What affects the desiccation tolerance threshold of Brazilian Eugenia (Myrtaceae) seeds?

Desiccation sensitive (DS) seeds are shed at high water contents (WC) and metabolically active, but WC thresholds vary broadly among species even in the same genus. Eugenia is an important ecological genus that has high occurrence in several Brazilian morphoclimatic domains. In this study, we assessed seed desiccation tolerance of five Eugenia species collected in specific meteorological conditions. We reported the species geographical ranges and verified the rainfall and temperature of species sites in the year prior to seed collection. We also assessed initial WC, seed germination and vigor and seedling growth upon desiccation. Eugenia uniflora was the widest spread among the five species, while E. astringens was the most restricted. In this specific study, widespread species showed a higher WC threshold than restricted species. In the same way, the WC of fresh seeds was not correlated to the desiccation tolerance threshold. Seed desiccation tolerance was species dependent and correlated with the environmental status of seed collection sites. Wetter and warmer conditions were correlated to the E. uniflora higher DS threshold. Low rainfall and temperature corresponded to a lower desiccation sensitivity of E. astringens seeds. Seeds of the five species lost half viability between 0.44 and 0.25 g H2O g DW- 1 and after 65-270 h of desiccation. Our results indicate that abiotic factors impact plant populations during the seed production season and can drive seed desiccation tolerance threshold and physiological behavior. These results should be taken into account in ex-situ plant conservation programs and tropical species management.

Changes in cell wall composition and ultrastructure related to desiccation during the seed maturation of Paubrasilia echinata (brazilwood).

Paubrasilia echinata (brazilwood) is an endangered native tree from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest whose seeds tolerate maturation drying, but, unlike classic orthodox seeds, they quickly lose viability after shedding. This work analyzed the biochemical and ultrastructural changes during the maturation of brazilwood seeds, with particular attention to the cell walls and organization of the cellular components. The physiological seed maturity was accompanied by increased starch content and decreased soluble sugars. Arabinose increased considerably and was the predominant cell-wall sugar during maturation, suggesting a rise in arabinans that contribute to greater cell wall flexibility. This increase was consistent with the cell wall infolding observed in the hypocotyl axis and cotyledons during the maturation of brazilwood seeds. Ultrastructural analyses showed changes in the number and distribution of protein bodies and amyloplasts and the reorganization of lipid droplets into large drops or masses during seed desiccation. Our findings demonstrate that brazilwood seeds behave like other orthodox seeds during maturation, performing the cell wall and metabolic changes before the major decline in the seed water content. However, the high vacuolization and reorganization of lipid bodies observed at 65 DAA suggest that cell deterioration occurs to some extent at the end of the maturation period and could be responsible for reducing the longevity of the brazilwood dried seeds.

Respiratory rates of Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. (Myrtaceae) seeds at modified atmospheres / Taxas respiratórias de sementes de Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. (Myrtaceae) sob atmosferas modificadas

Successful seed conservation depends on reducing the metabolism of both the seeds and other associated organisms. The metabolic activity can be analyzed by the respiratory rates but it depends on the developing of methodological protocols. In addition, modified atmosphere has shown some control in respiration when O2 and CO2 concentrations are changed. This work evaluated the effect of changes in O2 and CO2 concentrations on the inhibition of the respiratory metabolism of Eugenia brasiliensis Lam seeds. The results showed that in atmospheres with CO2 concentration between 1.9% and 3.7% it is possible to decrease the metabolism of these seeds. In addition, a model that allows controlling the factors involved in the analysis of respiratory rates in seeds is presented.

O sucesso da conservação de sementes se resume à redução tanto do seu metabolismo quanto de outros organismos associados a elas. Uma das formas de se avaliar a intensidade metabólica é analisando-se as taxas respiratórias, mas há necessidade de se desenvolver protocolos metodológicos para isso. Além disso, atmosfera modificada tem demonstrado algum controle na respiração quando as concentrações de O2 e CO2 são alteradas. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se o efeito da alteração das concentrações de O2 e CO2 do ambiente em que sementes foram armazenadas de maneira a inibir o metabolismo respiratório das sementes de Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. Os resultados demonstraram que em atmosferas com concentração de CO2 entre 1,9% e 3,7% é possível diminuir o metabolismo respiratório dessas sementes. Além disso, é apresentado um modelo que permite controlar os fatores envolvidos na análise das taxas respiratórias em sementes.

Sequential germinations in Eugenia spp. seeds / Germinações sucessivas em sementes de Eugenia spp.

