Effect of Irrigation on Sugarcane Morphophysiology in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Since sugarcane is semi-perennial, it has no escape from water stresses in the Brazilian Cerrado, and consequently, drought impacts plant growth and industrial quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphophysiology and quality of the first ratoon of two sugarcane varieties submitted to irrigated and stressed treatments under field conditions. For the biometric characteristics, in general, significant decreases were observed under the stressed treatment for all periods, and only minor differences were detected between the studied cultivars. Physiological parameters decreased under stressed conditions, but to a different extent between the varieties. RB855536 was able to maintain a greater rate of transpiration. Productivity was reduced by 103 t ha-1 for variety RB855536 and 121 t ha-1 for RB867515, compared to plants with full irrigation during the dry period, but cane quality was similar in both genotypes. Measurements of physiological and morphological parameters may prove useful in the rapid identification of genotypes with greater tolerance to abiotic stress.

Cumulative potential and half-life of [imazapic + imazapyr] in lowland soils of Rio Grande Do Sul grown with clearfield® rice.

The objectives of this study were to estimate the residual and half-life of [imazapic + imazapyr] and to infer on the impact of these residuals over time. The first experiment comprised the application of [imazapic + imazapyr] to Clearfield® rice. On the following summer cropping season (365 days later), undeformed soil samples 0-5 cm depth were collected and seeds of six species or varieties were sown as bioindicators of residuals (experiment 2), being assessed plant height and dry mass 20 days after emergence start. The third experiment comprised the cultivation of the same species submitted to ten increasing herbicide doses (0-280 g ha-1) to establish standard response curves, also assessing plant height and dry mass 20 days after emergence start. About 2.1-5.8% of the applied imazapic remains in soil after one year, for the label doses. Imazapyr was considered to be at negligible doses as its half-life is short, and less than 0.0000001% of the applied dose is expected to be in soil 365 days later. The expected imazapic half-life in lowland areas of Southern Brazil is longer than for dryland, being estimated as between 63 and 77 days (95% confidence interval), contrasting to the 60 days half-life previously estimated for dryland soils.

Application of vigor indexes to evaluate the cold tolerance in rice seeds germination conditioned in plant extract.

Rice is a crop that presents sensitivity to cold, especially in the germination phase, which leads to high economic losses. Alternative management forms are essential to increase tolerance to low temperatures, and seed priming represents a promising tool. The objective of this study was to investigate the priming effect of the aqueous extract of carrot roots on rice seeds to increase tolerance to low temperatures during germination. Seeds from cultivars BRS Querência (cold-susceptible) and Brilhante (cold-tolerant) were soaked for 24 h in concentrations of 0, 25, 50, and 100% carrot extract, sown on germitest paper and conditioned in BOD for 21 days at 15 °C. As a control, the seeds soaked in water were also germinated at 25 °C. They were evaluated for germination, first germination count, and germination speed index to calculate the stress indices: tolerance index, susceptibility index, and harmonic mean. They were also evaluated for the length and dry mass of shoot and root. The results showed that the rice seeds conditioning in carrot extract effectively reduces the damage caused by cold, significantly increasing the germination speed and the percentage of final germination and the growth evaluations, more expressive at 100% concentration. The stress indexes are efficient in estimating the tolerance of the cultivars and the effect of the different conditions in low-temperature conditions, highlighting the superiority of the Brilhante cultivar.

Effects of Rhizophagus clarus and P availability in the tolerance and physiological response of Mucuna cinereum to copper.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improve plant ability to uptake P and tolerate heavy metals. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of available P and the inoculation of Rhizophagus clarus in a Cu-contaminated soil (i) on the activity of acid phosphatases (soil and plant), the presence of glomalin, and (ii) in the biochemical and physiological status of Mucuna cinereum. A Typic Hapludalf soil artificially contaminated by adding 60 mg kg-1 Cu was used in a 3 × 2 factorial design with three replicates. Treatments consisted of three P levels: 0, 40, and 100 mg kg-1 P. Each P treatment level was inoculated (+AMF)/non-inoculated (-AMF) with 200 spores of R. clarus per pot, and plants grown for 45 days. The addition of at least 40 mg kg-1 P and the inoculation of plants with R. clarus proved to be efficient to reduce Cu phytotoxicity and increase dry matter yield. Mycorrhization and phosphate fertilization reduced the activity of enzymes regulating oxidative stress (SOD and POD), and altered the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, due to the lower stress caused by available Cu. These results suggest a synergism between the application of P and the inoculation with R. clarus, favoring the growth of M. cinereum in a Cu-contaminated soil. This study shows that AMF inoculation represents an interesting alternative to P fertilization to improve plant development when exposed to excess Cu.

