The growth and developmental characteristics of grasses and their high biodiversity make such plants suitable for remediation of areas contaminated by heavy metals. Nevertheless, heavy metal toxic effect on the plants may cause alteration in their metabolic pathways, such as photosynthesis, respiration, and growth, modifying plant anatomy. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of levels of soil contamination (0, 7.5 % and 15 % m 3 m -3) on biomass production, on photosynthetic characteristics and on anatomical changes in roots and leaves of brachiaria (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.). After seeds were planted, seedlings were uprooted and replanted in vases containing soil at different contamination levels, being left to rest for 120 days. At the end of that time, plants presented reduced yield of root and shoot dry matter, contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and potential photosynthesis with increased of soil contamination. The cell layers of endodermis and exodermis in the root tissues and the cell walls of the xylem and cortical parenchyma all thickened as contamination increased. In the leaf tissues, the adaxial and abaxial epidermis presented increased thickness while the leaf blade presented reduced thickness as contamination increased with consequent change in the root growth rate. In general, the effects of heavy metal increased with the metal concentration. Some results indicate that B. decumbens seems to have some degree of heavy metal tolerance.

Vegetables from the Brassicaceae family are excellent sources of bioactive phytochemicals and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Variation of phytochemicals in the edible part of cauliflower is known. However, information about the distribution of bioactive and nutritive compounds as well as antioxidant activity among aerial organs of cauliflower is unavailable. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the distribution of glucosinolates (GLS), phenolics, flavonoids, chlorophylls, nutritive compounds and antioxidant capacity between the aerial parts of the common variety of cauliflower and to evaluate whether these changes contribute to the differences in the antioxidant capacity between the plant organs. Our study showed that all the aerial organs of cauliflower are a rich source of health-promoting bioactive compounds, including GLS, phenolics and flavonoids, exhibiting antioxidant capacity. The highest contents of phytochemicals and the highest antioxidant capacity were found in leaves. Cauliflower organs were also found to be rich in nutritive compounds, including minerals, proteins and amino acids. Our study showed that the non-edible organs, such as stems and leaves, being neglected parts of cauliflower, if not consumed as the main ingredient, can be used as additives for developing new, functional foodstuff.

-(Effects of tailings from zinc industry in the anatomy and growth of young plants of Salix humboldtiana Willd. (willow)). The heavy metal pollution caused mainly by mining and industrial activities requires studies for the recovery of contaminated areas. Thus, we studied growth and anatomical characteristics responses of young willow plants grown in heavy metal multicontaminated soil. Plants were grown in three mixture levels of contaminated soil: 0%, 15% and 30% (v/v) for 60 days. At the highest level of contamination was noted a less dry matter production of roots and shoots and reduced root growth. Accordingly, the roots exhibited epidermis, exodermis and endodermis thicker, and a smaller number of conducting elements of xylem. Leaves showed changes in the number of conducting elements of xylem diameter and density of stomata, and epidermis, endodermis, collenchyma and mesophyll cell thickness. Key words: anatomic plasticity, growing, tolerance, willow RESUMO -(Efeitos dos rejeitos da indústria de zinco na anatomia e crescimento de plantas jovens de Salix humboldtiana Willd. (salgueiro)). A poluição por metais pesados, gerada principalmente pelas atividades de mineração e industrial, exige estudos que possibilitem a recuperação de áreas contaminadas. Foram estudadas respostas de crescimento e características anatômicas de plantas jovens de salgueiro cultivadas em solo multicontaminado por metais pesados. As plantas foram cultivadas em três níveis de misturas de solo contaminado: 0%; 15% e 30% (v/v), durante 60 dias. No maior nível de contaminação foi observado menor produção de matéria seca das raízes e da parte aérea e menor crescimento das raízes. Nesta condição, as raízes apresentaram maior espessura da epiderme, exoderme e endoderme e menor número de elementos condutores de xilema. As folhas apresentaram modificações no número de elementos condutores de xilema, na densidade e diâmetro dos estômatos, e na espessura da epiderme, endoderme, colênquima e do mesofilo. Palavras-chave: crescimento, plasticidade anatômica, salgueiro, tolerância IntroduçãoA poluição por metais pesados representa, hoje, uma importante forma de estresse para a comunidade vegetal devido à progressiva adição destes metais ao ambiente pelas atividades humanas. Esses metais, como o Zn, Cd, As, Ag, Mn, são particularmente difíceis de serem retirados do solo, água ou ar, pois, diferentemente dos poluentes orgânicos que podem ser degradados a compostos não-tóxicos, são imutáveis pelas reações bioquímicas (Meagher & Heaton 2005).As plantas apresentam várias propriedades naturais que podem ser utilizadas como perspectivas para a absorção de poluentes do ambiente. Vários estudos têm demonstrado o potencial das plantas para a remediação de áreas degradas por metais pesados (Marques et al. 2000, Lux et al. 2004, Vollenweider et al. 2006, cuja técnica é conhecida como fitorremediação.No vegetal, os metais pesados desencadeiam respostas fisiológicas e alterações em níveis estruturais e ultraestruturais, como a danificação de lipídeos de...