Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de genótipos de algodoeiro sob estresse salino

The germination of cotton seeds and the seedlings emergency are generally delayed and reduced by the salinity. Although the cotton is considered a tolerant culture, it can suffer substantial reductions in regarding its growth and production when exposed to salinity condition. The aims of this study went evaluate the effect of the saline stress in the germination phase to four cotton genotypes (BRS Rubi, BRS Safira, BRS 201 and CNPA 187 8H), using different osmotic potentials generated with increment of sodium chloride (NaCl). The saline stress was simulated using NaCl aqueous solutions in the potentials: 0.0 (Control); -0.2; -0.4; -0.6; -0.8 and -1.0 MPa. The treatments were monitored by means of tests for analysis of seeds, germination, first counting, speed germination index, length of shoot, radicle length, dry weigth of embrionic axis and shoot/radicle ratio. The tests for germination, first counting and index of germination speed were accomplished using 50 seeds for repetition and for the study of length of shoot, radicle length, dry weigth of embrionic axis and shoot/radicle ratio were used 20 seeds by repetition. For both tests four repetitions were accomplished by genotype for each one of the potentials. The seeds of each repetition were involved in papers Germitest humidified with NaCl solution corresponding to the potential. The repetitions of both tests were maintained in a germinator with saturated humidity. The analysis were initiate four days after the induction of the saline stress. The evaluations of the first three variables analyzed were accomplished daily; the seeds were remove and counted when its germinated. For the length tests just the repetitions corresponding to the potential of NaCl 0,0 MPa were analysis 4 days after the beginning of the induction of the saline stress. The analysis of the repetitions of the potentials -0,2 and -0,4 and of the potentials -0,6, -0,8 and -1,0 MPa they were accomplished with 12 and 20 days, respectively. For accomplishment of the analisis of this test the shoot of the 20 plantules of each repetition was separate from the radicle and both parts were measured. The statistical analyses were performed using the GENMOD and GLM procedures of the SAS. For the variable germination, the cultivates CNPA 187 8H and BRS Safira stood out for the potential -0.8 MPa, with averages of 89% and 81%, respectively. The test of speed germination index to cultivate BRS Safira presented the largest averages for the two higher saline potentials. It was observed that the increase of the saline potential reduces the germination percentage and speed germination index. For each day of evaluation it was verified that the increase of the saline potential causes a reduction of the length both of the shoot and of the radicle. The radicle tends to grow more than the shoot until the potential -0,4 MPa

Influência da salinidade e temperatura da água nas respotas comportamental e fisiológica de camarões marinhos Litopenaeus vannamei(BOONE 1931)

The shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei has been grown in highly variable environments, especially in relation to salinity and water temperature. The adjustment to such conditions mainly involves changes in behavior, physiology, particularly in the immune response. This may consequently reduce the welfare of these animals. Despite the widespread farming of the species, little is known about their behavioral and physiological responses under stressful conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the influence of different salinities and temperatures in the behavior of the marine shrimp L. vannamei, and its relation to the total hemocytes count. In the laboratory, juvenile shrimp were kept in glass aquaria with a closed water recirculation system, continuous aeration and filtration, and under a 12:12 h light/dark cycle. Behavioral observations occurred 1, 4, 7 and 10 h after the start of each phase (light or dark). To assess the influence of salinity, shrimp were first acclimated and then observed at 2, 30 or 50 ppm salinity water, while temperatures tested were 18, 28 and 33 ° C. At the end of each experiment (30 days), shrimp hemolymph was collected for subsequent total hemocytes count (THC), a parameter used to assess stress. In general, feeding behavior was modified under lower salinity and temperature, with reduced values in feeding, exploration and digestive tract filling. Inactivity and burrowing were prevalent under extreme conditions water salinity and temperature, respectively: 2 and 50 ppm and 18 and 33 ° C; crawling was also less frequent under these conditions. In regards to light/dark cycle, shrimp were more active during the dark phase (crawling and swimming), while burrowing was higher during the light phase, regardless of salinity or temperature of the water. Inactivity behavior did not vary according to the light/dark cycle. Moreover, the total hemocytes count (THC) was reduced under 2 and 50 ppm salinity and 18 ° C temperature. Farming of L. vannamei under extremely low or high salinities and low temperatures is harmful. This suggests the species must be cultivated in salinities closer to those of the sea as well as at high temperatures, which seems to be ideal for a management focused on animal welfare, therefore, producing healthier shrimp

