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The present study was carried out the Amazonian State University during the month of June, with the objective of evaluating the influence of three pregerminative treatments in the germination of Ochroma pyramidale (Cav. ex Lam.) seed. An experiment was established to determine the germination percentage and germination speed of O. pyramidale seeds. subjected to the following treatments: boiling the seed in water at a temperature of 100 °C for 20 seconds, sanding the seeds until they lose their natural shine, immersion in 30% hydrochloric acid for 32 minutes and a control treatment. A completely randomized design was done where four treatments were set up with three replicates and 30 units to be observed, giving a total of 120 units observed. The germination percentage, germination speed index and germination dynamics were evaluated. The treatments T2 (boil in 100°C water for 20 seconds) and T4 (immersion in 30% hydrochloric acid for 32 minutes) were the ones with the best behavior, reaching a germination percentage of 97 and 96% respectively, reaching the maximum germination peaks starting eight days after the treatment was applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic microorganisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate fungi (DSF) may influence plant development according to soil microbial interaction and fertility. The purpose of the work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen levels on the interaction of AMF and DSF on initial sorghum growth. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to sorghum cultivation in four treatments (Control - without inoculation of AMF and three mycorrhizal isolates: UFLA351 - Rhizoglomus clarum, UFLA372 - Claroideoglomus etunicatum, and UFLA401 - Acaulospora morrowiae) and four nitrogen levels (N): 0, 100, 300, and 600 mg Kg-1 of N. The sorghum seeds presented the filamentous fungi Rhizoctonia, Colletotrichum, Curvularia, Fusarium, Helminthosporium and Mucor; and the bacterium Bacillus subtillis, which may have interfered with plant growth. In the UFLA351 and UFLA372 treatments, the increase in nitrogen levels reduces the initial growth of sorghum, but does not influence the colonization rate of endophytic fungi DSE. The UFLA401 isolate favors the initial growth of sorghum, but without nitrogen fertilization. The endophytic fungi "dark septate" can influence the rate of mycorrhizal colonization and, therefore, the initial growth of sorghum, depending on the microbial interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Araçá" has been reported with different biological activities such as antioxidant, antiproliferative and antimicrobial as well as inhibitors of digestive enzymes. The digestive pancreatic lipase enzyme plays a fundamental role in lipid metabolism, and its inhibition has been studied as a target for obesity treatment. This study quantified the bioactive compounds present in different parts of "araçá" fruit and evaluated their antioxidant activity and lipase inhibition properties. Three samples were analyzed for total anthocyanins, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and pancreatic lipase inhibition. Anthocyanins were reported only in pulp-peel of red "araçá" sample. Phenolic compounds concentration was higher in pulp-peel than in seeds for all samples. The antioxidant activity followed the same trend. A positive correlation was observed between total phenolic content and both antioxidant activity and lipase inhibition. Lipase inhibition activity was higher for pulp-peel compared to the seeds. Overall, the results showed that "araçá" fruit extracts could be beneficial for the treatment of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the native species of the Cerrado is the jatobá, a tree legume that has a fruit, in which its flour pulp has strong potential for enriching preparations. The objective was to evaluate the physical characteristics of the fruit of jatobá-do-cerrado (Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart.), And the physical-chemical characteristics and centesimal composition in the pulp, seed and skin of the fruit. The jatobá pulp was homogenized and called Pulp Flour (FP). The seeds and husks of the jatoba were macerated and reduced and then crushed in an industrial blender, obtaining the flours called Seed Flour (FS) and Shell Flour (FC). The biometric variables of the seeds and fruits of the jatoba were evaluated. The results obtained validate the possibility of FP and FS being used as an ingredient in the protein enrichment of foods, due to the significant amount of this component. In addition, FP and FC showed potential for application in foods that contain low fiber content, as they showed expressive results for crude fiber (17,82 and 38,55%, respectively). All the analyzed parts of the fruit obtained considerable sources of nutrients, enabling their use in the preparation of new food products, as they presented high levels of proteins, carbohydrates and fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poraqueiba paraensis Ducke, known as "mari", is an Amazonian fruit tree used for urban forestry. Basic information on floristic identification, seed