Germinable Seeds Research Articles

Transgenic rice overexpressing insect endogenous microRNA csu-novel-260 is resistant to striped stem borer under field conditions.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a promising approach for developing insect-resistant crops. In the first two proof-of-concept studies, DNA fragments derived from essential insect genes were constructed into plant expression cassettes as inverted repeats, enabling long double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) to be transcribed in host plants (Baum et al., 2007; Mao et al., 2007). After ingestion, dsRNAs overexpressed in planta suppressed target gene expression via small interference RNA (siRNA)-mediated RNAi in western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) (Baum et al., 2007) and cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) (Mao et al., 2007), and thereby reduced their viability. Subsequent studies have mostly employed a similar approach and attempted to develop RNAi crops against various insect species (Liu et al., 2020). However, except for coleopterans that are generally susceptible to RNAi, most insects (e.g., lepidopterans, dipterans, hymenopterans, and hemipterans) exhibit unpredictable responses to dsRNA-induced RNAi, and this has become a hurdle for ubiquitous adaption of this strategy (Cooper et al., 2019). Potential factors influencing RNAi efficacy in insects involve dsRNA stability, cellular dsRNA absorption, core RNAi machinery integrity, systemic RNAi spread, and target gene amenability (Cooper et al., 2019).

Perubahan Biokimia dan Indikator Vigor Benih Kakao pada Lima Taraf Lamanya Penyimpanan

<em>During the storage period, cocoa seeds undergo various processes that will affect the content of their food reserves and will have an impact on germination capacity and seeds vigor. The objective of this study is to investigate the changes of biochemical and vigor of cocoa seeds after storage for a maximum of 4 weeks with an interval of 1 week. The experiment was conducted at the Integrated Laboratory and Greenhouse of Balittri, Sukabumi, West Java, from October to December 2019. The completely randomized design with five treatments of seeds storage duration: (a) seeds unstored, (b) seeds stored for 1 week, (c) seeds stored for 2 weeks, (d) seeds stored for 3 weeks, and (e) seeds stored for 4 weeks, and five replications were used in this study. Parameters observed during seed storage were the biochemistry change of seeds and the percentage of germinated seeds, while during seed germination is an indicator of seed vigor. The results showed that storing cocoa seeds for 1-4 weeks decreased the fat content of the seeds, while the free fatty acids, protein, and percentage of germinated seeds increased. Until the 21<sup>st</sup> day after sowing, seed storage increases electrical conductivity but decreases growth rate, maximum growth potential, viability, and hypocotyl length. Seeds stored for one week still good in their vigor (viability of 80%), while seeds stored for 2-4 weeks have decreased their vigor (maximum viability of 54.4%).</em>

Comparative Analysis Reveals the Metabolic Characteristics of Astringent Seeds of Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb) Hook) during Astringent Compounds Accumulation Stages

Research Highlights: The present study firstly reported the metabolic dynamics of astringent seed, a special type of abortion in Chinese fir, during the astringent material stages. The results provide a reference for further study on its occurrence mechanism and enrich the understanding of the plant seed developmental physiology. Background and Objectives: Astringent seed is a type of abortive phenomenon in Chinese fir, which significantly reduces the yield and quality of elite seeds for its high-incidence and indistinguishableness in seed orchard. Embryo defects can be observed in the astringent seed, accompanied with rapid accumulation of secondary metabolites. However, types of those metabolites in astringent seed, dynamic changes during seed growth process, and different accumulative characteristics compared to germinable seed have not been explained. Materials and Methods: Astringent and germinable seed samples were collected at four stages aim to determine the differences in their metabolic patterns. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) detection was used to generate the raw metabolic peaks. Bioinformatics statistical strategies were used to further investigation. Results: A total of 421 metabolites were screened and 112 metabolites were identified as the different expressive metabolites including 68 up-regulated and 44 down-regulated metabolites. Those different expressive metabolites were grouped into 26 classes. Flavone, flavonol, and amino acid derivatives compounds were the most varied metabolites. Four subcategories which could represent the diverse basic expressive patterns or accumulative activity in different sample groups were further clustered. Moreover, pathways related to biosynthesis/degradation/metabolism of flavonoid-like compounds, amino acid/nucleotides derivatives, zeatin, and IAA were clearly enriched. Conclusions: Significant metabolic differences were observed across and between astringent and germinable seeds 105 d after pollination. Massive accumulation of flavonoids-like compounds, significant reduction of amino acids/nucleotides and their derivatives, and the abnormal expression of phytohormones, lipids and other secondary metabolites are the main metabolic characteristics in astringent seeds.

