Embryology of species of Asteraceae in the Cerrado lato sensu

• Grant number: 03/06490-8
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2004
• End date: June 30, 2007
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany
• Principal Investigator: Simone de Pádua Teixeira
• Grantee: Simone de Pádua Teixeira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Asteraceae family is fairly representative of the flora in the Brazilian Cerrado, with around 540 species registered. Its representatives present developed root system, with the formation of rhizomes, xylopodes and adventitious buds occurring frequently, in the secondary roots. The rhizophores, especially, in addition to the reserve function, lend themselves to vegetative propagation, a phenomenon observed in disturbed environments, principally through the action of fire. Vegetative propagation has been considered one of the most viable forms of the multiplication of Asteraceae, which generates doubts as to the role of seeds. Thus, this work seeks to test whether the type of propagation adopted by the species is related to its fertility, by means of a comparative study of the embryology of species of Asteraceae in the Cerrado. To this end, we chose pairs of species belonging to the same genus, in tribes not related phylogenetically, one with predominantly vegetative propagation (presence of rhizophores) and another with predominantly sexual propagation. Buds, flowers and achenes in various stages of development will be collected in areas of the Cerrado in the State of São Paulo and subjected to treatment for studies of (1) viability tests of the tetrads, of the pollen grain, of the embryo and of the achene, (2) development of the grain of pollen, of the embryo, of the endosperm and the seed-coat, and (3) ultra-structure of the pollen grain. The results found will make it possible to evaluate the occurrence of rhizophores in these species associated with the decrease in the fertility, which would suggest a substitution of sexual reproduction by vegetative propagation. In addition, the results will generate information on the reproductive potential of the species, assisting projects in conservation of the flora of the Cerrado. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TEIXEIRA, SIMONE DE PADUA; CAPUCHO, LIANA CARNEIRO; MACHADO, SILVIA RODRIGUES. Two novel reports of semidry stigmatic surface in Asteraceae. FLORA, v. 206, n. 4, p. 328-333, 2011. (03/06490-8)