Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:44:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_ricardo_cavalheiro_leite.pdf: 128592 bytes, checksum: 29e93e30a4710195778a8542176e72a0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-04-24 / Boron is an essential plant nutrient. Its functions are related to cellular growth and flower development. At flowering, the micronutrient deficiency reduces male-fertility due to damage to microsporogenesis and to the pollen tube growth. This work aims to define the phases of higher sensibility of the culture, with the purpose of identifying appropriate times for applying of boron to the rice crop. Boron application, in form of sodium borate (Na2B4O7.10H2O), in dosage of 10 kg.ha, was made in five different phases: base fertilization; tillering; primary flower differentiation; booting stage; and full flowering. Evaluation on yield, sterility and rice yield components, as well as physiological quality of the seeds produced have been done. The results allowed the verification that the amount of sodium borate applied is not harmful to the flooded rice crop, and there are no effects of application of the nutrient in different times of cultivation. / O boro é um nutriente essencial para as plantas. Suas funções estão envolvidas com o crescimento celular e o desenvolvimento da flor. Na floração, a deficiência do micronutriente reduz a macho-fertilidade em função do prejuízo à microesporogênese e ao crescimento do tubo polínico. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se definir as fases de maior sensibilidade da cultura, com o intuito de identificar épocas apropriadas para a aplicação de tratamentos corretivos de boro. A aplicação do boro, na forma de borato de sódio (Na2B4O7.10H2O), na dosagem de 10 kg.ha, foi realizada em cinco épocas diferentes (na base; no perfilhamento; na diferenciação do primórdio floral; no emborrachamento; e na floração plena). Foram realizadas avaliações sobre o rendimento, esterilidade e componentes de rendimento do arroz, bem como sobre a qualidade fisiológica das sementes produzidas. O trabalho pode constatar que a quantidade aplicada de borato de sódio não é prejudicial à cultura do arroz irrigado, embora não haja efeito da aplicação do nutriente em diferentes épocas do cultivo.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:44:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_jose_donizeti_da_silva.pdf: 121177 bytes, checksum: d760754edff9888cecf02ecece3817d6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-18 / This study aimed to determine the mechanical damage in soybean seeds and the efficiency of seed grading from samples collected at sowing time in the Paraná state. For this study, it was used the method of sampling in drill box survey. The number of samples was determined for the Paraná state, for a percentage of damage in soybean seeds of 20%, that 243 samples would be sufficient to estimate with 95% of probability this parameter of seed quality. The seeds evaluations were the mechanical damage and retention of small seeds with the large ones in the classification process. The mechanical seed damage was evaluated by the method of immersion in 5% sodium hypochlorite. According to this method, it was used 100 seeds which were soaked in the solution for 10 minutes. For the analysis of the retention of small seeds in the classification process, it was used 314 samples. For this process, two replicates of 100 seeds per sample were used. Based on the results, it was obtained the following conclusions: 1 - In the process of seed classification, over than 25% of the lots had more than 10% of small seeds that remain along with the large ones; 2 - Over than 50% of the seed lots, present more than 12% of mechanical damage; 3 - There are cultivars that are less affected by mechanical damage, and 4 - Larger seeds tend to have higher mechanical damage / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a danificação mecânica em sementes de soja e a eficiência da classificação das sementes coletadas no momento da semeadura no estado do Paraná. Para o trabalho, utilizou-se o método de amostragem na caixa da semeadora .O número de amostras para o estado do Paraná, dentro de um percentual de danificação de soja com até 20%nas sementes de soja, sendo que das 243 amostras seriam suficientes para estimar com 95% de probabilidade, este parâmetro de qualidade de semente.As avaliações nas sementes, foram a danificação mecânica e a retenção das sementes pequenas junto com as grandes no processo de classificação. A danificação mecânica das sementes, foi analisada pelo método da imersão em hipoclorito de sódio a 5%. Para essa avaliação, utilizou-se 100 sementes as quais foram mergulhadas na solução durante 10 minutos. Para a análise da retenção das sementes pequenas, no processo de classificação, utilizou-se 314 amostras. Foram utilizadas duas repetições de 100 sementes por amostra, em que se utilizou peneira indicada na amostra e mais uma de fundo cego. Uma vez realizado o processo de peneiração, por dois minutos, contava-se o número de sementes que ficaram na peneira de fundo cego. Com base nos resultados, obteve-se as seguintes conclusões: 1- no processo de classificação das sementes, mais de 25% dos lotes apresentam de 10% de sementes pequenas que permanecem junto com as maiores; 2- alem de 50% dos lotes de sementes apresentam 12% de danificação mecânica; 3- Há cultivares que são menos afetadas pela danificação mecânica; 4- Sementes maiores tendem a apresentar maior danificação mecânica

