Lucas Cavalcante da Costa

Ethylene coordinates seed germination behavior in response to low soil pH in Stylosanthes humilis

AimsStylosanthes humilis is known to exhibit high persistence in acid soils, however, how low soil pH controls seed germination as well as root and hypocotyl growth remains unknown. This study was carried out to evaluate the hormonal and metabolic alterations induced by low soil pH on seed germination behavior of S. humilis.MethodsSeeds of S. humilis were sown in acid soil samples or sand soaked in buffer solution with pH ranging from 4.0 to 7.0. Concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid, ethylene, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), primary metabolite profile and final seed germination were evaluated after four days.ResultsLow soil pH led to increased final seed germination, concomitantly with higher root penetration into the soil as well as higher ACC and ethylene production by seedlings. Treatment with the ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor L-α-(2-aminoethoxyvinyl)-glycine (AVG) greatly reduced final seed germination under acidic conditions. Final seed germination of seeds treated with AVG was increased by exogenous ethylene application in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, low soil pH promoted distinct changes in IAA concentrations, and in carbon and nitrogen metabolism in hypocotyl and roots.ConclusionsLow soil pH increases the final germination of S. humilis seeds through alterations in ethylene metabolism, allowing root penetration into the soil.

Action of abscisic and gibberellic acids on senescence of cut gladiolus flowers

The gladiolus flower is classified as insensitive to ethylene. Thus, the signals that initiate senescence are poorly understood. This study evaluated the role of abscisic and gibberellic acids on postharvest senescence of 3 cultivars of cut gladiolus flowers (Gladiolus grandiflora Hort.). Stalks were harvested and placed in test tube containing 100 mL distilled water or an aqueous solution of abscisic acid (100 and 150 µM ABA), gibberellic acid (100 µM GA3), and fluridone (1 mM) for 24 h. Subsequently, flower stalks were placed in a test tube with distilled water, and the following variables were determined: stem longevity, fresh weight change, water uptake rate and transpiration rate during the vase life, as well as membrane stability index and lipid peroxidation in 5 stages of flower development. In another experiment, the florets were removed by cutting down the pedicel. After removal, florets were placed in a beaker containing 10 mL distilled water or the following solutions: 100 or 150 µM ABA; 100 µM GA3; 1 mM fluridone; and 100 µM ABA + 100 µM GA3, followed by immersion in distilled water after 24 h in each treatment. Fresh weight change and transpiration rate of florets were assessed every 24 h. Abscisic acid is involved in the induction of senescence-related events in gladiolus flowers, such as high loss of membrane stability and abnormal flower opening. GA3 regulates the action of ABA in the maintenance of cell membrane and opening of gladiolus flowers.

Low soil pH modulates ethylene biosynthesis and germination response of Stylosanthes humilis seeds

ABSTRACT The tropical forage legume Stylosanthes humilis is naturally distributed in the acidic soils of the tropics. However, data concerning the role of low soil pH in the control of S. humilis seed germination remains limited. Recently, we have demonstrated that acidic soil triggers increased ethylene production during germination of S. humilis seeds, concomitantly with higher root penetration into the soil. Our finding points an important role of low soil pH as a signal allowing penetration of root in the soil through interaction with the ethylene signalling pathway. Herein, we discuss how low soil pH induces changes on seed hormonal physiology.