Tropical tree species are almost always under high irradiance in the Amazonian. The high energy flux can be decisive for the success or not in the initial establishment in the field. The objective of this study was to investigate the answers of young plants of andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl) and cumaru (Dipteryx odorata (Aublet) Willd) exposed to two light environments (shade and sunlight). The experiment was carried in Manaus-AM, Brazil (3º8'S, 59º52'W). Analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence transients were obtained in intact and healthy leaves between 10:00 to 12:00 am. The curve OJIP indicated that the species high irradiance exposed presented photoinhibition after 45 days of experiment. Andiroba and cumaru plants exposed to sunlight exhibited low values of TRo/ABS (7.17 and 20.4%, respectively), ETo/TRo (14.5 and 27.2%, respectively) and ETo/ABS (20.6 and 42.2%, respectively) and high values of DIo/ABS (26.9 and 43.0%, respectively), compared with plants exposed to the shadow with 45 days of experiment. As for phenomenological flux, most of the parameters, low values were observed for both exposed species in the sunlight. Andiroba and cumaru plants exposed in the sunlight exhibited low values of PIABS (63.3 and 78.7%, respectively) compared with exposed plants to the shadow at the end of the experiment. Although the species have suffered with the stress for high irradiance andiroba specie presented better performance than cumaru being indicated for use in production planting or degraded area restoration.

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the volatile constituents from resin of Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand subsp. ulei (Swat) Daly (PHU), and Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand subsp. heptaphyllum (PHH), Burseraceae were performed using GC-MS and GC-FID. The resins were collected around the city of Cruzeiro do Sul, state of Acre, Brazil. Essential oils from the two subspecies were extracted by hydrodistillation with a yield of 8.6% (PHU) and 11.3% (PHH); the main components were terpinolene (42.31%) and p-cymene (39.93%) for subspecies ulei (PHU) and heptaphyllum (PHH), respectively.

The phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Sterculia striata St. Hil. et Naudin by chromatographic methods led to the isolation of sitosterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, besides pentacyclic triterpenoids, lupeol, 3-ß-O-acyl-lupeol, lupenone and betulinic acid. The structures of these compounds were identified by 1H and 13C NMR spectral data analysis and comparison with literature data. For determining of the phenolic content of the etanolic extract of Sterculia striata we used the Folin Ciocalteu reagent, and for the evaluation of antioxidant activity, we utilized the DPPH free radical. This is the first work reporting the chemical study with the stem bark of this species.

The latest studies of attributes of soil of the Amazonian ecosystems provide information to make up a survey on these soil conditions in the face of several forms of changes they are submitted. This work aimed to describe and evaluate physical and hydric evolution as well oxisol mineralogy in lower Amazon in order to comprehend variations of these attributes in different vegetative covers. Deformed and non-deformed samples were collected for physical, chemical, hydric and mineralogical analyses, respectively in two points of a topographic sequence in Serra de Parintins: plateau and watershed, being showed three profiles of soil in each position. The results showed that predominant forest of the plateau and watershed profiles provide proper physical and hydric conditions for a good aggregation, higher intensity of large pores, larger saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ko) and better hydric retention of soils. Similar fact occurs in secondary forest, presenting such areas good permeability, porosity and water retention in soil. Carbon accumulation is higher in watershed profiles, decreasing in depth and relating directly with Ko and root system. Mineralogical analysis of clay fraction points kaolinite as predominant followed by gypsum, goethita, quartzo and anatásio, showing no variations along landscape. Serra de Parintins has poor acid clay soil of medium texture accumulating plintita on subsurface horizons, avoiding the phenomenon of terras caídas. A high gradient of volumetric humidity is observed on subsurface horizons, showing water retention when compared to surface horizons.

