Improved germination of soybean seed treated with thiamethoxam under drought conditions

The effect of thiamethoxam on germination of soybean (Glycine max L.) seeds cv. Pintado under water deficit was studied. When used as insecticide at the recommended level (100/100 kg seeds) in the treatment of soybean seeds. thiamethoxam accelerated germination. Soybean germination was delayed under lower water availability: however pretreatment of seeds with thiamethoxam reduced the negative effects of water deficit on such process.

Seed lipases: sources, applications and properties - a review

This paper provides an overview regarding the main aspects of seed lipases, such as the reactions catalyzed, physiological functions, specificities, sources and applications. Lipases are ubiquitous in nature and are produced by several plants, animals and microorganisms. These enzymes exhibit several very interesting features, such as low cost and easy purification, which make their commercial exploitation as industrial enzymes a potentially attractive alternative. The applications of lipases in food, detergents, oils and fats, medicines and fine chemistry, effluent treatment, biodiesel production and in the cellulose pulp industry, as well as the main sources of oilseed and cereal seed lipases, are reviewed.

Toward reliable estimates of seed removal by small mammals and birds in the Neotropics

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of fruit maturation stage and light on seed germination of Aiphanes aculeata

Despite their spiny nature, Aiphanes palms are popular as ornamentals. They can be grown in various soil conditions, but achieve fast, luxuriant growth in sheltered positions with plenty of water. Shaded conditions are the best when plants are young. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fruit maturation stage and light on the germination of seeds of A. aculeata. Fruits were collected at three different maturation stages: (1) yellow, (2) red, (3) collected on the ground without the fleshy mesocarp (removed by birds and insects). The fleshy mesocarp was also removed in treatments (1) and (2). All fruits were then treated with thiram and 25 seeds per plot were seeded in trays full of sand. The treatments (2) and (3) were subdivided in two other treatments: (a) 12 h photoperiod, (b) continuous darkness. The temperature was maintained at 30 degrees C. Seed germination began 34 days after sowing. After 160 days, the final germination percentage was (1) 54,67%, (2a) 61,33%, (2b) 65,33%, (3a) 38,00% and (3b) 45,33%. The best treatment was (2) independently of the light conditions.

EFFECT OF TREATMENT WITH GROWTH-REGULATORS AND SCARIFICATION ON THE TOLERANCE TO WATER-STRESS IN SEEDS OF ORYZA-SATIVA LCVIAC-165

The effect of treatment of seeds of Oryza sativa L. cv. IAC 165 with gibberellic acid, 6-benzyladenine and ethrel on the tolerance to the water stress were analysed. Gibberellic acid had no effect and 6-benzyladenine and ethrel promoted slight increase in the tolerance to water stress, specially in darkness. After scarification, those growth regulator presented no effect. Our results suggest that 6-benzyladenine and ethrel promoted water stress tolerance due to the decrease in the resistance of the seed coat to embryo expansion.

EFFECT OF DROUGHT AND DEFOLIATION STRESS IN THE FIELD ON SOYBEAN SEED-GERMINATION AND VIGOR

Although drought and defoliation stress have been shown to reduce soybean [Glycine max (L.). Merr.] yield, little information has been published regarding their effects on soybean seed quality. Field experiments were conducted in 1986, 1987, and 1989 to evaluate the effect of drought and defoliation (1989 only) stress during soybean seed development on seed germination and vigor. Essex (MG [maturity group] V) and Union (MG III) were grown in 1986 and 1987, and Harper (MG III) and McCall (MG 00) in 1989. Moisture treatments were either well watered or drought stressed during seed development (R5 to R7). In 1989, a total defoliation treatment was also imposed at R6 as an additional stress factor. There were significant reductions in yield and yield components following drought stress in all 3 yr and following defoliation in 1989. Leaf conductance and transpiration also decreased in the drought stress treatments. There was no effect of drought stress on seed germination or seed vigor as measured by accelerated aging germination and the cold test across the four cultivars (determinate and indeterminate) and 3 yr. In 1989 slight changes in 3-d germination and conductivity occurred for some drought stress treatments. Most of this response, however, was related to increased occurrence of hard seed, which does not represent an indication of a change in vigor. Seed germination and vigor were significantly reduced for small, flat, shriveled, and underdeveloped seeds that only occurred following defoliation. These seeds represented a small portion of the seed lot that would normally be removed during conditioning. The data suggest that drought stress would have no effect on seed germination or vigor, unless the stress was severe enough to produce shriveled, flat, underdeveloped seeds.

