrações de potássio, no cultivo de Costus lasius em ambiente protegido. O experimento foi conduzido em uma área experimental do Departamento de Produção Vegetal da Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\", em Piracicaba, SP. Os tratamentos foram constituídos da combinação de cinco concentrações de potássio na solução de fertirrigação (40, 80, 120, 160 e 200 mg L-1), com três diferentes colorações de cobertura Chromatinet (Polysak Plastic Industries Ltd), nas cores vermelha, azul e preta, com índice de sombreamento de 50%. Foram utilizados 25 vasos \"pote 19\" por malha, em um total de 75, com um número de duas plantas por vaso, dispostos em bancadas de alumínio já disponíveis no local. Foram avaliados o crescimento das plantas, o número de folhas, de hastes e de inflorescências, as dimensões das hastes e das inflorescências, a sanidade das folhas e das inflorescências, o índice de preenchimento de vaso, a matéria fresca e seca, o índice de área foliar, o índice de estresse hídrico da cultura, o índice de clorofila e o acúmulo das concentrações de macronutrientes no tecido vegetal. O sombreamento com a malha vermelha melhorou as características de crescimento, número de folhas e aumentou a produção de massa fresca e seca de costus. A concentração de 200 mg L-1 de K+, na solução de fertirrigação, é a recomendada para aumentar a massa fresca e o maior número das inflorescências, características relevantes para a espécie Costus lasius como planta ornamental. Os maiores teores de potássio acumulados nas inflorescências do costus são proporcionados pela concentração 200 mg L-1 sobre as malhas vermelha e azul; e pela concentração 160 mg L-1 no ambiente sombreado com a malha preta. A dose de 200 mg L-1 de K+ associada a malha preta conduzem aos melhores resultados em termos de produção de hastes e inflorescências. O cultivo de costus sobre a malha azul tem maior eficiência no aproveitamento da clorofila e no processo fotossintético, indicando a camada basal das folhas como referência para esse tipo de avaliação. O IEHC apresenta grande variabilidade durante todo o ciclo e indica o ambiente de malha vermelha como o mais passível de causar estresse hídrico para as plantas na maioria dos meses estudados. / Tropical plants have been participating of a growing portion in brazilian floriculture and in international markets, because of its exuberant and colorful forms. In this sense, the Costus lasius Loes. has stood out among ornamental plants because of its more attractive characteristics: small yellow-gold inflorescences and slightly spiraled stem, attributes that give lightness to the potted plants. However, there are few studies about this species in Brazil and mainly regarding the environmental conditions of cultivation, nutrition and fertirrigation management. The goal of this work is to evaluate the effect of different photoconverters meshes and different concentrations of potassium in the cultivation of Costus lasius in greenhouse. The experiment was conducted in an experimental area of the Plant Production Department at the School of Agriculture \"Luiz de Queiroz\", in Piracicaba, SP. Treatments were composed by a combination of five potassium concentrations in the fertigation solution (40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 mg L-1) in three different meshes (Polysak Plastic Industries Ltd): red, blue and black, with shading capacity of 50%. For each meshe color twenty-five pots were used, 75 pots in total, with two plants per pot, arranged in aluminum benches already available at the place. In this experiment were evaluated the plants growth, number of leaves, stems and inflorescences, dimensions of stems and inflorescences, leaves and inflorescences health, vessel filling index, fresh and dry matter, leaf area index, crop water stress index, chlorophyll index and accumulation of macronutrients concentrations in plant tissue. The shading with the red mesh improved the growth characteristics, number of leaves and increased the production of fresh and dry mass of costus. The K+ concentration of 200 mg L-1 in the fertigation solution is recommended to increase the fresh mass and to achieve the highest number of inflorescences, which are relevant characteristics for the specie Costus lasius as ornamental plant. The highest levels of accumulated potassium in costus inflorescences are provided by the concentration of 200 mg L-1 on the red and blue meshes; and by the concentration of 160 mg L-1 in the environment shaded with the black mesh. The dose of 200 mg L-1 of K+ associated with black mesh leads to the best results in terms of stem and inflorescence production. The cultivation of costus on the blue mesh has greater efficiency in the use of chlorophyll and in the photosynthetic process, indicating the basal layer leaves as reference for this type of evaluation. The CWSI shows great variability throughout the cycle and indicates the red mesh environment as the most likely to cause hydric stress to plants in most of the months studied.

