Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:33:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EmersonMS_DISSERT.pdf: 1373965 bytes, checksum: d9da3378b86fd6f02be4935771c8e49a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-09-12 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Dormancy is an inherent property of the seeds that define the environmental conditions in which they are able to germinate and their presence is an adaptive trait common in species inhabiting semiarid regions. Moreover, the ability of seedling establishment in these environments has been related to the size, strength and chemical characteristics of the seeds. This study investigated patterns of dormancy and germination speed in tree species of the Caatinga, exploring how the seed size influence the processes of germination, seedling size and biomass allocation. In addition, we aim to investigate the chemical characteristics of the reserves, to verify a possible relationship between nutritional content and the process of seed germination. Therefore, seeds were collected from ten species of woody Caatinga for tests of breaking dormancy, germination and biochemical characterization. Overall, the results show that the scarification treatments mechanical and chemical, and thermal shock influenced the percentage and speed of germination in 50 % of the species, suggesting that they have some level of physical dormancy in the seeds. Biochemical characterization showed the existence of large amounts of carbohydrates in the seeds of all species, low proportion of protein and low amounts of neutral lipids. Using linear regression, we demonstrated the existence of a significant relationship between seed size and the ratio of root/shoot where the largest seeds invested a greater amount of resources for shoot growth. The relationship between germination speed and non-reducing sugar content was also significant, so these compounds is related to the maintenance of physiological seed quality. These results confirm some relationships discussed in the literature for cultivated species, but can be applied to the species native to the Caatinga / A dorm?ncia ? uma propriedade inerente ?s sementes que definem as condi??es ambientais em que estas s?o capazes de germinar e sua presen?a ? uma caracter?stica adaptativa comum em esp?cies que habitam regi?es semi?ridas. Al?m disso, a capacidade de estabelecimento das pl?ntulas nesses ambientes tem sido relacionada ao tamanho, vigor e caracter?sticas qu?micas de suas sementes. O presente estudo pretende verificar padr?es de dorm?ncia e velocidade de germina??o (IVG) em esp?cies arb?reas da Caatinga, explorando como o tamanho da semente influenciaria os processos de germina??o, tamanho das pl?ntulas e a aloca??o de biomassa. Al?m disso, almeja-se investigar caracter?sticas qu?micas das reservas, verificando uma poss?vel rela??o entre seu conte?do nutricional e o processo de germina??o das sementes. Para tanto, foram coletadas sementes de dez esp?cies arb?reas da Caatinga para a realiza??o dos testes de supera??o da dorm?ncia, germina??o e caracteriza??o bioqu?mica. No geral, os resultados mostram que os tratamentos de escarifica??o mec?nica e qu?mica, al?m do choque t?rmico influenciaram positivamente a porcentagem e velocidade de germina??o em 50% das esp?cies, sugerindo que estas apresentam algum n?vel de dorm?ncia f?sica em suas sementes. A caracteriza??o bioqu?mica mostrou a exist?ncia de grande quantidade de carboidratos nas sementes de todas as esp?cies, baixa propor??o de prote?na, e baixa quantidade de lip?dios neutros. Com o uso de regress?es lineares, foi demonstrada a exist?ncia de rela??o significativa entre o tamanho da semente e a raz?o raiz/parte a?rea, onde sementes as maiores investiram uma maior quantidade de recursos para o crescimento da parte a?rea. A rela??o entre o IVG e o teor de a??cares n?o redutores tamb?m se mostrou significativa, de forma que estes compostos tem rela??o com a manuten??o da qualidade fisiol?gica das sementes. Estes resultados corroboram algumas rela??es discutidas na literatura para esp?cies cultivadas, mas que podem ser aplicadas ?s esp?cies nativas da Caatinga

A ferrugem asiática da soja (FAS) foi constatada pela primeira vez no Brasil em 2000/2001, tendo desde então ocasionado elevados prejuízos aos sojicultores. O emprego de cultivares geneticamente resistentes/tolerantes é um componente fundamental de um programa integrado para controle desta doença. A pesquisa tem encontrado muita dificuldade, pois o fungo Phakopsora pachyrhizi apresenta grande variabilidade patogênica e as poucas fontes de resistência/tolerância disponíveis não são adaptadas às condições brasileiras. O objetivo geral do presente estudo foi avaliar a performance de linhagens experimentais de soja derivadas de cruzamentos entre genitores tolerantes à ferrugem asiática, com a finalidade de incrementar a tolerância a FAS. Os experimentos foram conduzidos durante os anos agrícolas 2008-09, 2009-10 e 2010-11, nas Estações Experimentais Anhumas e Areão e na sede (ESALQ), áreas estas pertencentes à Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\" e situadas no município de Piracicaba - SP. Os experimentos com as progênies nas gerações F2:4, F2:5 e F2:6 foram delineados em blocos aumentados de Federer, sendo cada experimento subdividido em conjuntos experimentais com testemunhas comuns. Para estimar o efeito ferrugem e o nível de tolerância de cada genótipo a FAS, em cada local e ano