Morphophysiological and biochemical alterations in Ricinus communis L. seeds submitted to cobalt60 gamma radiation

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the radiosensitivity of castor bean seeds after applications of different doses of Cobalt60 gamma radiation. Seeds were pre-soaked for 24 hours in distilled water and then irradiated with 50, 100, 150, and 200 Gy, except the control. Sowing was performed in trays, which contained soil as substrate and were maintained in a greenhouse. The electrical conductivity, emergence, emergence speed index, growth parameters and activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase) were evaluated in the leaves and roots of castor bean seedlings. Gamma radiation did not affect the electrical conductivity of the seeds; however, at a dose of 200 Gy, the emergence and emergence speed index of the seedlings was negatively affected. An analysis of the morphophysiological parameters revealed a reduction in seedling size as the radiation dose increased. There was a significant increase in superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase activities at higher radiation doses in the leaves, but not in roots. Thus, the analysis of all the variables suggests a response pattern as to the morphophysiological and biochemical changes of castor bean seedlings due to the increase of gamma radiation, which may serve as a tool for generating greater genetic variability.

Morphophysiological and biochemical alterations in Ricinus communis L. seeds submitted to cobalt60 gamma radiation.

This study aimed to evaluate the radiosensitivity of castor bean seeds after applications of different doses of Cobalt60 gamma radiation. Seeds were pre-soaked for 24 hours in distilled water and then irradiated with 50, 100, 150, and 200 Gy, except the control. Sowing was performed in trays, which contained soil as substrate and were maintained in a greenhouse. The electrical conductivity, emergence, emergence speed index, growth parameters and activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase) were evaluated in the leaves and roots of castor bean seedlings. Gamma radiation did not affect the electrical conductivity of the seeds; however, at a dose of 200 Gy, the emergence and emergence speed index of the seedlings was negatively affected. An analysis of the morphophysiological parameters revealed a reduction in seedling size as the radiation dose increased. There was a significant increase in superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase activities at higher radiation doses in the leaves, but not in roots. Thus, the analysis of all the variables suggests a response pattern as to the morphophysiological and biochemical changes of castor bean seedlings due to the increase of gamma radiation, which may serve as a tool for generating greater genetic variability.

Development of rice seedlings grown from pre-hydrated seeds and irradiated with gamma rays / Desenvolvimento de plântulas de arroz oriundas de sementes pré-hidratadas e irradiadas com raios gama

Techniques used to induce mutations, such as ionizing radiation, are an effective tool in increasing genetic variability in breeding programs of species of economic interest. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of Co60 gamma radiation on previously soaked seeds on the emergence and early growth of seedlings of two rice cultivars. To do this, seeds (25 percent moisture) of BRS Querência and BRS Fronteira were irradiated with zero (control), 50, 100, 150 and 200 Gy, and then sown in trays containing soil and kept in a greenhouse. The results showed that gamma radiation affected seedling development, where the highest dose tested (200 Gy) significantly reduced the emergence and the index of emergence speed. Growth parameters were reduced greater reduction in cv. BRS Querência. For antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase expressed little variation for the periods evaluated. Already ascorbate peroxidase and catalase showed a significant increase in horsepower cv. BRS Fronteira at 14 DAS, followed by an increase in both cultivars ascorbate peroxidase activity at 28 DAS. The highest antioxidant capacity observed in cv. BRS Fronteira conferred greater tolerance to stress caused by gamma radiation.