Influência espaço-temporal e fisiológica na absorção de nutrientes e elementos tóxicos por Eichhornia crassipes visando o uso adequado da sua biomassa: o caso do Rio Apodi/Mossoró - RN

This study aims to determine the amount of nutrients and toxic elements in aquatic macrophytes of species Eichhornia crassipes present in River Apodi/Mossoró - RN and check some of the possibilities of using the biomass produced, based on the influence of space - temporal and physiological absorption of nutrients by plants. For this, was determined: Leaf area, Leaf wet mass, Leaf dry mass, Real humidity, Apparent humidity, Ash, Total nitrogen, Crude protein, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Total phosphorus, Sodium, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Nickel, Cobalt, Aluminum, Cadmium, Lead and Total chromium at different times, 2 sampling points and 2 parts of plants (leaves and roots). The results show that the levels of nutrients, protein and toxic elements present in plant tissue of Eichhornia crassipes are influenced by spatial, temporal and physiological variability. In general, because the maximum values in the dry matter for total nitrogen (4.4088 g/100g), crude protein (27.5549 g/100g), total phosphorus (0.642 g/100 g), calcium (1.444 g/100g), magnesium (0.732 g/100 g), potassium (7.51 g/100 g), copper (4.4279 mg/100g), manganese (322.668 mg/100g), sodium (1.39 g/100g), iron (194.169 mg/100g) and zinc (3.5836 mg/100g), there was the possibility of using biomass of Eichhornia crassipes for various purposes such as in food animal, products production for human consumption, organic fertilizers, fabrication of brick low cost, and crafts. For all these applications requires a control of the levels of substances in plant tissue. Based on the levels of nutrients and crude protein, the younger plants (0 Month) would be best to have their biomass used. Moreover, one factor that contributes to the use of larger plants (6 Months), the levels of toxic elements which have significantly small or below the detection limit. Therefore, further studies quantifying the biomass produced/m2 at 0 and 6 months are needed for a more correct choice for the best time of harvest

Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Moringa oleifera lam. por meio da análise de imagens

Several tests that evaluate the quality of seeds are destructive and require time, which is considered long and expensive in the processes that involves the production and marketing of seed. Thus, techniques that allow reducing the time related to assess the quality of seed lots is very favorable, considering the technical, economic and scientific point of view. The techniques images of seed analyzed both by X-ray such as digital images, represent alternative for this sector, and are considered reproducible and fast, giving greater flexibility and autonomy to the activities of production systems. Summarily, the objective was to analyze the internal morphology of seeds of this species through x-rayed images and the efficiency of weed seed area increased during soaking through image analysis and compare them with the results of germination tests and force the evaluation of physiological seed quality. For X-ray tests, the seeds were exposed for 0.14 seconds at radiation 40kV and 2.0 mAs. Were analyzed images using the ImageJ program and subsequently put to germinate in B.O.D chamber at 27 ° C, in which there was the comparison of results for germination. To determine the test area increase (% IA), seeds were used with and without seed coat, maintained the B.O.D chamber at 15 ° to 20 ° C, the seeds were photographed before and after the soaking period, the results were compared to the germination rates. For the X-ray test, it was observed that seeds with empty area greater than 20%, showed a higher percentage of abnormal seedlings. And the area increment analysis showed that it is possible to rank the batch after 8 hours of imbibition at 15 ° C according to the germination and vigor tests

Testes para a avaliação da qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Moringa oleifera Lam

