Phytotechnical parameters and yield of watermelon plants under different irrigation and nitrogen levels

Water and nitrogen availability are fundamental for obtaining a high yield of the watermelon plant. However, the appropriate levels of irrigation and nitrogen to be applied according to specific cultivation conditions should be previously determined. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation and nitrogen levels in fertigation on the phytotechnical parameters and yield of the Top Gun hybrid watermelon plant. The experiment was conducted at São Luiz Ranch, in Bom Jesus (PI), from August 4 to October 15, 2015. The blocks in strips experimental design was used with four repetitions, and the treatments consisted of five irrigation depths (114.17, 156.86, 221.16, 268.87, and 317.09 mm) and five doses of nitrogen in fertigation (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1). The growth rate of the main and primary branches, leaf area, specific leaf area, stem diameter, dry mass of the aerial part, number of fruits, and commercial production per plant were evaluated. Both hydric and nutritional stress caused decreased growth rates, leaf areas, and specific leaf areas, and the highest growth expressions were found with the combination of a 317.09 mm irrigation depth and 200 kg ha-1 nitrogen. The irrigation depths did not influence the diameter of the stem nor the accumulation of dry mass. Nitrogen doses did not influence the number of fruits and production. The 247.95 mm irrigation depth promoted the highest commercial fruit production of the watermelon plant.Water and nitrogen availability are fundamental for obtaining a high yield of the watermelon plant. However, the appropriate levels of irrigation and nitrogen to be applied according to specific cultivation conditions should be previously determined. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation and nitrogen levels in fertigation on the phytotechnical parameters and yield of the Top Gun hybrid watermelon plant. The experiment was conducted at São Luiz Ranch, in Bom Jesus (PI), from August 4 to October 15, 2015. The blocks in strips experimental design was used with four repetitions, and the treatments consisted of five irrigation depths (114.17, 156.86, 221.16, 268.87, and 317.09 mm) and five doses of nitrogen in fertigation (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1). The growth rate of the main and primary branches, leaf area, specific leaf area, stem diameter, dry mass of the aerial part, number of fruits, and commercial production per plant were evaluated. Both hydric and nutritional stress caused decreased growth rates, leaf areas, and specific leaf areas, and the highest growth expressions were found with the combination of a 317.09 mm irrigation depth and 200 kg ha-1 nitrogen. The irrigation depths did not influence the diameter of the stem nor the accumulation of dry mass. Nitrogen doses did not influence the number of fruits and production. The 247.95 mm irrigation depth promoted the highest commercial fruit production of the watermelon plant

Non-destructive identification of physical damage in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) seeds by X-ray image analysis

Global demand for pulses such as the mung bean has grown in the last years. For successful production of these crops it is necessary to use high quality seeds. Methodologies based on X-ray image analysis have been used as a complementary tool to evaluate the physical quality of seeds due to their speed and potential for automation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of X-ray analysis for non-destructive evaluation of the physical quality of Vigna radiata seeds and to relate the variables obtained with their physiological potential. For this, seeds from eight lots were X-rayed and subsequently subject to germination test. In total, 18 physical and physiological parameters were determined. The X-ray image analysis was efficient for evaluating the internal morphology of Vigna radiata seeds and allowed the identification of various damage types. However, it was not possible to relate the physical variables to the seed quality as the lots presented similar germination percentage. Physical variables such as solidity and circularity are related to percentage of root protrusion and length of seedling hypocotyl. Low relative densities indicate deteriorated tissues, related to severe morphological damage and non-viable seeds

Physiological quality of physic nut seeds (Jatropha curcas L.) according to the stage of fruit maturation