agrícola, foram conduzidos dois experimentos com aplicações de fungicidas diferentes: no primeiro experimento aplicou-se fungicida para controle apenas das doenças de final de ciclo (DFC), enquanto que no segundo experimento, foi aplicado fungicida com princípios ativos para o controle tanto das DFC quanto da FAS. Nos experimentos com controle de DFC e FAS houve tendência de médias maiores para PG e PCS. A metodologia do contraste de reações das plantas a fungicidas distintos foi eficiente em estimar o efeito ferrugem e a reação de cada genótipo a FAS. A pressão do fungo da FAS sobre as progênies variou entre os anos agrícolas, tendo sido maior em 2009-10. O local Anhumas destacou-se entre os demais, possibilitando altas médias de produtividade de grãos (PG) em todos os anos agrícolas avaliados. Este ambiente também mostrou-se apropriado para estimar o efeito ferrugem. Os genitores 1 (USP 04-18.032) e 5 (USP 11-38) foram os que originaram as progênies mais precoces e os genitores 3 (USP 97-08.135) e 10 (USP 191-104-11) as progênies mais tardias. Os genitores 8 (USP 191-102-03) e 10 (USP 191-104-11) foram os que mais contribuíram para elevadas médias de PG e peso de cem sementes (PCS). Já o genitor 4 (BUSP 16-015) destacou-se na média de PG, além de ter apresentado valor alto de capacidade média de combinação para PG, na média dos três anos agrícolas. O cruzamento 7x10 (USP 14-06-20 x USP 191-104-11) destacou-se originando o maior número de progênies com desempenho superior em PG e tolerância a FAS. Por outro lado, os genitores 1 (USP 04-18.032), 3 (USP 97-08.135) e 9 (USP 191-103-12) foram os que menos contribuíram para a geração de progênies com alta PG. Houve variação entre as progênies dentro de cruzamentos para as estimativas dos parâmetros de adaptabilidade e estabilidade fenotípica. Consequentemente, as progênies 231- 2224-12 (6x8 = USP 97-10.046 x USP 191-102-03), 231-6127-06 (1x8 = USP 04- 18.032 x USP 191-102-03) e 231-1120-08 (7x10 = USP 14-06-20 x USP 191-104-11) foram as mais indicadas para a seleção recorrente para tolerância a FAS. / The Asian soybean rust (FAS) was reported for the first time in Brazil in 2000/2001 and has since caused considerable damage to soybean crops. The use of genetically resistant cultivars is a key component of an integrated program to control this disease. In the researches has been found many difficulties because the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi shows great variability in pathogenicity and the small number of sources of resistance that are available has no adaptability to Brazilian environmental conditions. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of experimental soybean lines derived from crosses among soybean rust tolerant parents, in order to increase the horizontal resistance (tolerance). The experiments were conducted during the crop years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11, in three experimental stations (Anhumas, Areão and ESALQ), areas belonging to the College of Agriculture \"Luiz de Queiroz\" and located within the municipality of Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The experiments with progenies in generations F2:4, F2:5 and F2:6 were designed in augmented block of Federer, with each experiment divided into sets with common checks. In order to estimate the effect of FAS and the level of tolerance of each genotype to FAS, in each location and crop year, there was conducted two experiments with applications of different fungicides: in the first experiment was applied one fungicide for controlling only the soybean late season leaf diseases (DFC), while in the second experiment were applied one fungicides with active principles for controlling DFC as well as FAS. In the experiments with control of DFC and FAS there was tendency of superior means for PG and PCS. The methodology of contrasting the plant reactions to different fungicides was effective for estimating the effect of FAS and the level of tolerance of each genotype to FAS. The pressure of the fungal FAS on progenies ranged among crop years, being highest in 2009-10. The location Anhumas stood out among the rest, enabling high average seed yield (PG) in all evaluated crop years; this environment also proved to be suitable for estimating the rust effect. The parents 1 (USP 04-18032) and 5 (USP 11-38) were those that originated the earliest progenies and parents 3 (USP 97-08135) and 10 (USP 191-104-11) the later progenies. The parents 8 (USP 191-102-03) and 10 (USP 191-104-11) were the main contributors to higher average PG and one hundred seed weight (PSC). However, the parent 4 ( BUSP 16-015 ) exceeded for PG, besides also have presented high value of average combining ability for PG, in average of the three crop years. The cross 7x10 (USP 14-06-20 x USP 191-104-11) stood out by originating the highest number of progenies with superior performance in PG and tolerance to FAS. On the other hand, the parents 1 (USP 04-18 032), 3 (USP 97-08 135), and 9 (USP 191-103-12) have contributed with the smallest number of superior progenies in PG. There was variation among progenies within cross, for the estimates of adaptability and phenotypic stability parameters. Consequently, the progenies 231-2224-12 (6x8 = USP 97-10 046 x USP 191-102-03), 231-6127-06 (1x8 = USP 04-18 032 x USP 191- 102-03), and 231-1120 - 08 (7x10 = USP 14-06-20 x USP 191-104-11) were the most suitable for the utilization as parents in the recurrent selection for tolerance to FAS.

