Abstract: The association between beneficial microorganisms and green beans can accelerate establishment in the field. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of seed treatments in different doses of Bacillus subtilis on the physiological potential of green beans. Seeds from the cultivar Macarrão Baixo were used. The study used a completely randomized design in a double factorial scheme with factor A in the treatments: Pelliculation (PC), Pelliculation with Drying (PCD), Pre-Imbibition (PI), Biopriming (BP); factor B, doses of B. subtilis: 0; 7; 14 and 28 mL of a commercial product.kg of seed-1, and a control. The following treatments were applied: moisture content analysis, first count and final germination, electrical conductivity, length, fresh and dry seedling weight, speed index, and final emergence. Analysis of variance was applied to the data and when significant, it was compared using Tukey’s test and polynomial regression; for the absolute control, orthogonal contrast was applied, with p < 0.05 for all analyses. The treatments did not impair seed viability. Vigor benefited with the use of PI and doses between 16 and 20 mL of p.c.kg of seed-1. PI alone had the best performance. Biopriming, associated with B. subtilis, favors the vigor of green beans.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of maturation fruit and drying temperatures stages on oil content and the physiological performance of crambe seeds. Randomized blocks were the experimental design, with four replications. Harvests occurred when the plants reached 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% brown color fruits. After harvest, seeds were dried at different temperatures (natural and artificial air at 30, 45 and 60 °C). The seeds were evaluated for the weight of a thousand seeds, productivity, oil content, germination and vigor (count of the first germination and seedling emergence). Crambe seeds, FMS Brilhante cultivar, reach the maximum oil content with harvests made from 70% of total brown color fruits. Drying temperatures do not affect the oil content of the seeds. Harvesting crambe seed aiming at the highest physiological quality should occur when the plants have between 75 and 85% brown fruits. Artificial drying at 30 and 45 °C can be recommended for crambe seeds, favoring the production of quality seeds.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the physiological quality of soybean seeds throughout a storage period in two environments, and to evaluate how these changes are related to metabolites of the phenylpropanoid pathway. A completely randomized experimental design was used in a 4 × 8 factorial arrangement (storage periods × cultivars) with four replications. We used seeds from cultivars with contrasts in lignin content, color, and presence of anthocyanin in the seed coat, and isoflavone content in the seed. The seeds were kept for six months under cold and dry storage and in a non-controlled environment. Germination, first germination count, seedling emergence, and tetrazolium testing were performed on the seeds every two months. The physiological quality of the seeds declines during the storage period, with higher rates of decrease in the non-controlled environment. The metabolites of the phenylpropanoid pathway that were studied, especially lignin, affect seed storage potential. Cultivars with higher lignin content show greater storage potential, especially in a non-controlled environment.

Abstract: Coccoloba gigantifolia is recently described species, with an area of restricted occurrence and threatened with extinction, whose great ornamental potential is due to the size of its leaves and the architecture of the plant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the viability of its seeds under different water contents and storage temperatures, through two experiments. The first one used a completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments (drying periods: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days) and four replications. The second experiment used a CRD in a 2 (storage temperatures: 8.0 ± 1.2 and 19.5 ± 0.7 °C) x 3 (storage periods: 1, 2 and 4 months) factorial scheme, in addition to a control treatment (without storage), with four replications. The seeds have a recalcitrant behavior, as they are sensitive to desiccation, with a marked reduction in viability with moisture content below 19.5%. Storage at temperatures of 8.0 and 19.5 °C did not maintain the physiological quality of the seeds, with 25.2% water, and the largest losses were found at a temperature of 8.0 oC.

Abstract: Seed deterioration induces the formation of free radicals and proliferation of microorganisms, but the application of external antioxidants may lessen these effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of cathode and anode water on the physiological quality and health of Coffea arabica L. seeds. Part of the seeds were soaked in cathode water and the other part in anode water for periods of 1, 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours. The physiological quality of the seeds was evaluated by the germination test and tetrazolium test, and seed health by the Blotter test. Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analysis were performed on the data for all the response variables. Soaking in cathode water or anode water up to 24 hours improves the physiological quality of coffee seeds. Anode water has a beneficial effect on the health of coffee seeds, reducing the incidence of Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., and Alternaria spp. after one hour of soaking and of Aspergillus spp. after six hours. Soaking in cathode water for a period of one hour leads to a reduction in the fungi Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Cladosporium spp., and Alternaria spp., and reduction in Penicillium spp. after six hours.

