Physical Characteristics Of Seeds Research Articles

Heterosis en el proceso germinativo y en caracteres de semilla del hí-brido de maíz (Zea mays L.) HAZUL 10E

Objective: To quantify the heterosis in physical and physiological characteristics of seeds of the simple and trilineal crosses of the maize hybrid HAZUL 10E.
 Methodology: Seeds of the genotypes that make up the HAZUL 10E maize hybrid (inbred lines and simple and trilineal crosses) were used. The experimental design was completely randomized with three repetitions. Physical characteristics of the seeds (weight, width, thickness, length, volume, density and the ratios width/length of seed and thickness/length of seed) and physiological (normal and abnormal seedlings, inert seeds, and lengths and dry matter of plumule, radicle and total) were evaluated. Heterosis and heterobeltiosis were determined and their differences between both crosses were tested with Student's t test.
 Results: Heterosis and heterobeltiosis were higher in the single cross than in the trilineal one. In the single cross, the higher values of both heterosis corresponded to plumule, radicle and total dry matter; followed by weight and seed volume. In the trilinear, the highest values corresponded to normal seedlings and radicle length and biomass, and total. The determining variables of the shape, the formation of normal seedlings and the elongation of the radicle, responded better to hybridization in the trilineal cross.
 Study limitations: None presented.
 Conclusions: In the single cross, heterosis increased the seed size and the biomass accumulated in the seedlings; while in the trilineal cross, it affected the shape of the seed and the seedlings produced.

Initial Effects of Plasma Treatment on Maize Seeds: A Laboratory Study

Planning and modeling seed processing activities necessitate an understanding of the variances and relationships between the physical characteristics of seeds. The goal of this study is to establish the differences in fundamental physical features of selected maize seeds (Ganga Safed-2) and to find connections between these qualities following cold glow discharge plasma treatment. The effects of non-thermal plasma treatment of maize seeds on the rate of the seed’s physical properties like fresh weight, length, and dry weight have been investigated using a radiofrequency glow discharge plasma system. A cylindrical reactor is used for seed treatment. The treatment of maize seeds at 240 seconds and 30 watts has a great impact on their physical properties. We have used various types of gases for plasma treatment such as Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, hydrogen, and helium under atmospheric pressure and room temperature.

The Influence of Seed Characteristics on Seed Dispersal Early Stages by Tibetan Macaques.

Simple SummarySeed dispersal by frugivores is critical to forest regeneration. However, the Tibetan macaque’s seed dispersal function and the effect of seed physical characteristics on seed dispersal effectiveness need to be confirmed. We not only demonstrated that Tibetan macaques could act as seed dispersers, but we also investigated the effect of seed physical characteristics on gut passage time and seed damage rates. Smaller seeds are less likely to be damaged and remain for longer periods of time, whereas larger and heavier seeds are defecated more quickly. In our experiments, the seed-to-shell investment rate had no effect on the damage rate. Understanding the role of seed dispersal in primates can aid in the understanding of seed dispersal symbiosis.There are numerous ecological and evolutionary implications for the ability of frugivores to predate on fruits and consume or disperse their seeds. Tibetan macaques, which are considered important seed predators, typically feed on fruits or seeds. However, systematic research into whether they have a seed dispersal function is still lacking. Endozoochory allows seeds to disperse over greater distances by allowing them to remain in the animal’s digestive tract. Consumption of fruit may not imply effective seed dispersal, and the physical characteristics of seeds (e.g., size, weight, specific gravity, etc.) may influence the dispersal phase’s outcome. We conducted feeding experiments with three captive Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) and nine plant seeds to determine the influence of seed characteristics on Tibetan macaques’ early stages of seed dispersal. The results revealed that the percentage of seed destruction (PSD) after ingestion was 81.45% (range: 15.67–100%), with the PSD varying between plant species. Among the three passage time parameters, the transit time (TT) (mean: 18.8 h and range: 4–24 h) and the time of seed last appearance (TLA) (mean: 100.4 h and range: 48–168 h) differed significantly between seed species, whereas the mean retention time (MRT) (mean: 47.0 h and range: 32–70.3 h) did not. In terms of model selection, PSD was influenced by seed size, weight, volume, and specific gravity; TT was influenced by seed-to-shell investment rate, weight, volume, and specific gravity; and TLA was influenced only by seed size. These findings imply that seeds with a smaller size, specific gravity, volume, and greater weight pass more easily through the monkeys’ digestive tracts. Particularly, seeds with a mean cubic diameter (MCD) of <3 mm had a higher rate of expulsion, larger volume, and weight seeds pass faster, while smaller remained longer. Tibetan macaques, as potential seed dispersers, require specific passage time and passage rates of small or medium-sized seeds. Larger and heavier seeds may be more reliant on endozoochory. Tibetan macaques have the ability to disperse seeds over long distances, allowing for gene flow within the plant community.