Perspectives on the Use of Germinated Legumes in the Bread Making Process, A Review

Nowadays, it may be noticed that there is an increased interest in using germinated seeds in the daily diet. This high interest is due to the fact that in a germinated form, the seeds are highly improved from a nutritional point of view with multiple benefits for the human body. The purpose of this review was to update the studies made on the possibilities of using different types of germinated legume seeds (such as lentil, chickpea, soybean, lupin, bean) in order to obtain bakery products of good quality. This review highlights the aspects related to the germination process of the seeds, the benefits of the germination process on the seeds from a nutritional point of view, and the effects of the addition of flour from germinated seeds on the rheological properties of the wheat flour dough, but also on the physico–chemical and sensory characteristics of the bakery products obtained. All these changes on the bread making process and bread quality depend on the level and type of legume seed subjected to the germination process which are incorporated in wheat flour.

Germination seeds of millet genotypes under the influences of PEG 6000 solution on the 3<sup>d</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> days

Purpose. To determine the drought resistance of five millet varieties (ʻOmriyaneʼ, ʻKharkivske 57ʼ, ʻKonstantinovskeʼ, ʻIR 5ʼ, ʻSlobozhanskeʼ) using PEG 6000 as osmotic stress.Methods. To obtain the effect of drought, five concentrations of PEG 6000 solutions were used: 0.0% (control), 11.5%, 15.3%, 19.6%, 23.5% and 28.9%, which corresponds to 0.0, 115, 153, 196, 235 and 289 g of solute in 1000 ml of distilled water or 0.0, -1.9, - 3.1, - 4.8, - 6.6 and - 9.7 bar. Results. Osmotic stress strongly suppressed the germination of millet seeds at -3.1 bars (46.8%) and at -4.8 bars (28.66%) on the third day, but on the sixth day the number of germinated seeds increased to 92.8% and 84.0% respectively. The millet genotypes of differed significantly in the percentage of germination at various concentrations of the PEG 6000 osmotic solution. The minimum germination capacity was observed in variety Omriyane at -3.1, - 4.8, - 6.6 bars. ʻIR 5ʼ, ʻKonstantinovskeʼ and ʻKharkivske 57ʼ showed higher germination potential at the different concentrations of water stress. A decrease in root elongation in all genotypes compared to control was observed in -1.9 bars osmotic stress and then at -3.1 and -4.8 bars of osmotic stress the root length had the same value from 6.6 mm to 13.5 mm on the 3d day and from 25.3 mm to 34.7 mm on the 6th day. Variety ʻSlobozhanskeʼ showed higher mean root length at -3.1 and -4.8 bars of water stress induced by PEG on the 3d day (8,7 mm-12,5 mm) and on the 6th day (35.7 mm-32.3 mm). It is not observed shoot of millet at -9.7 bars on the 3d and on the 6th days. ʻKharkivske 57ʼ, ʻIR 5ʼ, ʻSlobozhanskeʼ showed higher individual shoot length of 23.1 mm, 25.5 mm, 25.6 mm, respectively at -4.8 bars of PEG 6000 on the 6th day. At -6.6 bars of osmotic stress ʻKonstantinоvskeʼ and ʻSlobozhanskeʼ had lowest root length/shoot length ratio 2.58 and 2.61, respectively. Variety ʻOmriyaneʼ (3.54) and ʻIR 5ʼ (3.31) had the maximum deviation from unity (3.54 and 3.31, respectively).Conclusions. Genotypes' ʻKonstantinоvskeʼ and ʻSlobozhanskeʼ, which showed a high level of drought resistance, were selected as a result of this study in breeding for drought resistance. Variety ʻIR 5ʼ, ʻKonstantinovskeʼ and ʻKharkivske 57ʼ were characterized highest seed germination percentage at the different water stress.