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:44:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_rodrigo_frozza.pdf: 328078 bytes, checksum: b5e001835e9a88acff3e2100b734db71 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-10-17 / The market for soybeans has been very demanding and competitive; making the companies entered this market to undergo periodic changes seeking higher quality products, better efficiency of production processes, and not forgetting the products required by the market and marketing. In this light, this paper aims to study seed quality, germination considering the assessment was made as a percentage and in five classes, total quantity produced, evolution of production and marketing of four cultivars of soybean seed produced by Cooperalfa in municipalities of Canoinhas, Chapecó and Xanxerê during the growing seasons of 2005/2006 to 2008/09. Data analysis indicates that the cooperative has difficulty matching the amount of seed to be produced, but it can be said that the seed crop produced in 2005/06 to 2008/09 have excellent germination, and the Xanxerê s plant produces seeds with superior physiological quality, and more than 80% of seed lots regardless of place of production and years of cultivation have more than 85% germination being recommended to invest in cooperative marketing analysis, trends, innovations and industry assessments new cultivars. / O mercado de sementes de soja vem se mostrando muito exigente e competitivo, fazendo com que as empresas inseridas neste mercado passem por mudanças periódicas buscando maior qualidade de seus produtos, melhor eficiência dos seus processos de produção, e não se esquecendo dos produtos requeridos pelo mercado e sua comercialização. Diante do exposto, o presente trabalho visa estudar qualidade das sementes, considerando germinação, a avaliação foi feita em percentual e em cinco classes, quantidades totais produzidas, a evolução da produção e comercialização de quatro cultivares de sementes de soja produzida pela Cooperalfa nos municípios de Canoinhas, Chapecó e Xanxerê, durante as safras de 2005/2006 a 2008/09. A análise dos dados permite concluir que a cooperativa possui dificuldades em acertar as quantidades de sementes a serem produzidas, mas pode-se afirmar que as sementes produzidas nas safras 2005/06 até 2008/09 possuem excelentes germinações, sendo que a unidade de Xanxerê produz sementes com maior qualidade fisiológica, e que mais de 80 % dos lotes de sementes independente de local de produção e anos de cultivo apresentam mais de 85% de germinação, sendo recomendado a cooperativa investir em análises mercadológicas, tendências, inovações do setor e avaliações de novas cultivares.

O Brasil é o segundo maior produtor e exportador de soja (Glycine max L. Merrill) no mundo. A produção é altamente dependente de fatores climáticos, incluindo a temperatura e quantidade de chuva. A soja cultivada no sul do país em 2005 sofreu déficit hídrico causado por temperaturas altas acompanhado por umidade baixa durante o estádio reprodutivo. Pouco se sabe sobre a influência do déficit hídrico na degradação da clorofila e na qualidade dos grãos em geral. Nesse trabalho foram analisadas, numa primeira etapa, as características químicas e bioquímicas de cinco amostras de soja, provenientes de três cultivares que cresceram sob déficit hídrico e que não atendiam aos padrões para comercialização por conter altas quantidades de sementes verdes. Os grãos foram analisados quanto a diversos parâmetros físico-químicos e bioquímicos incluindo a análise dos pigmentos verdes imediatamente após a colheita e após 20 meses de armazenamento. A acidez foi medida adicionalmente após 30 meses de armazenamento. A atividade de água e umidade foram 0,6-0,7 e 8,7 %-11,9 %, respectivamente, e não mudaram durante a estocagem, mas houve um aumento em acidez o que indica atividade de lipases. A atividade da lipoxigenase 1 foi significativamente prejudicada. Imediatamente após a colheita os pigmentos verdes correspondiam a feofitina a, feofitina b e pequenas quantidades de clorofila a e b, e traços de outros derivados da clorofila, em ordem decrescente. Após 20 meses de estocagem quase todos os pigmentos haviam desaparecido. O déficit hídrico provavelmente aumentou a permeabilidade das membranas, o que levou a um aumento do pH e promoveu a transformação das clorofilas para feofitinas. Na segunda etapa do trabalho foi estudado o estágio avançado da degradação natural da clorofila na qual desaparece a coloração esverdeada dos grãos. Esta etapa corresponde à formação de catabólitos incolores (NCC), mas existem controvérsias se essas substâncias são os produtos finais da degradação. Assim, foram investigadas a formação e degradação dos NCC durante a maturação da soja e o efeito do tratamento térmico pós-colheita. A soja foi colhida em seis estádios de maturação e a formação dos NCC foi analisada por HPLC após secagem dos grãos a 40 e 60°C. Todas as amostras contiveram frações com um máximo de absorbância a 320 nm, considerado típico para os NCC. Os teores aumentaram até o 114o dia após a semeadura e decresceram significativamente em estádios mais avançados de maturação. Nas amostras secas a 40 e 60°C os teores de NCC foram menores, devido a níveis iniciais de clorofila inferiores. Esses resultados indicam que os NCC em soja provavelmente não sejam os produtos finais da degradação da clorofila. A sua redução em estádios mais avançados de maturação indica a sua metabolização para outras substâncias. / Brazil is the second largest soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) producer and exporter in the world. The