Germination Of Tomato Seeds Research Articles

Inhibition of seed germination, toxicity on Artemia salina and phytochemical prospecting with from Cuban plants as indicator of antitumo activity

Cuba has a high biodiversity and many plants are widely known and used in folk medicine and for commercial manufacturing of phytomedicines. However, many plants have not been studied for their pharmacological properties, particularly endemic plants. Two simple, inexpensive and rapid biological assays, inhibition of germination of tomato and lettuce seeds and toxicity on the brine shrimp A. salina, have been evaluated as prescreens for possible antitumor activity. Extracts of six plant species collected in Havana, Cuba were subjected to the brine shrimp lethality test and inhibition of seed germination in order to detect potential sources of novel cytotoxic and cytostatic antitumor compounds, respectively. The larvicidal activity, based on the percentage of larval mortality, was evaluated after 24 h exposure to the treatments. In the case of inhibition of seed germination the readings were made 48 h after exposure. Semi-quantitative phytochemical prospecting was done by color and precipitation reactions for chemical functional groups. All species tested showed some cytotoxic and cytostatic effects. Two extracts showed high cytotoxicity in the Artemia salina test, the methanol extract from flowers of Tithonia diversifolia (TD) with IC50 (Inhibitory concentration 50) or LD50 (Lethal doses 50) of 1.14 µg/mL and methanol extract of stems from Castela lucida (CL) with LD50 of 0.052 µg/mL. However, the more promising species was the Tabebuia hypoleuca (TH) with cytostatic effect superior of 65% and good cytotoxic effect with the leaf extract, with the prominent compound classes’ triterpenes, tannins, phenols, and alkaloids. Keywords: Cuban plants; cytotoxic; Artemia salina; cytostatic; seed germination; chemical compounds

Separation of viable and non-viable tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seeds using single seed near-infrared spectroscopy

Single seed near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a non-destructive technology commonly used for predicting lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and water content of agricultural products. The aim of the current study is to investigate the prospects of NIR spectroscopy in classifying viable and non-viable tomato seeds of two cultivars using chemometrics. The data exploration were performed by principal component analysis (PCA). Subsequently, viable and non-viable seeds were classified by partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and interval PLS-DA (iPLS-DA). The indication of clustering of viable and non-viable seeds were observed in the PCA of each cultivar and the pooled samples. However, the PCA did not exhibit a pattern of separation among the early, normal and late germinated tomato seeds. The NIR spectral regions of 1160–1170, 1383–1397, 1647–1666, 1860–1884 and 1915–1940nm were identified as important for classification of viable and non-viable tomato seeds by iPLS-DA. The sensitivity i.e. ability to correctly identify the positive samples and specificity i.e. ability to reject the negative samples of the (iPLS-DA) model on identified spectral regions for prediction of viable and non-viable seeds were 0.94 and 0.94 respectively and were higher than from (PLS-DA) model on original spectra. The iPLS-DA model predicted samples with classification error rate of 6.29 percent as compared to the 13.10 percent by the PLS-DA. The study indicated NIR regions related to the protein-bound water, protein and carbohydrates have a positive relationship to viability in tomato seeds. The study shows the potential of NIR spectroscopy for non-destructive discrimination of viable and non-viable tomato seeds using spectral information.

<b>Cashew nut shell liquid and formulation: toxicity during the germination of lettuce, tomato seeds and coffee senna and seedling formation

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nut shell liquid (CNSL) has been successfully used in trials as an Aedes aegypti larvicide, but little is known about its environmental effects. In this study, the potential effects of CNSL and a CNSL-based phyto-product formulation on the germination and growth of Lactuca sativa (lettuce), Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) and Senna obtusifolia (coffee senna) were assessed. The pH of CNSL and the formulation were 6.4 and 6.8, respectively; the electrical conductivities were 2.89 μS cm-1 (CNSL) and 2.21 μS cm-1 (formulation), respectively, and both contained anacardic acid (53.2%) and degradation products. In bioassays for germination and growth, CNSL (25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg mL-1), the formulation (100 mg mL-1) and the control were used in a completely randomized design. The results demonstrated the chemical effects of CNSL, which negatively affected the germination and vigor of lettuce and tomato and the vigor of coffee senna; for growth, it negatively influenced both the root and aerial parts of lettuce and tomato, but only the roots of coffee senna. The formulation had negative effects on the vigor of coffee senna and the growth of tomato and lettuce seedlings (roots and aerial parts). The results indicate the phytotoxicity of CNSL and the formulation for the plant species tested.

