ABSTRACT Studies on soil quality in Araucaria forests contribute to understanding changes in this ecosystem and serve as a tool in conserving its biodiversity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of soil macrofauna in discriminating native and replanted Araucaria forests for selection of soil quality indicators. Native (NF) and replanted (RF) Araucaria angustifolia forests were evaluated in three regions of the state of São Paulo, representing three true replications. Fifteen soil samples were collected in each […]

ABSTRACT The removal of original vegetation for crops and pasture production and then followed by natural regeneration is a standard practice in the Atlantic Forest, which has produced patches with different degrees of degradation and regeneration across the landscape. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacement of native forest by pasture and natural regeneration of vegetation on soil and on soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics in the dry and rainy season in an Atlantic Forest […]

ABSTRACT Intensive land use can affect macrofaunal biodiversity, which is a property that can be used as a soil quality indicator. This study evaluated the abundance and diversity of soil macrofauna and its relation to soil chemical and physical properties in five land use systems (LUS) in the eastern region of Santa Catarina. The following LUS were studied: native forest (NF), eucalyptus plantations (EP), perennial pasture (PP), integrated crop-livestock (ICL), and no-tillage cropping (NT). The macrofauna was quantified in 0.25 […]

Microorganisms have relevant functions in the sustainability of ecosystems and for life on the planet, although society is generally not aware of this role and considers only the domain of pathogens. The purpose of this study was to analyze the content about soil microorganisms conveyed to students by biology textbooks of high schools in Lavras, State of Minas Gerais. Students and teachers from three schools of this city were described and the knowledge about soil microbiology of 334 high school […]

Rhizoctonia-like mycorrhizal fungi Epulorhiza spp. have been isolated from orchids of the genus Epidendrum and have been used to promote the symbiotic germination of orchid seeds. Epidendrum secundum is a widely distributed orchid in campo de altitude (high elevation grassy vegetation) regions of the State Park of Serra do Brigadeiro (PESB), Minas Gerais, Brazil, and little is known about the mycorrhizal relationships of this species in the park. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological diversity of […]

Brazilian soils usually present a great number of populations of rhizobial bacteria capable of nodulating and fixing N2 in symbiosis with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), but the diversity of these bacteria is still poorly known. This study aimed to assess the biodiversity of micro-symbionts of common bean in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. One-hundred and seventeen isolates were obtained from field-grown plants in 23 areas of the far west, midwest and southern plateau of Santa Catarina. […]

Anthropogenic disturbances have resulted in an increased threat of extinction of many native orchid taxa in Brazil’s Atlantic rain forest. In nature, orchids utilize mycorrhizal fungi to initiate seed germination and seedling development, at least in the early stages of their life cycle. Mycorrhizal fungi associated with the roots of orchids have thus been isolated, characterized and stored as important resources for a future conservation program of orchid species through symbiotic seed germination. Three mycorrhizal Rhizoctonia-like fungi were isolated from […]