Genetic analysis of populations in restored and remnant forest fragment with guaçatonga (Casearia sylvestris Swartz)

• Grant number: 12/10220-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: October 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Vinícius Bohrer Monteiro Siqueira
• Grantee: Giovana Tomazela Domingues
• Host Institution: Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The preservation of genetic diversity has become, the primary objective of most conservation programs, in the last decade. The understanding of the distribution of diversity within and among natural populations is the first step to developing conservation policies and programs for effective plant breeding. In Brazil, the practice of restoration through gene enrichment is still poorly known, however, this strategy can guarantee a gain in biodiversity in degraded areas and reverse different levels of genetic erosion. The assessment of genetic variability is mainly performed by the study of molecular markers. In this project, the analysis of genetic diversity and structure of natural populations will be performed by using the technique: amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). The Casearia sylvestris, commonly known as guaçatonga, may be elected as a species of interest for restoration due to its multiple uses, including importance in ecological succession and pharmacological importance (casearins). The collections will be conducted in a remnant of semideciduous forest, Mata de Santa Genebra, in Campinas, SP, and a restoration area in the city of Cosmópolis, SP. From the data obtained it will be possible to generate population parameters to support the studies of management and conservation of the species, focusing on restoration genetics. (AU)