Growth Regulators and KNO3 on Seed Germination of Angelonia salicariifolia

Angelonia salicariifolia is an herbaceous perennial native to Brazil with ornamental potential as garden plant, cut-flower and potted plant. It has blue flowers 1.0 to 1.4 cm long, in 10-30 cm long terminal racemes. In previous studies seeds of A. salicariifolia showed a positive photoblastic behavior under constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 degrees C. The present study evaluated the effects of growth regulators (100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid and 2.25, 11.3, 22.5 mg L-1 of 6-benzylamino-purine) and potassium nitrate (0.2 and 1.0 %) on promoting its seed germination. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with six replications of 25 seeds, for each treatment. Seeds from dehiscent capsules were sown on one layer of filter paper and moistened with growth regulators or KNO3 solutions. Germination was carried out at 25 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C, under continuous light or darkness. Germination (protusion of the radicle) was observed daily for 20 days. In the dark, only gibberellic acid promoted seed germination. The percentage of germination and the speed of germination index at 400 mg L-1 (47.3%; 0.86) and 500 mg L-1 (52.0%; 0.95) were significantly higher compared to 100 mg L-1 (27.8%; 0.38) and 200 mg L-1 (32.3%; 0.49). The mean germination time at 500 mg L-1 (10.0 days) was significantly smaller compared to 100 mg L-1 (11.9 days) and 200 mg L-1 (11.5 days). Under light, treatments did not differ among each other or from the control, except for 22.5 mg L-1 of 6-benzylamino-purine and potassium nitrate (1.0%), which decreased the percentage of germination and the speed of germination index compared to control. The application of growth regulators or potassium nitrate under light condition is not necessary, since these treatments did not improve germination percentage or the speed of germination index.

Emergence and initial growth of rambutan seedlings as a function of seed storage conditions

Introduction. Rambutan is a tropical fruit species with recalcitrant seeds. Despite the expansion of exotic fruit cultivation in Brazil, lots of which fruit species, including rambutan, need basic information, especially in relation to propagation and storage of seeds, which are important for genetic improvement studies, maintenance of genetic sources and seedling production. Materials and methods. A completely randomized design was adopted with treatments distributed in a factorial arrangement, 3 x 4, referring to three seed storage conditions [room temperature conditions; a dry chamber with (18 +/- 2) degrees C and 60% relative humidity; and a cold chamber with (10 +/- 2) degrees C and 70% relative humidity] and four storage times ( 0, 7, 14 and 21 d). Each treatment of 10 seeds was replicated five times. Data on seedling emergence, emergence rate, plant height, number of leaves and length of main root were submitted to variance analysis and means were separated using Tukey's test. Correlation analysis between seed moisture and seedling emergence was performed. Results and discussion. Our results indicated that dry chamber conditions promoted the statistically significantly highest seedling emergence after 7 d of storage. Cold chamber conditions promoted an extremely low seedling emergence independently of time. Conclusion. Rambutan seeds can be stored in a dry chamber for 7 d without losing viability; after 14 d of storage the loss of emergence is 60%.

Advances in sickle cell disease treatment: From drug discovery until the patient monitoring

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is one of the most prevalent hematological diseases in the world. Despite the immense progress in molecular knowledge about SCD in last years few therapeutical sources are currently available. Nowadays the treatment is performed mainly with drugs such as hydroxyurea or other fetal hemoglobin inducers and chelating agents. This review summarizes current knowledge about the treatment and the advancements in drug design in order to discover more effective and safe drugs. Patient monitoring methods in SCD are also discussed. © 2011 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

Hepatoencephalopathy syndrome due to Cassia occidentalis (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae) seed ingestion in horses

