In nature, orchid seeds obtain the nutrients necessary for germination by degrading intracellular fungal structures formed after colonization of the embryo by mycorrhizal fungi. Protocols for asymbiotic germination of orchid seeds typically use media with high concentrations of soluble carbohydrate and minerals. However, when reintroduced into the field, seedlings obtained via asymbiotic germination have lower survival rates than do seedlings obtained via symbiotic germination. Tree fern fiber, the ideal substrate for orchid seedling acclimatization, is increasingly scarce. Here, we evaluated seed germination and protocorm development of Cyrtopodium glutiniferum Raddi cultivated in asymbiotic media (Knudson C and Murashige & Skoog) and in oatmeal agar (OA) medium inoculated with the mycorrhizal fungus Epulorhiza sp., using non-inoculated OA medium as a control. We also evaluated the performance of tree fern fiber, pine bark, eucalyptus bark, corncob and sawdust as substrates for the acclimatization of symbiotically propagated plants. We determined germination percentages, protocorm development and growth indices at 35 and 70 days of cultivation. Relative growth rates and the effects of substrates on mycorrhizal formation were calculated after 165 days of cultivation. Germination efficiency and growth indices were best when inoculated OA medium was used. Corncob and pine bark showed the highest percentages of colonized system roots. The OA medium inoculated with Epulorhiza sp. shows potential for C. glutiniferum seedling production. Corncob and pine bark are promising substitutes for tree fern fiber as substrates for the acclimatization of orchid seedlings.

Determination of bioindicators of auxinic herbicides residuesHerbicides that present soil residual activity may become a problem in agricultural crops due to the possibility of crops successors intoxication. It is hard to detect residues of hormonal herbicides using the bioassay technique, due to the variation in the growth response of the indicator plant. The objective of this work was to select plants and variables susceptible to the herbicides 2,4-D and picloram for soil residue indication..To make it possible, two bioassays were performed,, where each of them consisted of 60 treatments in a factorial scheme with the combination of three plant species (Lycopersicon esculentum, Cucumis sativus and Beta vulgaris), two substrates (sand and soil sample) and 10 subdoses of herbicide (0, 3, 6, 12, 22.5, 47, 94, 187.5, 375 and 750 g ha -1 ) and (0, 3, 6, 9, 18, 30, 60, 123; 246 and 501 Recebido para publicação em 29/12/2011 e aprovado em 07/03/2013.

ABSTRACT(Seed germination and protocorm development of Epidendrum secundum Jacq. (Orchidaceae) in association with Epulorhiza mycorrhizal fungi). In nature, species of Orchidaceae are always associated with mycorrhizal fungi. Th e comprehension of fungal-plant specifi city in this association can assist with the establishment of programs that focus on symbiotic propagation of orchids. Epulorhiza mycorrhizal fungi have frequently been isolated from Epidendrum secundum Jacq. Th us, the objective of this study was to evaluate the germination of E. secundum seeds and protocorm development associated with diff erent isolates of Epulorhiza spp. Sixteen Epulorhiza fungi obtained from diff erent E. secundum populations were used. Aft er 44 days, all isolates promoted seed germination of this species. However, differences were observed in the effi ciency in promoting seed germination and protocorm development, even among the isolates that had morphological similarities. Th e highest stage of protocorm development and the highest growth indexes were obtained in the presence of isolate M65. Th e results suggest that seed germination and protocorm development of E. secundum depend on the mycorrhizal fungi and, despite the high frequency of association between this plant and Epulorhiza, it is important to select isolates with high effi ciency to establish symbiosis. Effi cient isolates are useful for the production of seedlings that have economic and ornamental importance, as well as for endangered orchids.

O levantamento fitossociológico é uma ferramenta importante, na análise do impacto que os sistemas de manejo e as práticas agrícolas exercem sobre a dinâmica de crescimento e ocupação das plantas daninhas no agroecossistema. Por essa razão, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo realizar a caracterização fitossociológica de plantas daninhas, em oito áreas de pastagens degradadas, de cinco municípios do Médio Vale do Rio Doce, em Minas Gerais. No total foram identificadas 68 espécies, pertencentes a 18 famílias, sendo que o gênero Sida ocorreu em todas as áreas avaliadas. De maneira geral, a Uroclhoa decumbens, a Sida glaziovii e a Sida carpinifolia foram as espécies encontradas com maior frequência. Todavia, constatou-se grande diversidade de plantas daninhas nas áreas avaliadas, sendo a maior riqueza observada no município de Galiléia e, a menor, em Governador Valadares. As áreas estudadas apresentaram baixa similaridade entre si, sendo, portanto, indicado que o manejo de plantas daninhas seja específico para cada situação.

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a vegetable crop that is grown throughout the year across various regions of Brazil in rotation or in succession to other cultures. Herbicide residual effect has emerged as a concern, because of the possibility of carryover. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tembotrione and atrazine residues - in mixture and isolated - on carrot planted in succession to corn. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks with five replications. Treatments consisted of tembotrione (50.4 g ha(-1)), tembotrione (100.8 g ha(-1)), tembotrione + atrazine (50.4 g ha(-1)+ 2 L ha(-1)), tembotrione + atrazine (100.8 g ha(-1)+ 2 L ha(-1)), and atrazine (2.00 L ha(-1)) applied eight months before carrot seeding, plus a control treatment with no herbicide application. Investigated variables were shoot dry mass, productivity, and classification of carrot roots. The presence of atrazine and tembotrione decreased dry mass in the area, and only tembotrione reduced total root productivity. Thus, there is a carryover effect to tembotrione application that reduces the dry matter accumulation of shoot and total productivity, and an atrazine + tembotrione (100.8 g ha(-1)) mixture reduces the total productivity after application of these herbicides to soil.