Técnicas como radiações ionizantes, utilizadas para induzir mutações constituem ferramenta eficaz no aumento de variabilidade genética em programas de melhoramento de espécies de interesse econômico. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se verificar o efeito de diferentes doses de radiação gama Co60 em sementes previamente embebidas sobre a emergência e o crescimento inicial de plântulas de duas cultivares de arroz. Lotes de sementes com 25 por cento de umidade das cultivares BRS Querência e BRS Fronteira foram irradiados com doses de zero (controle), 50, 100, 150 e 200 Gy, sendo, em seguida, semeadas em bandejas contendo solo e mantidas em casa de vegetação. Os resultados mostraram que a radiação gama afetou o desenvolvimento das plântulas, sendo que a maior dose testada (200 Gy) reduziu, significativamente, a emergência e o índice de velocidade de emergência. Os parâmetros de crescimento apresentaram maior redução na cv. BRS Querência. Na atividade das enzimas antioxidantes, a superóxido dismutase expressou pouca variação para os períodos avaliados. Já, a ascorbato peroxidase e catalase mostraram expressivo aumento na cv. BRS Fronteira aos 14 DAS, seguidas de incremento para as duas cultivares na atividade da ascorbato peroxidase aos 28 DAS. A maior capacidade antioxidante observada na cv. BRS Fronteira conferiu uma maior tolerância ao estresse causado pela radiação gama.

Características fisiológicas e anatômicas de plantas de sibipiruna submetidas à hipoxia / Physiological and anatomical characteristics of Sibipiruna plants under hipoxia

Plantas em seu ambiente natural estão sujeitas a condições adversas, passando por períodos de estresse breves ou duradouros. Algumas espécies desenvolvem mecanismos que as fazem suportar as condições adversas, permitindo sua sobrevivência. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as respostas fisiológicas e anatômicas no desenvolvimento inicial de plantas de sibipiruna submetidas à hipoxia. Plantas com três a quatro folhas completamente expandidas foram submetidas a três tratamentos: plantas sem alagamento, alagadas nas raízes e totalmente alagadas. Foram realizadas avaliações dos teores de amido, açúcares solúveis totais e redutores em folhas e raízes coletadas a cada cinco dias, durante 30 dias. Características anatômicas foram avaliadas 15 dias após o início de cada tratamento. A maior redução nos teores de amido nas folhas e raízes foi observada nas plantas totalmente alagadas. Para açúcares solúveis totais e redutores, foi observado comportamento semelhante ao obtido em amido; porém, as plantas alagadas nas raízes apresentaram, em alguns períodos de avaliação, teores, principalmente nas raízes, superiores aos observados nas plantas sem alagamento. Essas plantas também apresentaram maior densidade estomática em relação aos demais tratamentos. Para a espessura do córtex e do cilindro vascular das raízes, foi observada uma redução para os tratamentos alagados, cujas plantas totalmente alagadas apresentaram uma maior barreira apoplástica imposta pelo espessamento em fi caracterizada pela formação de septos nas células próximas à endoderme.

Plants in their natural environment are subject to adverse conditions, and the stress periods can be short or long. Some species develop mechanisms that make them bear the adverse conditions, allowing their survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomic and physiological responses in the initial development of Sibipiruna plants submitted to hypoxia. Plants with three to four leaves fully expanded were subjected to three treatments: plants without flooding, flooded on roots and totally flooded. Evaluations were carried out in the starch, total soluble sugars and reducing sugars levels in the leaves and roots collected every five days, for 30 days. Anatomical characteristics were evaluated 15 days after the beginning of each treatment. The largest reduction in starch level in leaves and in roots was observed in plants completely flooded. For total soluble sugars and reducing sugars were observed behavior similar to that achieved in starch However, the plants which had flooded roots, in some periods of assessment, had levels, mainly in the roots, higher than the plants without flooding. These plants also showed higher stomatal density than the other treatments. For the thickness of the cortex and the cylinder vascular roots, a reduction was observed for the flooded treatment, which completely flooded plants had a higher apoplastic barrier imposed by thickening in phi, which is characterized by the formation of septa in cells near the endodermis.