Detrimental Effects of Blood Meal and Feather Meal on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) Seed Germination

There is limited information on the effect of organic fertilizers on seed germination and subsequent transplant growth. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of application rate of blood meal (BM) and feather meal (FM) fertilizers on germination of tomato seeds. Both organic fertilizers were applied as amendments to peat-based organic substrates at rates ranging from 0 to over 50 g·kg−1 N. Tomato ‘Brandywine’ seed were sown in trays. Seed germination was recorded daily until the germination percentage remained unchanged. Ammonia concentration in the substrates (Pro-Mix and Miracle-Gro) increased with increasing rate of substrate N concentration. Ammonia concentration also increased with increasing time after incorporation of BM and FM reaching maximum values (16 ppm) at day 9. Tomato seed germination was little affected at BM and FM rates lower than ≈3 g·kg−1 N (4% w/w for BM or FM), but declined above 3 g·kg−1 N reaching 0% germination rate at ≈14 g·kg−1 N for both BM and FM. Substrates pH was 5.9 in the absence of BM or FM and increased to about pH 7 with addition of low rates of BM (2.7 g·kg−1 N) and FM (2.6 g·kg−1 N). Substrate electrical conductivity (EC) increased with increasing substrate N concentration as supplied by BM and FM; FM, however, had a stronger effect on increasing EC compared with BM. In conclusion, BM and FM had inhibitory effects on tomato seed germination when applied at more than 3 g·kg−1 N (4% w/w for BM or FM). High ammonia concentration in the substrates for the first 2 weeks after incorporation of BM or FM likely caused, at least partially, inhibition of tomato seed germination. Thus, substrate mixed with BM or FM should be allowed to incubate for at least 2 weeks before planting tomato seed.

Control of seed borne fungi on tomato seeds and their management by botanical extracts

Seed health test was done in laboratory to determine the status of seed borne fungi on seeds of five tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) varieties viz. Manik, Ratan, Roma VF, Kopotakkho and Monirumpuri and their possible control by using plant extracts. A total of 4 genera of 3 species of fungi were recorded where Fusarium oxysporum was the most prevalent and predominant seed borne fungus (25.60%). Other three fungal species are Aspergillus sp. of Aspergillus flavus (21.70%) and Aspergillus niger (11.11%) and Cladosporium sp. (13.49%). Tomato seeds were treated with different plant leaf extracts namely Mahogany, Mehendi and Allamanda with different doses viz. 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 to control the seed borne fungi. In treated seeds, germination was ranged from 72-82% which was 68% in controlled condition. Among the doses of three botanicals, Mahogany, Mehendi and Allamonda extract @ (1:1 w/v) showed significant performance in controlling seed borne fungi and germination of tomato seeds. Among the three botanicals, Mahogany @ (1:1 w/v) was found the best treatment regarding percent reduction of seed borne infection.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.3(3): 403-410, December 2016

Assessment of the antimicrobial activity of Lentinula edodes against Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

