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Fontinha, Susana

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  • Propagation of nine endemic plant species from Madeira Island (Portugal)
    Publication . Henriques, Dina; Fontinha, Susana; Neves, Margarida Costa; Nóbrega, Humberto; Ferro, António; Carvalho, M. A. A. Pinheiro de
    Efficient propagation of endangered plant species is a critical factor in successful ecological restoration and conscientious habitat management. Hence, propagation trials of nine endemic plant species of Madeira (Anthyllis lemanniana Lowe, Armeria maderensis Lowe, Cedronella canariensis (L.) Webb & Berthel., Erica maderensis (Benth.) Bornm., Genista tenera (Jacq. ex Murray) Kuntze, Helichrysum melaleucum Rchb. ex Holl, Pericallis aurita (L'Her.) B. Nord., Sideritis candicans Aiton and Teline maderensis Webb & Berthel.) were carried out. Plant propagation requirements and their sexual and vegetative propagation methods were studied. Seed germination success varied between species. Germination rate exceeded 70% in six out of nine species, being lower than 30% in Pericallis aurita, while H. melaleucum seeds did not germinate. Vegetative propagation yielded lower success rates, with three species (Erica maderensis, Genista tenera and Teline maderensis) unable to establish roots, and three species (Helichrysum melaleucum, Pericallis aurita and Sideritis candicans) exceeding 60% of the rooting success. Establishment of the propagation requirements of these species could be regarded an important tool for supporting Madeira’s flora conservation programs.
  • Distribution and abundance of Beta patula Aiton and other crop wild relatives of cultivated beets on Madeira
    Publication . Carvalho, Miguel A.A. Pinheiro de; Nóbrega, Humberto; Frese, Lothar; Freitas, Gregório; Abreu, Uriel; Costa, Graça; Fontinha, Susana
    In the Archipelago of Madeira four crop wild relatives of beets are native: Beta patula, Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima, Patellifolia procumbens, and Patellifolia patellaris. All species are valuable genetic resources for the sugar beet breeding. Only in the very eastern part of the Madeira Island on the islet Ilhéu do Desembarcadouro and Ilhéu Chão the endemic species Beta patula can be found. On both islets the plant number of this very rare species, and of the two widely distributed species B. vulgaris subsp. maritima and P. procumbens was established and the habitat described. The results of the species census are presented. The establishment of a genetic reserve for Beta patula is suggested in this paper with the objective to protect this species more effectively.