Seed mass maturity in the terrestrial bromeliad Hechtia perotensis (Bromeliaceae), endemic to Mexico / Madurez de las semillas en la bromelia terrestre Hechtia perotensis (Bromeliaceae), endémica de México

Abstract Introduction: H. perotensis is a plant with a high potential for ecological restoration because it yields thousands of seeds and grows under low levels of rain, poor soils and contrasting temperatures. However, little is known of the seed mass maturity (high seed germination, low seed fresh weight and low seed moisture content) in this species. Objective: Assess seed germination in the laboratory of H. perotensis during seed development and along the floral stalk (infructescence) in two sites one in rocky location and another near a lake. The hypothesis was that there is a time after flowering in which seeds have highest germination and fresh weight and that the apical, centre and base of the infructescence are different in seed germination and fresh weight in both sites. Methods: Capsules were collected in two sites one in rocky land (Frijol Colorado, Perote, Veracruz) and another near one lake (Alchichica, Puebla), in the months of August, September and November 2016 and January 2017. A repeated measure design (RMD) was used to analyze the effects of infructescence section on seed weight, moisture content and seed germination (41, 87, 152 and 215 days after flowering). Each evaluation time comprised five replicates, each one with 15 seeds. Results: Difference in seed germination, seed weight and moisture content between sections of the infructescence was not significant. However, significant differences were found not only between first and last sample dates, but mainly between first and second dates. Eighty-seven days after flower pollination seed moisture content was lower than 20 % and up to 80 % of seed germinated in both sites of sampling. Conclusions: In this study it was found that the moisture content of H. perotensis seed can be used as an indicator of the physiological maturity of the seed and it is also related to germination of the seed.

Resumen Introducción: H. perotensis es una planta con un alto potencial para la restauración ecológica debido a que produce miles de semillas y crece con niveles bajos de lluvia, suelos pobres y temperaturas contrastantes. Sin embargo, el desarrollo de la madurez de las semillas (germinación alta, baja humedad y bajo peso fresco de semilla) en esta especie es muy poco conocido. Objetivo: Evaluar la germinación en el laboratorio de las semillas de H. perotensis, durante el desarrollo de la semilla y a lo largo del tallo floral (infrutescencia) en dos sitios; uno en un área rocosa y otro cerca de un lago. La hipótesis fue que hay un tiempo después de la floración, en el que las semillas presentan la mayor germinación y menor peso fresco, y que las secciones apical, central y base de la infrutescencia, la germinación y el peso fresco de la semilla son diferentes en los dos sitios. Métodos: se recolectaron las cápsulas en dos sitios uno en un área rocosa (Frijol Colorado, Perote, Veracruz) y otro cerca de un lago (Alchichica, Puebla), en los meses de Agosto, Septiembre y Noviembre de 2016 y Enero de 2017. Se usó un diseño de medidas repetidas (DMR) para analizar los efectos de la sección de la infrutescencia sobre el peso fresco de la semilla, el contenido de humedad y la germinación de la semilla (41, 87, 152 y 215 días, después de la floración). Cada tiempo de evaluación comprendió cinco réplicas y 15 semillas. Resultados: La diferencia en la germinación de la semilla, el peso de la semilla y el contenido de humedad entre las secciones de la infrutescencia no fue significativa. Sin embargo, se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las fechas de muestreo inicial y final, pero sobre todo entre la primera y la segunda fecha. Asimismo, ochenta y siete días después de la polinización de las flores, el contenido de humedad de las semillas fue inferior al 20 % y superior al 80 % en la germinación de las semillas en ambos sitios de muestreo. Conclusiones: en este estudio se encontró que el contenido de humedad de la semilla de H. perotensis, puede usarse como un indicador de la madurez fisiológica de la semilla y también está relacionado con la germinación de la semilla.

Association between biometric characteristics of tomato seeds and seedling growth and development

Background The size and weight of tomato seeds depend on genetics and can be modified by environment and management. In some species, a strong relation has been described between physical aspects of the seeds and the quality of the corresponding seedlings, but this cannot be considered a general rule. The objective of this research was to identify any association between the biometric characteristics of tomato seeds and the growth and development of their seedlings. Results A total of 18 lots of hybrid tomato seeds were used (from indeterminate plants with round fruits), belonging to six varieties from two reproduction seasons. Each lot was evaluated for seed size and weight, and seed quality, in terms of the germination test (5 and 14 d after sowing). The number of normal roots emerged with a length above 2 mm was also evaluated at d 3, 4 and 5 after sowing. The length of the seedlings and their total and partial dry weight were measured 5 d after sowing. The results indicate that there was no association between seed size and weight and subsequent seedling emergence, and only weak correlations were found between the dry weight of the radicle and cotyledon and seed size. Conclusion There is little association between the physical characteristics of the seeds and the subsequent seedlings, making it impossible to propose the use of seed weight or size as a compliment to quality evaluation tests.