La germination est un processus clé qui conditionne la régénération des plantes dans leur milieu ainsi que leur distribution. Connaître les conditions thermique et hydrique qui permettent aux plantes de germer est un préalable nécessaire à l’identification des menaces qui pèsent sur elles et tout particulièrement dans un contexte de changement climatique. Les modèles en temps thermique et temps hydrique permettent de prédire la phénologie de germination sur le terrain en fonction des conditions climatiques dans l’environnement de la graine dépassant des valeurs seuil de température et de potentiel hydrique de base, Tb et Ψb (i.e. respectivement la température minimale et le potentiel hydrique minimum permettant la germination).Dans ce travail de thèse, il est donc question d’étudier l’écophysiologie de la germination à l’aide de ces modèles à deux échelles taxonomiques : (i) celle des plantes à graines et (ii) à l’échelle du genre Silene de la région PACA. Dans les deux cas le but est d’évaluer les contraintes évolutives des traits de réponse au climat de la germination ainsi que leurs liens avec les contraintes morphologiques et phénologiques des plantesLes résultats de cette thèse montrent un fort signal phylogénétique des traits de germination de la température de base et une plus grande labilité pour le potentiel hydrique de base quelle que soit l’échelle taxonomique considérée. En revanche, les liens avec les traits des plantes, tels que la masse des graines, sont plus variables et dépendent à la fois de l’origine biogéographique et de la longévité des espèces. / Germination is a key process in plant reproduction, a critical and irreversible phase conditioning the regeneration and distribution of plants. Understanding how temperature and water act on germination, is major step prior to identify risks plants may undergo under warming climate. Thermal time and hydrotime modelling of germination are useful tools to predict germination in the field as a function of climatic conditions above threshold value of temperature and water potential (respectively base temperature, Tb, and base water potential, Ψb) in a seed’s environment. This PhD thesis aimed at studying germination ecophysiology at two contrasted taxonomic scales: (i) for all seed plants and (ii) at the restricted level of the genus Silene in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region. In both cases the objective was to evaluate evolutionary implications of the germination traits, Tb and Ψb and their link with plant morphological and phenological constraints. This work is structured in three parts : (I) Temperature but not moisture response of germination shows phylogenetic contraints while both interact with seed mass and life span ; (II) Germination ecophysiology in the Silene genus : thermal time and hydrotime models ; (III) Comparative ecology of Silene germination : relation with plant traits and climate.The mains results of this work show strong evidences of phylogenetic signal in base temperature and greater lability for base water potential at both taxonomic scales. The links with plant traits such as seed mass depend on biogeographical origins and life span.

<p>Izvod<br />IZ<br />Pet hibrida suncokreta (Sremac, Oliva, Cepko, NS-H-111 i Sumo 2 OR) gajena su tokom<br />vegetacionih sezona 2010. i 2011. godine na oglednom polju Instituta za ratarstvo i<br />povrtarstvo, Novi Sad, na Rimskim &scaron;ančevima i na oglednom polju Poljoprivredne stručne<br />službe Zrenjanin. Laboratorijski deo ogleda izveden je u Laboratoriji za ispitivanje semena<br />Instituta za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo iz Novog Sada i Biohemijskoj laboratoriji<br />Poljoprivrednog fakulteta u Novom Sadu. Cilj istraživanja je bio da se utvrdi da li semenski<br />materijal, poreklom sa istog lokaliteta i iste parcele, u procesu dorade semena tj. odvajanja<br />semena po frakcijama menja kvalitet, kao i da li ovakav način dorade semenskog materijala<br />utiče na prinos i komponente prinosa semena, kao i na sadržaj i prinos ulja odabranih<br />hibrida suncokreta. Takođe, cilj je bio i da se utvrdi da li nedostatak primarnog korena kod<br />ponika suncokreta dovodi do statistički značajnog smanjenja prinosa semena i ulja, kao i<br />kakav uticaj ima na komponente prinosa suncokreta. Analizirane su sledeće osobine:<br />klijavost i vigor semena, enzimska aktivnost, nicanje u polju, nakupljanje suve materije (po<br />biljnim organima i ukupno po biljci), visina stabla, prečnik glave, prinos semena, masa 1000<br />semena, sadržaj ulja i prinos ulja. Statistička obrada podataka izvr&scaron;ena je primenom analize<br />varijanse trofaktorijalnog ogleda, prema modelu podeljenih parcela. Iz tabele analize<br />varijanse je prikazana verovatnoća značajnosti razlika po F-testu, a na osnovu uče&scaron;ća u<br />sumi kvadrata tretmana određen je procentualni udeo svakog faktora u ukupnoj<br />varijabilnosti. Takođe su izračunate i LSD vrednosti za poređenje razlika između tretmana<br />posmatranog faktora, na pragovima značajnosti od 1 i 5%. Utvrđena je i korelaciona<br />zavisnost posmatranih osobina. Rezultati analize varijanse pokazali su visoko značajno<br />uče&scaron;će glavnih faktora (godine, lokaliteta, frakcije semena, tipa ponika), kao i njihovih<br />međusobnih interakcija za većinu ispitivanih osobina. Na vrednosti ispitivanih osobina<br />najveći uticaj imala je godina istraživanja, a zatim lokalitet. Frakcija semena je imala visoko<br />značajan uticaj na klijavost semena, nicanje u polju, nakupljanje suve materije, prinos<br />semena i prinos ulja. Tip ponika je imao visoko značajan uticaj na enzimsku aktivnost</p> / <p>Five sunflower hybrids (Sremac, Oliva, Cepko, NS-H-111, and Sumo 2 OR) were grown in<br />2010 and 2011, on experimental fields of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Novi<br />Sad - Rimski &Scaron;ančevi, and experimental fields of the Agricultural Service Zrenjanin.