CO2-enriched atmosphere and its effects on the allocation of secondary metabolites in Psidium guajava L. cv. Pedro Sato

• Grant number: 11/09435-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2011
• End date: July 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Applied Botany
• Principal Investigator: Cláudia Maria Furlan
• Grantee: Cláudia Maria Furlan
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In the course of geological ages the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) varied greatly. There is no denying the importance of this gas to the survival of all living beings, but nowadays, given the high CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, this situation can increase temperatures and causes imbalances in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Imbalances can be classified as changes in atmospheric moisture and rainfall patterns due to a more active hydrological regime and changes in atmospheric and oceanic circulation. In general, high concentrations of CO2 can lead to increases in rates of photosynthesis, increase in biomass and biochemical changes, leading consequently, to the change in productivity of crops. Psidium guajava L. is an economically important fruit species in Brazil, in addition, has been used as a bioindicator of the presence of air pollutants such as ozone and SO2, it provides leaf injuries characteristics and pollutant dose-dependent. It is suggest to use P. guajava as an interesting species to study the responses of tropical species to elevated atmospheric CO2. Few studies have reported the effects of this gas in secondary metabolites, substances important in plant-environment interactions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of fumigation with CO2 in the composition and quantity of phenolic substances, cuticular waxes, water soluble carbohydrates and polyamines on seedlings of Psidium guajava cv. Pedro Sato. (AU)