Abstract
The physiological quality of maize seeds is affected by the genotype. Thus, the study of expression of genes associated with this characteristic is important in the genotype selection process in breeding programs. The aim of this research was to study the expression of amylase enzymes associated with physiological quality of maize seeds with different genotypes and seed sizes. We further sought to assess the expression of these enzymes in dry and soaked seeds The experiment was conducted in the experimental area and the Central Seed Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture of the Universidade Federal de Lavras. Seeds of four maize inbred lines were used, classified in two sizes. The physiological quality of the seeds was evaluated by means of germination, seedling emergence, seedling emergence speed index and accelerated aging test. Expression of the alpha amylase enzyme was evaluated by the electrophoresis technique and expression of the alpha amylase B73, alpha amylase (LOC542522) and beta amylase 5 (amyb5) genes was studied by the qRT-PCR technique in dry and soaked seeds of the inbred lines. There is differentiated expression of amylase enzymes in maize seeds of inbred lines with different levels of physiological quality. higher expression of amylase enzymes is observed in soaked maize seeds. The expression of transcripts is higher in smaller as wellas in soaked maize seeds of inbred lines.
Highlights
The physiological quality of seeds is affected by the genotype, and selection for this characteristic must be considered in genetic breeding programs (GOMES et al, 2000; JOSÉ et al, 2004; HOECHER et al, 2006)
The selection of new cultivars considering the characteristic of seed physiological quality has not been observed in maize breeding programs
During the maize seed germination process, the embryo produces and secretes natural gibberellins to the endosperm. These hormones induce the development of hydrolytic enzymes in the aleurone layer, such as alpha amylase and beta amylase enzymes, which are responsible for degradation of the reserves that are found in the endosperm
Summary
The physiological quality of seeds is affected by the genotype, and selection for this characteristic must be considered in genetic breeding programs (GOMES et al, 2000; JOSÉ et al, 2004; HOECHER et al, 2006). The selection of new cultivars considering the characteristic of seed physiological quality has not been observed in maize breeding programs. During the maize seed germination process, the embryo produces and secretes natural gibberellins to the endosperm. These hormones induce the development of hydrolytic enzymes in the aleurone layer, such as alpha amylase and beta amylase enzymes, which are responsible for degradation of the reserves that are found in the endosperm. Alpha amylase enzymes are not present in dried seeds, being synthesized “de novo” and secreted by the aleurone layer (KIGEL; GALILI, 1995)
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