Influência de desfolhas artificiais para simular perdas na produção do feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Xamego) / Influence of artificial defoliation to simulate losses in production of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Xamego)

A redução da área foliar é uma das causas da queda de produção em feijoeiro comum. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência de diferentes níveis de desfolha em vários estádios de desenvolvimento sobre a produtividade, massa de 100 sementes e número de vagens por planta do feijoeiro da cultivar Xamego, em condições de campo no Sul do Espírito Santo. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados, sendo as parcelas dispostas no esquema fatorial 5 x 4: cinco épocas de desfolha (1ª folha trifoliolada, florescimento, formação das vagens, enchimento das vagem, e vagens secas) x quatro níveis de remoção das folhas (0, 33, 67 e 100%), com cinco repetições. Houve decréscimo linear da produtividade com os níveis de desfolha em todos os estádios de desenvolvimento, com exceção ao de vagens secas, sendo este decréscimo maior no estádio de formação das vagens. Pela análise de regressão atribui-se maior redução da produtividade com 100% de desfolha feita aos 44 dias após emergência. O componente de rendimento mais correlacionado com a produtividade foi o número de vagens por planta.

The reduction of foliar area can cause yield reduction in common bean crops. The objective of this work was to ascertain the effect of different defoliation levels realized in several developmental stages of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Xamego) in regard to yield, weight of 100 seeds and number of pods per plant. A randomized complete block design was used considering a two-way 5 x 4 factorial arrangement: (i) five defoliation stages (first trifoliate leaf, flowering, pods formation, pods filling, and dry pods), and (ii) four defoliation levels (0, 33, 67 and 100%). Five replications were carried out. A linear decrease of yield was observed for all defoliation levels considering all development stages, except for dried pods. The highest decrease was detected for pods formation. At 100% of defoliation, a higher decrease of yield was observed when it was done at 44 days after emergence. Regression analysis gave a greater reduction in yield with 100% defoliation done at 44 days after emergence. The evaluation parameter that showed the best correlation with yield was the number of pods per plant.

Viabilidade do cultivo do feijão-arroz no outono-inverno em regiões de inverno ameno / Viability of rice bean cultivation in fall-winter season in regions of mild winter

Foram conduzidos três ensaios em município de Minas Gerais, com inverno ameno, para estudar a viabilidade do cultivo do feijão-arroz no outono-inverno. Os ensaios foram instalados em Leopoldina, nestas datas: 3 de maio de 1996, 18 de abril de 1997 e 11 de maio de 1998. Foram usados 12 genótipos de feijão-arroz; uma cultivar de feijão-comum foi usada para comparação. Foi empregado o delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com 4 repetições. As plantas foram irrigadas por aspersão, e o controle de pragas com inseticida foi feito quando necessário. Os ciclos de vida do feijão-arroz variaram de 99 a 111 dias (da emergência à colheita), enquanto os do feijão-comum variaram em torno de 90 dias. Não foi observada doença na folhagem do feijão-arroz. As produtividades médias variaram de 1164 (11 de maio) a 2261 kg ha-1 (18 de abril). O feijão-arroz foi tão produtivo quanto o feijão-comum. Conclui-se que é viável o cultivo do feijão-arroz [Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi] no outono-inverno em regiões de inverno ameno.

Three trials were carried out in a municipality of the state of Minas Gerais of mild winter to study the viability of rice bean cultivation in fall-winter season. Trials were installed in Leopoldina on the following dates: May 3, 1996; April 18, 1997; and May 11, 1998. Twelve genotypes of rice bean were used; one cultivar of common bean was also included for comparison. A randomized complete-block design with 4 replications was used. Plants were sprinkler irrigated and insecticide was applied when necessary. Rice bean life cycles varied from 99 to 111 days (from emergence to harvest), while common bean life cycles varied around 90 days. No foliar disease was observed on rice bean plants. Yields ranged from 1164 (May 11) to 2261 kg ha-1 (April 18). Rice bean yielded as much as common bean. One concluded that the cultivation of rice bean [Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi] in fall-winter in regions of mild winter is viable.