Allelopathic effects of aqueous extract of Brassica napus on germination of seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris

Secondary compounds produced by plants are considered an alternative method of weed suppression but can cause negative effects on crops in succession, especially in a no-tillage system, due to the degradation of crop residues with allelopathic potential. The objective of this work was to analyze the influence of foliar aqueous extracts of Brassica napus on the germination and initial development of seedlings of Phaseolus vulgaris. The extract was prepared as a stock 10 % weight/volume solution, and diluted into treatments of relative concentrations of 100 % (i.e. 10 % w/v stock), 75 %, 50 %, 25 % and 0 % (untreated control consisting of distilled water), in a completely randomized design. The seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris were moistened with the differing concentrated extracts and kept in a germination chamber at 25 °C, with a photoperiod of 12 h for nine days. The variables evaluated were: percentage germinating, first count of germination and germination velocity index, as well the root and hypocotyl length, and fresh and dry mass of the seedlings. The aqueous leaf extracts of Brassica napus did not influence the germination of Phaseolus vulgaris seeds, but did induce the growth of abnormal seedlings by inhibition of secondary roots and reduced prominence of the primary root.

Desiccation tolerance in seeds of Annona emarginata (Schldtl.) H. Rainer and action of plant growth regulators on germination

Annona emarginata (Schldtl.) H. Rainer (araticum-de-terra-fria) is used as a rootstock for several species of Annonaceae. It is suggested that these seeds should be sown immediately after extraction and, therefore, they could be intolerant to desiccation. There are several mechanisms involved with desiccation tolerance. Soluble sugars, for example, can accumulate and act as osmoprotectants for the membrane system during desiccation. The aim of this study is to assess desiccation tolerance in A. emarginata seeds. In addition, we examined the soluble sugars involved in desiccation tolerance. Finally, we determined the effect of gibberellic acid (GA4+7) and N-(phenylmethyl)-aminopurine in promoting the germination of seeds with different water contents. The experiment consisted of a randomized 4×5 factorial design (desiccation levels × concentration of growth regulators). After drying, seeds containing 31 (control), 19, 12 and 5% water were incubated in different concentrations of GA4+7 N-(phenylmethyl)-aminopurine (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg L-1) for 60 hours. The experiment was conducted in a germination chamber with alternating temperature and photoperiod of 20oC for 18 hours of darkness and 30oC for 6 hours of light. We analyzed electrical conductivity, germination rate, mean germination time, germination speed, frequency and uniformity of germination, percentage of dormant seeds and soluble sugar profile in intact seeds through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were compared using Tukey's test at a threshold of p<0.05. The results showed that seeds of A. emarginata appears to be desiccation tolerant and, also, that sucrose increases when seed water content is reduced to values as low as 12%, exogenous GA4+7+N-(phenylmethyl)-aminopurine improves its germinability.

Biomass and yield of peanut grown on tropical soil amended with sewage sludge contaminated with lead

Application of sewage sludge with high lead (Pb) contents may pollute soils and contaminate crops. The objective of this work was to evaluate peanut responses to application of sewage sludge with varying Pb contents in order to supply phosphorus (P) to the plant. A greenhouse experiment was carried out with peanut grown on soil sample from a medium-textured Haplustox. Treatments were arranged in 3 × 2 + 2 factorial scheme, replicated three times, distributed in randomized block design, and consisted of: three Pb rates applied to soil with sewage sludge (3, 21, and 42 mg kg-1) × two times of sewage sludge application (30 days before peanut sowing and at the day of the sowing) + mineral fertilization + control (without sewage sludge and mineral fertilization). Sewage sludge was efficient to supply P to peanut. Sewage sludge containing high rates of Pb, when applied, did not harm biomass and yield of the plant, but increased HCl-extractable Pb in soil and Pb content in shoot, roots, and pod husks. Increase of Pb content in pod husks may represent contamination risk of kernels and their products with fragments from husks detached during manipulation or industrial processing of peanuts. © 2012 Fábio Camilotti et al.