Winter rye as a renewable energy source

Purpose and objectives. To determine the yield of green mass, the theoretical output of biogas from winter rye varieties and hybrids sown at various rates, to evaluate the influence of weather conditions during vegetation on the biomass yield.Materials and methods. Winter rye varieties and hybrids bred at the Plant Production Institute named after V.Ya. Yuriev of NAAS were studied: Pamiat Khudoierko, Dikhar, Khamarka, Stoir, Yupiter F1, Saturn F1, Kharley F1, and Slobozhanets F1. They were sown with a seeding rate of 4, 5, and 6 million germinable grains per hectar. The yield of green mass, dry matter and ash contents were determined during two stages: stem elongation and onset of grain filling.Results and discussion. The yield of green mass depends on the genotype, phase of the plant development and seeding rate. On average across four years, the varieties had an advantage over the hybrids. Stable high yields of green mass were given by varieties Khamarka, Stoir and Dikhar. In the grain filling phase, the four-year average yield of green mass varied from 24.7 t/ha to 35.2 t/ha. To obtain high yields of green mass from winter rye, it is better to use rye varieties Khamarka, Stoir and Dikhar.The amount of dry matter differed in the development phases by 1.8 times. The amount of dry matter was greater in the grain filling phase than in the stem elongation phase. There were significant differences in the amount of dry matter between the genotypes during the stem elongation and grain filling.The ash content was proved to be much higher in the stem elongation phase than in the grain filling phase. This parameter differed 2.1 times between the phases. The average ash content was 8.14–8.49% and 3.75–3.88% in the stem elongation phase and in the grain filling phase, respectively. The higher the dry matter amount in rye plants was, the lower the ash content became.The theoretical output of biogas from winter rye varieties and hybrids depended on the phases of plant development and the plant genotype. The biogas output decreased with an increase in the seeding rate for hybrids Yupiter and Saturn in the both phases. Correlations between the theoretical output of biogas and the constituent traits were estimated.There was a strong positive correlation between the biogas output and the ash content in the dry matter in the stem elongation phase for hybrids Saturn F1, Kharley F1 and Slobozhanets F1 as well as for varieties Pamiat Khudoierko, Dikhar, Stoir, and Khamarka (r = 0.99). The correlation between the biogas output and the ash content was strong and positive (r = 0.76–0.99); the ash content had a little effect on the biogas output only in variety Stoir (r = 0.19).The seeding rate significantly affects the biogas output. Thus, with a seeding rate of 6 million germinable seeds per hectare the average output of biogas is by 5,000-7,000 m3 higher in the both phases of the rye plant development. A significantly larger amount of biogas was obtained during stem elongation. The biogas output is heavily depends on the selection of a variety (hybrid).There was a strong positive correlation (r = 1) between the grain yield and alcohol output per unit area. At the same time, the alcohol output did not depend on the starch content (r = 0.09).Conclusions. To develop energy varieties and hybrids of winter rye, it is necessary to select genotypes with high yields of green mass and amounts of dry matter.The multiformity of relationships between the constituent traits indicates a more significant role of the genetic component for the biogas output than that of agrotechnical methods.