O pinhão manso (J. curcas L.) tem se figurado como espécie promissora para ser utilizada na produção de biodiesel, devido principalmente ao seu alto conteúdo e qualidade de óleo para biodiesel. Para essa espécie, existem poucas informações na literatura a respeito do processo de maturação das sementes, o que é fundamental para a obtenção de sementes de elevada qualidade fisiológica. Assim, a pesquisa teve como objetivos avaliar as principais alterações que ocorrem durante a maturação das sementes de pinhão manso buscando caracterizar a maturidade fisiológica e definir a época ideal para a colheita das sementes com base na coloração externa dos frutos. Para tanto, foram conduzidos dois experimentos de campo em área de produção comercial no município de Viçosa, MG. Na época do florescimento das plantas, foram marcadas flores femininas no dia da antese. No primeiro experimento, a partir dos 35 dias após a antese (DAA), a cada cinco dias, até 80 DAA foram realizadas coletas de frutos. Esses foram levados para o laboratório e após extração e secagem das sementes em condições de laboratório foram determinados os seguintes parâmetros: grau de umidade, massa seca, diâmetros longitudinal e transversal das sementes, germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG), crescimento de plântula; peso, grau de umidade e os diâmetros transversal e longitudinal dos frutos. Adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 20 repetições para as determinações de diâmetros de frutos e sementes e massa de frutos, e quatro repetições para os demais testes de qualidade da semente. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e regressão. No segundo experimento, foram coletados frutos em diferentes estádios de maturação com base na coloração externa: verde; verde-amarelo; amarelo; amarelo-marrom e marrom. As sementes após secagem natural foram submetidas aos seguintes testes e determinações: grau de umidade e massa seca; germinação; primeira contagem de germinação; emergência de plântulas; crescimento de plântulas; envelhecimento acelerado; condutividade elétrica; peso de mil sementes e teor de óleo. Adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, comparando-se as médias obtidas com os tratamentos pelo teste de Tukey, em nível de 5% de significância. Concluiu-se que a maturidade fisiológica das sementes de pinhão manso, representada pela máxima germinação e vigor, ocorre aos 65 DAA. Esse momento coincide com o máximo acúmulo de massa seca das sementes, que apresentam grau de umidade elevado, cerca de 52%, estando os frutos com coloração externa amarelo-marrom. As sementes obtidas de frutos amarelos e amarelo-marrons são de alta qualidade fisiológica. Já as sementes obtidas de frutos verdes têm menor conteúdo de massa seca, de óleo e qualidade fisiológica inferior às dos demais estádios de maturação. As sementes obtidas de frutos marrons apresentam elevado potencial de germinação, porém apresentam baixo vigor em relação às dos estádios amarelo e amarelo-marrom.Physic nut (J.curcas L.) has been listed as promising species for use in biodiesel production, due mainly to its high content and quality of oil for biodiesel. For these species, there is little information about seed maturation process, which is crucial to obtaining seeds with high physiological quality. Thus, the research aimed to evaluate the main changes during maturation of physic nut seeds in order to characterize the physiological maturity and to define the adequate harvest time of the seeds based on the external color of the fruits. Two experiments were carried out in an area of commercial production in Viçosa, MG. At the flowering, female flowers were tagged at anthesis. In the first experiment, from 35 days after anthesis (DAA), every five days, until 80 DAA fruits were collected. These were taken to the laboratory and, after seed extraction and drying, the following parameters were determined: moisture content, dry matter, longitudinal and transversal diameters of the seeds, germination, first count, speed germination index (IVG), seedling growth and weight, dry matter and the transversal and longitudinal diameters of the fruits. The completely randomized design was adopted with 20 replications for the determination of diameters of fruits and seeds and fruit mass, and four replications for seed quality tests. Data were subjected to variance and regression analysis. In the second experiment, fruits were collected at different stages of maturity based on external color: green, yellow-green, yellow, yellow-brown and brown. The seeds, after natural drying, were subjected to the following tests and determinations: moisture content and dry matter, germination, first count, seedling emergence, seedling growth, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, thousand seed weight and oil content. The completely randomized design was adopted with four replications. The means were compared by Tukey test at the 5% level of significance. It was concluded that physiological maturity of physic nut seeds, represented by the maximum germination and vigor, occurs at 65 DAA. This time coincides with the maximum accumulation of dry mass of the seeds, which have high moisture content, about 52%, and the external color of the fruits is yellow-brown. The seeds obtained of yellow and yellow-brown fruits have high physiological quality. The seeds obtained from green fruits have a lower content of dry matter, oil and physiological quality lower than the others stages of maturation. The seeds obtained from brown fruits have a high germination potential, but they have low vigor in relation to stages yellow and yellow-brown.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológic

Physiological and biochemical changes in Jatropha curcas L. seeds as a function of fruit maturation stage and storage

A espécie Jatropha curcas L. se destaca como promissora fonte de matéria-prima para a produção de biodiesel e bioquerosene. O sucesso para a exploração comercial dessa cultura depende da obtenção de sementes de elevada qualidade fisiológica. Todavia, esta espécie carece de pesquisas visando definir estratégias adequadas para a produção de sementes de alta qualidade. Nesse sentido, são escassas as informações referentes à conservação da qualidade fisiológica das sementes obtidas de frutos em diferentes estádios de maturação durante o armazenamento e também sobre a relação entre viabilidade das sementes, peroxidação de lipídios e atuação das enzimas do sistema de defesa antioxidativo. Dessa forma, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica e investigar a atuação das enzimas do sistema de defesa antioxidativo e a peroxidação de lipídios durante o armazenamento de sementes de J. curcas obtidas de frutos em diferentes estádios de maturação. Durante a fase de florescimento das plantas, diariamente, flores femininas foram etiquetadas no dia da antese. Os frutos foram colhidos em diferentes estádios de maturação com base na coloração externa da casca, ou seja, amarelo, amarelo-marrom e marrom, aproximadamente aos 60, 70 e 80 dias após a antese, respectivamente. As sementes foram extraídas manualmente dos frutos e, após secagem natural, foram armazenadas por dezoito meses, em embalagem de papel Kraft em ambiente de laboratório (23,2 ± 2,7 oC; 64 ± 11% de UR). Inicialmente e a cada três meses, as sementes foram avaliadas quanto ao grau de umidade, germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, teste de frio, condutividade elétrica, emergência e crescimento de plântulas. Além disso, os embriões das sementes foram avaliados quanto à peroxidação de lipídios, conteúdo de proteínas e atividade das enzimas superóxido dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) e peroxidase do ascorbato (APX). Adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições, comparando-se as médias obtidas para os estádios de maturação pelo teste de Tukey, ao nível de 5% de significância. Os dados obtidos para cada época de avaliação foram submetidos à análise de regressão, com exceção dos dados bioquímicos, os quais foram expressos pela média ± desvio padrão. Não foi observada diferença entre a germinação das sementes dos três estádios de maturação dos frutos durante todo o período de armazenamento. Houve redução da qualidade fisiológica das sementes, com queda na germinação e no vigor, principalmente a partir de nove meses de armazenamento. As sementes extraídas de frutos com coloração da casca amarela e amarelo-marrom são mais vigorosas e mantêm por maior período de tempo a qualidade fisiológica. Além disso, houve redução no conteúdo de proteína e na atividade das enzimas do sistema de defesa antioxidativo no embrião das sementes dos três estádios de maturação, com exceção da SOD. Não foi observada relação entre a redução da viabilidade das sementes e a peroxidação de lipídios.Jatropha curcas L. species has been listed as a promising source of raw material for biodiesel and bio-jet fuels production. The success of the commercial exploration of that culture depends on obtaining seeds with high physiological quality. However, this species lacks researchs to define appropriate strategies for the production of high quality seeds. In this sense, there is little information relating to the conservation of the physiological quality of the seeds obtained from fruits at different maturation stages during storage and also about the relationship between seed viability, lipid peroxidation and activity of antioxidant enzymes. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality and investigate the activities of enzymes of the antioxidant defense system and the lipid peroxidation during storage of J. curcas seeds obtained from fruits at different maturation stages. At the flowering, daily, female flowers were tagged at anthesis. Fruits were collected at different maturity stages based on external color, i.e., yellow, yellow-brown and brown, about 60, 70 and 80 days after anthesis, respectively. The seeds were manually extracted from the fruits and after natural drying, were packing in Kraft paper bag and stored for 18 months at laboratory environment (23.2 ± 2.7 oC; 64 ± 11% of RH). Initially and every three months, the seeds were evaluated for moisture content, germination, first count of germination, accelerated aging, cold test, electrical conductivity, emergence and seedling growth. In addition, the embryos of the seeds were evaluated for lipid peroxidation, protein content, and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications with the treatments arranged in split plots. The means obtained for the maturity stages were compared by Tukey test (P <0.05). The data obtained for the period of storage were subjected to regression analysis, with the exception of biochemical data, which were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. No difference between the germination of the three fruit maturation stages during the storage period was observed. There was reduction in seed physiological quality, with decrease in germination and vigor, especially after nine months of storage. The seeds extracted from yellow and yellow-brown fruits are the most vigorous and hold the physiological quality for a longer period. Furthermore, there was reduction in protein content and antioxidant enzymes activity of the seed embryo of the three maturity stages, with the exception of SOD. No relationship between reduced seed viability and lipid peroxidation was observed.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológic

The effect of fruit maturity on the physiological quality and conservation of Jatropha curcas seeds

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fruit maturation stage on the physiological quality of J. curcas seeds during storage. Thus, seeds were extracted from fruits harvested at different maturity stages based on external color, i.e., yellow, yellow-brown and brown (dry fruits). After natural drying, the seeds were packed in Kraft paper bag and stored for 18 months at laboratory environment. Initially and every three months, the seeds were evaluated for moisture content, germination, first count of germination, accelerated aging, cold test, electrical conductivity and emergence. There was reduction in seed physiological quality, with decrease in germination and vigor, especially after nine months of storage. The seeds extracted from yellow and yellow-brown fruits are the most vigorous and can be stored for up to nine months without loss of physiological quality.O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do estádio de maturação dos frutos na qualidade fisiológica das sementes de J. curcas L. durante o armazenamento. Assim, sementes foram extraídas de frutos colhidos em três estádios de maturação com base na coloração externa da casca, ou seja, amarelo, amarelo-marrom e marrom (frutos secos). Após secagem natural, as sementes foram armazenadas por 18 meses em sacos de papel Kraft, em ambiente de laboratório. Inicialmente e a cada três meses, as sementes foram avaliadas quanto ao grau de umidade, germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, teste de frio, condutividade elétrica e emergência. Houve redução da qualidade fisiológica das sementes durante o armazenamento, com queda na germinação e no vigor, principalmente a partir de nove meses de armazenamento. As sementes extraídas de frutos com coloração externa da casca amarela e amarelo-marrom são mais vigorosas e podem ser armazenadas por até nove meses sem perda da qualidade fisiológica

FISIOLOGIA DA GERMINAÇÃO DE SEMENTES DE Dalbergia nigra(Vell.) Allemão ex Benth. SOB DIFERENTES TEMPERATURAS E TEMPOS DE EXPOSIÇÃO

A germinação de sementes é dependente de fatores abióticos, sendo a temperatura um dos principais, cuja influência, em condições extremas, causa danos às sementes. Este trabalho teve por objetivo investigar o efeito das diferentes temperaturas durante a germinação de Dalbergia nigra e suas implicações na fisiologia das sementes. Avaliaram-se o percentual de germinação, o índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG) e a integridade de membranas celulares pelo teste de condutividade elétrica de sementes em diferentes tempos de exposição às temperaturas de 5, 15, 25 (controle), 35 e 45 ºC. A temperatura de 25 ºC correspondeu à temperatura ideal de germinação. Em temperaturas de 5 e 45 ºC, a germinação foi nula. Houve redução da germinação de sementes de D. nigra com o aumento do tempo de exposição das sementes às temperaturas de 5, 15, 35 e 45 ºC. Diferentemente das demais temperaturas, a semipermeabilidade da membrana não é recuperada nas temperaturas de 5 e 45 ºC. A condutividade elétrica é uma técnica eficiente para avaliar a qualidade fisiológica das sementes em diferentes temperaturas

The role of the biochemical composition of soybean seeds in the tolerance to deterioration under natural and artificial aging