Effect of Hot Air Drying on Ultrastructure of Crambe Seeds

This study was conducted to evaluate the morphologic modifications in tissues of the fruit and seed of the crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst. Ex R.E. Fr.) after drying at different temperatures. Fruits with a water content of 0.38 kg water/kg dry matter were harvested and manually homogenized. Drying was accomplished at 35, 45, 60, 75, and 90°C and at 21,9,7,5, and 2% relative humidity, respectively. After drying, the structure of the pericarp and tegument of the seed were evaluated and the embryo was removed from the fruit/seed for morphological analysis (structural and ultrastructural and the histolocalization of reserve substances). Drying at different temperatures did not affect the cellular structure of the tissues composing the pericarp of the fruits, but it disorganized the structure of the seed tegument. The cells of the tegument and cotyledons presented a contraction in their volumes. The lowest contractions in the cellular volumes of both the tegument and cotyledons occurred after drying at 35 and 45°C. The cytoplasm of the cotyledon cells contains oil drops and the protein bodies contain protein granules and starch grains. There were no changes in the cellular walls of the embryos of the fruits dried at different temperatures; however, ungluing of the medium lamella occurred. This damage occurred with greater intensity after drying at temperatures above 60°C. The form of the oil drops in the cytoplasm of the cotyledon cells was altered after drying. At temperatures above 60°C, the drops broke up and coalesced. After drying at 45 and 60°C, the form of some protein bodies was altered, whereas at 75 and 90°C coalescence of the protein bodies occurred in some cells. It was concluded that the identified alterations can affect the physiologic quality of crambe seeds. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Reinventing development: utopias devised by committees and seeds of change in the real world

Includes bibliography

Bioactive substance contents and antioxidant capacity of the lipid fraction of Annona crassiflora Mart. seeds

Annona crassiflora Mart. is a typical fruit of the Brazilian cerrado, considered to be a species of economic interest, mainly for its use in cooking, which is widespread among the inhabitants of that region, and can be found in many typical local dishes, especially sweets, jellies, liqueurs, soft drinks, ice creams and juices. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the bioactive substance contents and the antioxidant capacity of the lipid fraction of A. crassiflora Mart. seeds in the interest of better identifying the quality of this raw material from the Brazilian cerrado. After the receipt of the fruits, the seeds were removed manually and, then, the lipid fraction was obtained by cold extraction with chloroform:methanol:water (2:1:0.8, v/v/v) and analyzed for the composition of phytosterols, tocopherols, fatty acids, total carotenoids, antioxidant activity and oxidative stability index. The lipid fraction showed significant quantity of bioactive substances, especially phytosterols, tocopherols and unsaturated fatty acids, as well as significant antioxidant capacity and oxidative stability, influenced by the content of phytosterols and the composition of fatty acids present in the analyzed fraction. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Characterization of resveratrol content in ten wild species of section Arachis, genus Arachis

Peanut is one of the few plants that synthesizes resveratrol, a phenolic compound of the stilbene class, which has been associated with reduced risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases, pulmonary diseases, diabetes and neurological diseases. Resveratrol was detected in different parts of the peanut plant, including roots, leaves, seeds and their derivatives. The wild species of the Arachis section are also strong candidates to synthesize resveratrol because they are phylogenetically closely related to cultivated peanut. Our objective was to characterize the resveratrol content in ten wild species of Arachis with three different genomes (A, B and K). The plant material was composed of leaves of the ten species treated (test) and not treated (control) with ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The test and control samples were extracted and the identification and quantification of resveratrol was performed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). All species studied synthesized resveratrol and the concentrations ranged from 299.5 μg/g in A. kempff-mercadoi to 819.9 μg/g in A. cardenasii. DPPH antioxidant activity varied between 18.7 % for A. duranensis and 48.2 % in A. simpsonii. The results showed that wild Arachis species are a potential source of alleles for improvement of cultivated peanut, with the aim of achieving higher resveratrol content in leaves. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic evaluation of hydroalcoholic extract and fractions from seeds of Piper cubeba L. (Piperaceae)