The Effect of Seed Size on Seed Recovery and Quality in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Background: Quality seed is major input in increasing the productivity of agricultural crops. Seed after harvesting contains many undesirable materials and unfit for sowing. If the farmer is to be persuaded to pay for high quality seed, the seed he buys must be undeniably be pure and flow without difficulty through planter or drill. To separate different size seed material, many equipments have been developed which exploit the differences between the physical characteristics of seeds. Methods: An experiment was conducted to standardize the sieve size for seed grading in chickpea. The freshly harvested seeds of were graded using different sieve sizes. The screens used in this experiment were 7.0 mm R, 6.50 mm R, 6.0 mm R, 5.50 mm R, 4.75 mm R, 3.75 mm R and Bulk seeds (control). The seeds which retained over the screen were subjected to seed recovery and quality tests. Result: The results of the experiment indicated that the seed recovery ranged from 90.4 per cent to 97.82 per cent among the different size grades. As the screen size decreased from 7.0 to 4.75 mm, the per cent seed recovery was increased but seed quality parameters were decreased and well below the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standard (IMSCS). The positive association of seed size and seed qualities were recorded. The 5.5 mm sieve recorded 96.4% seed recovery as compared to 6.0 mm sieve (94.4%) and found to be better by considering two per cent higher seed recovery and other higher germination, vigour index although there is recommendation is 4.75 to 6.0 mm range. Hence, the seed producer is benefitted by higher seed recovery and profit and without compromising minimum seed certification standards.

Physical and physiological quality of Jatropha curcas L. seeds at different maturity stages using image analysis

Aim of study: To assess the potential of automated X-ray image analysis to evaluate the physical characteristics of Jatropha curcas seeds, and to relate the parameters obtained with the physiological quality of the seeds harvested at different maturity stages.Area of study: Experimental area of Agronomy Department, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Brazil.Material and methods: The fruits were harvested from 20 plants, based on the external skin color (green, yellow, brownish-yellow and brown). The study was performed by automated and visual analysis of radiographic images of the seeds, in which measurements of tissue integrity, density and seed filling were performed. Seed dry matter, germination and seedling growth were also analysed.Main results: Variables obtained through automated analysis of radiographic images correlated significantly with all physiological variables (r &gt; 0.9), as well as visual image evaluations (r &gt; 0.75). The seeds extracted from green fruits presented lower tissue integrity and lower physiological quality. Radiographic analysis was efficient for monitoring J. curcas seed quality at different maturity stages. Morpho-anatomical parameters obtained from X-ray analysis were highly correlated with seed physiological attributes.Research highlights: It is important to develop and improve methodologies based on lower-cost techniques, such as X-ray analysis. In this context, we verified that X-ray images can be used for monitoring J. curcas seed filling and maturation. Radiographic images of seeds can be analyzed automatically with ImageJ software. Internal morphology and physical characteristics of seeds have relationship with their physiological quality.