production technology, biology and the production of mari seedlings are incipient. The objective of the present work was to describe the morphology of the fruit and seeds, the post-seminal development and evaluate the seedling emergence of P. paraensis. The evaluations were examined by stereo and optical microscopy and electron microscopy scanning for the morphoanatomical description. The fruits are drupaceous, oblong to elliptical, monospermic, succulent, indehiscent and with non-articulated peduncle. The fruit dimensions are approximately 7.0 cm in length, 4.0 cm in width and 69.5 g of fresh mass. The seeds are albuminous, oblong-elliptical with smooth tegument, brown color, membrane-cartaceous, with longitudinally visible raphe, circular micropyle and circular hilum. The seed dimensions are approximately 6.9 cm in length, 3.5 cm in width and 53.4 g of fresh mass. The germination is epigaeous phanerocotylar, with opposite foliaceous cotyledons, paracitic stomata in the abaxial face of the leaves and rare tricome in the limb nervure. Removing the epicarp and mesocarp of the fruit does not influence the emergence of Poraqueiba paraensis Ducke seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinua Willd) germinated seeds shows nutritional value and body assimilation differences respect to normal seeds, therefore, sought to identify the extrusion process effect over flour from normal and germinated quinoa. Proximal analysis, pasting curves, Water Absorption Index (WAI) and Water Solubility Index (WSI). After extrusion process, proximal analysis, WAI and WSI performed to flours. Changes in germinated flour was found respect to normal flour like protein increase (15,06 g/100 g sample to 15,74 g/100 g sample), gelation properties, WAI and WSI variations. Significant differences was found on germinated flour due to extrusion process applied, over WSI and WAI (2,5274 g gel/g D.M. in normal quinoa flour increased to 5,8761 g gel/g D.M. in extruded quinoa flour. Thus, 2,5829 g gel/g D.M. for no extruded germinated quinoa flour, increased to 5,4197 g gel/g D.M. for extruded germinated quinoa flour). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The propagation of the forest species abarco Cariniana Pyriformis Miers was carried out with the objective of analyzing its behavior in nursery using botanical seeds not improved. A completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement composed of 10 factors per light condition -light and shade- And 45 experimental units. Different combinations of organic substrates were used. The seeds used were pre-germinated in the presence of a control. The variables evaluated were percentage of germination, growth in height and diameter and percentage of survival. The species began germination 13 days after sowing and extended to day 27. The results of the germination process were 60% and 40% at full sun exposure and under polyshade mesh respectively. The height growth of the seedlings shows the CF factor with the best value 28.94 cm, under light conditions and EF factor, with 25.56 cm at full shadow exposure. While the increase in diameter DF and EF factors registered values of 1.04 and 0.84 cm under sun and shade conditions respectively. The seeds of this species are non-photoblastic, meaning that the presence or absence of light is indifferent to its germination. The seedlings located in the environmental sun condition recorded better average values in the variables diameter and height. Therefore, this condition exerts a positive effect on the initial growth of abarco C. pyriformis seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in the municipality of San Pablo (Nariño) in order to evaluate methods of propagation (Alocasia macrorrhiza) and determine the best for the production of planting material. Design completely randomized with 4 treatments and 4 replications was used. The treatments were: T1 disc stem, stem buds T2-, T3-T4 suckers and buds. The planting material was obtained in the municipal nursery in San Pablo (Nariño), where an area of approximately 400 m2 with bore he was, whose health and productive state was acceptable. The analysis of variance detected significant differences among treatments for the variable plant height, while for leaves/plant there was no difference between treatments. Duncan test allowed us to determine that the method of propagation of buds was the best performing achieving an average of 125,8 cm/plant. Upon study completion, the methods of the stem disc and tillers were lower growth which showed an average of 96,9 and 105,4 cm/plant, respectively. The number of leaves per plant is independent of propagation method used, no matter what method the production of leaf biomass used will be the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the steady population growth at the global level observed in the passage of time, there has been perceived the need to have a social scheme where the offer of healthy food is constant and sufficient to settle the existing insufficiencies in the human population. Before this situation, the efficiency of the cattle models of animal production has turned out to be awkward as a result of the competition of the animal species for the nutritive resources