Bacterial spot of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv) is a devastating disease of tomato world-wide. In the southeastern United States, high summer temperatures and humidity are ideal conditions for this disease, resulting in defoliation, fruit spotting and a significant reduction in fruit yield. Current organic production practices restrict the use of synthetic chemicals for disease control; hence, there is a need for the development of new and effective biopesticides to mitigate plant diseases. Among several biological agents with potential for disease control, Lentinula edodes (shiitake mushroom) has been shown to have antibacterial properties. A controlled-environment study was therefore conducted to validate L. edodes mycelia culture filtrate (Lemcf) foliar application to control bacterial spot of tomato using the cultivar Agriset 761. Lentinula edodes mycelia culture filtrate foliar spray significantly suppressed bacterial spot incidence in tomato foliage in vitro but was not effective in vivo. The phytotoxicity symptoms in Lemcf-treated tomato foliage were attributed to the presence of 422.78 μg of oxalic acid per milliliter of Lemcf (quantified by high-pressure liquid chromatography). Plant height and flowering were normal in Lemcf-treated plants. Additionally, Lemcf seed treatment did not adversely impact tomato germination but significantly enhanced the germination of marginal tomato seeds subjected to biotic stress (Xcv). Our results suggest that after eliminating oxalic acid from Lemcf, the product may be a potential biopesticide for managing bacterial spot of tomato. Future greenhouse or field experiments should be conducted after eliminating oxalic acid from L. edodes culture filtrates.

Bacterial endophytes of weeds are effective biocontrol agents of Agrobacterium spp., Pectobacterium spp., and promote growth of tomato plants

Bacterial endophytes were isolated from native plants growing in a fallow field. Taxonomy of these bacteria, and their beneficial effects to plants, were determined. Seventeen strains were selected from a group of 73 isolates on the basis of origin, colony morphology and antagonistic properties and were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analyses. These strains were assayed in vivo against pathogenic strains of Agrobacterium and Pectobacterium spp. Their ability to improve plant growth was also evaluated. The Gram positive Bacillus amyloliquefaciens , B. cereus , B. methylotrophicus , B. pumilus and Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens and the Gram negative Pseudomonas brassicacearum were identified. The Bacillus and Pseudomonas were shared among five plant species while C. flaccumfaciens was isolated only from Euphorbia spp. Biocontrol activity of endophytic strains was evaluated on potato disks inoculated with Pectobacterium spp. and on tomato plants grown in sterile soil, root-bacterized with endophytes and stem inoculated with Agrobacterium spp. A reduction of soft rot caused by Pectobacterium spp. on three potato varieties treated with Bacillus s pp. strains was observed. Bacillus methylotrophicus strain OS4 strongly reduced gall development induced by Agrobacterium spp. and gave 100% germination of tomato seeds compared with 75.5% for the non-treated seeds. Pseudomonas brassicacearum strain PS1 enhanced tomato seed germination and increased plant growth parameters. These results indicate that native plants harbour various endophytic bacterial species that possess potentially valuable biocontrol and growth promotion activities.

Mobilization of storage materials during light-induced germination of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seeds

The aim of this study was to analyze the metabolism of storage materials in germinating tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seeds and to determine whether it is regulated by light via phytochromes. Wild type, single and multiple phytochrome A, B1 and B2 mutants were investigated. Imbibed seeds were briefly irradiated with far-red or far-red followed by red light, and germinated in darkness. Triacylglycerols and starch were quantified using biochemical assays in germinating seeds and seedlings during the first 5 days of growth. To investigate the process of fat-carbohydrate transformation, the activity of the glyoxylate cycle was assessed. Our results confirm the role of phytochrome in the control of tomato seed germination. Phytochromes A and B2 were shown to play specific roles, acting antagonistically in far-red light. While the breakdown of triacylglycerols proceeded independently of light, phytochrome control was visible in the next stages of the lipid-carbohydrate transformation. The key enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase, were regulated by phytochrome(s). This was reflected in a greater increase of starch content during seedling growth in response to additional red light treatment. This study is the first attempt to build a comprehensive image of storage material metabolism regulation by light in germinating dicotyledonous seeds.

Effect of Plant Extracts on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Green Gram, Brinjal and Tomato

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of three aqueous extracts made from three medicinal plants, Acalypha indica (Linn), Calotropis gigantean (Linn) and Zingiber officinalis (Rose). Investigations were conducted on seed germination and seedling growth of some commercially important plants made from green gram, brinjal and tomato. The plant extracts produced great variation in the rate of inhibition on seed germination. The A. indica extract alone showed stimulatory effect on seed germination of brinjal. The growth of seedlings of green gram, brinjal and tomato were adversely affected by selected plant extracts except C. gigantean (Linn) which promoted the seedling growth of brinjal.