<br />Laboratory tests were conducted at Laboratory for Seed Testing of the Institute of Field<br />and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad, and Biochemical Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture,<br />University of Novi Sad. The aim of this research was to determine whether seed material<br />from the same locality and the same field lot changes quality during seed processing, i.e.<br />dividing seed lot into fractions, and additionally whether this type of seed processing<br />affects seed yield, seed yield components, oil yield, and oil content of the selected<br />sunflower hybrids. The aim was also to determine if missing primary root in sunflower<br />seedlings results in statistically significant decrease of seed and oil yield, and establish how<br />it influences sunflower yield components. The following traits were examined: seed<br />germination and vigour, enzymatic activity, field emergence, dry matter accumulation (in<br />plant organs and in the whole plant), stem height, head diameter, seed yield, 1000 seed<br />mass, oil content and oil yield. Statistical analysis of data was performed by analysis of<br />variance of the trifactorial trial using the split-plot design model. Table of analysis of<br />variance shows the probability of significance of differences by F-test, and based on the<br />participation in the treatment sum of squares, percentage ratio of each factor was<br />calculated in the total variability. LSD values at 1 and 5% were computed to compare<br />differences between treatments of the observed factor. Correlation dependence between<br />the observed traits was determined. Results of the analysis of variance showed a highly<br />significant participation of the main factors (year, locality, seed fraction, type of seedling),<br />and their mutual interactions for the majority of the examined traits. Year and locality had<br />the highest effect on the value of the examined traits. Seed fraction had highly significant<br />effect on seed germination, emergence, dry matter accumulation, seed yield, and oil yield.<br />Type of seedling had a highly significant effect on the enzymatic activity, seed yield, oil<br />content, and oil yield.</p>

<p>Conservatism is a central theme of organismic evolution. Related species share characteristics due to their common ancestry. Some concern have been raised among evolutionary biologists, whether such conservatism is an expression of natural selection or of a constrained ability to adapt.</p><p>This thesis explores adaptations and constraints within the plant reproductive phase, particularly in relation to the evolution of fleshy fruit types (berries, drupes, etc.) and the seasonal timing of flowering and fruiting. The different studies were arranged along a hierarchy of scale, with general data sets sampled among seed plants at the global scale, through more specific analyses of character evolution within the genus <i>Rhamnus </i>s.l. L. (Rhamnaceae), to descriptive and experimental field studies in a local population of <i>Frangula alnus</i> (Rhamnaceae). Apart from the field study, this thesis is mainly based on comparative methods explicitly incorporating phylogenetic relationships. The comparative study of <i>Rhamnus</i> s.l. species included the reconstruction of phylogenetic hypotheses based on DNA sequences.</p><p>Among geographically overlapping sister clades, biotic pollination was not correlated with higher species richness when compared to wind pollinated plants. Among woody plants, clades characterized by fleshy fruit types were more species rich than their dry-fruited sister clades, suggesting that the fleshy fruit is a key innovation in woody habitats. Moreover, evolution of fleshy fruits was correlated with a change to more closed (darker) habitats.</p><p>An independent contrast study within <i>Rhamnus</i> s.l. documented allometric relations between plant and fruit size. As a phylogenetic constraint, allometric effects must be considered weak or non-existent, though, as they did not prevail among different subclades within <i>Rhamnus</i> s.l. Fruit size was correlated with seed size and seed number in <i>F. alnus</i>. This thesis suggests that frugivore selection on fleshy fruit may be important by constraining the upper limits of fruit size, when a plant lineage is colonizing (darker) habitats where larger seed size is adaptive.