Physiological quality of soybean seeds grown under different low altitude field environments and storage time

The use of high-quality seeds is essential to maintain high rates of production and productivity. The physiological quality of seeds obtained in the field is directly correlated to storage conditions and storage time. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds in relation to different field environments (seed lots) and storage time. Commercial lots of seeds of the soybean cultivar M8349 IPRO were stored for three and six months. Seed moisture content was determined before and after accelerated aging, along with seed germination percentage and vigour evaluations performed before and after each storage period. The experiment was carried out as a completely randomised factorial design (10 × 3): with ten seed lots and three storage periods. The data were analysed by ANOVA, and the means of four independent replicates for each parameter evaluated were compared using the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability (P ≤ 0.05). Our results revealed that the low altitude regions where the seed samples were collected are suitable for soybean seed production with high physiological quality. Seed storage for six months does not cause a significant reduction in subsequent soybean seed field performance

Addition of silicon to boron foliar spray in cotton plants modulates the antioxidative system attenuating boron deficiency and toxicity

Abstract Background Boron (B) nutritional disorders, either deficiency or toxicity, may lead to an increase in reactive oxygen species production, causing damage to cells. Oxidative damage in leaves can be attenuated by supplying silicon (Si). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of increasing foliar B accumulation on cotton plants to determine whether adding Si to the spray solution promotes gains to correct deficiency and toxicity of this micronutrient by decreasing oxidative stress via synthetizing proline and glycine-betaine, thereby raising dry matter production. Results B deficiency or toxicity increased H2O2 and MDA leaf concentration in cotton plants. H2O2 and MDA leaf concentration declined, with quadratic adjustment, as a function of increased leaf B accumulation. Proline and glycine-betaine leaf concentration increased under B-deficiency and B-toxicity. In addition, production of these nonenzymatic antioxidant compounds was greater in plants under toxicity, in relation to deficient plants. Adding Si to the B spray solution reduced H2O2 and MDA concentration in the plants under nutrient deficiency or toxicity. Si reduced H2O2, primarily in B-deficient plants. Si also increased proline and glycine-betaine concentration, mainly in plants under B toxicity. Dry matter production of B-deficient cotton plants increased up to an application of 1.2 g L− 1 of B. The critical B level in the spray solution for deficiency and toxicity was observed at a concentration of 0.5 and 1.9 g L− 1 of B, respectively, in the presence of Si, and 0.4 and 1.9 g L− 1 of B without it. In addition, the presence of Si in the B solution raised dry matter production in all B concentrations evaluated in this study. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that adding Si to a B solution is important in the foliar spraying of cotton plants because it increases proline and glycine-betaine production and reduces H2O2 and MDA concentration, in addition to mitigating the oxidative stress in cotton plants under B deficiency or toxicity