production depends on climatic factors, like temperature and rain volume. Soybeans cultivated in the south of the country in 2005 suffered drought stress imposed by adverse high ambient temperature, accompanied by low humidity during the reproductive stage. Little information is available regarding drought stress on quality of grains. In this study, firstly, chemical and biochemical characteristics of five soybean samples belonging to three cultivars grown under drought stress and did not meet standards for marketing due to high amounts of green seeds, were evaluated. Grains were analyzed for several physicochemical ad biochemical parameters, including analysis of pigment contents, immediately after harvest and after 20 months of storage at room temperature. Acidity was measured additionally after 30 month of storage. Water activity and humidity were 0.6 - 0.7 and 8.7 % - 11.9 %, respectively, and did not change during storage time, but there was an increase in acidity, which alludes to lipase activity. The activity of lipoxygenase 1 was significantly prejudiced. Immediately after harvest, green pigments corresponded mainly to pheophytin a, followed by pheophytin b, small quantities of chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a and traces of other chlorophyll derivatives. After 20 months of storage almost all green pigments had disappeared. Drought stress probably enhanced membrane permeability, which led to a lower pH and promoted transformation of chlorophylls to pheophytins. In the second part of the study, the advanced stage of natural chlorophyll degradation was investigated, in which the green colour of the seeds disappears. This stage corresponds to the formation of non-coloured chlorophyll catabolites (NCC), but there are controversies if those are the final products. Thus, the formation and degradation of NCC during soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) maturation and two post-harvest drying temperatures was investigated. Soybean was harvested at six maturation stages and the formation of NCC was analyzed by HPLC after drying at 40°C and 60°C. All samples contained fractions with an absorption maximum at 320 nm, which are considered typical for NCC. The amounts of NCC increased until 114 days after plantation, and were significantly lower in advanced maturation stages. In samples dried at 40°C and 60°C, NCC amounts were lower, due to inferior initial chlorophyll levels. These results indicate that the NCC in soybeans might not be the final products of chlorophyll degradation. Their reduction in advanced maturation stages may be due to further metabolization.

O Brasil é o segundo maior produtor e exportador de soja (Glycine max L. Merrill) no mundo. A produção é altamente dependente de fatores climáticos, incluindo a temperatura e quantidade de chuva. A soja cultivada no sul do país em 2005 sofreu déficit hídrico causado por temperaturas altas acompanhado por umidade baixa durante o estádio reprodutivo. Pouco se sabe sobre a influência do déficit hídrico na degradação da clorofila e na qualidade dos grãos em geral. Nesse trabalho foram analisadas, numa primeira etapa, as características químicas e bioquímicas de cinco amostras de soja, provenientes de três cultivares que cresceram sob déficit hídrico e que não atendiam aos padrões para comercialização por conter altas quantidades de sementes verdes. Os grãos foram analisados quanto a diversos parâmetros físico-químicos e bioquímicos incluindo a análise dos pigmentos verdes imediatamente após a colheita e após 20 meses de armazenamento. A acidez foi medida adicionalmente após 30 meses de armazenamento. A atividade de água e umidade foram 0,6-0,7 e 8,7 %-11,9 %, respectivamente, e não mudaram durante a estocagem, mas houve um aumento em acidez o que indica atividade de lipases. A atividade da lipoxigenase 1 foi significativamente prejudicada. Imediatamente após a colheita os pigmentos verdes correspondiam a feofitina a, feofitina b e pequenas quantidades de clorofila a e b, e traços de outros derivados da clorofila, em ordem decrescente. Após 20 meses de estocagem quase todos os pigmentos haviam desaparecido. O déficit hídrico provavelmente aumentou a permeabilidade das membranas, o que levou a um aumento do pH e promoveu a transformação das clorofilas para feofitinas. Na segunda etapa do trabalho foi estudado o estágio avançado da degradação natural da clorofila na qual desaparece a coloração esverdeada dos grãos. Esta etapa corresponde à formação de catabólitos incolores (NCC), mas existem controvérsias se essas substâncias são os produtos finais da degradação. Assim, foram investigadas a formação e degradação dos NCC durante a maturação da soja e o efeito do tratamento térmico pós-colheita. A soja foi colhida em seis estádios de maturação e a formação dos NCC foi analisada por HPLC após secagem dos grãos a 40 e 60°C. Todas as amostras contiveram frações com um máximo de absorbância a 320 nm, considerado típico para os NCC. Os teores aumentaram até o 114o dia após a semeadura e decresceram significativamente em estádios mais avançados de maturação. Nas amostras secas a 40 e 60°C os teores de NCC foram menores, devido a níveis iniciais de clorofila inferiores. Esses resultados indicam que os NCC em soja provavelmente não sejam os produtos finais da degradação da clorofila. A sua redução em estádios mais avançados de maturação indica a sua metabolização para outras substâncias. / Brazil is the second largest soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) producer and exporter in the world. The production depends on climatic