José Marcio Rocha Faria

Desiccation sensitivity and cell cycle aspects in seeds of Inga vera subsp. affinis

The desiccation sensitivity of seeds of Inga vera Willd. subsp. affinis, a recalcitrant-seeded tree from Brazil, was analysed, focusing on water relations and cell-cycle aspects, including DNA content and the microtubular cytoskeleton. Seeds were collected at four developmental stages, dried to different moisture contents (MCs), assessed regarding water activity and set to germinate. Samples of fresh (non-dried) developing and mature seeds were used for assessment of DNA content by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemical detection of microtubules (MTs) was done in mature seeds at different MCs. Slight desiccation of immature seeds increased germination, but further drying resulted in a quick decline of germinability. During seed development the desiccation sensitivity decreased slightly, but DNA content of the embryonic axis cells remained constant, suggesting no relation between those two parameters. Embryonic axis cells of mature seeds showed abundant cortical microtubule arrays, which were not affected by mild desiccation, but broken down by further drying. It appeared that, upon rehydration, damaged cells were not able to reconstitute the microtubular cytoskeleton. The failure of germination of Inga vera seeds after drying could not be attributed to cellular damage to DNA synthesis and mitosis, since the radicle protruded by means of cell elongation, without a need for cell division. However, the breakdown of MTs during desiccation, and their subsequent inability to reassemble upon rehydration, may be related to the decreased germination, since MTs are required for cell elongation.

Physical dormancy in Senna multijuga (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) seeds: the role of seed structures in water uptake

Structural studies in seeds with physical dormancy (PY) are important to better understand its causes and release when subjected to treatments for dormancy breaking. The aims of this study were to (1) characterize the PY break; (2) examine the role of different seed structures in water uptake; and (3) identify the water gap in Senna multijuga seeds. Imbibition patterns of dormant and non-dormant (subjected to dormancy breaking treatments) seeds and the morphological changes during dormancy breaking and germination were evaluated. To identify the water gap, the micropyle and lens were blocked separately, and the water absorption by seed parts was determined. Structural characteristics of the seed coat were also examined. Immersion in water at 80°C was efficient in breaking seed dormancy and imbibition occurred first at the hilar region, through the lens. Water was not absorbed through the micropyle or the extra-hilar region. S. multijuga seeds have a testa with a linearly aligned micropyle, hilum and lens. The seed coat consisted of a cuticle, macrosclereids, one (hilar region) or two (extra-hilar region) layer(s) of osteosclereids and parenchyma cell layers. The lens has typical parenchyma cells underneath it and two fragile regions comprised of shorter macrosclereids. Heat treatment stimulated the lens region, resulting in the opening of fragile regions at the lens, allowing water to enter the seeds. It is concluded that short-term exposure to a hot water treatment is sufficient for the formation of a water gap in S. multijuga seeds, and only the lens acts in the imbibition process.

Maturation of Eugenia pyriformis seeds under different hydric and thermal conditions

This study aims to analyze the maturation and dispersal of Eugenia pyriformis Cambess. seeds produced in different years, and the influence of variation in thermal and hydric environment on seed physical and physiological characteristics at dispersal. Fruits at different developmental stages were harvested in the city of São Paulo between 2003 and 2010, as well as in the cities of Campinas and Lavras, in 2009 and 2010 and analyzed for size and color. The seeds were extracted from the fruits and their dry mass, water content, germination and vigor were assessed. Results showed that seed maturation is unsynchronized to the maturation of the fruit, taking 45 days on average (430 growing degree-days), longer in rainy times or lower temperatures. Seeds with higher physiological quality were produced in rainy years and when the temperature range was larger. We concluded therefore that hydric and thermal environmental variations during development influence the maturation of Eugenia pyriformis seeds and are able to determine the formation cycle and the final seed quality.

DESICCATION TOLERANCE AND DNA INTEGRITY IN Eugenia pleurantha O. Berg. (MYRTACEAE) SEEDS 1

The aim of this study was to assess the desiccation tolerance and DNA integrity in Eugenia pleurantha seeds dehydrated to different moisture contents (MCs). Seeds extracted from mature fruits were submmited to drying in silica gel and evaluated at every five percentual points of decrease from the initial MC (35.5%, fresh weight basis). The effects of dehydration on seeds were verified through germination tests and DNA integrity assessment. Undried seeds achieved 87% germination, value reduced to 36% after being dried to 9.8% MC. When dried slightly more, to 7.4% MC, seeds were no longer able to germinate, suggesting an intermediate behavior in relation to desiccation tolerance. It was observed DNA degradation in seeds with 7.4% MC, which might have contributed to the loss of seed germination.

Avaliação da qualidade de sementes de Eugenia pleurantha (Myrtaceae) pelo teste de raios X

The X ray test is a useful tool to evaluate seed physical quality, thatt can be affected by the occurrence of empty seeds and the presence of insects and physical alterations. The objective of this study was also to investigate the efficiency of the X ray test in the evaluation of internal damage in seeds of Eugenia pleurantha, as well as to examine the consequence of this damage in the germination. Seeds of Eugenia pleurantha were placed in supports and exposed to several radiation intensities (35, 45, 50 and 60 Kvp) for 45 and 60 seconds to determine the X ray pattern. According to the anatomy visualized in the X rays, the seeds were classified as full seeds and infested seeds. The seeds were submitted to the germination test with sand as substratum placed at 30°C under continuous light. The 50 Kvp radiation intensity and a 60 second exposure to the X rays allowed clear visualization of the internal damage caused by the presence of insects in the seeds. The internal damage caused by insects prevented Eugenia pleurantha seed germination.