The language of flowers was a popular phenomenon in the United States in the nineteenth century. This dissertation on American literature looks at several American women authors’ use of the language of flowers in their novels. I examine the use of the language of flowers in Margaret Fuller’s “Magnolia of Lake Pontchartrain,” “Yuca Filamentosa,” and poetry such as “To Sarah,” Elizabeth Stoddard’s The Morgesons, Edith Wharton’s Summer, Mary Austin’s Santa Lucia: A Common Story and Cactus Thorn, and Susan Glaspell’s The Verge. Through analysis of language of flowers dictionaries, historical studies of the language of flowers, feminist history and theory, and close readings of the sketches, poems, novels, and plays themselves, I will show that American women continued to use and be influenced by the language of f lowers for close to a decade. I will also show that these women writers’ use of the language of flowers shows evolving social attitudes toward women and standards of femininity in American society during the nineteenth and early-twentieth century.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1987.

Common to the temperate floras throughout sub-Saharan Africa is a group of taxa with strong ties to the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) (≈ Cape elements). Their distribution is limited to the eastern escarpment of Africa (e.g. the Drakensberg Alpine Centre - DAC), on nutrient-rich humic soils, as well as on isolated sandstone outcrops of low elevation, on nutrient-poor soils (e.g. the Pondoland Centre - PC), suggesting that intrinsic soil fertility is not the primary determinant of their distribution. The principal aim of this study was to determine which aspect of the edaphic environment of the DAC is most influenced by temperature, that may indirectly render it nutrient-poor and therefore provide suitable niches for Cape elements, as in the PC. A multidisciplinary approach involving aspects of plant biogeography, plant ecology, plant ecophysiology and soil chemistry was therefore adopted. The study regions were the DAC, PC and the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The flora of the DAC was resurveyed for this study, and is richer than previously thought: 2818 native taxa, most of which (2520) are angiosperms. The phytogeography of the DAC and PC is discussed, and comparisons are made with the floras of KwaZulu-Natal and the CFR. Their climatic environments, as well as those for the CFR and Sneeuberge, were compared using rainfall and temperature data from a range of sources. These climatic regimes were correlated with the floristic patterns of Cape elements for the high-altitude regions of South Africa and Lesotho. Altitude and rainfall increased, and temperature decreased, as the number of Cape elements increased towards the DAC. This study provided a contemporary inventory of the Cape elements of the DAC and PC. A total of 89 genera are recognised as Cape elements, of which 60 (c. 67%) are shared between the two regions. The highest number of Cape elements recorded for the eastern escarpment was the DAC (72 genera), with the highest number from all sites analysed being the PC (77 genera). The most Cape elements are contributed by the Asteraceae, Scrophulariaceae, Iridaceae, Fabaceae, Orchidaceae and Restionaceae, partly due to the success of annual aerial parts and their geophytic growth forms, which are convergent in these families. Further compartmentalisation into life and growth forms shows that most Cape elements of the DAC and PC are either ericoid (and sclerophyllous) or mesic herbs and shrubs. The ecological and ecophysiological aspects of this study involved the use of reciprocal pot experiments established along a gradient of altitude from coastal hinterland to mountain, that investigated the interactions between altitude, temperature and substrate on plant productivity in sites known either to support or to exclude Cape elements. Three soils were used at each site, representative of the DAC, PC and KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The interactions between 'soil' and 'site' (≈ the climatic environment) were quantified using a temperate test taxon (Diascia) that has a strong Cape-centred distribution. Plant characters relating to morphology and nutrient content, and soil characters relating to fertility, were used as the basis for comparing treatment effects (soil-site interactions). Soil nitrogen availability was assayed using pot experiments with Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees. Wheat pot experiments revealed no Al³⁺ toxicity in 'Drakensberg' soil. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that all soil-site interactions were significant contributors to biomass differences, and that the Cape taxon performed poorly in the nutrient-rich Drakensberg soil at low altitude. Soil samples indicated that Drakensberg soil was the most nutrient-rich, and Pondoland soil the most nutrient-poor. Although total nitrogen in Drakensberg soil was six times higher than Pondoland soil, both soils mineralised similar low levels of nitrogen at their respective spring temperatures. The result for Drakensberg soil (simulated so as to include the effect of altitude) meant that only 1.7% of its total nitrogen was mineralisable at 12°C (its mean spring temperature). These findings suggest that nitrogen mineralisation rate is a key growth-limiting factor in the DAC, exacerbated by a number of complex interactions with soil pH and organic matter. It is hypothesized that Cape elements are preadapted to high-altitude habitats. These habitats are nutrient-deprived due to low temperatures, which reduce metabolic rates and the movement of ions in cold soils. This constraint imposes nutrient-related stresses similar to those of the CFR and PC. Taxa that are adapted to the nutrient-poor soils of the CFR are preadapted to the temperature-induced 'nutrient-poor' soils of the DAC and vice versa. This 'compatibility' has allowed the reciprocal exchange of taxa between regions, as suggested by cladistic biogeographical analyses using Cliffortia, Disa, Moraea and Pterygodium. The strong overlap of Cape elements between the CFR and PC is a product of similar nutritional niches and ancient floristic continuity. The result therefore is a high number of Cape elements common to the DAC and PC. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

Large areas of moist upland grassland in KwaZulu-Natal are severely fragmented due to large scale farming of exotic trees. The aims of this thesis were to determine whether habitat fragmentation of these grasslands has a detrimental effect on plant-pollinator interactions and hence the reproductive output of the wildflower species occurring there and whether the magnitude of this effect can be predicted by breeding and pollination system characteristics. The 24 wildflower species included in this study appear to support a rich and diverse pollinator community, including long-tongued solitary bees, long-tongued flies, hawkmoths and sunbirds. Two thirds of the wildflower species appear relatively specialised in terms of pollination, with six species entirely dependent either on a single species or a specific functional type of pollinator for pollination. The majority of wildflower species (90%) were found to be incapable of autonomous self-pollination and thus dependent on pollinators for fruit and seed set. At least six species are obligately xenogamous. Little evidence was found for pollen limitation in undisturbed moist upland grassland, suggesting that these grasslands are characterised by high levels of pollinator activity. Greater levels of pollen limitation of reproductive output in habitat fragments was evident in two species, suggesting that depressed reproductive output in habitat fragments may be the consequence of a decrease in the quantity and/or quality of pollinator services. Significant detrimental effects of habitat fragmentation on reproductive output were evident in two thirds of the wildflower species, with 94% of the species exhibiting overall declines in seed set per flower from the continuous grassland site to the habitat fragments. The median decline in seed set per flower for the wildflower species was found to be 33.0%. Significantly more species experienced overall declines in reproductive output than would have been expected by chance alone. Only specificity of the pollination interaction in terms of number of pollinator taxa involved was found to be significantly related to percentage change in seed set from continuous to fragment habitats. This effect was diminished when other factors were included in a multiple regression. Results support Bond's (1994) hypothesis that degree of specificity in pollination systems is important in determining extinction risk of a given plant species. Declines in reproductive output of a range of wildflower species in grassland habitat fragments may affect the local persistence of these populations, particularly if recruitment is seed-limited. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

The role of light and temperature on flowering of South African Watsonia species were evaluated to assess the potential for this genus as a commercial flower crop. Species were selected that represent different climatic regions of South Africa, with the aim of understanding how ecologically distinct species perform under cultivation. The four selected species were W. borbonica and W. tabularis (winter-rainfall area), W. angusta (shared rainfall) and W. pillansii (summer-rainfall area). In order to establish the optimum temperature required for flowering, plants were exposed for 12 weeks to three temperature regimes (12/7 °C, 21/15 °C and 29/21 °C) after attaining their first and/or second leaves. A temperature shift of 12/7 °C was used to assess if the plants had a vemalisation requirement. Controls were maintained under 25 % shade under natural conditions, with an average temperature of 24/7 °C. An elevated temperature of 29/21 °C was detrimental to plant growth. Moderate temperatures of 21/15 °C significantly (P<0.001) increased the height and the number of leaves produced per plant relative to the 12/7 °C treatment. These temperatures significantly (P<0.001) increased the total number of flowers produced per plant compared to low temperatures. However, flowering percentage and quality of flowers were reduced. A low temperature regime of 12/7 °C was efficient in satisfying vernalisation requirements and inducing flowering in four selected species. However, the total number of leaves produced per plant was signifcantly reduced. The summer-rainfall