Improving the method for determining the physiological and sanitary potential of Gherkin seeds

Gherkin seeds usually show irregular physiological quality. Seed production requires fast and reliable tests to evaluate seed quality. Germination test is considered a recognized analysis method; however, seed technology has pursuit the improvement of vigor tests aiming the evaluation of seed's physiological potential. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate procedures to perform the test of accelerated aging and determine the physiological and sanitary potential of gherkin seeds. Four seed lots of cultivar Liso Calcuta were used in the study. To evaluate the initial physiological quality the water content was determined and germination and emergence tests, as well as indices of germination speed and emergence speed were used. The accelerated aging test was performed as traditionally and with saturated saline solution, with 48, 72 and 96 hours, at temperatures of 41oC and 45oC. After aging, the water content was determined, and seeds' germination and sanity tests were performed. The experiment was set under a completely random design in factorial 4x3x2 (lots x aging periods x temperatures). The standard accelerated aging test and the test with saturated saline solution at 41oC for 96 hours were efficient to evaluate the vigor of gherkin seeds. Saturated saline solution provides uniform water absorption and deterioration in gherkin seeds, allowing to discriminate seed lots in different vigor levels. The salinity test after accelerated aging with saline solution reduces the incidence of some fungi.

Phenolic compound production and biological activities from in vitro regenerated plants of gherkin (Cucumis anguria L. )

Background The effect of polyamines (PAs) along with cytokinins (TDZ and BAP) and auxin (IBA) was induced by the multiple shoot regeneration from leaf explants of gherkin (Cucumis anguria L.). The polyphenolic content, antioxidant and antibacterial potential were studied from in vitro regenerated and in vivo plants. Results Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3% sucrose containing a combination of 3.0 µM TDZ, 1.0 µM IBA and 75 µM spermidine induced maximum number of shoots (45 shoots per explant) was achieved. Regenerated shoots elongated in shoot elongation medium containing 1.5 µM GA3 and 50 µM spermine. The well-developed shoots were transferred to root induction medium containing 1.0 µM IBA and 50 µM putrescine. Rooted plants were hardened and successfully established in soil with a 95% survival rate. Twenty-five phenolic compounds were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) analysis The individual polyphenolic compounds, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and antibacterial potential were significantly higher with in vitro regenerated plants than in vivo plants. Conclusions Plant growth regulators (PGRs) and PAs had a significant effect on in vitro plant regeneration and also a biochemical accumulation of flavonols, hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives in C. anguria. Due to these metabolic variations, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities were increased with in vitro regenerated plants than in vivo plants. This is the first report describing the production of phenolic compounds and biological activities from in vitro and in vivo regenerated plants of C. anguria.

Rendimento de maxixe em função de doses P2O5 em solo arenoso / Gherkin yield of as a function of P2O5 levels in sandy soil

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar a produção de maxixe em função de doses de P2O5, em Neossolo Regolítico Psamítico Típico. A pesquisa foi conduzida na área experimental da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, em Areia, entre maio e setembro/2006. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos (0, 60, 120, 180, 240 e 300 kg ha-1 de P2O5), e quatro repetições. Foram utilizadas parcelas com 32 plantas, espaçadas de 2,00 x 1,00 m. O número máximo de frutos por planta (27) foi obtido na dose máxima de 300 kg ha-1 de P2O5. A produção máxima estimada de frutos (14,5 t ha-1) ocorreu com 192 kg ha-1 de P2O5. A dose de P2O5 que proporcionou maior retorno econômico foi 185 kg ha-1, com produção de 14490 kg ha-1 de frutos, o que representa um incremento de 11575 kg ha-1 de frutos. A dose mais econômica representou 96 por cento daquela responsável pela máxima produção. O teor de P Mehlich no solo que se correlacionou com a máxima produção foi 145 mg dm-3 e com a máxima econômica foi 142 mg dm-3 de P.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the gherkin yield in function of levels of P2O5, in Quartz Psamment. The research was carried out at Universidade Federal of Paraíba, in Areia, Brazil, from may to september/2006. The experimental design was the one randomized blocks, with five treatments (0, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 kg ha-1 of P2O5), and four replications. Plots contained 32 plants, spaced 2.00 x 1.00 m. The maximum number of fruits per plant (27) was obtained with the maximum level of 300 kg ha-1 of P2O5. The estimated maximum yield of fruits (14521 kg ha-1), was related with 192 kg ha-1 of P2O5. The of P2O5 level that provided larger economical income was 185 kg ha-1 yielding 14490 kg ha-1 of fruits, with an increase of fruits in the order of 11575 kg ha-1. The most economical level represented 96 percent of the one responsible for the maximum yield. The text of P Mehlich in the soil that had correlated with the maximum yield was 145 mg dm-3 and with the economical maximum was 142 mg dm-3 of P.