The purpose of this study was to identify the autochthonous communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with Arachis pintoi and estimate its diversity. Samples of soil were collected in a Field at Rio Branco, AC. The sampling was carried out in seven areas, being collected four samples from soil in each area, in a depth of 0-10cm, in dry season (June 2004) and rainy season (January 2005). The areas cultivated with A. pintoi were: monoculture, grass pasture and others legumes intercropped, coffee plant under cover of A. pintoi, besides brush and forest adjacent like a control. It was verified the occurrence of 21 species of AMF in the two seasons, 18 species in the dry period and 16 in the rainy. The species were distributed in five genres: Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Gigaspora, Glomus and Scutellospora. The densities of spores were higher in A. pintoi x Brachiaria brizantha x Pueraria phaseoloides intercropped and lowest in the areas of A. pintoi x coffee plants, brush and forest. Mycorrhizal colonization was higher in the rainy season (15 to 63%) than in the dry season (5 to 37%). The diversity indices in monoculture were similar to those of other areas evaluated, indicating that the A. pintoi serves as host of AMF of different species and that its cultivation may increase the presence of these organisms in production systems, improving the biological soil quality.

This study treats a transversal, descriptive, observational and analytical study with the objective of determining the Vitamin A chemical content in Human Maternal Milk (HMM) of 50 donor mothers from the Ana Braga Maternity Human Milk Bank (HMB), in Manaus, Amazonas. Samples were collected weekly and maintained frozen until pasteurization. Analyses of retinol and ß-carotene in human milk were undertaken before and after the treatment (pasteurization), chromatographic method. Aliquots of approximately 5 mL of milk were taken from each sample. The babies included in the study were weight > 2500g. The Vitamin A concentration in the milk, before and after the processing, was found to be insufficient for that required (46.57 ± 6.28 µg/dL and 31.55 ± 8.29 µg/dL respectively) for children who feed exclusively on HMB milk, notably premature babies, whose Vitamin A requirements are greater and whose capacity for ingesting milk is lower than that of fully born babies. The loss of Vitamin A through processing was, in this study, 32.51%. To guarantee hepatic reserves and protect against deficiencies, it would be necessary that the vitamin A concentration in the milk be higher than 80 µg/dL.

This study evaluated the seedling emergence of Astrocaryum aculetum seeds soaked in water for different periods at different temperatures. The experimental design was entirely randomized, in factorial 4 (temperatures of soaking in water: 25ºC, 30ºC, 35ºC e 40ºC) X 3 (period of soaking: 2, 4 and 6 days), additional treatment (control, without soaking), with four replications. Before (control) and after the soaking periods in different temperatures, the seeds were planted in nursery. The emergence and its velocity differed only in the comparison of the control with the applied treatments, with favorable results of all soak treatments, independent of temperature and duration. The mean time of emergence presented a significant interaction effect, with the four day 40ºC soaking temperature period, presenting a lower mean time (163 days). The initial emergence time was lower in 35ºC temperature (80 days), while the final time didn't show differences among means. Seeds soaked for two days had 50% dead seeds, while seeds soaked for four days had just 38%. Seedling emergence was favored by soaking, independent of temperature and duration.

Natural regeneration and structure and their relationship to environmental variables were studied in three sections of a gallery forest, in Eastern Mato Grosso, Brazil (14º43'S and 52º21'W). The assumption was that natural regeneration is constrained by environmental determinants at all stages of development of the tree community. The objective was to analyse the forest structure and to verify the relationship between species distribution and abundance at different stages of regeneration and environmental variables. In each section, 47 contiguous (10x10m) permanent plots were established to sample trees (gbh=15cm), following a systematic design. Seedlings (0.01 to 1m height), saplings (1.01 to 2m) and poles (from 2.01m height to gbh<15cm) were sampled in sub-plots of 1x1m, 2x2m and 5x5m, respectively. In each plot, soil properties, gaps projection, bamboos, rocky cover, declivity and depth of ground watertable were determined. The relationships between the environmental variables with trees and seedling communities were assessed by canonical correspondence analysis. In spite of the sections being near to each other, they presented large differences in floristics, structure and site conditions. The forest soil presented a low cation exchange capacity and a high level of Al saturation. The occurrence of bamboos and gaps and the depth of ground watertable limited the occurrence of poles and trees. The high degree of structural heterogeneity for each regeneration category was related primarily to a humidity gradient; but soil fertility (Ca+Mg) was also a determinant of seedling and sapling communities.