Adubação foliar e via solo de nitrogênio em plantas de milho em fase inicial de desenvolvimento / Leaf fertilization and via soil nitrogen suplementation in maize plants at initial developmental stage

Considerado o nutriente mais importante, tanto no incremento da produção de grãos como no teor protéico destes, o nitrogênio (N) é também o elemento que mais onera a cultura do milho. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se verificar se a aplicação foliar de nitrogênio influencia o acúmulo de proteínas e parâmetros de crescimento de plantas jovens de milho em comparação com a aplicação de uréia via solo. Para tanto, plantas jovens do híbrido de milho BR 206 receberam aplicações de uréia como fonte de N via foliar e via solo nas concentrações de zero; 0,5 por cento e 1,0 por cento. As plantas foram cultivadas em casa-de-vegetação sendo realizadas três aplicações de N, a primeira aos seis dias após a emergência (DAE) num volume de 10 mL por planta e as duas seguintes aos 10 e 14 DAE com 20 mL cada. Aos 18 DAE as plantas foram coletadas e as análises procedidas. Para altura de plantas, volume radicular, área foliar, matéria seca da parte aérea e raízes, observou-se maior eficiência da adubação foliar, principalmente ao nível de 0,5 por cento de uréia. O fornecimento de uréia a 1,0 por cento via solo proporcionou aumento significativo no teor de proteínas nas folhas. Tais resultados sugerem que a adubação foliar pode ser uma maneira eficiente para complementar o que é absorvido pelas raízes, no entanto não deve ser utilizada como fonte única de N inorgânico às plantas.

Consider the most important nutrient in the increment of grain gield and also the proteic level, nitrogen (N), in addition of this fact, this nutrient is the component that most increases the production cost of maize crop. This study aimed to verify whether the application of leaf nitrogen influences the accumulation of proteins and parameters of growth of young plants of maize compared to the application of urea via soil. For both, young plants of the hybrid maize BR 206 received applications of urea as a source of N via leaf and soil at concentrations of zero, 0.5 percent and 1.0 percent. The plants were grown in a greenhouse being held three applications of N, the first for six days after the emergency (DAE) in a volume of 10 ml per plant and the following two to 10 and 14 DAE with 20 ml each. At 18 DAE the plants were collected and analyses proceeded. For plant height, root volum, leaf area, dry weigth of leaf area and root, one verified a higher efficiency of leaf fertilization, mainly at 0,5 percent level of urea. The application of urea 1,0 percent via soil caused a significative increase in leaf protein levels. These results suggest that leaf fertilization may be an efficient mode to complement what is uptaken by the roots, although it should not be used as a unique source of inorganic N to the plants.

Atividade da invertase ácida solúvel e da insolúvel em tubérculos de batata recondicionados após o armazenamento sob diferentes temperaturas / Acid soluble invertase and insoluble activity in potato tuber subsequent reconditioning after storage in different temperatures

Objetivou-se no trabalho determinar a atividade das enzimas invertase ácida solúvel e invertase insolúvel em tubérculos de batata de genótipos Atlantic, Pérola, Asterix e C-1786-6-94, armazenados em diferentes temperaturas com posterior recondicionamento. Determinou-se a atividade das enzimas invertase ácida solúvel e insolúvel aos 0, 30 e 60 dias de armazenamento. Aos 30 dias de armazenamento a atividade das duas enzimas foi estimulada pela temperatura de 4ºC. O recondicionamento de 4ºC para 20ºC diminuiu a atividade das enzimas em todos os cultivares. O armazenamento a 12ºC bem como o recondicionamento de 12ºC para 20ºC pouco influenciou na atividade da invertase ácida solúvel. A atividade da invertase insolúvel sob 12ºC foi aumentada aos 30 e 60 dias de armazenamento, no clone C1786-6-94 e na cultivar Atlantic. O armazenamento a 20ºC não alterou a atividade das enzimas invertase ácida solúvel e insolúvel para as cultivares em estudo.

The aim of this work was to quantify the activity of the acid soluble invertase enzymes and insoluble invertase in tubers of potato genotypes: Atlantic, Pérola, Asterix and C-1786-6-94 stored in different temperatures with recondition. One determined the activity of the acid soluble enzymes and insoluble invertase at 0 30 and 60 days of storage. In 30 days of storage the activity of the two enzymes was stimulated by the temperature at 4ºC. The recondition from 4º C to 20º C reduced the activity of the insoluble and acid soluble invertase in all cultivars, however in different way among them. The storage at 12ºC and the reconditioned from 12º C to 20º C had little influence on the activity of the acid soluble invertase. The activity of the insoluble invertase under 12º C was increased at 30 and 60 days of recondition in C-1786-6-94 clone and Atlantic cultivar. The storage at 20ºC did not alter the activity of the acid soluble invertase enzyme and insoluble invertase for the cultivars studied.