Nutrition and Sensory Evaluation of Germinated Legumes

This study aims to compare the nutritional, functional and sensory properties of red lentils (Lens culinaris Medic.) and black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The input material was raw seeds of both kinds of legumes, which were subjected to a germination process under defined conditions and subsequently processed into a form of dried flakes. Basic nutritional parameters supplemented with determination of phytic acid, methionine and antioxidant activity were assayed in samples of non-germinated seeds and final products. Both final products obtained by germination and subsequent drying of legumes exhibited increase in energy, mainly in connection with increase in carbohydrate values. The content of fats and sugars did not change significantly. Saturated fatty acids increased significantly in germinated bean flakes, however, their value in the product is low, similar to red lentil chips. Also, legumes are a good source of protein and fibre. We also found a similar trend in the red lentil flakes and the black bean flakes. Both their protein content and amount of methionine together with fibre increased significantly. The decrease in antioxidant activity values was probably due to the thermal stress of the germinated seeds during steam stabilization and subsequent drying. Drying is a suitable way of preserving germinated seeds. Due to the effect of higher temperatures during the drying of germinated seeds, there are not only nutritional changes, but also sensory changes. By reducing the water content, the seeds acquire a brittle structure and are more easily digested. In our survey, sensory evaluation classed the product made of germinated red lentils as better than that of black beans.

ФОТОСИНТЕТИЧЕСКИЙ ПОТЕНЦИАЛ ПОСЕВОВ НУТА В ПРЕДГОРНОЙ ЗОНЕ РСО – АЛАНИЯ

The article is devoted to the study of the influence of sowing methods, seeding rate and herbicide on the development, yield and photosynthetic activity of chickpea sowing – one of the most controversial issues in chickpea agricultural technology. The influence of sowing methods and seeding rates on the photosynthetic activity of plants has been studied. The selection of effective measures to control chickpea weeds is also part of our research. One of the most significant issues for obtaining high yields of chickpea is the correct sowing method, seeding rate and the use of herbicides. The studies were carried out in 2017–2018. on the experimental field of the North Caucasus Research Institute of Mining and Piedmont Agriculture of the All-Russian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences on leached chernozems: arable layer pH salt. 5.8–6, humus content 5.8%, easily hydrolyzable nitrogen – 80 mg/kg, available phosphorus – 118 mg/kg, exchangeable potassium – 120 mg/kg, molybdenum – 0.25 mg/kg, boron – 0,5 mg/kg of soil. In field experiments, the seeding rates, the method of seeding and the effect of herbicides were studied. The aim of the research was: to develop agricultural practices that ensure the collection of grain products and vegetable protein in the foothill zone of RNO-Alania. According to the results of the studies, in the conditions of the foothill zone of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania, according to the complex of indicators of plant activity, variants were distinguished when applying the herbicide with seeding rates of 0.8 and 1.0 million viable seeds per hectare with a wide-row sowing method and with seeding rates 0.6–0.8 million germinable seeds per hectare with the drill method. Against a herbicide-free background, the best options were with a seeding rate of 1.0 million viable seeds per hectare, both with wide-row and with a row sowing method.

ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ ГОРОХА В УСЛОВИЯХ ЛЕСОСТЕПНОЙ ЗОНЫ РСО – АЛАНИЯ

The article is devoted to the study of the influence of sowing methods, seeding rate and herbicide on the development, yield and photosynthetic activity of chickpea sowing – one of the most controversial issues in chickpea agricultural technology. The influence of sowing methods and seeding rates on the photosynthetic activity of plants has been studied. The selection of effective measures to control chickpea weeds is also part of our research. One of the most significant issues for obtaining high yields of chickpea is the correct sowing method, seeding rate and the use of herbicides. The studies were carried out in 2017–2018. on the experimental field of the North Caucasus Research Institute of Mining and Piedmont Agriculture of the All-Russian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences on leached chernozems: arable layer pH salt. 5.8–6, humus content 5.8%, easily hydrolyzable nitrogen – 80 mg/kg, available phosphorus – 118 mg/kg, exchangeable potassium – 120 mg/kg, molybdenum – 0.25 mg/kg, boron – 0,5 mg/kg of soil. In field experiments, the seeding rates, the method of seeding and the effect of herbicides were studied. The aim of the research was: to develop agricultural practices that ensure the collection of grain products and vegetable protein in the foothill zone of RNO-Alania. According to the results of the studies, in the conditions of the foothill zone of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania, according to the complex of indicators of plant activity, variants were distinguished when applying the herbicide with seeding rates of 0.8 and 1.0 million viable seeds per hectare with a wide-row sowing method and with seeding rates 0.6–0.8 million germinable seeds per hectare with the drill method. Against a herbicide-free background, the best options were with a seeding rate of 1.0 million viable seeds per hectare, both with wide-row and with a row sowing method.