Researches on the separation of impurities from a seed flow based on the aerodynamic principle

Ensuring for production the necessary quantities of biological material of valuable varieties and hybrids to maintain their initial characteristics requires the permanent application of measures to be carried out on a scientific basis, depending on the biological particularities of the variety or hybrid. The production of seeds for leguminous plants is of great importance because the vast majority of species propagate that way. Due to the fact the yield obtained depends on the quality of the seeds, it is necessary to use seeds of varieties and hybrids with superior qualities and from higher biological categories without foreign bodies (impurities). Knowing the particularities of leguminous plant seed is of special practical importance because the conditioning technologies and machinery are based on it and also the culture technologies that are applied both in the field and in protected areas. The paper presents some theoretical aspects regarding the separation of seed mixtures based on the aerodynamic principle (resistance of the seed mass layer to the air passage, seed floating capacity, air flow working rates, total air flow, physical characteristics of seeds, etc.) which were the basis for designing a conditioning module for vegetable, flower and cereal seeds.

Impact of environmental conditions and seed physico-chemical characteristics on the resistance of cowpea genotypes to Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) infestation.

There is a need to improve research and extension documentation to assist farmers in making better use of the available resistant cowpea genotypes to insects attack during storage. A study was conducted to determine the resistance of ten cowpea genotypes [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] to Callosobruchus maculatus F. attack in the Sudano-Guinean and Sudano-Sahelian agro-ecological zones (SS) of Cameroon. Thereafter, seeds were analyzed for physical properties and chemical composition to determine the main parameters of their resistance against C. maculatus. The SS was more suitable for insect infestation. Genotypes were classified into resistant to highly susceptible. Results showed that the physical characteristics of seeds were less important than the chemical components for conferring resistance to C. maculatus. Two genotypes, Samira and Lade, consistently demonstrated high tolerance to infestation by C. maculatus, and therefore may be recommended for use in breeding programs as a source of resistance and then to minimize the dependence on insecticides for the control of insect pests under subsistence farming conditions in Cameroon.

English

The knowledge about the physical characteristics of seeds, whether coated or not, is essential for the design of machines and equipment. Therefore, the objective of this work was to determine the physical characteristics of colza (Brassica napus L.) seeds coated with bentonite, gypsum and kaolin, treated with fungicide (carboxin + thiram) and aqueous extract of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). The untreated colza seeds were submitted to the coating process using bentonite, gypsum and kaolin as fillers, and as treatment products were used as fungicide (carboxin + thiram) and an aqueous extract of black pepper which were added to an aqueous solution of 30% PVA glue (cementing mixture). Then the physical characteristics were determined: diameter, number of times increased, porosity, angle of repose, resistance, classification in sieves and weight of one thousand seeds. The experiment was organized in a completely randomized design and arranged in a factorial scheme. The means, when necessary, were compared by the Scott-Knott test. The colza seeds coated with bentonite presented greater diameter, number of times increased, porosity, angle of repose and weight of a thousand seeds, followed by gypsum and kaolin. The treatment products had little influence on the physical characteristics of the coated seeds. Key words: Brassica napus L., diameter, resistance, weight of one thousand seeds. &nbsp; &nbsp

Inter- and intra-specific variation in fruit biomass, number of seeds, and physical characteristics of seeds in Opuntia spp., Cactaceae