Lamella defects are responsible in large part for rework losses and decrease in the quality of the finished floor. These defects increase costs, a very important factor in the process wood floor production. This work aimed to quantify and classify the common defects occurring in the lamella production, find out causes and propose solutions and improvements using the tools “Brainstorming", “Pareto Diagram", “Ishibawa Diagram", and 5W2H. 1598,47 square meters of lamella of the species Muiracatiara (Astronium lecointei Ducke), Amendoim (Pterogyne nitens Tul), Cabreúva (Myroxylon Balsamum Harms) and Timborana (Pseudopiptadenia suaveolens Miq) were sampled with the following dimensions: thickness (2.5mm and 3.5mm), width (76,2mm, 82,5mm and 127mm), lenght (450mm to 1.200mm). The most frequent defect found at the lamella production was the mark of the saw (31%), followed by the wood cut done by the supplier (23%) and the lack of work instructions (15%). The main causes to the mark of the saw were the defects caused by saw maintenance problems of the wood suppliers.

This study was carried out in a 5-ha permanent plot established in the Amacayacu National Park, Colombian Amazonia. We assessed the extent at which floristic patterns of tree species were determined by either the environmental variation or the spatial configuration in tierra firme forests. Floristic and environmental variation was assessed on quadrants of 20x20 m. To run the analysis, four different categories of abundance (all, high, medium and low) were considered. We used Detrended Correspondence Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis, followed by a variation partitioning, to analyze the patterns of species distribution in order to quantify the role played by both environmental filtering and dispersal limitation. The spatial template, which represents dispersal limitation, was evaluated in two different ways: using a third degree polynomial and using the Principal Coordinates of Neighbour Matrix (PCNM) method. Beta diversity was relatively low within the plot. PCNM appears as the most appropriate method to analyze the spatial template at this scale. The floristic differences explained along the 5-ha plot were mainly associated to biological processes, such as dispersal limitation. The largest proportion of community variation in our dataset was unexplained by either environmental or spatial data. In conclusion, these results support random processes as the major drivers of the spatial variation of tree species at a local scale on tierra firme forests in the Amacayacu National Park.

This work evaluated exotic and native forest species in two
plantation conditions: full sun and secondary forest enrichment strips, for
generating technologies into incorporate to the productive process of degraded
lands in the Amazonian region, to minimize the deforestation pressure on the
natural forest. The analyzed data (DBH, height, volume per hectare and survival)
refers to six years old species. In the full sun plantation, the species that
presented the best performance was Ceiba pentandra, with means: DBH of
19.6 cm, height of 10.2 m and volume of 390.9 m³ ha^-1.
Hymenaea courbaril also presented satisfactory growth, with means: DBH of
11.5 cm, height of 10.8 m and volume of 144.8 m³ ha^{-1. In the
secondary forest enrichment plantation, Carapa guianensis was the species
that presented the best performance, with means: DBH of 8.3 cm, height of 6.4 m
and volume of 54.8 m3 ha-1}. Acacia mangium and
Sclerolobium paniculatum presented better growth. However, the survival
rates were very low in both plantations.

The present work sought to evaluate the fungitoxic activity of the essential oil from fresh Tanaecium nocturnum fresh leaves on Aspergillus flavus isolated from Brazil nuts, using contact and fumigation techniques. The results of bioassays performed up to 10 days of incubation demonstrated that total inhibition of mycelial growth occurred when using the essential oil at concentrations of 782 ppm (contact technique) and 1000 ppm (fumigation technique). In both techniques, the essential oil inhibited the formation of spores at the concentration of 500 ppm. No significant difference in the results presented by the two techniques was observed in the first five days of incubation. After this period, the essential oil showed a reduction in activity at concentrations lower than 1000 ppm in the fumigation test. The fungitoxic activity of the essential oil on the organism studied can be attributed to the presence of benzaldehyde (major component of the essential oil), in combination with other compounds also present in this oil, such as, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate and mandelonitrila.