The evaluation of seed vigor is an important factor for detection of lots of high quality seeds, so that development of procedures to evaluate the physiological potential has been an important tool in quality control programs seeds. In this sense the study aimed to adapt the methodologies of accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and potassium leaching to evaluate Moringa oleifera seed vigor LAM.. Therefore, four lots of moringa seeds were subjected to the germination tests, seedling emergence, speed of emergence index, emergence first count, length and dry mass of seedlings and cold test for their physiological characterization, in addition to accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and potassium leaching. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications of 50 seeds and the means compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. For accelerated aging the periods were studied aging 12, 24 and 72 hours at 40, 42 and 45°C. For the electrical conductivity test was used to a temperature of 25°C for periods of 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 hours of immersion in 75 to 125 mL of distilled water, using 25 to 50 seeds, and for potassium leaching test samples were used 25 to 50 seeds, placed in plastic cups containing 70 and 100 mL of distilled water at 25°C for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours. From the results obtained, it can be inferred that the methods best fit for the accelerated aging test Moringa seeds were a temperature of 40°C for 12 to 72 hours, 42°C 72 hours 45°C 24 hours . In the electrical conductivity test Moringa seeds, the combination of 50 seeds in 75 mL distilled water for a period of immersion of 4 hours and 50 seeds in 125 mL of 4 hours were efficient for the differentiation of lots of Moringa seeds as to vigor and for potassium leaching test moringa seeds, the combination of 50 seeds in 100mL of distilled water allowed the separation of lots of four levels of vigor, at 2 hours of immersion, showing promise in evaluate the quality of moringa seeds.

Testes para a avaliação da qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Moringa oleifera Lam

The evaluation of seed vigor is an important factor for detection of lots of high quality seeds, so that development of procedures to evaluate the physiological potential has been an important tool in quality control programs seeds. In this sense the study aimed to adapt the methodologies of accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and potassium leaching to evaluate Moringa oleifera seed vigor LAM.. Therefore, four lots of moringa seeds were subjected to the germination tests, seedling emergence, speed of emergence index, emergence first count, length and dry mass of seedlings and cold test for their physiological characterization, in addition to accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and potassium leaching. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications of 50 seeds and the means compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. For accelerated aging the periods were studied aging 12, 24 and 72 hours at 40, 42 and 45°C. For the electrical conductivity test was used to a temperature of 25°C for periods of 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 hours of immersion in 75 to 125 mL of distilled water, using 25 to 50 seeds, and for potassium leaching test samples were used 25 to 50 seeds, placed in plastic cups containing 70 and 100 mL of distilled water at 25°C for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours. From the results obtained, it can be inferred that the methods best fit for the accelerated aging test Moringa seeds were a temperature of 40°C for 12 to 72 hours, 42°C 72 hours 45°C 24 hours . In the electrical conductivity test Moringa seeds, the combination of 50 seeds in 75 mL distilled water for a period of immersion of 4 hours and 50 seeds in 125 mL of 4 hours were efficient for the differentiation of lots of Moringa seeds as to vigor and for potassium leaching test moringa seeds, the combination of 50 seeds in 100mL of distilled water allowed the separation of lots of four levels of vigor, at 2 hours of immersion, showing promise in evaluate the quality of moringa seeds.

Uma Lectina D-lactose específica da esponja marinha Cinachyrella apion: purificação, caracterização e interação com Leishmania chagasi

Four different sponge species were screened using Ouchterlony agarose gel and immunodiffusion tests to identify cross-reactivity with the polyclonal antibody IgG anti-deglicosilated CvL, a lectin from Cliona varians. Crude extract from the sponge Cinachyrella apion showed cross-reactivity and also a strong haemmaglutinating activity towards human erythrocytes of all ABO groups. Thus, it was submitted to acetone fractionation, IgG anti-deglicosilated CvL Sepharose affinity chromatography, and Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC-AKTA) gel filtration on a Superose 6 10 300 column to purify a novel lectin. C. apion lectin (CaL) agglutinated all types of human erythrocytes with preference for papainized type A and O erythrocytes. The haemagglutinating activity is independent of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Mn2+ ions, and it was strongly inhibited by the disaccharide D-lactose, up to a minimum concentration of 6.25 mM. CaL molecular mass determined by FPLC-AKTA gel filtration on a Superose 12 10 300 column and SDS gel electrophoresis was approximately 124 kDa, consisting of eight subunits of 15.5 kDa, assembled by hydrophobic interactions. The lectin was relatively heat- and pH-stable. Leishmania chagasi romastigotes were agglutinated by CaL, indicating that lactose receptors could be presented in this parasite stage. These findings are indicative of the physiological defense roles of CaL and its possible use in the antibiosis of pathogenic protozoa

Proteômica diferencial da Chromobacterium violaceum em resposta ao estresse oxidativo induzido por peróxido de hidrogênio