Cassia occidentalis is a bush from the Leguminosae family, subfamily Caesalpinoideae, and is a toxic plant of veterinary interest due to the occasional contamination of animal rations. This report describes the clinical and histopathological findings of an outbreak of C.occidentalis poisoning in horses. Twenty mares were poisoned after consuming ground corn contaminated with 8% of C.occidentalis seeds. Of the 20 animals affected, 12 died: 8 mares were found dead, 2 died 6h after the onset of clinical signs compatible with hepatic encephalopathy and the 2 other animals were subjected to euthanasia 12h after the onset of the clinical signs. The remaining 8 mares presented with mild depression and decreased appetite, but improved with treatment and no clinical sequelae were observed. In 6 animals that underwent a necropsy, an enhanced hepatic lobular pattern was noted and within the large intestine, a large number of seeds were consistently observed. Hepatocellular pericentrolobular necrosis and cerebral oedema were the main histological findings. In one mare, there was mild multifocal semimembranosus rhabdomyocytic necrosis and haemorrhage. Seeds collected from intestinal contents and sifted from the culpable feedstuff were planted. Examination of the leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds of the resultant plants identified C.occidentalis. Horses poisoned by C.occidentalis seeds demonstrate clinical signs associated with hepatoencephalopathy and frequently die suddenly. Lesions primarily involve the liver and secondarily, the central nervous system. Cassia occidentalis poisoning should be considered a differential diagnosis in horses with hepatoencephalopathy and special caution should be taken with horse rations to avoid contamination with seeds of this toxic plant. © 2012 EVJ Ltd.

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.

Eco-physiological aspects of melaleuca seed germination

The invasive behavior of melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia) plants in wetlands is due to its aggressive regeneration strategy, which is based on its seeds germination performance. Understanding of the eco-physiological aspects of the seed germination in melaleuca plants may significantly contribute for the development of management strategies. The objective of this research was to learn how the germination of M. quinquenervia seeds are affected by light and temperature. Melaleuca seeds were placed on filter paper moistened with 12 ml of distilled water at temperatures between 10 and 45°C. Germination was evaluated in dark and light conditions. Seed germination, first count of seed germination (seven days), germination speed index and germination mean time were determined up to 40 days after seeding, when germination had ceased in most of the treatments. After that period, the seeds were transferred to conditions of 30°C and light, which was found to be ideal in the previous phase. Seed germination was daily evaluated up to 63 days when it was again observed no longer to occur. The treatment repetitions were distributed in the growth-chamber according to a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme (eight temperatures x two light conditions) and four repetitions. The data were submitted to analysis of variance with the F test and the means were adjusted to polynomial and non linear regression models. The highest seed germination performance was observed to take place under conditions of 27.3°C with light. The temperatures of 35 and 40°C in the dark induced thermal inhibition of seed germination. The temperature of 45°C was lethal to the seeds.

Azadirachta indica treatment on the congenital malformations of fetuses from rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Morphological effects of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seed oil with known azadirachtin concentrations on the oocytes of semi-engorged Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Moringa extracts used in sugarcane juice treatment and effects on ethanolic fermentation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sugarcane juice treatment using Moringa oleifera leaf and seeds extracts on ethanolic fermentation. The experiment was arranged in a split plot statistical design, with four replications. Main treatments were three sedimentation agents (synthetic polyelectrolyte, moringa leaf and seed extracts) and control while the secondary treatments were two sugarcane varieties (RB867515 and CTC4). Extracted sugarcane juice was clarified by simple defecation with pH adjusted to 6.0. The flocculating agents were added in a decanter before the limed juice. After then, the juice was standardized to 16° Brix at pH 4.5, and musts were inoculated with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain, FT858. At the end of the fermentation process, wines were recovered by centrifugation. In all experimental stages, extracted juice, clarified juice and wine were chemically and technologically characterized. The use of moringa leaf and seed extracts as sedimentation adjuvants did not increase the sedimentation speed of impurities. However, there was a high sludge compaction, which was essential for maintenance of yeast and bud population at the beginning of fermentation, and yeast budding rate in the end. The use of different sedimentation agents as adjuvants in juice treatment did not affect wine quality and ethanol yield.