Hymenaea courbaril L. var. stilbocarpa (Hayne) Lee et Lang. is a clímax shadow tolerant specie and Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong., by the other hand, is considered as a pioneer specie. The development of these species may reflect its adaptation ability to different environmental elements (light, water and temperature) at its growth site. An inadequate supply of some of these elements may reduce plant vigor and limit its development. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of shade intensity on the growth and photosynthetic pigment concentration of two arboreal legumes that are typical to northern Brazil, namely, the Hymenaea courbaril L. var. stilbocarpa (Hayne) Lee et Lang. and the Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong. The experiment was carried out at the Centro Universitário Luterano de Ji-Paraná (CEULJ/ULBRA)/Rondônia. During the formation of the seedlings, both species were exposed to four treatments of shade: 0 % (control - without shade); 30 %; 50 % e 80 %. Each treatment was carried out with three replications for each species; the experimental design was completely randomized. Four month after sowing, the following analyses were carried out: number of leaves, plant height, roots length, dry mass and photosynthetic pigment concentration. The treatment under 0% shade impaired the seedling growth of both species. The most favorable treatments were 50 % and 80 % shade. According to the shade intensity, the chlorophyll a/b ratio decreased and the chlorophyll and carotenoids increased.

Samanea tubulosa (Benth.) Barneby & JW Grimes (seven shells) is a tree plant native to the Mato Grosso Pantanal, whose seeds have dormancy probably caused by impregnability of its integument to water. This work was carried out to compare the efficiency of mechanical and chemical scarification for overcoming integumentary dormancy, and the effect of temperature on the germination of seeds of seven shells. We employed four different scarification procedures: those in control (without scarification); mechanical; with sulfuric acid for five minutes and with sulfuric acid for ten minutes. The temperature levels employed were 20, 25, 30 and 35ºC. Seeding was done on paper tower germitest, in the form of roll. The experimental design was completely randomized to treatment in a factorial 4x4. For each treatment, using four replicates of 25 seeds, we evaluated the germination percentage of seeds, used as primary root issue with 2 mm in length. We observed that S. tubulosa has integumentary numbness caused by its impregnability to water. The chemical scarifications with sulfuric acid for five and ten minutes were efficient in breaking the dormancy; and the scarification combinations with temperatures that promoted the highest percentages of germination for the species were those with sulfuric acid for five to ten minutes, at temperatures of 25, 30 and 35ºC.

The logarithmic transformation of the bivariate relationships in the calculation of integrated system of diagnosis and recommendation indices (DRIS) has been suggested as a way to improve the accuracy of the system, mainly by reducing the inconsistency between the frequency distribution of the forms expression of direct and inverse of the same relationship. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to evaluate the use of log-transformed relationship between different populations of reference. Cupuaçu leaf samples were collected at 153 commercial orchards; trees were part of either monoculture or agroforestry systems and ranged from 5 to 18 years old. For each individual, the nutritional relationship was calculated for the nutrients: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn. Log-transformed and no- transformed nutrient ratio were obtained for the entire population and specific conditions.The results showed that the log-transformed relationship contributes to greater consistency of results between the direct and inverse forms between DRIS norms.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pregerminative mechanical scarification treatments, as well as heat pre-treatments on the germination of visgueiro-of-the-igapó (Parkia discolor Spruce ex Benth.) seeds. The first experiment, with a completely randomized design and four repetitions, evaluated these pre-treatments: control (without pre-treatment); clipping at the distal portion; clipping at the proximal portion (hilum); clipping at the proximal and distal portions; scraping at the distal portion; scraping at the proximal portion; scraping at the proximal and distal portions; perforation of the husk with a soldering-iron; and perforation by pyrography. In the second experiment, with a completely randomized design and factorial 2 (heat: dry and wet) x 4 (temperature: 40ºC, 50ºC, 60ºC and 70ºC) x 5 (period of conditioning: 6, 16, 24, 30 and 48 hours), with three repetitions. The clipping or scraping of the seeds in the proximal portion and proximal and distal portions allowed faster imbibition of the seeds (143-163% in three days and half), and consequently, better germination (98-100% in four days), germination speed rate (1,351-1,460) and average time of germination (3 days). The pre-treatment with heat (wet and dry), under different temperatures and different conditioning periods did not overcome the dormancy of P. discolor seeds.