Domestication is an evolutionary process that culminates with the origin of individuals or populations that are morpho-physiologically, chemically and genetically different from their wild, congeneric relatives. The aim of the present study was to quantify the inter- and intra-specific variation in fruit biomass, number of seeds, and physical characteristics of seeds in O. streptacantha Lem., O. hyptiacantha F.A.C. Weber, O. megacantha Salm-Dyck, O. albicarpa Scheinvar and O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill., the least, intermediate, and most highly domesticated species. The hypothesis was that selecting larger fruits with fewer and softer seeds (normal and aborted) during domestication reduced the interspecific variation in fruit biomass, number of seeds, and physical characteristics of seeds in Opuntia spp., Cactaceae. For fruits of 89 variants of the Southern Mexican Plateau, total biomass and biomass of pulp with seeds was quantified; seed length, width, thickness and dehydrated mass were measured, as well as hardness of normal seeds. The total number of seeds was quantified and normal and aborted seeds were counted separately. A randomized design, with 89 treatments (variants) and six replicates and a fruit as experimental unit per treatment was used. The data were analysed by ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparison test (p ≤ 0.05), multivariate ordination (principal components analysis) and classification (clustering analysis). Inter-specific analysis indicated that fruits of the most highly domesticated variants (O. albicarpa and O. ficus-indica) had higher biomass (p ≤ 0.05), followed by those of O. hyptiacantha and O. megacantha and wild variants of O. streptacantha, and non-significant differences existed in seed thickness or hardness. Fruit and pulp biomass were positively and significantly correlated with seed biomass. Species with greater domestication clustered according to their larger fruits (≥117.83 g) and the greater number of aborted seeds (≥65). Domestication of Opuntia has also modified seed dimensions and increased the number of aborted seeds per fruit (≤11 to ≥65).

Discrimination of Acacia seeds at species and subspecies levels using an image analyzer

Seeds of Acacia species and subspecies were characterized using an image analyzer and discriminated for the purpose of identification of species, using their seeds. The species considered in the study were Acacia nilotica subsp. indica, A. nilotica subsp. cupressiformis, A. nilotica subsp. tomentosa, A. tortilis subsp. raddiana, A. tortilis subsp. spirocarpa, A. raddiana, A. senegal, A. auriculiformis, A. farnesiana, A. leucophloea, A. mearnsii, A. melanoxylon, A. planifrons and A. mangium. Eight samples each consisting of 25 seeds per species were studied using the image analyzer for physical characteristics of seeds, such as 2D surface area, length, width, perimeter, roundness, aspect ratio and fullness ratio. Discriminant analysis showed that acacias can be discriminated at species and subspecies levels, with 96% accuracy. Exceptions were A. nilotica subsp. tomentosa (75.0%), A. tortilis subsp. spirocarpa (75.0%) and A. raddiana (87.5%) which had relatively low discrimination accuracy. However, discriminant analysis within selected species showed complete recognition of these species except for A. tortilis subsp. spirocarpa, that had still a large overlap with A. leucophloea. The study also revealed that both seed size and shape characteristics were responsible for species discrimination. It can be concluded that rapid analysis of seed size and shape characteristics using image analysis techniques can be used as primary and secondary keys for identification of acacias.

Gastrointestinal passage time of seeds ingested by captive Japanese martens Martes melampus

The time it takes for ingested seeds to pass through the gut of animals is an important aspect of endozoochorous seed dispersal because it influences seed dispersal distance. Variations in the physical characteristics of seeds, such as their weight, volume, and specific gravity, can affect their movement through the gastrointestinal system of a given animal. We conducted feeding experiments with captive Japanese martens, Martes melampus (n = 4), at Toyama Municipal Family Park Zoo, central Japan to examine the effects of the physical characteristics of seeds on their passage times. The mean (±SD) transit time, mean retention time, and time of last appearance of four different types of commercial seeds were 2.6 ± 0.3 h (range 0.6–5.4), 9.7 ± 1.1 h (3.8–17.3), and 23.8 ± 3.1 h (12.2–51.8), respectively. All of these values are greater than those found during previous experiments conducted with mustelids. Similar to previous studies, however, none of these passage time variables was correlated with the physical characteristics of seeds. Our results thus indicate that martens disperse seeds of different plant species, whose size, volume, and specific gravity all fall within the range of those used in the present study, from parent plants at similar distances.

