Abstract
Smilax brasiliensis (Smilacaceae) is a native Brazilian plant found in the Cerrado biome and commonly used in folk medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the methanol extract and fractions from S. brasiliensis leaves on development in vitro of Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) and Allium cepa (onion) seeds. In vitro germination protocol of onion seeds was established. Tobacco and onion seeds were placed to germinate on basal medium added of extract or fractions of S. brasiliensis leaves and dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and gibberellic acid (GA) at different concentrations in the presence of light. The germination ranged from 40 to 100% for tobacco and from 60 to 100% for onion seeds. The results indicated that the extract and fractions promoted higher growth than 2,4-D and GA when analyzed number of nodes, leaves, root and root size for germinated tobacco seeds, and higher growth when analyzed number roots and stem size for onion seeds. Regarding BAP, the extract and fractions inhibited leaf growth, root and root size of tobacco seeds. Further studies are needed to evaluate the possible use of the methanol extract and fractions from S. brasiliensis leaves as natural sources of hormones and/or bioherbicides.
Highlights
Allelopathy is defined as a chemical-ecological phenomenon, in which secondary metabolites produced by a plant species are released and interfere with the germination and/or development of other plants in the same environment; this type of interference can be beneficial or harmful (Cheema, Farooq & Wahid, 2013; Soares et al, 2002; Weston & Mathesius, 2013).Seed germination is a complex process characterized by radicle protrusion through water absorption (Weitbrecht, Muller & Leubner-Metzger, 2011)
The best result was observed for seeds disinfected with 1% sodium hypochlorite for 1 minute, being this protocol chosen for disinfection of seeds during in vitro germination test with the extract and fractions, due the better growth and absence of contamination
The results indicated that the tested samples of S. brasiliensis that presented statistical difference in relation to 2,4-D and BAP, when evaluated number of nodes, leaves, root and root size, presented higher averages than the tested control
Summary
Seed germination is a complex process characterized by radicle protrusion through water absorption (Weitbrecht, Muller & Leubner-Metzger, 2011). The germination process can be influenced by physical factors such as water, temperature and light, and by the presence of chemicals that can prevent this process from starting or finishing (Finch-Savage & LeubnerMetzger, 2006; Sirová et al, 2011). Phytohormones or plant hormones are naturally occurring organic compounds, which, at low concentrations, have a deep influence on plant physiology. These are chemical messengers that are produced in small quantities at a specific location and induce responses at other plant locations (Fagan et al, 2015)
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