Reproductive biology and seed quality of Nidularium minutum Mez

• Grant number: 22/07513-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2022
• End date: May 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Applied Botany
• Principal Investigator: Cynthia Fernandes Pinto da Luz
• Grantee: Thauane Santos Gomes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais (IPA). Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/50341-0 - Challenges for biodiversity conservation facing climate changes, pollution, land use and occupation (PDIp), AP.PDIP

Abstract

Nidularium minutum Mez (Bromeliaceae) is a rhizomatous terrestrial herbaceous plant, about 30 to 40 cm high, endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Serra de Paranapiacaba. The species blooms annually, with greater intensity every four years. A small number of fruits were found in individuals of the species in its natural range and studies on its reproductive biology are lacking. The study of the reproductive biology of Nidularium minutum is essential for the discussion of its survival in the natural environment, susceptibility to environmental changes and ability to produce seeds with quality and vigor, increasing the genetic variability of lots. The objectives of the present study will be to evaluate the phenology and reproductive biology, pollination and quality of seeds produced by Nidularium minutum in hand pollination experiments in a greenhouse and to observe the occurrence of pollinators and the production of fruits and seeds in an area of natural vegetation. of the Environmental Research Institute. Furthermore, we intend to evaluate the impact of temperature increase in a future context of global climate change on pollen morphology and pollen carbohydrate content of plants subjected to heat stress under controlled conditions in growth chambers. (AU)