Bio-suppression of Sclerotinia Stem Rot of Tomato and Biostimulation of Plant Growth Using Tomato-associated Rhizobacteria

A collection of 25 rhizobacterial strains, recovered from rhizospheric soils around healthy tomato plants grown in Rhizoctonia-infested fields, belonging to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. thuringiensis, B. megaterium, B. subtilis, Enterobacter cloacae, Chryseobacterium jejuense, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was screened for its suppressive effects of Sclerotinia Stem Rot of tomato caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and plant growth-promoting ability. The inhibitory effects of diffusible and volatile metabolites from these rhizobacteria against pathogen mycelial growth depended significantly upon strains tested. Growth inhibition caused by diffusible and volatile compounds was of about 37-57% and 24-54%, respectively. All strains tested had totally suppressed myceliogenic germination of sclerotia and improved germination of bacterized tomato seeds as compared to the untreated controls. The screening of their disease-suppressive and plant growth-promoting abilities revealed 72-100% decrease in Sclerotinia Stem Rot severity and significant increments in plant height by 52-67%, roots fresh weight by about 66-88% and aerial part weight by 47-75%, compared to S. sclerotiorum-inoculated and untreated control. The most promising strains combining disease-suppressive and growth-promoting abilities were B. subtilis B10 (KT921327) and B14 (KU161090), B. thuringiensis B2 (KU158884), B. amyloliquefaciens B13 (KT951658) and B15 (KT923051), and E. cloacae B16 (KT921429).

Métodos para superação de dormência em sementes de tomateiro arbóreo (Solanum betaceum)

RESUMO O tomateiro arbóreo (Solanum betaceum) é espécie pouco conhecida, porém, apresenta frutos com enorme potencialidade de mercado, uma vez que podem ser consumidos tanto in natura como na forma industrializada. Contudo, um dos entraves para essa potencialidade se tornar realidade é a produção de mudas. A propagação dessa espécie ocorre por meio de sementes, mas, normalmente, a germinação requer tempo, principalmente sob condições de estresse. Objetivou-se verificar se existe dormência em sementes de tomate arbóreo e a técnica adequada para obter germinação rápida e uniforme. O delineamento foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5 x 2 (métodos para superação de dormência x luz), com 4 repetições de 50 ou 60 sementes, de acordo com o ciclo produtivo. Os métodos avaliados foram estratificação, hidrocondicionamento, condicionamento osmótico com GA3 e controle, com e sem luz. Também foram avaliados a germinação e o índice de velocidade de germinação, bem como o início e tempo médio de germinação. A utilização de GA3 na concentração de 100 mg L-1 ou 300 mg L-1 é recomendada para a germinação de sementes de tomate arbóreo.

Effect of Salt Tolerant Edaphic Microorganisms on Tomato Local Landraces During Germination in Osmotic Stress Conditions

Soil salinization is one of the limiting factors in horticultural production. Microorganisms can confer tolerance to various stress factors, including salinity, and also improve mineral nutrition of host plants. Our researches aim to assess the effect of some salt tolerant bacteria on germination of tomato seeds in saline stress conditions. Seeds from three tomato local landraces were germinated in different concentrations of saline solutions. A part of seeds was not inoculated with any bacterium, meanwhile the rest of seeds were inoculated with three different strains of edaphic bacteria isolated from a saline soil of Timis county, Romania. From a collection of bacterial strains the three most salt resistant were used for inoculation. After 16 days the germination rate and the development of roots were assessed. In terms of germination rate, the most recommended combination in our study proved to be tomato landrace Tarnova 673-bacterial strain Rh1, which presented maximum germination rate, even at 130mM NaCl saline solution. The length of roots was different depending on the combination of tomato-bacterium genotypes. In some cases, the same bacteria couldn’t alleviate the impact of salinity on root development, meanwhile in case of the same combination, tomato landrace Tarnova 673-bacterial strain Rh1, the root length was the same in 100 mM and 130 mM saline solutions as in water. The influence of microorganisms on germination of tomato seeds depends on the type of plant landrace, bacterial strain and degree of salinity so there is no general pattern in each case. Though successful plant landrace-bacterium strain combinations can be identified.