The Passiflora genus (Passifloraceae) is mainly used to treat CNS and cardiovascular diseases. The Passiflora nitida Kunth species is commonly known as “maracujá-do-mato". The literature reports the in natura consumption of fruits of this species by the local population for gastrointestinal disorders. Considering the pharmacological potential of the genus, this work aimed to carry out study of phytochemical characterization of this species and study the effects of the aqueous (AE), ethanol (EE) and hexane (HE) extracts from its leaves on blood coagulation and platelet aggregation. Thin-layer chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance were carried out for the phytochemical characterization. The effect of the extracts on the coagulation was evaluated by prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) tests. The effect on the platelet aggregation was evaluated in platelet-rich plasma by spectrophotometric method, using adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adrenaline (ADR) as inducers of aggregation. The AE, EE and HE extracts showed coagulant activity by the PT test, and the EE showed anticoagulant activity by the aPTT. When induced by ADP, the AE, EE and HE extracts showed 50% inhibitory concentration values (IC50, µg/mL) of 450.5 ± 50.7, 511.2 ± 35.5 and 394.4 ± 8.9, respectively, and when induced by ADR showed values of 438.7 ± 5.2, 21.0 ± 1.9 and 546.9 ± 49.9, respectively. The EE showed inhibitory effect on the aggregation. The phytochemical characterization was suggestive of the presence of flavonoids and coumarins, which can be attributed in part to the biological effects studied.

In the seed production areas of Tectona grandis in Cáceres, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, strong winds cause the precocious fall of fruits. Diasporas of three lots of teak, one of then crop after the natural fall, and the others two after the precocious fall were characterized initially by the content of water, thousand diasporas mass, number of diasporas by kilogram, emergency in seedbeds and respective average time. With 200 diasporas divided in four replications and in periods of 50 days until 331 days after crop, the last two variables were determined again. To the diasporas of natural fall, the seedlings emergency and the average time were not different in periods of analyses with a general average of 60.6% and 10.8 days. The diasporas of the precocious crop lots presented respectively the initial emergency of 23.5 and 17.5% and the average time of 19.4 and 22.6 days. Until 115 days after crop, the emergency increased (55.5 and 59.5%) and the average time diminished (15.0 and 14.1 days) and on this point the inverse occurred. The diasporas of precocious crop fall by the wind present maturation and the greater physiological potential at 115 days after the crop. In the period at 64 to 269 days after crop, these diasporas reaches the established minimum standard for the teak and at 115 to 165 days is more adjusted period for its use.

Phosphorus fertilization and ways of phosphate fertilizers application are important factors considering crop management. This study aimed at assessing the effect of phosphorus rates and phosphate fertilizers application forms on growth and phosphorus uptake of cowpea plants cropped on cerrado soil in the State of Roraima, Brazil. An experiment took place under field conditions, on a Yellow Latosol, at Cauamé Campus of Roraima's Federal University, located in the municipality of Boa Vista/RR. The experimental design was split-plot, in a completely randomized blocks, with three replicates. The plots consisted of the following phosphoric fertilizers application forms: a) broadcasting; b) single furrow and c) double furrow. Sub-plots corresponded to phosphorus doses: 0, 0,5; 1,0; 1,5, and 2,0 times the recommended dose for cowpea maintenance fertilization (60 kg ha-1 of P2O5). There was a significant effect of P rates over plant growth and plant uptake. Application of fertilizer in double furrows promoted higher plant growth, grain yield, and plant phosphorous uptake.

