Nutrient availability and pH level affect germination traits and seedling development of Conyza canadensis.

Reducing pesticide application in agricultural land is a major challenge for the twenty-first century. Responses of weed seed's germination and seedling's early development to chemical soil conditions around the seed may be a promising way to aid weed control in a no-till system. Thus, the objective of this work was to test, under controlled conditions, whether different chemical conditions affect the germination and development of horseweed [Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist]. We used, as treatment, solutions containing different nutrients (P, K, Ca, and Mg), separately and in combination, and at two pH levels (4.8 and 6.5). Phosphorus alone inhibited horseweed seed germination at ~ 7 times while had ~ 4 times reduction in final germination percentage and germination speed index for both pH tested. Other nutrients tested had a no-effect in germination speed index compared to the control treatment. Potassium alone or associated with other ions (P, Ca, and Mg) at pH 4.8 had a synergistic effect on seedling development (root and shoot length). In the same way, K associated with Mg was synergistic to the root length at pH 6.5. Seeds in the control treatment (distilled water) presented a high germination speed index at pH 6.5, while at low pH this parameter was higher when in association with KMg, PMg and Ca. The findings demonstrate that seed germination traits and seedling development of horseweed depend on nutrient kind exposure and pH conditions in the seed environment. This work suggests that adequate topsoil management (i.e., pH and nutrient availability) may aid to reduce weed germination, because, it consists of an important factor of weed occurrence in agricultural areas.

Biochemical Profile of the Soybean Seed Embryonic Axis and Its Changes during Accelerated Aging.

Seed deterioration is an important topic in plant science, as the majority of cultivated species use seeds as their means of propagation; however, due to its complexity, the process of seed deterioration has not yet been completely elucidated. Three soybean cultivars (BMX Raio, BMX Zeus, and DM 53i54) exposed to four distinct periods of accelerated aging (0, 3, 6 and 9 days) in a fully randomized experimental design. Initially, vigor and germination tests were performed. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase enzymes, hydrogen peroxide, malonaldehyde, DNA oxidation, macromolecules and mineral content, and Maillard reactions were quantified in the embryonic axis. Results showed that DNA did not suffer degradation or oxidation. In terms of consumption of reserves, only sugars were consumed, while levels of protein, starch, and triglycerides were maintained. The Maillard reaction did show potential as an indicator of buffer capacity of protein to ROS. Additionally, levels of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase decreased during the aging process. Moreover, nutrient analysis showed that a high magnesium level in the cultivar bestowed greater resilience to deterioration, which can indicate a potential function of magnesium in the cell structure via reflex in seed aging through seed respiration.

Seedling length and soybean seed vigor / Comprimento de plântulas e vigor de sementes de soja

ABSTRACT: The differentiation of seedling growth and development is the result of the vigor level of the seed lot. Because of this, knowing the seedling growth curve is essential for the evaluation of the seedling length test, to be carried out at the moment when any differences in vigor really manifest, thus being able to reduce the time of evaluation of the test. In this research, the objective was to determine the most efficient time interval to perform the seedling length test in soybean seeds, depending on the vigor levels. The evaluated characteristics were percentage of seed germination, first germination count, emergency, days for emergence, aerial, root and total length (evaluated every 12 hours), aerial, root and total dry mass in completely randomized design. High vigor seeds originated seedlings with higher growth rates (cm. h-1), with vigor being one of the factors that interfere in the seedling length test. After 96 hours of the seedling length test, there was a statistical differentiation between the three vigor levels tested. The soybean seedling length test between lots, with different vigor, can be performed 96 hours after sowing.

RESUMO: A diferenciação do crescimento e desenvolvimento das plântulas, é resultado do nível de vigor do lote das sementes. Em virtude disto, conhecer a curva de crescimento das plântulas é fundamental para que a avaliação do teste de comprimento de plântulas, seja realizada no momento em que realmente se manifestem as eventuais diferenças de vigor, podendo assim reduzir o tempo de avaliação do teste. No trabalho, o objetivo foi determinar o intervalo de tempo mais eficiente para realizar o teste de comprimento de plântula em sementes de soja, em função dos níveis de vigor. As características avaliadas foram germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, emergência, dias para emergência, comprimento de parte aérea, raiz e total (avaliados de 12 em 12 horas), massa seca de parte aérea, raiz e total em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. As sementes de alto vigor originaram plântulas com maiores taxas de crescimento (cm. h-1), sendo o vigor um dos fatores que interfere no teste de comprimento de plântulas. Após 96 horas do teste de comprimento de plântula ocorreu a diferenciação estatística entre os três níveis de vigor testados. O teste de comprimento de plântula de soja entre lotes, com vigor distinto, pode ser realizado 96 horas após a semeadura.