</p><p>Phenological correlations with fruit set, dispersal, and seed size in <i>F. alnus</i>, suggested that the evolution of reproductive phenology is constrained by trade-offs and partial interdependences between flowering, fruiting, dispersal, and recruitment phases. Phylogenetic constraints on the evolution of phenology were indicated by a lack of correlation between flowering time and seasonal length within <i>Rhamnus cathartica</i> and <i>F. alnus</i>, respectively. On the other hand, flowering time was correlated with seasonal length among <i>Rhamnus</i> s.l. species. Phenological differences between biotically and wind pollinated angiosperms also suggested adaptive change in reproductive phenology.</p> / <p>Äpplet faller inte långt från trädet. Men varför? Den biologiska mångfalden präglas i stor utsträckning av fylogenetiskt bevarade karaktärsdrag; närbesläktade arter är lika. Det pågår en diskussion bland evolutionsbiologer om i vilken utsträckning denna konservatism är ett resultat av naturlig selektion eller av en begränsad anpassningsförmåga.</p><p>Denna avhandling diskuterar begreppet evolutionära begränsningar i relation till den reproduktiva fasen hos växter. I fokus ligger särskilt evolutionen av bärliknande (endozoochora) frukter respektive evolutionen av säsongsmässiga mönster (fenologi) för blomning och fruktsättning. Avhandlingen är hierarkiskt organiserad så att olika delstudier gjordes på olika skalnivåer: fenologi- och fruktevolution analyserades för fröväxter respektive gömfröiga växter; inom brakvedssläktena Rhamnus och Frangula (Rhamnaceae); samt för en lokal population av brakved (Frangula alnus). Populationsstudien baserades på såväl experimentella som deskriptiva data, medan övriga studier i huvudsak genomfördes med fylogenetisk komparativ metodik baserade på litteraturdata. Som en del av de komparativa studierna rekonstruerades fylogenetiska hypoteser för Rhamnus s.l. utifrån DNA-sekvenser (ITS, trnL-F), vilka gav stöd för att Frangula och Rhamnus är monofyletiska systersläkten.</p><p>I en biogeografiskt kontrollerad fylogenetisk kontrastanalys upptäcktes inga skillnader i artrikedom mellan djur- och vindpollinerade växter. Bärliknande frukter verkar dock vara en betydelsefull karaktär (key innovation) i skogsmiljöer. För det första var fylogenetiska klader med bärliknande frukter mer artrika än systerklader med torra frukter. Dessutom var uppkomster av bärliknande frukt korrelerad till habitat med mer sluten vegetation.</p><p>En fylogenetisk kontrastanalys av allometriska effekter visade på en positiv korrelation mellan växtindividens och fruktens storlek inom Rhamnus s.l. Upprepade analyser av dessa allometriska samband i olika monofyletiska subklader inom Rhamnus s.l. indikerar dock att allometri, såsom evolutionär begränsning, är svag. I populationsstudien av F. alnus var fruktstorlek positivt korrelerad till såväl fröantal som frövikt. En generell hypotes utifrån denna avhandling blir därför att frugivorer (de djur som äter bären och därmed sprider växtens frön) utövar ett starkt selektionstryck på växter som koloniserar ett habitat där fröstorlek är adaptivt, eftersom fruktstorlek påverkar frugivorernas (ssk. fåglars) sätt att hantera frukten.</p><p>Reproduktiv fenologi var korrelerad till fruktsättning, fröspridning och fröstorlek hos F. alnus. Detta stödjer tanken att evolutionen av blomnings- och fruktsättningstider begränsas av avvägningar (trade-offs) och partiella beroenden mellan blomning-, fruktsättnings-, spridnings och rekryteringsfaserna. Inomartsvariation i blomningstid för F. alnus respektive getapel (Rhamnus cathartica) över en nordeuropeisk latitudinell transekt var inte korrelerad till säsongslängd, vilket antyder att utvecklingen av blomningstider är evolutionärt begränsad. Å andra sidan påvisades en sådan korrelation mellan blomningstid och säsongslängd i en mellanartsstudie inom Rhamnus s.l. Den fylogenetiska kontrastanalysen mellan djur- och vindpollinerade växter visade också på adaptiva skillnader i fenologi. Blomningstiderna inom en klad med biotiskt pollinerade arter var mer åtskilda än inom den vindpollinerade systerkladen, och den välkända iakttagelsen att vindpollinerade träd blommor tidigare på säsongen fick även stöd i ett fylogenetiskt komparativt perspektiv.</p>

Conservatism is a central theme of organismic evolution. Related species share characteristics due to their common ancestry. Some concern have been raised among evolutionary biologists, whether such conservatism is an expression of natural selection or of a constrained ability to adapt. This thesis explores adaptations and constraints within the plant reproductive phase, particularly in relation to the evolution of fleshy fruit types (berries, drupes, etc.) and the seasonal timing of flowering and fruiting. The different studies were arranged along a hierarchy of scale, with general data sets sampled among seed plants at the global scale, through more specific analyses of character evolution within the genus Rhamnus s.l. L. (Rhamnaceae), to descriptive and experimental field studies in a local population of Frangula alnus (Rhamnaceae). Apart from the field study, this thesis is mainly based on comparative methods explicitly incorporating phylogenetic relationships. The comparative study of Rhamnus s.l. species included the reconstruction of phylogenetic hypotheses based