Can fire modulate morphophysiological parameters of the ontogeny of the underground system in legumes? Integrative study on a typical species from tropical savannas

• Grant number: 24/09189-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Plant Morphology
• Principal Investigator: Aline Redondo Martins
• Grantee: Bruno Bonadio Cozin
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Plants from savanna environments commonly present adaptations, such as underground organs/systems that store both resprouting buds and energy reserves. Integrative studies that describe the ontogeny of underground systems linked to morphophysiological parameters are very rare in the literature, and can provide accurate data not only to correctly classify them, but also to understand the development, evolution and ecology of plants in response to disturbances, especially about of how fire can modulate the formation of underground systems. Legumes present themselves as an excellent model for such research, due to the high number of species and adaptations of this family in savannas. The objective of the project is to evaluate in an integrative way the morphophysiological aspects in the formation of the underground organs of Macropsychanthus bicolor (Benth.) L.P. Queiroz & Snack in association with responses to fire. Adult individuals and seeds were collected in Emas National Park, Chapadão do Céu, GO. The seeds will be germinated and grown in a greenhouse until they are 6 months old, and subsequently, part of the individuals will be taken to the experiment with controlled fire, and part will remain in a greenhouse. The plants will be monitored for another 6 months. Throughout the period, anatomical analyzes of the underground system, quantification of plant metabolism compounds, growth measurements and analysis of gas exchange will be carried out, at different stages of development. Anatomical analyzes of the underground system and quantification of compounds will also be carried out on individuals collected in the field. The results will be analyzed in a comparative way, and we hope to provide data that integrate morphoanatomy and physiology in the ontogenesis of underground systems and the influence of fire on this process.