Anatomical leaf characterization of Astronium fraxinifolium (Anacardiaceae) submitted to nutritional stress

• Grant number: 15/00134-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Aline Redondo Martins
• Grantee: Marilaine Cristina Marques Leite
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Anacardiaceae family is characterized by having trees, shrubs and rarely herbs and lianas. It is found in tropical and subtropical environments. Astronium fraxinifolium Schott, popularly known as 'Gonçalo-Alves' is one of the tree species of Anacardiaceae the Brazilian Cerrado, presenting medical feature and used in folk medicine. It is also reported its use in construction and shipbuilding, due to its wood has a high density. Samples of A. fraxinifolium will be collected in different population in "FEPE" (Fazenda de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão - UNESP) located in Selvíria - MS. Both populations have the same age and differ because one has received the necessary nutrients for its development and another one has grown in a degraded soil and nutritional deficiency. The purpose of this study is to realize an anatomical leaf characterization of A. fraxinifolium, aiming to recognize related characters will possible anatomical adaptations sheets, related to environmental stress caused by nutritional deficiency. Leaves will be collected in the two areas of study, samples will be fixed, dehydrated, embedded in synthetic resin and sectioned for mounting histological slides and subsequent anatomical analysis for verification of changes in leaf tissues. Further analysis using histochemical tests may also be performed. In addition, Scanning electron microscopy will be used to describe the leaf cuticle and other epidermic structures. Therefore, the material will de dehydrated, dried to the critical point, metallized and analyze.