species, W pillansii, displayed a qualitative response to vernalisation, as no flowering was observed in non-vernalised plants. Two winter-rainfall species, W borbonica and W. tabularis, demonstrated a quantitative response to vernalisation. These species flowered at non-vernalising temperatures. W angusta behaved like the winter-rainfall species in terms of flowering. Overall, a vernalisaton treatment marginally reduced days to flower while flowering percentage was increased compared to other temperature regimes. However, there was no increase in the total number of flowers produced per plant. Low temperatures were not only effective for flower induction, but also for releasing corm dormancy, thus synchronising growth. Storing corms at either 4 or 10 QC resulted in 100 % sprouting within 4-6 weeks. The role of daylength in flowering of Watsonia plants was established by subjecting plants to long days (LO) of 16 h light and 8 h dark and to short days (SO) of 8 h light and 16 h dark. The number of leaves and flowering were significantly (P<0.01) promoted under the LO regime. However, there was strong temperature and daylength interaction in terms of flowering potential, as at low temperatures flowering was induced irrespective of daylength. In W. pillansii, flowering was obtained under both regimes (LO and SO) applied at the second leaf stage. Flowering in W. borbonica and W. tabularis was only observed under the LO regime at the second leaf stage. In both species, flowering was also obtained in SD-treated plants, provided treatment occurred after the formation of the third leaf. However, the total number and quality of flowers were reduced. To examine the effect of light intensity on flowering, plants at different developmental stages (first and/or second or beyond the third leaf stage) were exposed to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of 150 jJmol m-2s-1 or 39.5 jJmol m-2s-1 for 7 weeks. Exposure to low light intensity at either developmental stage compromised leaf quality. No flowering was observed following low light intensity treatment during the first to third leaf stages, even though plants were exposed to low temperature and LO regimes, both of which promoted flowering. Observation of the shoot apical meristem revealed that the second leaf stage was critical as the anatomical transition to flowering occurred at this level. When beyond the third leaf stage, low light intensity did not prevent flowering. However, the number of flowers produced per plant was reduced compared to plants maintained at 150 jJmol m-2s-1. Thus, light intensity played a role in both plant morphogenesis and flowering. LDs were effective in promoting vegetative growth whereas high light intensity and low temperature regimes played pivotal roles in flower induction. This makes them useful horticulture tools to produce desirable Watsonia plants for commercialisation. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Our understanding of bird pollination systems has changed dramatically in the last few years. A long-standing paradigm was that hummingbirds and passerine birds select for different nectar properties in flowers (phylogenetic hypothesis). However, specialist passerines, such as sunbirds, have similar nectar preferences to hummingbirds and nectar in plants pollinated by these two bird groups is strongly convergent. Thus, as an alternative to the existing paradigm, it has been argued that the most useful distinction that can be drawn is that between specialist and generalist avian nectarivores (feeding niche hypothesis). This was supported by phylogenetically-controlled analyses that show that nectar in plants pollinated by specialist avian nectarivores (whether hummingbird or passerine) tends to have a lower volume, higher concentration and higher sucrose content than that in plants pollinated by generalist avian nectarivores. The aim of this thesis was to determine if these trends can be explained by the nectar preferences of avian nectarivores, and to determine whether the generalist-specialist dichotomy can be applied to Kniphofia, a largely bird-pollinated African plant genus. This thesis consists of two sections. In the first, I present data from equicaloric choice experiments to determine sugar preferences of both specialist and occasional nectar feeding birds across a range of concentrations. In addition, I determine apparent sugar assimilation efficiencies and concentration preferences for a range of occasional nectar feeding birds. Using Malachite Sunbirds (Nectarinia famosa), Dark-capped bulbuls (Pycnonotus tricolor), Speckled Mousebirds (Colius striatus) and Red-winged Starlings (Onychognathus morio) (plus Village Weavers (Ploceus cucullatus) in an appendix) as representatives of the major groups of nectar feeding birds in South Africa, I show that some differences occur between occasional nectar feeding birds and all specialist nectar feeding birds studied so far. Specialists show a switch from hexose preference at low (5%) concentrations, exhibit no preference at medium concentrations (10-20%) and prefer sucrose or show no preference at high concentrations (25%). However, specialists are unable to maintain energy balance at low concentrations, and always select the higher concentration when given choices within this range. Occasional nectar