Environmental unfavorable Unfavorable environmental conditions for germination, which is lethal to most of the recalcitrant seeds, may result in the death of the first seedlings produced by Eugenia seeds. However, these conditions do not prevent propagation because even fragmentsof these seeds can germinate and produce seedlings. This could be an important and interesting evolutionary strategy for species survival that was investigated in this research. Eugenia seeds were germinated and up to the third developed radicle and/or seedling was eliminated so that the remaining tissue was taken to germination again. Seeds were able to produce new roots and seedlings until the third radicle/seedling produced was removed, or even when half of the seed was initially removed. This result confirms the regeneration as an important evolutionary strategy that contributes with Eugenia species perpetuation

Condições ambientais desfavoráveis para a germinação, letais para a maioria das sementes recalcitrantes, podem resultar na morte das primeiras mudas produzidas pelas sementes de Eugenia, mas não impedem a propagação, já que até mesmo frações dessas sementes podem germinar e produzir mudas. Esta poderia ser uma estratégia evolutiva importante e interessante para a sobrevivência das espécies e esse foi o objetivo desta pesquisa. Sementes de Eugenia foram colocadas para germinar e eliminou-se até a terceira raiz e/ou plântula desenvolvidas, colocando-se o tecido remanescente para germinar novamente. As sementes foram capazes de produzir novas raízes e plântulas após a remoção até da terceira raiz ou plântula produzida, mesmo quando metade da semente foi inicialmente removida. Isso confirma a regenerabilidade como uma estratégia evolucionária importante que pode ter contribuído para perpetuar as espécies de Eugenia.

Water potential and viability of seeds of Eugenia (Myrtaceae), a tropical tree species, based upon different levels of drying

The aim of the present work was to study the water potential and viability of Eugenia based upon different levels of drying. The seeds showed high water content at shedding and were sensitive to desiccation; however, the level of this sensitivity (water content) varied among the species. Five target drying levels were defined according to the critical levels of hydration. Results showed that water potential seemed to be more reliable than water content. It was hypothesize that the differences in desiccation tolerance, as well as recalcitrance, among the seeds of different species could be related to the maturity level of these seeds during shedding from the mother plant. Consequently, this could be a result of the evolution on how far the maturation process could represent an advantage for the species propagation. This could also mean that Eugenia seeds were dispersed at a maturity stage similar to that observed in immature orthodox seeds.

Reserve carbohydrates and lipids from the seeds of four tropical tree species with different sensitivity to desiccation

Considering the importance of water content for the conservation and storage of seeds, and the involvement of soluble carbohydrates and lipids for embryo development, a comparative study was carried out among the seeds of Inga vera (ingá), Eugenia uniflora (pitanga), both classified as recalcitrant, and Caesalpinia echinata (brazilwood) and Erythrina speciosa (mulungu), considered as orthodox seeds. Low concentrations of cyclitols (0.3-0.5 percent), raffinose family oligosaccharides (ca. 0.05 percent) and unsaturated fatty acids (0-19 percent) were found in the seeds of ingá and pitanga, while larger amounts of cyclitols (2-3 percent) and raffinose (4.6-13 percent) were found in brazilwood and mulungu, respectively. These results, in addition to higher proportions of unsaturated fatty acids (53-71 percent) in orthodox seeds, suggested that sugars and lipids played important role in water movement, protecting the embryo cell membranes against injuries during dehydration.

Os compostos de reserva das sementes, além de suprirem energia para o desenvolvimento embrionário, desempenham importantes funções relacionadas à proteção celular contra secagem e congelamento. Considerando a importância do teor de água para a conservação e para o armazenamento de sementes de espécies arbóreas e o envolvimento dos carboidratos solúveis e de lipídios nesses processos, foi realizada uma análise comparativa desses compostos em sementes de Inga vera (ingá) e Eugenia uniflora (pitanga), consideradas recalcitrantes, e em Caesalpinia echinata (pau-brasil) e Erythrina speciosa (mulungu), com comportamento ortodoxo. Baixas concentrações de ciclitóis (0,3-0,5 por cento), de oligossacarídeos da série da rafinose (0,05 por cento) e de ácidos graxos insaturados (0-19 por cento) foram encontradas em sementes de ingá e pitanga, enquanto maiores quantidades de ciclitóis (2-3 por cento) e de rafinose (4,6-13 por cento) foram encontradas nas sementes de pau-brasil e mulungu, respectivamente. Estes resultados, juntamente com as altas proporções de ácidos graxos insaturados (53-71 por cento) presentes em sementes de pau-brasil e mulungu, sugerem que os açúcares e os lipídios poderiam desempenhar papel importante no movimento de água, protegendo as membranas celulares embrionárias contra injúrias provocadas durante a dessecação.

Maturation of seeds of Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (Brazilwood), an endangered leguminous tree from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Sementes de Caesalpinia echinata Lam. têm sido consideradas como de curta longevidade. Contudo, quando lotes são submetidos à seleção prévia ao armazenamento, é possível conservar sua viabilidade por até 18 meses. Considerando a falta de informações conclusivas quanto à melhor época de colheita dessas sementes, o presente trabalho descreve as modificações que ocorrem durante o processo de maturação das sementes. Flores foram etiquetadas no dia de sua antese e os frutos foram colhidos diretamente dos ramos dos 32 aos 65 dias após a antese (DAA). Sementes dispersas naturalmente por período não superior a 24 horas também foram coletadas, sendo designadas sementes recém-dispersas. As características externas e as dimensões (comprimento, largura e espessura) de frutos e sementes foram registradas. A avaliação da qualidade fisiológica das sementes foi baseada no teor de água, no conteúdo de matéria seca e na germinação. Os resultados sugerem que a maturidade fisiológica das sementes de C. echinata ocorreu por volta de 60-65 DAA, imediatamente antes da deiscência, quando as sementes tinham 30-40% de água.