on DNA sequences. Among geographically overlapping sister clades, biotic pollination was not correlated with higher species richness when compared to wind pollinated plants. Among woody plants, clades characterized by fleshy fruit types were more species rich than their dry-fruited sister clades, suggesting that the fleshy fruit is a key innovation in woody habitats. Moreover, evolution of fleshy fruits was correlated with a change to more closed (darker) habitats. An independent contrast study within Rhamnus s.l. documented allometric relations between plant and fruit size. As a phylogenetic constraint, allometric effects must be considered weak or non-existent, though, as they did not prevail among different subclades within Rhamnus s.l. Fruit size was correlated with seed size and seed number in F. alnus. This thesis suggests that frugivore selection on fleshy fruit may be important by constraining the upper limits of fruit size, when a plant lineage is colonizing (darker) habitats where larger seed size is adaptive. Phenological correlations with fruit set, dispersal, and seed size in F. alnus, suggested that the evolution of reproductive phenology is constrained by trade-offs and partial interdependences between flowering, fruiting, dispersal, and recruitment phases. Phylogenetic constraints on the evolution of phenology were indicated by a lack of correlation between flowering time and seasonal length within Rhamnus cathartica and F. alnus, respectively. On the other hand, flowering time was correlated with seasonal length among Rhamnus s.l. species. Phenological differences between biotically and wind pollinated angiosperms also suggested adaptive change in reproductive phenology. / Äpplet faller inte långt från trädet. Men varför? Den biologiska mångfalden präglas i stor utsträckning av fylogenetiskt bevarade karaktärsdrag; närbesläktade arter är lika. Det pågår en diskussion bland evolutionsbiologer om i vilken utsträckning denna konservatism är ett resultat av naturlig selektion eller av en begränsad anpassningsförmåga. Denna avhandling diskuterar begreppet evolutionära begränsningar i relation till den reproduktiva fasen hos växter. I fokus ligger särskilt evolutionen av bärliknande (endozoochora) frukter respektive evolutionen av säsongsmässiga mönster (fenologi) för blomning och fruktsättning. Avhandlingen är hierarkiskt organiserad så att olika delstudier gjordes på olika skalnivåer: fenologi- och fruktevolution analyserades för fröväxter respektive gömfröiga växter; inom brakvedssläktena Rhamnus och Frangula (Rhamnaceae); samt för en lokal population av brakved (Frangula alnus). Populationsstudien baserades på såväl experimentella som deskriptiva data, medan övriga studier i huvudsak genomfördes med fylogenetisk komparativ metodik baserade på litteraturdata. Som en del av de komparativa studierna rekonstruerades fylogenetiska hypoteser för Rhamnus s.l. utifrån DNA-sekvenser (ITS, trnL-F), vilka gav stöd för att Frangula och Rhamnus är monofyletiska systersläkten. I en biogeografiskt kontrollerad fylogenetisk kontrastanalys upptäcktes inga skillnader i artrikedom mellan djur- och vindpollinerade växter. Bärliknande frukter verkar dock vara en betydelsefull karaktär (key innovation) i skogsmiljöer. För det första var fylogenetiska klader med bärliknande frukter mer artrika än systerklader med torra frukter. Dessutom var uppkomster av bärliknande frukt korrelerad till habitat med mer sluten vegetation. En fylogenetisk kontrastanalys av allometriska effekter visade på en positiv korrelation mellan växtindividens och fruktens storlek inom Rhamnus s.l. Upprepade analyser av dessa allometriska samband i olika monofyletiska subklader inom Rhamnus s.l. indikerar dock att allometri, såsom evolutionär begränsning, är svag. I populationsstudien av F. alnus var fruktstorlek positivt korrelerad till såväl fröantal som frövikt. En generell hypotes utifrån denna avhandling blir därför att frugivorer (de djur som äter bären och därmed sprider växtens frön) utövar ett starkt selektionstryck på växter som koloniserar ett habitat där fröstorlek är adaptivt, eftersom fruktstorlek påverkar frugivorernas (ssk. fåglars) sätt att hantera frukten. Reproduktiv fenologi var korrelerad till fruktsättning, fröspridning och fröstorlek hos F. alnus. Detta stödjer tanken att evolutionen av blomnings- och fruktsättningstider begränsas av avvägningar (trade-offs) och partiella beroenden mellan blomning-, fruktsättnings-, spridnings och rekryteringsfaserna. Inomartsvariation i blomningstid för F. alnus respektive getapel (Rhamnus cathartica) över en nordeuropeisk latitudinell transekt var inte korrelerad till säsongslängd, vilket antyder att utvecklingen av blomningstider är evolutionärt begränsad. Å andra sidan påvisades en sådan korrelation mellan blomningstid och säsongslängd i en mellanartsstudie inom Rhamnus s.l. Den fylogenetiska kontrastanalysen mellan djur- och vindpollinerade växter visade också på adaptiva skillnader i fenologi. Blomningstiderna inom en klad med biotiskt pollinerade arter var mer åtskilda än inom den vindpollinerade systerkladen, och den välkända iakttagelsen att vindpollinerade träd blommor tidigare på säsongen fick även stöd i ett fylogenetiskt komparativt perspektiv.