that the man consumes. For such a motive, the need to recognize and to characterize new food that they have potential for its use in the animal feeding, has turned into a priority and a responsibility of the countries that possess a big biodiversity. Of the use of the seed of the plant of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) for the oil production, there has been generated a new element that he promises to contribute with the protein suplementación in animals, offering a viable alternative for tropical countries with favorable climatic conditions for the development of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bactris maraja (marajá) is a common palm tree at the margins of Amazonian lakes and streams, whose edible fruits are eaten by man and wildlife. Morphological and anatomical studies of reproductive structures can provide information that will subsidize taxonomic, physiological and ecological studies. The aim of this study was to determine the biometric and morphoanatomical features of the pyreneas well as histochemical characteristics of the seed. Mature fruits were collected and we measured size, fresh mass, water content and described shape, color and texture. The anatomical study was performed by resinembedding. Histochemical tests for detection of principal metabolites were applied. The pyrenes and isolated seeds showed small biometric variationexcept for fresh weight. The pyrene is obovate to elliptical, with a thick, hard, sclerified endocarp, formed by cells with thick walls. The seed is compressed obovate to elliptic, with a thin chartaceous seed coat, light brown, adhered to the endocarp composed of thickened parenchyma cells and tanniferous cells; bulky endosperm, solid, homogeneous, white, formed by oblong, elliptical and transversely oval cells, that are rounded longitudinally, with protein and lipid reserves; embryo lateral, conical, small, milky-white, with protein and lipid content, undifferentiated root pole and shoot pole with three leaf primordia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the specific relationships resulting from the application of frequencies up to four irrigations per day in Eucalyptus grandis able to obtain seedlings for planting based on the analysis of the dry mass and height / diameter (H / D) of seedlings after time hardening. The experiment was a randomized block design in a factorial arrangement (4x7), with plots in time, and the factors consisted of four irrigation frequencies (T1 = irrigation once a day (at 11:00 am), T2 = irrigation twice a day (at 11:00 and 19:00); T3 = irrigation three times a day (at 07:00, and 19:00 to 11:00) and T4 = irrigation four times a day (at 07:00, to 11:00, and at 15:00 to 19:00)) and seven times evaluation (7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days after sowing After analysis, it was found that of irrigation frequency applied to three irrigations per day, is directly proportional quality of seedlings generated. When using four irrigations per day, the quality of the seedlings will be significantly equal frequency with three irrigations, but with a considerable expenditure of water at the end of the rotation, when the concern is the optimization in nurseries. Thus, treatment with three frequencies irrigation per day showed the seedlings with better development in height and diameter and with a low expense of water relative to treatment with four irrigation frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was realized to check the response of four varieties of papaya for emergence at different temperatures. The experiment was conducted at UNESP, Campus of Jaboticabal city, São Paulo state, Brazil, using seeds of four varieties of papaya, two of the group Solo (Sunrise Solo 722 and Golden) and two of the group Formosa (Rubi Incaper 511 and Calimosa), submitted to four temperatures: constant at 20°C, 25°C, 30°C and alternating 20/30°C (8 hours at 30°C and the remainder at 20°C), with a photoperiod of 8 hours of light/day. The study was conducted in factorial 4 x 4 (four varieties of papaya and four temperatures), using a completely randomized design with four replicates per treatment and 20 seeds in each. The percentage of emergence was evaluated weekly and the data were subjected to analysis of variance and comparison of means by Tukey test at 5% probability. The results showed that the highest percentage of emergency occurs in alternating temperatures (20/30°C) and the varieties of the group Solo also emerge satisfactorily at temperatures of 25°C and 30°C constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germination is a biological process that depends on adequate water supply to embryo development. Water deficit slows this process and depending on intensity and extent of this deficit may cause seed death. Nevertheless, it has not yet been reported whether seed size influences physiological potential, or tolerance to water stress. This study aimed at assessing the effects of seed size, as well as of water stress on germination of the seeds and on early soybean seedling development. The experiment was composed by seeds of 10 soybean cultivars classified by metallic screens with three sizes of oval holes (S12, S13 and