Germinable weed seed-bank response to plant residue application and hand weeding under two contrasting tillage systems in a granite-derived clay loam soil in Zimbabwe

High levels of weed infestation are among the major reasons for the limited adoption of conservation agriculture techniques by farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the effects of plant residue application (zero: NR, low: LR, medium: MR and high: HR) and hand weeding (twice: TWI, thrice: THR, four times: FOU and clean weeding: CLE) under two tillage systems (basin planting: BASIN, and conventional tillage: CT) on weed seed density in a clay loam soil at Chinhoyi University of Technology experimental farm, Zimbabwe. During 2014/15, the number of germinable Amaranthus hybridus L. seeds was higher in BASIN+NR+THR and BASIN+MR+TWI than other treatments. Germinable propagules of Cyperus L. spp. were fewer in NR+FOU and NR+CLE than NR+TWI and NR+THR plots. In 2015/16, TWI resulted in an increase of 52.3−79.5% of the number of germinable A. hybridus seeds compared to THR, FOU and CLE. Germinable weed seeds increased by 67.1% for Alternanthera pungens Kunth and 164.8% for Galinsoga parviflora Cav. in the surface compared to the subsurface layers of BASIN but were evenly distributed in CT. The results suggest that cultural practices exert selection pressure on individual weed species which may change the weed species composition in the soil seed bank.

Transcriptional Differences in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Seeds at the Freshly Harvested, After-ripening and Newly Germinated Seed Stages: Insights into the Regulatory Networks of Seed Dormancy Release and Germination.

Seed dormancy and germination are the two important traits related to plant survival, reproduction and crop yield. To understand the regulatory mechanisms of these traits, it is crucial to clarify which genes or pathways participate in the regulation of these processes. However, little information is available on seed dormancy and germination in peanut. In this study, seeds of the variety Luhua No.14, which undergoes nondeep dormancy, were selected, and their transcriptional changes at three different developmental stages, the freshly harvested seed (FS), the after-ripening seed (DS) and the newly germinated seed (GS) stages, were investigated by comparative transcriptomic analysis. The results showed that genes with increased transcription in the DS vs FS comparison were overrepresented for oxidative phosphorylation, the glycolysis pathway and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, suggesting that after a period of dry storage, the intermediates stored in the dry seeds were rapidly mobilized by glycolysis, the TCA cycle, the glyoxylate cycle, etc.; the electron transport chain accompanied by respiration was reactivated to provide ATP for the mobilization of other reserves and for seed germination. In the GS vs DS pairwise comparison, dozens of the upregulated genes were related to plant hormone biosynthesis and signal transduction, including the majority of components involved in the auxin signal pathway, brassinosteroid biosynthesis and signal transduction as well as some GA and ABA signal transduction genes. During seed germination, the expression of some EXPANSIN and XYLOGLUCAN ENDOTRANSGLYCOSYLASE genes was also significantly enhanced. To investigate the effects of different hormones during seed germination, the contents and differential distribution of ABA, GAs, BRs and IAA in the cotyledons, hypocotyls and radicles, and plumules of three seed sections at different developmental stages were also investigated. Combined with previous data in other species, it was suggested that the coordination of multiple hormone signal transduction nets plays a key role in radicle protrusion and seed germination.