A ferrugem asiática da soja (FAS) foi constatada pela primeira vez no Brasil em 2000/2001, tendo desde então ocasionado elevados prejuízos aos sojicultores. O emprego de cultivares geneticamente resistentes/tolerantes é um componente fundamental de um programa integrado para controle desta doença. A pesquisa tem encontrado muita dificuldade, pois o fungo Phakopsora pachyrhizi apresenta grande variabilidade patogênica e as poucas fontes de resistência/tolerância disponíveis não são adaptadas às condições brasileiras. O objetivo geral do presente estudo foi avaliar a performance de linhagens experimentais de soja derivadas de cruzamentos entre genitores tolerantes à ferrugem asiática, com a finalidade de incrementar a tolerância a FAS. Os experimentos foram conduzidos durante os anos agrícolas 2008-09, 2009-10 e 2010-11, nas Estações Experimentais Anhumas e Areão e na sede (ESALQ), áreas estas pertencentes à Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\" e situadas no município de Piracicaba - SP. Os experimentos com as progênies nas gerações F2:4, F2:5 e F2:6 foram delineados em blocos aumentados de Federer, sendo cada experimento subdividido em conjuntos experimentais com testemunhas comuns. Para estimar o efeito ferrugem e o nível de tolerância de cada genótipo a FAS, em cada local e ano agrícola, foram conduzidos dois experimentos com aplicações de fungicidas diferentes: no primeiro experimento aplicou-se fungicida para controle apenas das doenças de final de ciclo (DFC), enquanto que no segundo experimento, foi aplicado fungicida com princípios ativos para o controle tanto das DFC quanto da FAS. Nos experimentos com controle de DFC e FAS houve tendência de médias maiores para PG e PCS. A metodologia do contraste de reações das plantas a fungicidas distintos foi eficiente em estimar o efeito ferrugem e a reação de cada genótipo a FAS. A pressão do fungo da FAS sobre as progênies variou entre os anos agrícolas, tendo sido maior em 2009-10. O local Anhumas destacou-se entre os demais, possibilitando altas médias de produtividade de grãos (PG) em todos os anos agrícolas avaliados. Este ambiente também mostrou-se apropriado para estimar o efeito ferrugem. Os genitores 1 (USP 04-18.032) e 5 (USP 11-38) foram os que originaram as progênies mais precoces e os genitores 3 (USP 97-08.135) e 10 (USP 191-104-11) as progênies mais tardias. Os genitores 8 (USP 191-102-03) e 10 (USP 191-104-11) foram os que mais contribuíram para elevadas médias de PG e peso de cem sementes (PCS). Já o genitor 4 (BUSP 16-015) destacou-se na média de PG, além de ter apresentado valor alto de capacidade média de combinação para PG, na média dos três anos agrícolas. O cruzamento 7x10 (USP 14-06-20 x USP 191-104-11) destacou-se originando o maior número de progênies com desempenho superior em PG e tolerância a FAS. Por outro lado, os genitores 1 (USP 04-18.032), 3 (USP 97-08.135) e 9 (USP 191-103-12) foram os que menos contribuíram para a geração de progênies com alta PG. Houve variação entre as progênies dentro de cruzamentos para as estimativas dos parâmetros de adaptabilidade e estabilidade fenotípica. Consequentemente, as progênies 231- 2224-12 (6x8 = USP 97-10.046 x USP 191-102-03), 231-6127-06 (1x8 = USP 04- 18.032 x USP 191-102-03) e 231-1120-08 (7x10 = USP 14-06-20 x USP 191-104-11) foram as mais indicadas para a seleção recorrente para tolerância a FAS. / The Asian soybean rust (FAS) was reported for the first time in Brazil in 2000/2001 and has since caused considerable damage to soybean crops. The use of genetically resistant cultivars is a key component of an integrated program to control this disease. In the researches has been found many difficulties because the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi shows great variability in pathogenicity and the small number of sources of resistance that are available has no adaptability to Brazilian environmental conditions. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of experimental soybean lines derived from crosses among soybean rust tolerant parents, in order to increase the horizontal resistance (tolerance). The experiments were conducted during the crop years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11, in three experimental stations (Anhumas, Areão and ESALQ), areas belonging to the College of Agriculture \"Luiz de Queiroz\" and located within the municipality of Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The experiments with progenies in generations F2:4, F2:5 and F2:6 were designed in augmented block of Federer, with each experiment divided into sets with common checks. In order to estimate the effect of FAS and the level of tolerance of each genotype to FAS, in each location and crop year, there