Some of the Piper species have been applied for the treatment of several diseases (anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic), considering multiple applications used in traditional medicine of different countries. About these, the present study evaluated some biological activities of Piper cubeba, as writhing test induced by acetic acid, ear edema induced by croton oil and paw edema induced by carrageenan were used by evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of crude hydroalcoholic extract (PCE) and its fractions of different polarities of P. cubeba L. seeds. The lethal dose (LD50) and the effective dose (ED50) were evaluated too. Both the PCE and dichloromethane fraction showed decrease values of edema and abdominal constrictions. The results obtained in this study confirm the low toxicity and analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of PCE from P. cubeba seeds, justifying its use in folk medicine. Copyright © 2013, Phcog.Net, Published by Reed Elsevier India Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phytotoxicity of organic extracts of Turnera ulmifolia L. and Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult. in cucumber seeds

We evaluated the phytotoxic effects that the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from leaves and branches of the species Turnera ulmifolia L. and Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult. (Turneraceae), at concentrations of 1.25, 2.50, 3.75 and 5.00 mg ml-1, have on seed germination and seedling development in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). None of the extracts tested prevented germination, although the ethyl acetate extracts of T. diffusa, at 3.75 and 5.00 mg ml-1, reduced the mean germination speed and time to germination. Hexane extracts of both species reduced the main root length, number of secondary roots and hypocotyl length. In the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts, the number of secondary roots and hypocotyl length varied by species and concentration. Ethyl acetate extracts of T. ulmifolia at ≤ 2.50 mg ml-1stimulated growth of the main root and hypocotyl, as did T. ulmifolia methanol extracts at 1.25 and 3.75 mg ml-1; all other extract/concentration combinations had an inhibitory effect on those parameters. The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of T. diffusa inhibited the formation of secondary roots and of the main root, although significant inhibition of hypocotyl growth was observed only at ≥ 2.50 mg ml-1. Comparatively, T. diffusa extracts inhibited development to a greater degree, thus presenting greater allelopathic potential, than did T. ulmifolia extracts.

Morphology and initial growth in the germination of dictyosperma album (bory) h. wendl. & drude ex scheffer (Arecaceae) seeds

Dictyosperma album, commonly known as Princess Palm, due to its graceful appearance and its ability to withstand strong hurricane force winds is largely used in landscaping areas. The aim of this work was to describe the diaspores (seeds with the stuck endocarp) morphology and the stages of the D. album germination process. Therefore we concluded that the species germination is of the tubular remote type and begins with the opening of a circular operculum in the fruit endocarp, through which emerges a bulbous and hollow structure, named cotyledonal petiole or embryophore. With the embryo growth, the endosperm is being gradually consumed. The embryo grows approximately up to 10 cm, when the dilation begins in its extremity. Starting from this extensive area, it begins the growth of the primary root and the opening of a longitudinal rift, through which emerges the aerial part that is composed by two sheaths that cover the first juvenile leaf. In this phase, the emergence of secondary roots is observed. The first leaves are simple and lance-shaped.

Temperature and scarification on seeds germination of copernicia prunifera (Mill) H.E. Moore (Arecaceae)

Copernicia prunifera, known as carnauba, is native to Brazil and presents great potential to be used in gardens and cultivation in pot. Palms species, with relatively few exceptions, can only be propagated by seeds; even so, there are no reports in the literature about the germination of this palm seeds. Several species of the Arecaceae family present seed physical dormancy in varying degrees, demanding treatments to improve germination. The objective of this work was to study the effects of temperature and mechanical scarification on seed germination of C. prunifera. The experimental design was entirely randomized in a factorial arrangement 6 x 2 (six conditions of temperature with or without mechanical scarification) with 4 replications and 25 seeds each. In accordance with the treatment, lateral scarifications were made on the seeds until appearance of the endosperm. Seeds were sown in moist fine vermiculite. Germination (%) and germination rate (GR) were evaluated. Germination data were arcsine (x/100)1/2 transformed before analysis of variance and germination rate data were not transformed. The means of the resulting values were then compared by the Scott-Knott test at 1% confidence level. It was concluded that the biggest germination percentage were obtained at alternated temperature of 25-35°C (92%) and at constant temperature of 25°C (87%). Seeds germinated faster at alternated temperature of 25- 35°C. Germination percentage was similar for the scarified and non-scarified seeds; however, scarified seeds germinated faster.