Sustainable production and utilization of sago palm resource

Sago palm (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) is distributed in Southeast Asia and Melanesia, and it produces comparatively high yield of starch (more than 200 kg per plant). This species can grow in wetland swamps where other food crops cannot grow economically and adapt to problem soils such as acid or saline with low input. The Society of Sago Palm Studies and the authors have published books entitled “The Sago Palm: The Food and Environmental Challenges of the 21st Century (Kyoto Univ. Press 2015)” and “Sago Palm: Multiple Contributions to Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods (Springer 2018)”. This paper provides a brief review on (1) characteristics of seed germination and preparation of planting materials utilizing germinated seeds, (2) symbiosis of sago palm and microbes (nitrogen fixing bacteria or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi), (3) creating new value from pith waste after conventional starch extraction (recovery of starch, ethanol production or preparation of biodegradable foam from the waste) and (4) utilization of leaf or bark from our former publications and the achievements published in our journal ‘SAGO PALM’ or the proceedings of the International Sago Symposium to discuss sustainable production and utilization of sago palm resource in Asia and Pacific.

Effect of row spacing, seeding rate and nitrogen fertilization on yield and yield components of soybean

Summary Soybean crop management have not been studied much in Central Europe as compared with cereals. We assessed the effect of variety, row spacing, seeding rate and nitrogen (N) fertilization on yields and yield components of soybean in a two-year experiment in Gleisdorf, Austria. The varieties Lenka, Naya and Xonia were tested in row spacings of 13 cm, 38 cm and 76 cm with 30 germinable seeds m−2. Additionally, 60 seeds m−2 were tested at 13 cm row spacing, and 38 cm row spacing was additionally established with N fertilization. Faster soil coverage was obtained with a high seeding rate or narrower row spacings. First pod height differed between varieties and increased with higher seeding rate. Grain yield was not affected by treatments but yield components differed. The widest row spacing resulted in a lower plant density but more pods plant−1, grains plant−1, grains pod−1 (in one year) and a higher thousand kernel weight (TKW). The higher seeding rate resulted in a higher plant density but less pods plant−1 whereas grains pod−1 and TKW did not differ. N fertilization did not affect the grain yield. Correlation analysis showed a high adaptability of soybean to different seeding rates and row spacings through modulation of yield components.

Evaluation of Anthocyanin Production in White and Purple Maize (Zea maysL.) Using Methyl Jasmonate, Phosphorus Deficiency and High Concentration of Sucrose

Anthocyanins are plants metabolites that are recognized by its red/purple coloration produced in flowers, seeds and leaves. These molecules are potentially important to the industry for its antioxidant capacity, disease prevention and as a natural dye. Currently, the production of anthocyanins is carried out using in vitro culture of Vitis vinifera and its yield is increased by using elicitors or stress factors. Zea mays is relevant due to its high content of cyanidin-3-β-glucoside anthocyanin. In the present study the production of cyanidin-3-β-glucoside was evaluated with different mechanisms of elicitation using in vivo and in vitro culture of purple and white maize varieties. The highest callus induction (85%) for white maize was obtained in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, while for purple maize (93%) was obtained in N6 medium with 2 mg/L of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, using germinated seed as explant for both varieties. Methyl jasmonate was evaluated as an elicitation tool, however no cyanidin-3-β-glucoside was found to be accumulated or produced in vitro. In contrast, using germinated seeds and radicle tissue, elicitation using phosphorus deficiency treatment produced the highest cyanidin-3-β-glucoside accumulation (0.06 mg g–1) in white maize. No elicitation and further production of anthocyanins was found when purple maize were used using this method. Therefore, in vivo elicitation in white maize is a potential method to produce a stable anthocyanin that could be optimized for future applications.