The fast decline in the physiological quality of seeds during storage is a serious problem. It is known that the reduction of seed quality may be related to its biochemical constitution. However, the relationship between the composition and the mechanisms linked to the loss of vigor of soybean seeds during aging has not been elucidated yet. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze the role of the biochemical composition of soybean seeds in the physiological quality and in the tolerance to deterioration due to natural and artificial aging. Seeds of six soybean genotypes were analyzed initially and after being submitted to natural aging, storage for eight months, and artificial aging, using the temperature of 41 °C and 100 % relative humidity for 96 h. Moisture content, germination and vigor tests were carried out. Also, there were measured the content of oil, total protein, soluble protein, malonaldehyde, and fatty acids palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic. It was verified that the physiological quality of soybean seeds decreased with both kinds of aging. However, the deterioration process occurs by distinct mechanisms. The biochemical composition of the seeds is associated with the physiological quality and their storage potential is changed by natural and artificial aging. The tolerance of the seed to deterioration is related to soluble protein and fatty acids content. Oleic fatty acid and soluble protein can be used as indicators of physiological quality in soybean seeds

Germination and antioxidant action in melon seeds exposed to salt stress

Salinity influences all germination stages and may adversely affect the seedlings establishment in the field. This study aimed at assessing the effects of salt stress on the physiological potential of melon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds. Germination and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) enzymes were assessed at the osmotic potentials of 0.0 MPa, -0.1 MPa, -0.2 MPa, -0.3 MPa, -0.4 MPa and -0.5 MPa. The enzymatic activity was assessed after 24 h, 48 h and 72 h of imbibition. Seed germination was zero at -0.5 MPa and 91 % and 85 % at -0.1 MPa and -0.2 MPa, respectively. In general, the activity of SOD, CAT and POX enzymes increased with the salt-induced stress, in the different times of imbibition, and these increases were more evident at -0.4 MPa and -0.5 MPa. The salt stress induced by NaCl diminishes the germination rate of melon seeds, particularly from the osmotic potential of -0.2 MPa. There is a significant increase in the activity of SOD, CAT and POX enzymes, mainly after 48 h of exposure.A salinidade tem influência em todas as etapas da germinação e pode afetar consideravelmente o estabelecimento de plântulas em campo. Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos do estresse salino no potencial fisiológico de sementes de melão (Cucumis melo L.). Foram avaliadas a germinação e a atividade das enzimas superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e peroxidase (POX), nos potenciais osmóticos de 0,0 MPa; -0,1 MPa; -0,2 MPa; -0,3 MPa; -0,4 Mpa; e -0,5 MPa. A atividade enzimática foi avaliada após 24 h, 48 h e 72 h de embebição. A germinação das sementes foi nula no potencial de -0,5 MPa e de 91 % e 85 %, respectivamente nos potenciais de -0,1 MPa e -0,2 MPa. De maneira geral, a atividade das enzimas SOD, CAT e POX aumentou com a indução do estresse salino, nos diferentes tempos de embebição, sendo que esses aumentos foram mais evidentes nos potenciais de -0,4 MPa e -0,5 MPa. O estresse salino induzido por NaCl reduz a germinação de sementes de melão, principalmente a partir do potencial de -0,2 MPa. Ocorre aumento significativo na atividade das enzimas SOD, CAT e POX, principalmente após 48 h de exposição

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes of Jatropha curcas L. seeds stored at different maturity stages

 The objective of the present work was to investigate the antioxidant enzyme activities and the occurrence of lipid peroxidation during storage of J. curcas seeds obtained from fruits at different maturity stages. Seeds extracted from fruits collected at three stages of maturity were used, i.e., yellow, brownish-yellow, and brown (dry fruits). The seeds were subsequently stored for 18 months in Kraft paper bags in a laboratory environment. Initially as well as every three months, the seeds were evaluated for germination and electrical conductivity, and the seed embryos were evaluated for lipid peroxidation; protein content; and superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity at the same time points. In general, the seeds from the three stages of fruit maturity did not differ regarding germination throughout the entire period of storage, although a reduction in viability was observed after nine months of storage. The electrical conductivity increased during storage and was greater for the seeds obtained from brown fruits. There was a reduction in protein content and in enzyme activities in the seed embryo, except for superoxide dismutase. No relationship was observed between reduction in seed viability and lipid peroxidation. Thus, J. curcas seeds with high initial quality can be stored under environmental conditions for up to 9, 15 and 15 months for brown (dry), yellow and brownish-yellow fruits, respectively, without a significant reduction in germination but with a reduction in seed vigour.