The β-proteobacterium Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram-negative, free-living, saprophytic and opportunistic pathogen that inhabits tropical and subtropical ecosystems among them, in soil and water of the Amazon. It has great biotechnological potential, and because of this potential, its genome was completely sequenced in 2003. Genome analysis showed that this bacterium has several genes with functions related to the ability to survive under different kinds of environmental stresses. In order to understand the physiological response of C. violaceum under oxidative stress, we applied the tool of shotgun proteomics. Thus, colonies of C. violaceum ATCC 12472 were grown in the presence and absence of 8 mM H2O2 for two hours, total proteins were extracted from bacteria, subjected to SDS-PAGE, stained and hydrolysed. The tryptic peptides generated were subjected to a linear-liquid chromatography (LC) followed by mass spectrometer (LTQ-XL-Orbitrap) to obtain quantitative and qualitative data. A shotgun proteomics allows to compare directly in complex samples, differential expression of proteins and found that in C. Violaceum, 131 proteins are expressed exclusively in the control condition, 177 proteins began to be expressed under oxidative stress and 1175 proteins have expression in both conditions. The results showed that, under the condition of oxidative stress, this bacterium changes its metabolism by increasing the expression of proteins capable of combating oxidative stress and decreasing the expression of proteins related processes bacterial growth and catabolism (transcription, translation, carbon metabolism and fatty acids). A tool with of proteomics as an approach of integrative biology provided an overview of the metabolic pathways involved in the response of C. violaceum to oxidative stress, as well as significantly amplified understanding physiological response to environmental stress. Biochemical and "in silico" assays with the hypothetical ORF CV_0868 found that this is part of an operon. Phylogenetic analysis of superoxide dismutase, protein belonging to the operon also showed that the gene is duplicated in genome of C. violaceum and the second copy was acquired through a horizontal transfer event. Possibly, not only the SOD gene but also all genes comprising this operon were obtained in the same manner. It was concluded that C. violaceum has complex, efficient and versatile mechanisms in oxidative stress response

Interação competitiva do zinco e ferro após administração oral e venosa de zinco em crianças eutróficas

The aim of this study was to assess the acute and chronic effects of zinc in serum iron profile of children aged 6-9 years in relation to nutritional status and dietary intake. The study participants were 11 children regardless of sex, aged 6-9 years. They were selected from three public schools of the city of Natal, Brazil. Body mass index was used to assess nutritional status. In order to determine the patterns of childhood growth and ideal weight we used the standards of the World Health Organization. The dietary intake assessment was based on information from a three-day prospective food survey. The variables were energy intake, protein, lipids, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, iron and zinc. All children underwent an intravenous administration of zinc (IVAZn) before and after oral administration of zinc (OAZn) (5 mg Zn / day) for three months. We measured serum iron, hematocrit, hemoglobin and total protein, before and after the use of oral zinc. The analysis of hematocrit, hemoglobin and total protein was performed using standard methods of clinical laboratory. Zinc levels and serum iron were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The project was evaluated and approved by the Ethics in Research Committee of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Results: All children had normal weight. The consumption of energy, fat, fiber, calcium and iron were below recommended levels. However, the levels of protein and carbohydrates were high. Protein and zinc increased significantly after OAZn. Carbohydrate and protein were elevated in the blood. After OAZn, both protein and zinc increased, being statistically significant. Conclusion: The potential inhibitory effect of physiological or pharmacological doses of zinc on the profile of serum iron was observed in children with healthy weight and aged between 6 and 9 years. This negative effect of zinc did not affect the levels of hematocrit or hemoglobin, and therefore did not cause anemia. This was a multidisciplinary study, involving researchers from medicine, nutrition and pharmacy. This met the requirements of multidisciplinarity of the Post Graduate Program in Health Sciences of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte.

Risco de doença cardiovascular em mulheres com história de distúrbio hipertensivo da gravidez

OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia is a disease that can lead to a high maternal and infant morbidity. Worldwide, the incidence of this disease is highly variable and there is no data on this disorder in the Brazilian population. This study aimed at determining incidence and risk factors in the hypertensive disorders during pregnancy in a neighborhood of Natal, in addition to observing the evolution of these disorders one year and five years after delivery. METHODS: Prospective cohort study to assess the outcome of pregnancies of 242 women who became pregnant between 2004-2007 in the neighborhood of Bom Pastor in the city of Natal, state of RN, Brazil. Five years after delivery, there was an active search of thirty-nine (39) women who became pregnant and had a hypertensive disorder during pregnancy and/or pré-eclâmpsia, out of the total of 242 participants in the initial study. We administered a structured questionnaire to obtain basic information about the current clinical situation of patients and occurrences of subsequent pregnancy and presence of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. We also searched for information on the use of hypotensive drugs and contraceptives. The following characteristics were checked and recorded: a) current weight, b) blood pressure c) body mass index - BMI, and we collected biological samples (blood and urine) for measurement of biochemical parameters and evaluation of microalbuminúria. Finally, we monitored the ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), which uses the method of automatic measurement of heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and an average of the two for the period of 24 hours. RESULTS: Out of 218 women who completed the study, the incidence of hypertensive disorders was of 16.9% (37 out of 218), while the incidence of preeclampsia was 13.8% (30 of 218). Women with preeclampsia had a BMI (body mass index) averaged of 25.3 (± 4.8) while this ratio in normotensive women was of 23.5 (± 3.7), p = 0.02. The risk of preeclampsia rises with age (OR 1084 p = 0.0034) and with a family history of hypertension (OR 2.6 p = 0.01). The follow-up one year after delivery revealed that 50% of women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy remained hypertensive. High BMI was also observed after 5 years of delivery. CONCLUSIONS: an elevated BMI, age above 35 years and excessive weight gain during pregnancy were associated with hypertension in the long term in patients with prior preeclampsia. History of preeclampsia increases the risk of chronic hypertension

Suplementação oral de zinco pode diminuir o perfil sérico de ferro em crianças saudáveis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Estudo psicossocial das perdas dentárias na terceira idade

The present study seeks to understand tooth loss by investigating the social representations in the daily life of elderly individuals, thus characterizing itself as a comparative and analytic research. It is known that tooth loss is a common occurrence in elderly individuals, interfering at the psychosocial and biological levels, through its functional, esthetical and social implications. The area of oral health in Brazil is lacking studies on this topic, especially with respect to the psychosocial aspects of the elderly. The Theory of Social Representations and the Central Nucleus Theory were selected for theoretical-methodological support. The Free Association of Words Test was used, whose inducing stimulus were the words tooth loss , in which each subject was asked to associate 3 words, to respond to a questionnaire related to socio-economic conditions and containing an investigation of tooth loss, access to odontological services and the need for dental treatment, and to undergo a focus group interview. The study sample consisted of 120 individuals 60 years of age or over, resident in Natal, RN, Brazil and participants of the Live Together to Live Better group of the Basic Health Unit of Felipe Camarão Residential District and Unati (Open University of the Elderly); an interview was performed with 36 subjects. Data analysis was performed by Evoc 2000, SPSS/99, Graph Pad and Alceste softwares. The results demonstrate that the central nucleus of the social representations of tooth loss for the Live Together group emerged from the difficulty in eating categories, showing a relation between physiologic necessity, desire and pleasure from eating, not to mention the pain that resulted from justifying the tooth loss. Besides the central discourses, the following peripheral elements were gathered: difficulty in adapting to the prosthesis, treatment and difficulty in speaking. All of these categories, except the last, also comprised the class themes of the group interview. For the Unati group the central nucleus emerged from the socio-economic difficulties categories, demonstrating a narrow relation between poverty, access to health and education and esthetics, confirming in the discourse of common sense, the association between tooth loss and aging. At the margin of the central discourses was collected the peripheral element difficulty in adapting to the prosthesis, found both in the Live Together and Unati groups, which expresses the resistance of the subject to this new situation and the failure of the rehabilitation treatment in the sense of reviving the memory of their natural teeth. All of these categories also constitute the class themes of the of the group interview. Thus, through the study of the social representations, we can reveal a reality in the perspective of the social subjects, contemplating the multiple facets of the social-cultural reality experienced by these individuals

Capacidade antioxidante in vitro e avaliação da toxicidade aguda in vivo de extratos de folhas de Licania rígida Benth., Licania tomentosa (Benth.) Fritsch e Couepia impressa Prance (Chrysobalanaceae)

