Morphological and physiological changes during maturation of okra seeds evaluated through image analysis

Rayssa Fernanda Dos Santos,Julio Marcos-Filho,Francisco Guilhien Gomes-Junior

doi:10.1590/1678-992x-2018-0297

Rayssa Fernanda Dos Santos, Julio Marcos-Filho + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-992x-2018-0297

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Journal: Scientia Agricola	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2020
Citations: 8	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Methodist University of Piracicaba

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study was performed to associate specific morphological parameters, defined by X-ray images, with seed performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) during maturation. Fruits of cultivar Santa Cruz 47 at different developmental stages were collected at five-day intervals (from 5 to 65 days after anthesis) and water content, dry matter, germination and vigor were determined in seeds extracted immediately after each harvest or after temporary storage for seven days. X-ray tests were also performed after each harvest and the images were analyzed by ImageJ® software to produce data of aspect ratio (relation between major and minor axes of the ellipse surrounding the seed perimeter) and percentage of free space area in the inner seed cavity. Physiological maturity (maximum accumulation of dry matter) was reached at 30 days after anthesis (DAA), when seed water content was 56.6 %. Seed germination and vigor increased during maturation, achieving the maximum at 50 DAA. Seeds showed morphological changes during maturation, becoming more spherical (aspect ratio near 1.0); at the same time, the free space available in the inner cavity of the seed decreased. This parameter can be successfully used as a marker of physiological maturity when values equal or lower than 5 % are reached.

Highlights

Okra is one of the main vegetable crops grown in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Fruits of cultivar Santa Cruz 47 at different developmental stages were collected at five-day intervals and water content, dry matter, germination and vigor were determined in seeds extracted immediately after each harvest or after temporary storage for seven days
The possibility of the seed maturation process to continue after the fruit harvest is an advantage because it allows early harvest, keeping fruits under temporary storage or a post-harvest rest period, sufficient for immature seeds to achieve a developmental degree similar to fruits harvested at physiological maturity

Summary

Introduction

Okra is one of the main vegetable crops grown in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Seeds produced in fleshy fruits are usually kept in high water content, protected by the fruit structure In those species, the possibility of the seed maturation process to continue after the fruit harvest is an advantage because it allows early harvest, keeping fruits under temporary storage or a post-harvest rest period, sufficient for immature seeds to achieve a developmental degree similar to fruits harvested at physiological maturity. The possibility of the seed maturation process to continue after the fruit harvest is an advantage because it allows early harvest, keeping fruits under temporary storage or a post-harvest rest period, sufficient for immature seeds to achieve a developmental degree similar to fruits harvested at physiological maturity This allows the production of seed lots of high germination and vigor and avoids prolonged exposure of fruits to less favorable effects of biotic and abiotic factors in the field (Nascimento et al, 2000; Araujo et al, 2007; Vidigal et al, 2009, and Silva et al, 2015)

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