Over-expression of GhDWF4 gene improved tomato fruit quality and accelerated fruit ripening

Brassinosteroids (BRs), a class of steroidal phytohormones are essential for many biological processes in plant. However, little is known about their roles in fruit development. Tomato is a highly valuable vegetable and has been adopted as the model species for studying fruit growth, development, and ripening. To understand the role of endogenous BRs in the development of tomato fruit, the expression patterns of three homologues of DWF4 gene were investigated and the transgenic tomato plants were generated in which the GhDWF4 gene from upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was ectopically expressed. The contents of main quality components were analyzed in fruits of transgenic tomato line and non-transgenic line (control plant, CP) when the fruit was mature. SlCYP90B3 that possesses high homology with GhDWF4 preferentially expressed in mature fruit. Significantly higher contents of soluble sugar, soluble proteins, and vitamin C were obtained in fruit of transgenic tomato lines compared with those in the CP. Furthermore, overexpressing GhDWF4 promoted fruit growth and ripening. The weight per fruit was increased by about 23% in transgenic lines. In addition, overexpressing GhDWF4 promoted the germination of transgenic tomato seeds and hypocotyl elongation of seedlings. These results indicated that overexpressing GhDWF4 gene in tomato could increase the contents of many nutrients in fruit and accelerate fruit ripening. It is suggested that increased endogenous BRs in fruit affect the growth and development of tomato fruit and therefore improved the nutrient quality of tomato.

Evaluation of Biological Activity of Aqueous Extract of Ailanthus Altissima (Mill. Swingle)

Assessment of the Effect of the Water Extract of Ailanthus altissima (Mill. Swingle). In this study the effect of the water extract of Ailanthus altissima (Mill. Swingle) in photosynthesis and growth components of corn and seed germination of corn, tomato and Ailanthus seeds was assessed. Results showed that the extract adversely influenced photosynthesis and growth components of corn and seed germination of corn and tomato. No effect was observed on Ailanthus seeds germination.

Erratum to: Reactive oxygen species mediated improvement in vigour of static and pulsed magneto-primed cherry tomato seeds

Seed priming with magnetic field was used to improve germination, vigour and yield in cherry tomato seeds. Cherry tomato seeds were magneto-primed with various doses of static magnetic field (SMF) in the range of 50–150 milliTesla (mT) for duration of 30 min and 1 h. SMF dose of 100 mT for 30 min gave maximum increase in germination characteristics and was selected for application as pulsed dose. Seeds were exposed to pulsed magnetic field (PMF) dose in the cycles of 2, 3, 5 or 6 min on and off where PMF dose of 3 min on and off cycle showed substantial enhancement of 23 % in seedling vigour compared to other treatments. Superoxide ion and hydrogen peroxide contents increased by two fold in static and pulsed magneto-primed seeds. Antioxidant enzymes system revealed increased superoxide dismutase activity and oxidative reaction of peroxidase resulted in production of hydrogen peroxide during germination of magneto-primed seeds. Increased ascorbate peroxidase activity during initial stages and catalase at later stages of germination helped in scavenging of hydrogen peroxide in germinating magneto-primed seeds. PMF treated seeds showed better response in terms of invigoration and reactive oxygen species related parameters than static magneto-primed seeds. Both static and pulsed magneto-primed seeds were evaluated for their field performance. Yield increased by 17 % in SMF and 27 % in plants from PMF primed seeds. There was no major change in the number of fruits and the increase in yield was mainly due to a substantial increase in weight per fruit, which was 7.76 and 8.55 g in SMF and PMF, respectively as compared to 6.4 g in control. Fruit quality was also better in primed compared to control seeds. Our results indicated that pulsed magneto-priming is more effective in dry seed priming treatment for seed invigoration in cherry tomatoes.