Licania rigida Benth., Licania tomentosa (Benth.) Fritsch, and Couepia impressa Prance (Chrysobalanaceae family) plants have long been used medicinally by the people from Northeastern Brazil. Crude extracts and infusions of these plants have been applied in the treatment of several conditions such as diabetes and rheumatism, degenerative diseases with involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the aqueous, ethanolic, and hydroethanolic leaves extracts antioxidant capacity of these species, using several in vitro assay systems (reducing power, DPPH● scavenging, the β-carotene linoleate model system and lipid peroxidation inhibition in rat brain homogenate, using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARS). The oral acute toxicity of aqueous extracts was also evaluated in vivo. Results revealed that these extracts possess a potent reducing power and DPPH scavenging ability, as well as the ability to prevent TBARS formation in rat brain homogenate in a concentration-dependent manner. Regarding in vivo oral acute toxicity of the aqueous species extracts, no toxic effects were observed upon evaluating physiological, hematological and biochemical parameters. The presence of high levels of phenolics and flavonoids was determined mainly in the ethanol extract. However, the C. impressa hydroethanolic extract, fractionated with hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate for analysis by NMR 1H, showed more efficient results than the reference antioxidant Carduus marianus. The classes of organics compounds were determined were phenolics in the fraction of ethyl acetate and terpenes in chloroform and hexane fractions. The ethil acetate fraction had the highest content of flavonoids and increased scavenging capacity of DPPH●, possibly by the presence of phenolic compounds. Therefore, a detailed investigation of the phytochemical composition and in vivo study of the C. impressa hydroethanolic extract is suggested to characterize the active compounds of the species

Testes bioquímicos para avaliação do vigor em sementes de Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth

Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth. is a forest species of the Mimosaceae family, recommended for recovery of degraded areas. The evaluation of vigor by biochemical tests have been an important tool in the control of seed quality programs, and the electrical conductivity and potassium leaching the most efficient in the verifying the physiological potential. The objective, therefore, to adjust the methodology of the electrical conductivity test for seeds of M. caesalpiniaefolia, for then compare the efficiency of this test with the potassium in the evaluation of seed vigor of different lots of seeds M. caesalpiniaefolia. To test the adequacy of the electrical conductivity were used different combinations of temperatures , 25 °C and 30 ºC, number of seeds , 25 and 50, periods of imbibition , 4 , 8 , 12 , 16 and 24 hours , and volumes deionized water, 50 mL and 75mL. For potassium leaching test, which was conducted from the results achieved by the methodology of the adequacy of the electrical conductivity test, to compare the efficiency of both tests , in the classification of seeds at different levels of vigor, and the period 4 hours also evaluated because the potassium leaching test can be more efficient in the shortest time . The best combination obtained in experiment of electrical conductivity is 25 seeds soaked in 50 mL deionized or distilled water for 8 hours at a temperature of 30 ° C. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, the means were compared with each other by F tests and Tukey at 5 % probability, and when necessary polynomial regression analysis was performed. The electrical conductivity test performed at period eight hour proved to be more efficient in the separation of seed lots M. caesalpiniaefolia at different levels of vigor compared to the potassium test

Caracterização ecofisiológica de sementes de espécies lenhosas da Caatinga

Dormancy is an inherent property of the seeds that define the environmental conditions in which they are able to germinate and their presence is an adaptive trait common in species inhabiting semiarid regions. Moreover, the ability of seedling establishment in these environments has been related to the size, strength and chemical characteristics of the seeds. This study investigated patterns of dormancy and germination speed in tree species of the Caatinga, exploring how the seed size influence the processes of germination, seedling size and biomass allocation. In addition, we aim to investigate the chemical characteristics of the reserves, to verify a possible relationship between nutritional content and the process of seed germination. Therefore, seeds were collected from ten species of woody Caatinga for tests of breaking dormancy, germination and biochemical characterization. Overall, the results show that the scarification treatments mechanical and chemical, and thermal shock influenced the percentage and speed of germination in 50 % of the species, suggesting that they have some level of physical dormancy in the seeds. Biochemical characterization showed the existence of large amounts of carbohydrates in the seeds of all species, low proportion of protein and low amounts of neutral lipids. Using linear regression, we demonstrated the existence of a significant relationship between seed size and the ratio of root/shoot where the largest seeds invested a greater amount of resources for shoot growth. The relationship between germination speed and non-reducing sugar content was also significant, so these compounds is related to the maintenance of physiological seed quality. These results confirm some relationships discussed in the literature for cultivated species, but can be applied to the species native to the Caatinga