Differential protein analysis of Heracleum moellendorffii Hance seeds during stratification

Heracleum moellendorffii Hance is a medicinal vegetable species, and the seed dormancy of this species has caused many agricultural problems. One stratification technique involves alternating layers of seeds and substrate to allow post-ripening of dormant seeds under appropriate environmental conditions and to release dormancy. Non-stratified seeds (NS), cotyledon-stage-embryo seeds (CS) and germinated seeds (GS) represent key stages of H. moellendorffii seeds during stratification. To better understand the breaking of dormancy caused by stratification, tandem mass tag (TMT) mass spectrometry (MS)/MS was used to detect proteins among NS, CS and GS. A total of 876 proteins were identified, which were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. The results showed that carbohydrate metabolic processes, responses to stress and ribosome biogenesis were the main biological processes. The changes in protein accumulation were validated by qRT-PCR. The results showed that starch, sucrose, pyruvate and fatty acid metabolism played significant roles and that the contents of stored substances were gradually degraded during stratification. This study provides a theoretical basis in terms of proteomics for exploring the post-ripening and germination of H. moellendorffii seeds.

Differential impacts of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) on seeds of neotropical tree species with contrasting tolerance to shade

The inoculation of seeds from neotropical tree species with PGPB revealed an active role of inoculant strains in modulating the germination and physiology of seedlings, although the specific responses were subject to specific plant–bacteria and genotype–genotype combinations. Beneficial microbial species encompass different phylogenetic groups, and growth-promoting mechanisms can be direct (nutritional effects) or indirect (resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses). Seed inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can increase the growth and productivity of agricultural crops. However, few studies have been conducted to determine these effects on the seed germination and seedling growth of neotropical tree species. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effects of inoculation with PGPB on the germination, initial development and activities of the enzymes phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and polyphenol oxidase of seedlings of neotropical tree species. Shade-intolerant (Cecropia pachystachya, Heliocarpus popayanensis and Trema micrantha) and shade-tolerant tree species (Cabralea canjerana, Cariniana estrellensis and Trichilia elegans) were inoculated with different species of PGPB (Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus sp. and Azomonas sp.) and allowed to germinate and grow for 45 days under greenhouse conditions. Inoculation of C. pachystachya with all types of PGPB increased the percentage of germinated seeds (GS) and the vigor index (VI), while the mean time to germination (MTG) decreased. The VI of T. micrantha increased in response to Bacillus sp. and Azomonas sp. inoculation. Cabralea canjerana showed a decreased GS and VI and an increased MTG when inoculated with PGPB and increased activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and polyphenol oxidase when inoculated with Azomonas sp. Inoculation of PGPB interfered with seed germination and seedling physiology, and shade-intolerant species were more likely to benefit from inoculation. Inoculation with PGPB can modulate the seed germination patterns of neotropical tree species, with indications that the ecological group may be involved in the magnitude of the response.

Phenology of seed maturation in babysbreath (Gypsophila paniculata) in northwest Michigan, USA, and its relation to glyphosate efficacy

AbstractBabysbreath or perennial babysbreath (Gypsophila paniculata L.) is an aggressive invasive plant in large parts of southern Canada and the northern and western United States. It reproduces and disperses by seed, so the phenology of seed maturation is important in designing management programs. The present study provides the first quantitative assessment of G. paniculata seed-maturation phenology in a field population, as well as the first quantitative assessment of how the efficacy of herbicide treatment in preventing production of germinable seeds depends on the timing of treatment in relation to this phenology. Seeds were collected from untreated plants on five dates during July and August in both 2016 and 2017 and tested for germinability. Percent germination increased from 20% to 81% between July 22 and 28 and exceeded 90% by August 4, 2016. The seed-maturation phenology in 2017 was similar but delayed by about 4 d. On a growing degree-day scale, seed-maturation phenologies for the 2 yr were nearly identical. We also tested germinability of seeds from plants sprayed with glyphosate (23.4 ml ae L−1) on July 11, 18, and 25, 2016 (one date per plant). Percent germination increased from 0% to 13% to 20% over successive treatment dates, highlighting the importance of completing treatment early in the growing season.