Effects of exogenous H2S on the germination of tomato seeds under nitrate stress

SummaryIn this study, the effects of the exogenous H2S donor, NaHS, on the germination of tomato seeds under nitrate (NO3 -) ion stress were investigated. The results showed that under increased nitrate ion stress (range 0 - 200 mM), the germination percentage of tomato seeds decreased from 92.3% to 1.0%. The application of NaHS, up to 100 ?M, alleviated the inhibitory effect of nitrate stress by enhancing seed germination up to 1.3-fold compared to the nitrate stress treatment alone. Further study showed that malondialdehyde concentrations and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species declined significantly after all NaHS treatments. Amylase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase activities increased significantly after 100 ?M NaHS treatment. In addition, nitric oxide (NO) fluorescence increased when NaHS was added to the nitrate solution. Our results suggest that exogenous H2S can alleviate the damage caused by nitrate stress, possibly through increasing anti-oxidant enzyme activities, and may have a interaction with NO.

The effect of N-TiO2 on tomato, onion, and radish seed germination

The effects of nano-size titanium dioxide (N-TiO2) on the germination of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.), onion (Allium cepa L.), and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds were assessed in laboratory and greenhouse trials. Seeds were germinated in Petri dishes in a laboratory and in peat:perlite (1:1, v/v) in a greenhouse containing four concentrations of N-TiO2 (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg L-1). N-TiO2 at 100 and 200 mg L-1 had the most positive effect on germination. In the laboratory, the highest germination percentage of tomato and onion was observed at 100 mg L-1 (100 and 30%, respectively), and in radish, 100% germination was obtained with 400 mg L-1. In the greenhouse, seedlings were tallest after exposure to 400 and 200 mg L-1 for tomato and onion, respectively, and 400 and 100 mg L-1 for radish. N-TiO2 may serve as a seed-priming agent for horticultural crops.

Compostable properties of antimicrobial bioplastics based on cinnamaldehyde cross-linked gliadins

Abstract The disintegration, biodegradation and ecotoxicity of cross-linked wheat gliadin films with antimicrobial properties were assessed under controlled composting conditions. Gliadins were chemically modified with different percentages of cinnamaldehyde (1.5%, 3% and 5%) increasing their cross-linking degree and imparting antimicrobial activity. After the films were subjected to simulated conditions of use in a food packaging application, they were composted. The most cross-linked gliadin film showed a very fast disintegration profile. It completely disintegrated into fine visually indistinguishable residues after 4 days of being inserted in compost medium. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the rapid microbial colonization of the films’ surface. Biodegradation was assessed by measuring the amount of carbon dioxide produced in a static system specifically designed for this study. The cross-linking degree of the proteinaceous matrices modified their biodegradation rate without impairing their complete biodegradation. The presence of residual cinnamaldehyde in the films, which can exert antimicrobial activity, did not hamper their biodegradation neither caused ecotoxicity on tomato seeds germination and plant growth.

Effect of osmopriming on the germination of tomato seeds

Effect of osmopriming on the germination of tomato seeds

A novel fungal metabolite with beneficial properties for agricultural applications.

Trichoderma are ubiquitous soil fungi that include species widely used as biocontrol agents in agriculture. Many isolates are known to secrete several secondary metabolites with different biological activities towards plants and other microbes. Harzianic acid (HA) is a T. harzianum metabolite able to promote plant growth and strongly bind iron. In this work, we isolated from the culture filtrate of a T. harzianum strain a new metabolite, named isoharzianic acid (iso-HA), a stereoisomer of HA. The structure and absolute configuration of this compound has been determined by spectroscopic methods, including UV-Vis, MS, 1D and 2D NMR analyses. In vitro applications of iso-HA inhibited the mycelium radial growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani. Moreover, iso HA improved the germination of tomato seeds and induced disease resistance. HPLC-DAD experiments showed that the production of HA and iso HA was affected by the presence of plant tissue in the liquid medium. In particular, tomato tissue elicited the production of HA but negatively modulated the biosynthesis of its analogue iso-HA, suggesting that different forms of the same Trichoderma secondary metabolite have specific roles in the molecular mechanism regulating the Trichoderma plant interaction.