Effects of cooking on some physical characteristics of nere seeds or African Locust Beans (&lt;i&gt;Parkia biglobosa&lt;/i&gt;)

The major difficulty encountered in processing locust beans or nere seeds (Parkia biglobosa) into afitin subsist is the laborious seeds dehusking. Studies were conducted to determine the optimal cooking duration for ensuri-ng the seeds attained 16.14 % (db) water content prior to efficient dehusking. Therefore, the effects of cooking the seeds in water at 102 °C for duration of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 hours on the physical characteristics were assess-ed. Depending on the treatment duration, the cooking induced variable modifications in the physical characteri-stics of the seeds. The water content, 1000-seeds mass, and 1000-seeds volume of cooked seeds increased with cooking duration, respectively from 16.14 to 284.62 % (db), 231.66 to 508.33 g and 208 to 482 cm3. Seed poro-sity rose from 35.6 to 42.2 % during the first hour of cooking, but decreased gradually to attain constant value of 41 % for the remaining 5 h. Although the average size of seeds increased marginally, there was corresponding lengthening, indicated by 20.40 % change in thickness, 14.5 % change in length and 13.5 % change in width, which confirmed the remarkable effects of cooking treatment. However, the true and bulk densities decreased respectively from 1110 to 1055 kg/m3 and 715 to 625 kg/m3 as cooking time increased. The data on dimension-al changes (seed length and width) and swelling as function of the cooking time provided parameters for design-ing shelling grids for efficient dehusking.

Produção e características físicas de sementes de mamoneira em função da posição do racemo e do fruto

With the objective of evaluating production and physical characteristics of castor bean seeds affected by raceme and fruit position, a study was carried out under field conditions, in a Red Nitosol (Afisol), in Botucatu, Sao Paulo State. The cultivar AL Guarany 2002 was used. Its three first racemes were harvested and divided into three parts, which consisted of the treatments. Raceme length, number of leaves per raceme, fruit dimensions, fruit weight and number of seeds per fruit were determined to evaluate physical characteristics of the racemes and fruits; seed moisture content, size and weight of thousand seeds and seed production were determined to evaluate physical characteristics of the seeds. The treatments influenced physical characteristics of the racemes, fruits and seeds, besides the production of castor bean seeds; the number of fruits and the seed production were directly proportional, and smaller according to raceme development.

Qualidade de sementes de trigo e de soja em função de sistemas de preparo de solo e da sucessão de culturas

The aim of this work was to evaluate some physical and physiological characteristics of wheat and soybean seeds produced under four tillage systems and in succession after pigeonpea or sunnhemp crops. The tillage systems used for wheat were: 1. No tillage; 2. No tillage + 40 kg/ha of N top dressing; 3. disk harrow; 4. disk plow, following the soybean with: 1. No tillage; 2. No tillage; 3. chisel; 4. disk plow. The wheat, cv. IAC-24, was sowed in 13 th of April 1998 and harvested in 21 st of August 1998. The wheat seeds quality was evaluated by physical purity, hectolitric weight, moisture content, 1000 seeds weight, germination and vigor. The soybean, cv. IAC-17, was sowed in 23 rd of October 1998 and harvested in 29 th of March 1999. The size of the seeds, the 100 seeds weight, the moisture content, the germination and the vigor of the seeds of soybean were studied. The tillage systems and the succession kind had influences on some physical characteristics of seeds, but few effects on the physiological quality of soybean and wheat seeds.

The applicability of a seed ecological database (SEED) in botanical research

AbstractThis is the first report on the SEed Ecological Database (SEED) being developed under the co-ordination of the author. In its first version the database will cover physical characteristics of seeds, such as: slenderness (length/width), flatness (thickness/width) and thousand-seed weight. The list of species encompasses all seed plants (gymnosperms and angiosperms) native or naturalized in Hungary (about 2450 species). Two examples to demonstrate the power of SEED are included. The significantly lower slenderness values of Hungarian C4 grasses (compared with C3 types), shown in the first example, is a new contribution to understanding the ecology of C4 grasses. In the second example heavier seed weights of shade plants are statistically demonstrated, compared to their heliophilous congeners with the same life forms. The 113 congeneric species pairs considered are derived from a wide range of plant families.