was conducted two experiments with applications of different fungicides: in the first experiment was applied one fungicide for controlling only the soybean late season leaf diseases (DFC), while in the second experiment were applied one fungicides with active principles for controlling DFC as well as FAS. In the experiments with control of DFC and FAS there was tendency of superior means for PG and PCS. The methodology of contrasting the plant reactions to different fungicides was effective for estimating the effect of FAS and the level of tolerance of each genotype to FAS. The pressure of the fungal FAS on progenies ranged among crop years, being highest in 2009-10. The location Anhumas stood out among the rest, enabling high average seed yield (PG) in all evaluated crop years; this environment also proved to be suitable for estimating the rust effect. The parents 1 (USP 04-18032) and 5 (USP 11-38) were those that originated the earliest progenies and parents 3 (USP 97-08135) and 10 (USP 191-104-11) the later progenies. The parents 8 (USP 191-102-03) and 10 (USP 191-104-11) were the main contributors to higher average PG and one hundred seed weight (PSC). However, the parent 4 ( BUSP 16-015 ) exceeded for PG, besides also have presented high value of average combining ability for PG, in average of the three crop years. The cross 7x10 (USP 14-06-20 x USP 191-104-11) stood out by originating the highest number of progenies with superior performance in PG and tolerance to FAS. On the other hand, the parents 1 (USP 04-18 032), 3 (USP 97-08 135), and 9 (USP 191-103-12) have contributed with the smallest number of superior progenies in PG. There was variation among progenies within cross, for the estimates of adaptability and phenotypic stability parameters. Consequently, the progenies 231-2224-12 (6x8 = USP 97-10 046 x USP 191-102-03), 231-6127-06 (1x8 = USP 04-18 032 x USP 191- 102-03), and 231-1120 - 08 (7x10 = USP 14-06-20 x USP 191-104-11) were the most suitable for the utilization as parents in the recurrent selection for tolerance to FAS.

No description available.

MSCAGR (Plant Production) / Department of Plant Production / Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an excellent utilizer of residual soil moisture in agricultural ecosystems. However, its seed quality and hence reproduction is constrained by water stress, seed size and storage conditions. This study was carried out at the University of KwaZulu- Natal (UKZN), Pietermaritzburg Campus. It was conducted to evaluate the performance of chickpea genotypes (Desi-K, Saina-K and ICCV-K) with different seed sizes on seedling emergence (i), seed ageing effect on seed quality and imbibition of genotypes produced under water stressed and non-stressed conditions (ii), and (iii) the effect of water stress during seed development on sugars and protein accumulation, germination and seed vigour. Pot experiments were conducted under glasshouse / tunnel conditions at the Controlled Environment Facilities (CEF). The experiment for objective 1 was laid out as a single factor in completely randomized design (CRD). Data on emergence rate, final hypocotyl and complete emergence was collected. The small seeded Desi-K showed higher and faster emergence compared to medium sized Saina-K and large seeded ICCV-K. In the experiment of the second objective, seeds of the three genotypes were first obtained by production under water stressed and non-stressed growing conditions. They were then aged for 0, 1, 3, 5, or 7 days at 41 ºC and 100% relative humidity to form a 2 x 3 x 5 (water levels x genotypes x ageing) factorial design. Data was collected on germination percentage (GP), mean germination time (MGT), electrical conductivity (EC), tetrazolium chloride test (TZ) and imbibition weight. Seed ageing caused progressive loss of seed viability and vigour in all genotypes, which resulted in lower GP, delayed MGT, reduced TZ staining, cell death and high solute leakage from the seeds produced under the two water regimes. However, the effect was more severe under water stressed conditions. In the experiment for objective 3, seeds of all three genotypes were larger when grown under non-stressed condition compared to those under water stressed condition. These larger seeds had higher seed viability and germination percentage but lower electrical conductivity and mean germination time. Stressed seeds had higher soluble sugars than non-stressed seeds. It was deduced that irrigation during seed development reduces the final sugars and protein content but increases the seed size and physiological quality parameters allied to production of chickpea. Therefore, water provision to chickpea crop is critical during seed development. / NRF