The objective of this research was to select multipurpose arboreal ideotypes for use in silvipastoral systems. Selection of ideotypes was based on ethnobotanical information from riverside communities of Lower Amazon river floodplains, in Pará. Since these areas had been impacted by agriculture followed by ranching, the silvipastoral systems are considered viable alternatives for recuperating them. Through participatory research among the riverside inhabitants, a semi-structured questionnaire was used to determine the tree species of greatest importance to those populations, with focus on their purpose and forms of use, consumer destination and abundance in the communities studied. The forest species of interest to riverside people are most often fruit-producing species for human and animal food, followed by those for timber. The great majority of these species are employed internally on the property. They do not generate surplus products and were considered by the interviewees to be “greatly" abundant in the region.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Acacia mangium plantation in the Roraima's Savanna, on soil organic carbon and soil microbial biomass. Soil samplings were collected on the depths of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm in two Acacia mangium plantation sites, about five years old, and in two sites of native savanna as reference. One of the A. mangium sites (located at Fazenda Cigolina) was composed by a homogeneous plantation (3.6 m between row and 2.0 m between trees) and, the other one (located at Campo Experimental Agua Boa Experimental - CEAB) was composed by a plantation on which the planting distances had strips of two rows 6 meters apart, 2.5 meters between trees and 30 meters between strips). Soil samples were analyzed regarding soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, soil basal respiration and metabolic quotient, besides soil fertility attributes. Results showed that A. mangium plantations did not provide significant increases of organic carbon on the soil comparing with sites used as reference. However, generally, A. mangium plantation increased soil microbial biomass carbon and reduced metabolic quotient, indicating a possibility of soil organic carbon accumulation in long-term. It was also observed that, soil biomass microbial carbon was higher, followed by smaller metabolic quotient at CEAB A. mangium plantation compared with Cigolina and reference sites, showing that planting design exercised influence on soil microbial biomass.

Our objective was to evaluate the growth and quality of marupá (Simarouba amara Aubl.) seedlings with root system pruning in different shadings. The experiment was undertaken at the INPA Tropical Forestry Experimental Station, in Manaus (AM), located at highway BR-174, km 43. The seeds were processed and sown at a depth of 1 cm in washed sand. The seedlings were transplanted to plastic bags containing 3 parts subsoil, 1 sand, and 0.5 chicken manure fertilizer. After pruning their roots at 0%, 25%, 50% and 75%, for 30 days the seedlings remained under the shed, irrigated daily and then planted in beds covered with screens of 30%, 50%, 70% and 0% ( without shading). Each plot contained 35 seedlings including simple edge. Five seedlings (repetitions) were assessed at random at 57, 139 and 182 days in nurseries. The data were analyzed by factorial 4 x 4 in the first and 3 x 4 in the other measurements. We studied the total height (HT), diameter of the colon (DC), number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight of roots, stems and leaves of the seedlings, the quality index of Dickson, and the relationship HT/DC. The seedlings were attacked by caterpillars in beds without shading and survival was over 83% in shaded beds. The seedlings survived pruning, and at 182 days, showed higher quality for plantations, and better growth balanceunder 50% shade.

Survival of seedlings planted in 400 gaps created by reduced impact logging in a terra firme forest in the Eastern Amazonia was evaluated. 3,818 seedlings from 17 species occurring in the study area, except for Schizolobium amazonicum (paricá), which is rare in natural forests of Paragominas region, were planted in the gaps. Spacing of planted seedlings was 5m. According to survival of seedlings during 11 months after planting, the species Schizolobium amazonicum, Cedrela odorata, Jacaranda copaia, Manilkara huberi, Astronium gracile, Pouteria bilocularis, Tabebuia impetiginosa,Pseudopiptadenia suaveolens, Cordia goeldiana, Parkia gigantocarpa, Simarouba amara, Sterculia pilosa, Laetia procera, Dinizia excelsa and Schefflera morototoni can be suggested for enriching in gaps created by reduced impact logging. Complementary studies, mainly related to growth rates of seedlings, must be carried out and in a period longer than the present study to confirm the benefits of enrichment planting in gaps as an alternative to boost forest productivity and economic value of managed natural forest in the Brazilian Amazon.

The adaptations of plants, as its agents dispersers correlated with the morphological characteristics of each specie and family, and with the region in which it dominates, and the seeds progressed according to the dispersors. The zoochory is the most frequent seed dispersal in the tropical forest, hence the importance in the conservation of ecological corridors, which allowed the spread of species of a fragment to another. Given the fact, this study aimed to trace the major processes of the seed dispersal of species occurring in the Riparian Evergreen Seasonal Forest areas of the Pacas river, Querência - MT, to identify the main dispersal type. The informations on dispersal syndromes were collected in the field during the sampling the vegetation, wich was divided in strata, according to the eight of the individuals sampled. We identified 69 species, belonged 51 genera and 31 botanic families. The families with the greatest richness were Annonaceae and Fabaceae, which showed the greatest variety syndromes. The zoochory were syndrome the more important, with 86% the total species, followed by anemochory (10%), autochory (3%) and barochory (1%). The lower (understory) and intermediate (canopy) strata have percentage zoochoric species higher than upper stratum (emergente), where the anemochory was the more important. These results demonstrate the strong relationship between the vegetation and animals in the maintenance of plant populations in the riparian environment and the importance of maintaining ecological corridors between forest fragments.