feeding birds prefer hexose solutions at low and medium concentrations (5 and 10%), but show varied preferences at higher concentrations. Occasional nectar feeding birds are able to maintain energy balance at low concentrations, and either show no concentration preference, or a preference for lower concentrations when given a choice. Occasional nectar feeding birds show a range in ability to digest sucrose, although some species, like the Dark-capped Bulbul, are quite proficient at it. Surprisingly, no significant difference is found between specialist and occasional nectarivores sugar preferences when analysed globally, even when phyllogeny is accounted for. Instead, I found a significant relationship between body size and bird sugar preference at different concentrations, from which I build the body size hypothesis, which I suggest is a better predictor to use than bird diet type (specialist or occasional nectarivores – feeding niche hypothesis). In the second section of the thesis, I examine the associations between plant traits and nectarivore nectar preferences. This section focuses on flower morphology and nectar characteristics in Kniphofia species, and ecotypes within species, pollinated by specialist versus occasional avian nectarivores. I show that apart from sugar type, which appears to be phylogenetically constrained, flower morphology and nectar characteristics appear to diverge according to whether plants are pollinated by generalist or specialist nectar feeding birds. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

The Etlingera elatior is a tropical perennial and rhizomatous herbaceous plant that possesses beautiful flowers with different colors and a great ornamental appeal. To produce new cultivars it is necessary crossings between existing varieties which are rare for this species. Among the difficulties found to grow Etingera elatior is the acquisition of quality seedlings with appropriate sanitary standards to supply the demand of the producers. Another considerable problem is the seedlings production that, usually made by bunch division, brings high costs and disease problems. This work aimed to evaluate the viability of the pollen grains in flowers of the Red Torch, Pink Torch and Porcelain cultivars to be used in a future breeding program to create new commercial types of the Etlingera elatior, and developing a protocol for multiplication in vitro of Etlingera elatior cv. Red Torch. Therefore, it was carried out an study to check the viability of the pollen grains in open and closed flowers of small, medium and tall stick flowers. The pollen grains were stained in a lugol solution and observed on a stereoscopic microscope. The micropropagation potential was evaluated by testing the effects of 6-benzilaminopurine alone in different concentrations (1, 2 e 3 mg.L-1) the germination of zygotic embryos and the micropropagation of the explants from in vitro germinated seeds, or combined to kinetin or naphtalenacetic acid in the in vitro multiplication of the explants. The percentage of stained pollen grains above 99%, showed that no effect of the cultivars, size of the sticks flowers or aperture of the flowers was observed, indicating that pollen viability is not the cause of the low fruit formation in this species. The largest number of sprouts (7,86) was obtained in a MS medium culture enriched with 3 mg.L-1 BAP. In the absence of hormones the explants showed the highest sprouts length, roots number and length. The acclimatization of the explantes at a glasshouse presented a satisfactory rate (>80%) of plant set, and after 60 days they were ready to be transported to the field. / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O bastão do imperador (Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M. Smith) é uma planta tropical herbácea, rizomatosa e perene, que possui inflorescências belas e vistosas em diferentes tonalidades, possuindo um grande apelo ornamental. A criação de novas cultivares de bastão do imperador necessita de cruzamentos intervarietais, pela formação de frutos e sementes viáveis, os quais são raros nessa sp. Um outro problema considerável para o seu cultivo está na produção de mudas, que quando feita convencionalmente por divisão de touceiras, acarreta elevados custos e problemas fitossanitários. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a viabilidade dos grãos de pólen de inflorescências dos cultivares Red Torch, Pink Torch e Porcelana para a utilização em futuros cruzamentos intervarietais e avaliar o potencial micropropagativo do bastão do imperador. A viabilidade de grãos de pólen de inflorescências curtas, médias, e longas e em flores abertas e fechadas foi medida, corando-se os grãos com uma solução de lugol e visualizado-os em microscópio estereoscópico. Para o desenvolvimento de um protocolo para a micropropagação dessa espécie, testaram-se os efeitos da adição de 6-benzilaminopurina isolada em diferentes concentrações (1, 2 e 3 mg.L-1) na germinação de embriões e micropropagação de explantes in vitro, ou combinada com cinetina e ácido naftaleno acético na multiplicação in vitro dos explantes. A percentagem de grãos de pólen corados ficou acima de 99%, indicando que estes, independente do tipo de flor, do comprimento da haste da inflorescência e do cultivar, apresentam alta viabilidade polínica. Plantas oriundas de sementes produziram a maior média no número de brotos (7,86/mês) em meio de cultura Murashige e Skoog (MS) enriquecido com 3 mg.L-1 BAP. Na ausência de fitormônios os explantes apresentaram maior comprimento médio das brotações, maior quantidade e comprimento das raízes. A aclimatação dos explantes em casa de vegetação apresentou taxa de pegamento superior a 80%, e aos 60 dias estavam prontas para serem transferidas para o campo.