Metabolic Response of Adenocalymma peregrinum during Regeneration of the Aerial Parts

Adenocalymma peregrinum, popularly known as ciganinha, is an aggressive pasture invader. This species has a vegetative propagation mechanism that includes aerial latent buds and subterranean stalks activated by cuts and other lesions. In the present study, we evaluated the levels of cytokinins and secondary metabolites in A. peregrinum during regeneration of the aerial part. Plants used in this experiment were established in the field and were cut at intervals of five days until the 25th day. The regeneration of the cut plants started on the 10th day after the first cut. Among observed compounds, only kinetin, allantoin and the iridoide 6-β-hydroxyipolamiide were detected at adequate levels for comparative evaluation. The maximum levels of these compounds coincided with the beginning of regeneration in these plants, indicating the involvement of these compounds in the regeneration process.