Propagation of Camptosema grandiflorum native to Brazil by seeds and cuttings

Camptosema grandiflorum Benth., belonging to Fabaceae, is a voluble climber plant native to Brazil. Plants bloom in autumn-winter, producing long and hanging inflorescences with showy red flowers, which are much visited by hummingbirds. The leaves are also attractive, composed by three leaflets. It can be propagated by seeds or cuttings, but both seed germination and cutting rooting percentages are very low. Thus, the objective of this work was to study the effect of different temperatures on seed germination and of different indolebutyric acid (IBA) concentrations on the rooting of cuttings of C. grandiflorum. The experiment was set up at the São Paulo State University, located in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil. The germination study was conducted in an entirely randomized design with six different temperatures (constant at 20, 25, 30 and 35°C; and alternated at 20-30 and 25-35°C, with a photoperiod of 12 hours) and four replications of 25 seeds each, placed in plastic boxes with vermiculite. The percentage of germination and the speed germination index (SGI) were evaluated. An entirely randomized block design was adopted for the cutting rooting evaluation, with four IBA concentrations (0; 1,000; 2,000; and 3,000 mg kg-1) and five replications of ten cuttings each, comprising 200 cuttings. After 30 days from the beginning of the rooting experiment, data referring to rooting percentage, number and length of roots and dry weight of roots were collected. For the seed germination experiment, fastest germination and highest germination percentage (87%) were obtained when seeds were maintained under the constant temperature of 30°C. For the cutting experiment, the concentrations of 2,000 and 3,000 mg kg-1 of IBA promoted the highest rooting percentages (98.5 and 94.1%, respectively) and number of roots. There were no statistical differences among the IBA concentrations for length of roots and dry weight of roots.

Design of experimental composting of animal carcasses in universitary unit of treatment aimed a correct final disposition and soil improve

For many years, composting has been used as a result of the recycling of organic matter. There is significative animal carcasses accumulation from teaching and researching activities of the university veterinary hospital. Every year, Unesp University needs to dispose correctly about 180 tones of this waste and the composting seemed to be the most sustainable alternative. Piles of animal carcasses were prepared using peanut hulls and tree pruning as bulking agent and water to the first phase of this process. The extracts pH values no impediments for offering germination and indicated a good addition to the soil management. The germination index showed no impediment to the seeds germination on any type of compost and the extracts concentrations not influenced this biological process. No parameters studied assigns risks of contamination of carcasses for the compost development in Unesp according to the proposed design. © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group.

Fatty acids profile and alteration of lemon seeds extract (Citrus limon) added to soybean oil under thermoxidation

This paper aimed at evaluating fatty acids profile and the total alteration of lemon seeds extract added to soybean oil under thermoxidation, verifying the isolated and synergistic effect of these antioxidants. Therefore, Control treatments, LSE (2,400 mg/kg Lemon Seeds Extract), TBHQ (mg/kg), Mixture 1 (LSE + 50 mg/kg TBHQ) and Mixture 2 (LSE + 25 mg/kg TBHQ) were subjected to 180 C for 20 h. Samples were taken at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 h intervals and analyzed as for fatty acid profile and total polar compounds. Results were subjected to variance analyses and Tukey tests at a 5% significance level. An increase in the percentage of saturated fatty acids and mono-unsaturated, and decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed, regardless of the treatments studied. For total polar compounds, it was verified that Mixtures 1 and 2 presented values lower than 25% with 20 h of heating, not surpassing the limits established in many countries for disposal of oils and fats under high temperatures, thus proving the synergistic effect of antioxidants. © 2011 Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (India).

Inoculação e adubação molíbdica no amendoim cultivado em semeadura direta sobre forrageiras

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)