Potencial alelopático do fruto e variabilidade do conteúdo de DNA nuclear de Annona crassiflora Mart.

Abstract

The marolo (Annona crassiflora Mart.) is an endemic species of the Cerrado undergoing a continuous process of reduction in its populations, in line with the reduction of the dimensions of your biome. This species has many potential uses, so efforts to preserve this genetic resource is necessary. Find a potential use of a species, can stimulate its use, and therefore its conservation. In this study, we aimed to detect allelopathic potential, and evaluate the nuclear DNA content profile of marolo's populations located in Minas Gerais. First, we studied the allelopathy by means of the use of plant extracts, using a extract made by a combination of one fruit part and a solvent. These extracts were evaluated by the analysis of biological responses of three bioindicators (lettuce, broccoli and tomatoes) exposed to the extracts. The fruit parts showed allelopathic potential, especially the ethyl acetate extract of embryo with endosperm, which showed significant inhibitory effect on seeds of lettuce and broccoli, and the methanolic extract of peel which showed inhibitory effect on tomato. The analysis of the extracts by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) showed that the marolo fruit parts are rich in bioactive compounds and it was possible to identify allelochemicals in the evaluated extracts. To study the nuclear DNA content profile, marolo's populations in Minas Gerais were identified and georeferenced , then the plant material was collected for estimation of nuclear DNA content using flow cytometry. Genome size variation was found among individuals of the same populations and between populations, also a positive and significant correlation was established between DNA content and latitude (r = 0.46, p = 0.0003). It is expected that the results of this paper contribute with the studies envolving the pharmacological and allelopathic potential of A. crassiflora, mitigate the knowledge gap regarding this plant, stimulating the conservation of this valuable genetic resource.