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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 deEfficient 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 MadeiraPublication . Carvalho, Miguel A.A. Pinheiro de; Nóbrega, Humberto; Frese, Lothar; Freitas, Gregório; Abreu, Uriel; Costa, Graça; Fontinha, SusanaIn 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.
- Manual técnico da macieiraPublication . Antunes, Gonçalo; Freitas, Graça; Freitas, Gregório; Nóbrega, Humberto; Freitas, Isabel Tomás; Neto, Manuel; Rodrigues, Miguel; Dantas, Luís Miguel; Nunes, Rui; Carvalho, Miguel A. A. Pinheiro de
- Aluminium tolerance in bean traditional cultivars from MadeiraPublication . Domingues, Ana Maria; Silva, Emanuel da; Freitas, Gregório; Ganança, José Filipe; Nóbrega, Humberto; Slaski, Jan J.; Carvalho, Miguel Ângelo Pinheiro deCommon bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important legume crop in the world, providing low-cost, high quality protein, minerals and dietary fiber for human nutrition. The crop was originated from diversity centers in America and exhibits adaptation abilities to different environmental conditions, including soil with low pH. Acid soils occupy 30% of the agro ecosystem areas in the world. In Madeira, acid Andosols and unsatured Cambisols are the dominant groups of soils. Generally, under acidic and infertile conditions, besides of H+ toxicity, soluble aluminium (Al) is the most important abiotic factor limiting plant development and crop productivity. In the field, the hidden roots are also affected and the reduction of root growth under Al stress can be clearly observed in early stages. Seedlings of fifty bean accessions from the Archipelago of Madeira were tested under controlled conditions in the presence of 50 mM Al at pH 4.4. In general, the tested germplasm appeared to be sensitive or very sensitive to Al toxicity. However, fifteen traditional cultivars clearly exhibited elevated Al-tolerance, with an average root relative elongation (RRE) exceeding 50%, while top six accessions surpassed the 60% RRE mark. The Madeira bean germplasm is a valuable resource for sustainable crop production in acid soils and it could be used as parental lines in breeding programs aimed for Al tolerance in common beans.