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Penstemon digitalis cv Husker Red has showy flowers that have the potential to be cultivated as garden flowers as well as cut flowers. Two studies were conducted in Lincoln NE, USA. The first study was carried out to determine if treating plants of Penstemon digitalis cv. Husker Red with gibberellic acid (GA3) and vernalization (cold) periods would produce the best quality cut flowers of penstemon in the shortest possible time, in a repeatable manner. The GA3 concentrations were: 0, 100, 250 and 500 mg L-1 and the vernalization periods were 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks of cold at 5°C. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse with plants of Penstemon digitalis cv. Husker Red. There were no significant interactions between GA doses and vernalization periods. The variables: number of days to buds, number of days of plants to flowering and number of days to flowering since buds decreased after GA applications, according to the GA levels and according to the vernalization periods. The variables: plant height, number of flowers per plant and time that flowers lasted on the plants were not affected by GA3 applications neither by different vernalization periods. The second study was conducted to determine if soaking seed with gibberellic acid (GA3) would increase germination of Penstemon digitalis cv. Husker Red seed. The GA3 concentrations were: 0, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500 mg L-1 (first experiment) 0, 500, 1000 and 1500 (second experiment) and 0, 500 and 1000 (third experiment). The first and second experiments were conducted in a growth chamber while the third experiment was conducted in a growth chamber and greenhouse with seeds either covered or not covered in mix. In all experiments, gibberellic acid increased the percentage and rate of seed germination. The 1000 mg L-1 GA3 was the best treatment. Germination percentage and rate were the highest for seeds grown inside of the growth chamber probably due to the consistency of temperatures and darkness. In the greenhouse, the percentage of seeds that germinated and the rate of germination were similar regardless of whether or not the seeds were covered or uncovered and whether they received either the 500 or 1000 mg L-1 GA3 treatment. / Penstemon digitalis cv Husker Red tem flores exuberantes que possuem potencial para serem cultivadas e utilizadas tanto como flores de jardim como de corte. Foram conduzidos quatro experimentos, sendo o primeiro com o objetivo de determinar se tratamento de plantas de Penstemon digitalis cv. Husker Red com ácido (AG3) e diferentes períodos de vernalização produziriam plantas de penstemon com alta qualidade para flor de corte no mínimo intervalo de tempo possível, e de maneira que possa ser repetida. As concentrações de AG3 foram: 0, 100, 250 e 500 mg L-1 ppm e os períodos de vernalização foram: 0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 semanas de frio à 5°C. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação com plantas de Penstemon digitalis cv. Husker Red. A interação entre doses de AG3 e diferentes períodos de vernalização não foi significativa. As variáveis número de dias para a emissão de botões florais, número de dias para as plantas florescerem, e número de dias para o florescimento a partir da emissão dos botões florais decresceram após a aplicação de AG3, de acordo com os níveis de AG3 e de acordo com os períodos de vernalização. As variáveis altura da planta, número de flores por planta e tempo de permanência das flores nas hastes não foram afetadas pelas aplicações de AG3 nem pelos diferentes períodos de vernalização. Os outros três experimentos foram conduzidos como o objetivo de determinar se o tratamento de sementes de com AG3 aumentaria a germinação de sementes de Penstemon digitalis cv. Husker Red. As concentrações de AG3 utilizadas foram: 0, 10, 50, 100, 200 e 500 mg L-1 (segundo experimento) 0, 500, 1000 e 1500 (terceiro experimento) e 0, 500 e 1000 (quarto experimento). O segundo e o terceiro experimento foram conduzidos em câmara de crescimento enquanto que o quarto experimento foi conduzido em câmara de crescimento e casa de vegetação com sementes cobertas e não cobertas por substrato. Em todos os experimentos, o ácido giberélico aumentou a porcentagem e a taxa de germinação das sementes, sendo a dose de 1000 ppm de AG3 o melhor tratamento. No quarto experimento, a porcentagem bem como a taxa de germinação foram mais elevadas, nas sementes que foram mantidas em câmara de crescimento, provavelmente devido a temperatura constante e a ausência de luz. Na casa de vegetação, a porcentagem de sementes que germinaram e a taxa de germinação, foram similares, não importando se as sementes foram cobertas ou não e também similares para as doses de 500 e 1000 mg L-1 de AG3.