S14) and subjected to three water potentials (0, -0.1, and -0.2 MPa), with four replications. Data on genotypes were grouped as replications and arranged on a factorial 3 x 3 (size x water potential), with 40 replications. Data assessed were: first and final count of germination; length and seedling dry weight; and correlation between length/mass of radicle and hypocotyl. It was concluded that under ideal moisture conditions larger seeds have better physiological quality, producing more vigorous seedlings; but, that under water potential of -0.2 MPa smaller seeds produce larger seedlings; and that the hypocotyl is more influenced by water stress than the radicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylopia aromatica is a native species from Brazil's "Cerrado", recommended for restoration ecology and also as a medicine. Its seeds have embryos with morphophysiological dormancy, making nursery propagation difficult. The objective of this study was to verify the efficiency of X-ray and tetrazolium tests for evaluating the viability of three seed lots, stored for different periods. All seeds were X-rayed (13 kV, 350 seconds) and samples used for tetrazolium and germination tests. In the tetrazolium test, seeds were submitted to six treatments at two temperatures (25 and 30 °C) with imbibition in distilled water and immersion in three concentrations of tetrazolium solution (0.5, 0.75 and 1%) at the two imbibition temperatures. Seeds for the germination test were placed for imbibition in distilled water and a 500 ppm Promalin® (6-Benzyladenine + GA4 + GA7) solution and later sown in sterilized sand. The embryo could not be observed with the X-ray test. However, those seeds observed with an undamaged endosperm did not differ in the percentages of seeds with firm and stained endosperms observed in the tetrazolium test for all the lots. The tetrazolium test is efficient for evaluating seed viability, principally if imbibed at 30 °C and immersed in a 0.5% solution at 30 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the influence of different concentrations of the fungicide Carboxim Tiram on the physiological quality of wheat cultivars CD 111 and CD 108 of COODETEC. The seeds were treated with the fungicide, inp the recommended commercial doses (270 mg ai L-1) at a dose above (360 mg ai L-1), below (180 mg ai L-1) and control (0 mg ai L-1) with untreated seeds. The seeds with and without treatments were planted in paper rolls and taken to the biological growth chamber (BOD) at 25 º C ± 1. The experiment was conducted in an experimental randomized block design with 4 treatments and three replications of 50 seeds per replicate. The following tests were made: germination test (TG), first count germination (PCG), electrical conductivity (EC), shoot length (SL) and root length (RL), fresh matter of shoot (FMAP) and fresh mass of root (MFR), dry matter of shoot (SDM) and root (MSR). It was observed that the fungicide produced negative interference in the germination, and that different doses of fungicide affect the performance of genotypes. In addition, the electrical conductivity increased in function of the concentration of the fungicide Thiram carboxim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The caterpillar Dichomeris famulata Meyrick, 1914 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a new pest of corn ear in Brazil, and its study is important in seed fields. The aim of this was to study the biology of this pest under laboratory conditions (25±2°C, 65±10% of RH and 14-hours of photophase). The biological cycle (egg-adult) was of 35.2 days. The incubation period was of 4.1 days. The average larval development time was of 21.1 days, and 5 instars were observed. The pupal period was of 8.4 days and the pupae weight was of 12.4 and 11.3 mg for males and females, respectively. The females laid an average of 118 eggs with a pre-oviposition period of 10.7 days and an oviposition time of 14.0 days. The mean longevity of males and females was of 37.02 and 44.16 days, respectively, and sex ratio was of 0.48. The caterpillars damage the silks and grains at the milk stage through little entry orifices, damaging the endosperm and, more importantly, the embryo, reducing the seed germination. These results can support the establishment of strategies to manage this new corn ear pest, especially in seed fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stylosanthes SW. is a genus of tropical legume with great potential for use as forage in Brazil. In general this genus presents seed dormancy, which causes irregular germination, a serious problem in the establishment of pastures. Several studies have explored the use of high temperatures achieving good results not only in overcoming seed dormancy in forage, as well as in the eradication of seed pests aiming at decreasing the use of pesticides. Thus, to evaluate the effects of temperature treatments to overcome seed dormancy of Stylosanthes capitata, S. guianensis and S. macrocephala, seeds were exposed to 50, 60 and 70°C during 5, 10 and 15 hours. Seeds were then subjected to germination tests with four replications of 100 seeds each per treatment. The effect of treatment was evaluated by standard germination and speed germination index (IVG). For S. macrocephala and S. capitata the use of high temperatures overcame seed dormancy. For the first species the most efficient treatment was obtained with 60°C during 15 hours, however for S. capitata seeds the temperature of 70°C showed best results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The X-ray test is used in seed quality programs to assist morphological and physiological evaluations. Arnica (Lychnophora pinaster Mart.) is considered a medicinal species that has a remarkable number of badly formed seeds at the time of fruit dispersion. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the influence of the maturation stages on the physiological quality of Arnica seeds by the X-ray test. The seeds used were collected in December 2003 from a natural population in the district of Itumirim, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. At seed collection the following were considered: the capitulum in which the seeds showed jointed internal papus, less mature stage, without internal papus and seeds that were dispersing. After collection the seeds were dried, cleaning and separated with a vertical blower. The seeds were placed in acrylic transparent plates, radiographed and separated into three categories, full, badly formed and empty seeds according to the internal morphology observed on the radiographs. The time and intensity used during the X-ray test were previously tested. Four replications of 50 seeds for each treatment were used. The seeds were placed in a gerbox on paper towel and kept for 90 days in an incubator (BOD) adjusted at alternating temperature (20-30°C) and 12-hour photoperiod. The parameters evaluated were speed of germination and final germination percentage. The remaining seeds were subjected to the tetrazolium test to verify seed viability. The X-ray test was shown to be effective for separating the seeds into categories based on their internal morphology. The radiation of 30Kv for 45 seconds allowed visualization of the internal structures of the seeds. The capitulum maturation stage with seeds without internal papus at the time of dispersion was the best for seed collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of morphological descriptors and protein and isozymes biochemical markers have been recommended for soybean cultivar characterization. The aim of this study was to identify ten soybean cultivars using such descriptors and markers. The morphological descriptors evaluated in seedlings, plants and seeds were those recommended by the Cultivars Protection Act and UPOV and were efficient in cultivar separation. Specific markers for seven of the ten cultivars were obtained. Total protein separated the cultivars into three groups: 1) Conquista, BRIAC 21 and Garantia; 2) Liderança, Confiança and Monarca; 3) Splendor, UFV 16, FT 2000 and Vencedora. Superoxide dismutase, diaforase, phosphoglucomutase, esterase, alcohol desidrogenase, isocitrado desidrogenase and peroxidase separated the cultivars into six groups: 1) Conquista and Confiança; 2) Splendor and FT 2000; 3) UFV 16 and Garantia; 4) BRIAC 21; 5) Liderança and Monarca; 6) Vendedora. The use of biochemical markers with morphological descriptors was useful to soybean cultivar characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean productivity under the no till system (NTS) can be influenced by the preceding type of plant cover and surface liming. However, the effects of this technique on yield components and the seed physiological quality have been little studied, especially in ("safrinha") off-season soybean under NTS. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate some agronomic traits, yield components, productivity, and physiological quality of soybean grown during the off-season ("safrinha"), as a function of different cover plants, with or without surface liming, under NTS. The experiment was conducted during the 1999/00 cropping season on the Lageado Experimental Farm, FCA/UNESP/Botucatu-SP, Brazil. The experimental design was organized as randomized blocks in split-plots, with 4 replications. The 6m × 10m plots consisted of broomcorn (Sorghum bicolor), millet (Pennisetum americanum), fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum), spontaneous vegetation, and no vegetation. At 53 days after emergence the cover plants were desiccated and lodged, and a surface application of 3.1 t.ha-1 lime was made in half of the plots, in order to increase V% to 70. Soybean (cv. IAC-19) was sown two weeks later, during the off-season ("safrinha"). Determinations were made for the final stand, first pod height, plant height, total number of pods and blank pods per plant, total number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and yield. As to seed physiological quality, determinations were made for germination, artificial aging, germination at 18°C, plantlet D.M., and electric conductivity. During NTS implementation, plant cover type and surface liming did not affect the agronomic traits studied, yield components, seed productivity, and physiological quality of soybean seeds grown in the off-season ("safrinha") system, except for electric conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]