The aim of this work was to quantify the total cyanide concentration during the production stages of cassava flour from dry and water groups. In relation to dry flour, the total cyanide concentration in the cassava root reduced from 160±11.8 mg HCN/kg to 149±12.3 mg HCN/kg after grinding, 68±2.5mg HCN/kg after pressing and 5±0.2 mg HCN/kg was obtained in the final product after the roasting process. For the water flour production, the cassava root showed 321±21.6 mg HCN/kg total cyanide content, and during the fermentation process, the total cyanide content for the first 24-hour fermentation was from 297±2.7 mg HCN/kg reaching 64±2.3 mg HCN/kg after resting in a pool for 96 hours. After grinding and pressing the fermented roots, the values lowered to 50±0.6 and 36±0.4 mg HCN/kg, respectively. A concentration of 9±0.1 mg HCN/kg was obtained in the final product, evidencing the detoxification process efficiency in both processings.

This work analyzed the level of substitution of six Amazonian species on the international sawnwood market, by employing the substitution elasticity model. Data supplied by the Brazilian Department of Foreign Trade (SECEX) was collected monthly from January/1996 to September/2007. The species analyzed were: mogno (Swietenia macrophylla), cedro (Cedrela spp.), virola (Virola surinamensis), louro (Nectandra spp. e Ocotea spp.), angico (Anadenanthera spp.) e ipê (Tabebuia spp.). The elasticities indicated that all of the species as substitutes for mogno. For the species which possess different physical characteristics, market factors probably related to the supply guarantee of mogno have influenced these results. In general, the results suggested a similarity among the species considered noble (mogno, ipê and cedro) on the international market indicating them as good substitutes among themselves.

This study deals with the use of vegetal species by small farmers in the municipal district of Manacapuru, in the State of Amazonas. We used a formal questionnaire for participative interviews which took into consideration the entire agricultural property. Of the one hundred and seventy three species that we registered, the majority (101) presented medicinal use. Sixty-eight species are used for human nutrition and twenty-two for house building. Ninety-seven species (56.1%) come exclusively from domestic orchards; twenty-two (12.7%) exist only in the primary forest; and eighteen species (10.4%) originate from fallows. Some species can be found in different environments. Although the vegetation of the region under study is capable of providing farmers with necessary resources, their look for alternatives that might improve the quality of their lives. Planting fruit species is quite common and means both diversification and better food quality. It is however necessary to encourage planting native forest species. Knowledge and use of medicinal plants is always passed on from generation to generation by women

The study involved four three-year-old provenances of Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum planted in the municipality of Colares-Pará, following an experimental design of randomized blocks with five replications. The studied characteristics were: survival, plant height, diameter at 1.30 m from the ground (DAP), height and diameter of the tree crown, percentage of attacked plants and type of bark. Differences among origins for the survival and growth in height of plant and DAP had been found, however, no differences were found for crown height characteristics, crown diameter, percentage plants of attacked plants and bark type. The provenance with the highest survival was Belterra. For plant growth in height and DAP, the provenances Belterra, Ji-Paraná and Alta Floresta were statistically similar, differing from Brasiléia that presented the lowest development. The provenances Belterra, Alta Floresta and Ji-Paraná can be recommended for reforestation programs and agroforestry systems for this region. The Spearman correlation coefficient indicated a strong association among the production variables and the latitude, indicating that the provenances from lower latitudes tend to have a higher development. However, due to this study had involved only a small sample inside of the ample area of distribution of the species, it is advisable to extend the prospection and collecting activities for better explore the variability in the program of genetic improvement of the species.