Enzymatic activity and gene expression related to drought stress tolerance in maize seeds and seedlings

Drought stress is a major limiting factor for the development of maize, and the identification of the expression of genes related to this stress in seeds and seedlings can be an important tool to accelerate the selection process. The expression of genes related to tolerance to water deficit in seeds and in different tissues of maize seedlings were evaluated. Four tolerant genotypes (91-T, 32-T, 91x75-T, 32x75-T) and four non-tolerant genotypes (37-NT, 57-NT, 37x57-NT and 31x37-NT) were seeded in a substrate with 10% (stress) and 70% (control) water retention capacity. The expression of 4 enzymes were evaluated: catalase (CAT), peroxidase (PO), esterase (EST), and heat-resistant protein (HRP), as well as the relative expression of 6 genes: ZmLEA3, ZmPP2C, ZmCPK11, ZmDREB2A/2.1s, ZmDBP3 and ZmAN13 were evaluated in seed, shoots and roots of seedlings submitted or not to stress. There was variation in the expression of CAT, PO, SOD, EST and HRP enzymes among the evaluated genotypes and also in the different tissues evaluated. Higher expression of the CAT and PO was observed in the shoots. There was a greater expression of the EST in the genotypes non-tolerant to water deficit. HRP was expressed only in seeds. In the aerial part of maize seedlings, classified as tolerant, higher expression of genes ZmLEA3 and ZmCPK11 was observed. There was a higher expression of the ZmAN13 and ZmDREB2A/2.1S genes in roots developed under stress conditions and a higher expression of the ZmPP2C gene in seeds of line 91-T, which is classified as tolerant to drought stress.

Physiological potential of bean seeds as a function of population densities on winter crop season, in northern Minas Gerais / Desempenho fisiológico de sementes de feijão-comum cultivado em diferentes densidades populacionais na safra de inverno, no norte de Minas Gerais

For adapting well to various soil and climatic conditions in Brazil and the tradition of high consumption, bean plays a key role in feeding the population. Despite the different environmental conditions, there are few specific cultivars for each planting season, particularly when aimed at the production of quality seeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological potential of bean seeds from five population densities, under the edafoclimatic conditions of Janaúba, northern Minas Gerais. The experiment was conducted on winter crop season, with planting in August 2011. The experimental design was a randomized block in 3 x 5 factorial, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of three cultivars of common bean with different growth types (Ouro Vermelho, Ouro Negro and BRSMG Madrepérola), and five densities (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 thousand plants ha-1). Seeds were evaluated for water content, germination and vigor (tests of first count, seedling emergence, emergence speed and accelerated aging). From the results, it can be concluded that the bean seeds of the cultivar Ouro Negro present superior physiological potential in relation to the cultivars Ouro Vermelho and BRSMG Madrepérola. Increasing the sowing density up to 300 thousand plants ha-1 is suitable for the production of bean seeds on winter crop season, representing a good alternative for cultivation in the region.

Por se adaptar bem às mais variadas condições edafoclimáticas do Brasil e pela alta tradição de consumo, o feijoeiro desempenha papel fundamental na alimentação da população brasileira. Apesar das condições ambientais distintas, existem poucas cultivares específicas para cada época de plantio, principalmente quando visa à produção de sementes de qualidade. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o desempenho fisiológico de sementes de feijão-comum cultivado em cinco densidades populacionais, nas condições edafoclimáticas de Janaúba, Norte de Minas Gerais. O experimento foi conduzido na safra de inverno, com plantio em agosto de 2011. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 3 x 5, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em três cultivares de feijão-comum de diferentes tipos de crescimento (Ouro Vermelho, Ouro Negro e BRSMG Madrepérola), e cinco densidades populacionais (100, 200, 300, 400 e 500 mil plantas ha-1). As sementes foram avaliadas quanto ao teor de água, à germinação e ao vigor (testes de primeira contagem, emergência de plântulas, índice de velocidade de emergência e envelhecimento acelerado). Diante dos resultados, conclui-se que as sementes de feijão da cultivar Ouro Negro apresentam desempenho fisiológico superior em comparação com as cultivares Ouro Vermelho e BRSMG Madrepérola. O aumento da densidade de semeadura até 300 mil plantas ha-1 é adequado para a produção de sementes de feijão na safra de inverno, representando boa alternativa para o cultivo na região.