Use of S. Wright’s path coefficient method for statistical analysis of interrelated traits in rice

S. Wright’s analysis of plant productivity is of great current interest. The research objective was to determine the pair correlation coefficients and S. Wright’s path coefficients for rice varieties and, on their basis, to identify the contribution of each of them to the plant productivity. Ten rice varieties were taken as the test material. The experiments were conducted in the irrigated experimental field of theInstituteofRiceof the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences ofUkrainein 2013, 2014 and 2016. Seeds were sown with an SKS-6A manual seeder; the seeding rate was 7.0 mln germinable seeds per hectare. The predecessor was alfalfa. The plot area was5 m2; the sowing distance was15 cm. The plants were analyzed for the following traits: plant productivity (grain weight), panicle weight, grain weight from side stems, productive tillering capacity, grain number per panicle, spikelet number per panicle, 1000-grain weight, grain weight per panicle, plant height, panicle length and density, empty spikelet number per panicle, and incidence of blind seed disease. Pair correlation coefficients were determined by B.A. Dospekhov’s method; path analysis, by S. Wright’s method. The correlations of productivity with 12 quantitative traits of rice were determined: the correlation was close with the grain weight from side stems and medium with the panicle weight and with the grain weight per panicle. Path analysis of the plant productivity established that the correlations of plant traits with the productivity depended both on direct and indirect effects of each trait on the productivity. The relative contribution of each of the studied 12 traits to the rice productivity was determined; both direct and indirect effects of their interactions with other traits were evaluated. This made it possible to discover causes and consequences of interrelations between the traits and, as a result, to choose valuable-for-selection traits, such as panicle weight and productive tillering capacity, which had the greatest direct effects on the productivity and significant correlations with it.

Incidencia de las condiciones de clima en el desarrollo y producción de semillas de Salvia hispanica L.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la incidencia de las condiciones climáticas sobre el cultivo de Salvia hispanica L., conocida comercialmente como Chía, durante las campañas 2014 y 2015, para la zona núcleo de la pampa húmeda, centro-sur de Santa Fe (Argentina). La siembra se hizo en una parcela de 2 ha en el Campo experimental de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias (FCA) de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), en la localidad de Zavalla (Santa Fe). Se emplearon semillas provenientes de lotes comerciales cultivados en la provincia de Salta y las evaluaciones durante ambas compañas fueron: altura de plantas, número de espigas por planta, peso de 1000 semillas y poder germinativo de las semillas cosechadas. Se observó que las heladas ocurridas no afectaron el desarrollo del cultivo. Como consecuencia de las abundantes precipitaciones y de las menores temperaturas registradas en la campaña 2014 con respecto a las de 2015, en la primera ocurrió una fuerte incidencia del hongo Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, que provocó que el número de espigas por planta (16) y el peso de 1000 semillas (0.904 g) fueran inferiores a las obtenidas en 2015 (78 espigas/planta y 1297 g el peso de 1000 semillas), junto a la aparición de semillas vanas y a un descenso del poder germinativo. Las condiciones de clima presentes durante el ciclo de cultivo de S. hispanica en la pampa húmeda tienen una incidencia directa en el desarrollo de la planta y en la producción y calidad de los frutos cosechados.

Isolation, qualitative and quantitative evaluation of galactomannan during germination of Trigonella persica (Fabaceae) seed

Galactomannan extracted from Trigonella persica endosperm like to other galactomannans is useful in the medicine and pharmaceutical industry such as drug delivery due to its unique physicochemical properties. As soon as germination takes place, the hydrolysis of galactomannan begins and its structure changes. Evaluation of galactomannan content extracted from the germinating seeds (GEGS) and the non-germinated seeds (GENGS) showed that the amount of galactomannan was highest at 24 h after imbibition and was completely consumed approximately 48 h after imbibition. It seems that galactomannan is used for storage reserve synthesis in the cotyledon during germination. Based on the quantitative assessment, FT-IR, macroscopic and microscopic observations, galactomannan of T. persica seeds have high an M/G ratio (approximately 5:1) and this ratio does not alter during germination. Therefore, changes in galactomannan structure (functional group and band) caused that GEGS have different physicochemical properties than GENGS. Based on the results, GENGS with a high M/G ratio may be suitable for drug delivery system due to some properties such as high viscosity and gelling.