Avaliação do crescimento do estrato arbóreo de área degradada revegetada à margem do Rio Grande, na Usina Hidrelétrica de Camargos, MG

n The objective of this study was to analyze the growth of tree species planted in a topographic gradient in an area degraded for the construction of the dam of Camargos Hydroeletric plant, MG. At 155 months after planting, three transects following the slope, 15 m wide and variable length were allocated, subdivided in parcels of 12 x 15 m along the topographic gradient. Plants with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥5 cm were identified and measured (DBH and height). We concluded that, generally, the pioneer species showed a faster growth rhythm in the first 58 months and the climax species in the period of 58 to 155 months. Plant growth was affected by soil compactation and the effect of the topography gradient.

Regeneração natural como indicador de recuperação de área degradada a jusante da usina hidrelétrica de Camargos, MG

The process of natural regeneration in an area degraded for the construction of the Camargos hydroelectric plant dam, MG, was analyzed 155 months after the planting for its reclamation. The analyses were done in function of the distance to the river, soil compaction and distance of the seed sources. The survey of the natural regeneration was done in plots of 2 x 15m allocated every 10m along three transects (15m width and variable length) parallel to the slope direction. All plants with DBH 10cm were identified and measured in height. Sixty four species of 27 families were found. The adjacent fragment provides a great amount of propagules for the natural regeneration, since many regenerative species in the recovering area were found only in the arboreal stratum of that fragment. A distance of up to 75m to the fragment did not affect the regeneration density, height and diversity, but in the plots taken by the grass Mellinis minutiflora, the density was smaller and the plants higher.

Physiological behavior of Genipa americana L. seeds regarding the capacity for desiccation and storage tolerance

Knowledge of the capacity of desiccation and storage tolerance of seeds is essential to provide adequate conditions necessary to maintain viability after seed collection. Drying rate is one of the factors which have been described as affecting the physiological response of seeds of various species. Literature reports that Genipa americana seeds exhibit an intermediate behavior, quickly losing viability if stored at negative temperatures. Thus, this work aimed to verify the effect of slow drying over the capacity of desiccation and storage tolerance of Genipa americana seeds. Seeds with 47% of water content (recently harvested) were dried over salt solutions until reaching 30%, 20%, 15%, 10% and 5% of water content. After drying to 10% and 5% of water content a reduction in seed viability was observed after 30 days of storage without the total loss of germination after three months in these conditions. The slow drying increased the capacity for desiccation and storage tolerance of the Genipa americana seeds if compared to the information described in literature.

ESTABELECIMENTO DE MATA CILIAR ÀS MARGENS DO RESERVATÓRIO DA USINA HIDRELÉTRICA DE CAMARGOS, MG

The object of this survey was to analyze the growth and vigor of arboreal and shrub species planted in a reservoir shore of the Camargos Hydroeletric Plant, in the state of Minas Gerais, and to verify the processes of natural regeneration in function of the reservoir distance and along the planted area. At 150 months, in the arboreal species inventory, all the planted and the natural regenerations with diameter at breast height ³ 5 cm were measured. Grades (1.0 to 5.0) were attributed for the evaluation of the tree vigor. For the natural regeneration survey, four transects were demarcated and three 1 x 15 m plots were established in each transect, following the slope. Results showed that some of the pioneer species displayed senescence signs after 13 years of planting. In the natural regeneration, 55 species of 27 families were identified. Species of the Asteraceae family predominated in the more disturbed areas, because they are adapted to these conditions. There was predominance in zoochoric dispersion among the regenerating species. The greater regeneration density was found near the reservoir, whereas the bigger diversity and average height were found in the opposite side of the planted area.

Avaliação da perda da tolerância à dessecação e da quantidade de dna nuclear em sementes de Peltophorum dubium (spreng.) taubert durante e após a germinação

The objective of this study was to investigate the loss of desiccation tolerance (DT) in seeds of Peltophorum dubium (Sprengel) Taubert, during and after germination. P. dubium seeds were sown, removed after germination when the primary root lengths reached 1, 3 and 5 mm (68% water content), dehydrated in silica gel until they had reached their initial moisture content (8%), rehydrated and evaluated for survival (resumption of growth and development of normal seedlings). This procedure was also followed in the assays during imbibition, where 4 replications of 25 seeds were subjected to 12, 24, 48, 60 and 72 hours of imbibition. Subsequently, different points were selected (12, 48 and 60 hours of imbibition and radicles 1 mm long) to evaluate the nuclear DNA content in order to relate the beginning of the cell cycle with the loss of DT. For the three radicle lengths sampled, there was no survival of seeds which had been dried and rehydrated. There was a progressive decrease in the survival of P.dubium seeds related to the imbibition period and subsequent drying and rehydration, suggesting that the loss of DT occurs early in germination before radicle protrusion. Seeds imbibed for 12, 24, 48, 60, 72 hours and germinated seeds with 1 mm long radicles showed 98%, 93%, 83%, 35%, 17% and 0% survival, respectively. The assays with the nuclear DNA content do not show any relationship between the resumption of the cell cycle and the loss of DT.