Abstract: Studies on seeds ecophysiology are important to understanding of adaptation mechanisms and of species´ tolerance limits to natural conditions, because determine the potential of use in recovery plans of degraded areas. The aim of this study was to characterize and assess the effect of different temperatures, methods of dormancy overcoming and water and salt stresses on the germination of Senna uniflora. Imbibition curve and germination assay were conducted to assess the effect of temperature regimes (20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C, 40 °C and 20-30 °C), of methods of overcoming dormancy (without scarification, mechanical scarification, chemical scarification and thermal scarification) and of water and salt stresses at the osmotic potentials (0.0; -0.2; -0.4 and -0.8 MPa) . The assessed variables were germination, germination speed index and average germination time. Methods of mechanical and chemical scarification for 5, 15 and 30 min were efficient to overcome physical dormancy, especially on constant temperature regimes of 25 °C and 30 °C and alternated 20-30 °C. Submitted to conditions of water and salt stresses, seeds germination was reduced with the increase of the osmotic potential, being -0.8 MPa the germination minimum limit, in addition, seeds were more sensitive to water stress than to salt stress.

Abstract: The productivity of the oilseed rape crop is responsive to the application of nitrogen (N) and the effect of N is sulfur (S)-dependent. In addition, storage may influence seed vigor. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of fertilization with nitrogen and sulfur on the physiological quality of rapeseeds. All combinations of four doses of N (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg.ha-1) and five of S (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg.ha-1) were evaluated with four replications each distributed in a randomized block design in a distroferric Red Latosol soil. The effects of the nutrients and their combinations on the physiological potential of rapeseeds were evaluated even immediately after harvest and 180 days of storage through the germination test, accelerated aging, field emergence and seedling performance. The application of N associated with S had a positive effect on the physiological quality of the seeds. The application of the 120 kg.ha-1 dose of N and the 80 kg.ha-1 dose of S promoted the highest germination and vigor of the seeds. Seed storage for a period of 180 days led to a drastic reduction in the physiological potential of the rapeseeds.

Abstract: The release of soybean varieties resistant to dicamba herbicide leads to the possibility of dicamba herbicide drift into soybean seed production fields and reduction in the physiological quality of soybean seeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds as a function of the application of reduced rates of dicamba in two phenological phases. A randomized block experimental design was used, with four replications. The 4 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement consisted of four reduced rates (0.028, 0.28, 2.8 and 28 g.ha-1) of dicamba applied in the V4 and R2 stages + a control. The physiological quality of the seeds was evaluated after harvest and at six months after storage at 20 °C. At the rate of 28 g.ha-1 of dicamba applied in the V4 and R2 stages, seed germination declined by 15% and 42%, respectively. After storage, seeds under the 28 g.ha-1 dicamba treatment had 64% lower germination compared to the lowest application rate evaluated, and electrical conductivity doubled in relation to the control. The physiological quality of soybean seeds declines under these reduced rates of dicamba applied in the V4 and R2 stages, both before and after storage.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to adjust the accelerated aging test to evaluate the physiological potential of seed lots of Brachiaria brizantha ‘Xaraés’, represented by four lots. Seeds were tested by traditional accelerated aging and with saturated NaCl solution in five aging periods: 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The profile of the lots was determined by the following measures: moisture content, germination test, first germination count, germination speed index, initial stand, emergence, and emergence speed index. The accelerated aging test makes it possible to separate the lots by the method of saturated NaCl solution for 24 hours and it is appropriate for evaluation of seed physiological potential.

Abstract: Understanding how the seed reserve dynamics occurs during germination and seedling formation is determinant for advancements on seed technology. The aims of this study were: to verify which accelerated ageing temperature is the most effective to separate the vigour levels of maize seeds and to evaluate the reserves dynamics during germination and seedling formation process. Seven maize cultivars were submitted to the germination rate, accelerated ageing, thousand seed weight, total seedling length, shoot and root length, dry matter of seed and seedling, remaining dry matter in the endosperm, seed reserves reduction rate, conversion efficiency of reserves, reserves mobilization rate to the seedling and energy expenditure using the completely randomized statistical design. The reserves dynamics and seedling formation depends on the genotype and the initial seed vigour. Accelerated ageing at 45 °C for 72 hours is the most efficient combination to segregate vigour levels. Genotypes with higher seed reserve utilisation efficiency have higher vigour, producing seedlings with higher dry matter, higher total, shoot and root length, regardless of seed weight. The two rates evaluated prompt us to conclude that they explain the maize seed vigour and can be used in quality control programs to select high physiological quality cultivars.