factors, like temperature and rain volume. Soybeans cultivated in the south of the country in 2005 suffered drought stress imposed by adverse high ambient temperature, accompanied by low humidity during the reproductive stage. Little information is available regarding drought stress on quality of grains. In this study, firstly, chemical and biochemical characteristics of five soybean samples belonging to three cultivars grown under drought stress and did not meet standards for marketing due to high amounts of green seeds, were evaluated. Grains were analyzed for several physicochemical ad biochemical parameters, including analysis of pigment contents, immediately after harvest and after 20 months of storage at room temperature. Acidity was measured additionally after 30 month of storage. Water activity and humidity were 0.6 - 0.7 and 8.7 % - 11.9 %, respectively, and did not change during storage time, but there was an increase in acidity, which alludes to lipase activity. The activity of lipoxygenase 1 was significantly prejudiced. Immediately after harvest, green pigments corresponded mainly to pheophytin a, followed by pheophytin b, small quantities of chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a and traces of other chlorophyll derivatives. After 20 months of storage almost all green pigments had disappeared. Drought stress probably enhanced membrane permeability, which led to a lower pH and promoted transformation of chlorophylls to pheophytins. In the second part of the study, the advanced stage of natural chlorophyll degradation was investigated, in which the green colour of the seeds disappears. This stage corresponds to the formation of non-coloured chlorophyll catabolites (NCC), but there are controversies if those are the final products. Thus, the formation and degradation of NCC during soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) maturation and two post-harvest drying temperatures was investigated. Soybean was harvested at six maturation stages and the formation of NCC was analyzed by HPLC after drying at 40°C and 60°C. All samples contained fractions with an absorption maximum at 320 nm, which are considered typical for NCC. The amounts of NCC increased until 114 days after plantation, and were significantly lower in advanced maturation stages. In samples dried at 40°C and 60°C, NCC amounts were lower, due to inferior initial chlorophyll levels. These results indicate that the NCC in soybeans might not be the final products of chlorophyll degradation. Their reduction in advanced maturation stages may be due to further metabolization.

No description available.

Strategies to improve stem yield and juice quality in sweet sorghum were investigated in this study. Seed quality of sixty five accessions (landraces) from Botswana was investigated. Standard germination tests revealed that only 66% of the accessions had germination percentages in excess of 85%. The Accelerated Ageing test showed that only 50%of the 26 accessions had germination percentages above 80%. The results indicated that Botswana sweet sorghum seed quality is generally poor. Seed development and maturity observations demonstrated that maximum seed quality occurred 14 to 17 days after mass maturity (physiological maturity) and this coincided with maximum seed germination. These results suggest that harvesting sweet sorghum seed prior to mass maturity can lower seed quality. Farmers should, therefore be advised to select plants intended for seed harvesting and allow them to mature properly before the seeds are harvested. Differences in seed colour, shape and compactness of the inflorescences were observed amongst the 65 landraces collected from farmers in Botswana. Ten landraces were characterised and from the results it was evident that there was a range of genetic diversity which can be utilized in the improvement of the crop. Large panicles were characteristic of most sweet sorghum landraces, the effect of tiller, panicle and floret removal on juice quality was consequently studied. Removal of panicles and florets significantly improved juice quality whilst removal of tillers did not. Selection and breeding of genotypes with small panicles and male sterile varieties may improve juice quality and should be investigated. Effect of planting date, spacing and nitrogen were investigated. Early planting (October) resulted in increased stem yields but reduced juice quality. A 30 cm intra-row spacing resulted in high stem yields per plant and good juice quality. Nitrogen fertilisation increased stem yield and improved juice quality. On the bases of the results obtained from this study, early planting (October), application of 60 kg N ha-¹, and 30 cm intra-row spacing could be recommended for sweet sorghum production in pure stands. In pure stands yields of more than 37 000 stems (per hectare) of good quality can be attained. These could be sold at an estimated price of P2.00 (R2.25) per stem indicating the potential of sweet sorghum as a cash crop. However, its economic viability depends on the price elasticity in the supply - demand function. / Dissertation (PHD)--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

The cold test is one of the oldest and most acceptable vigour tests as it is used to simulate stress conditions commonly occurring in the field. In recent years, some of South Africa’s top maize hybrids, with high cold test scores, have shown emergence problems under cold, wet planting conditions. It resulted in major complaints from commercial maize producers with sizable claims involved. Therefore, the need arose to find a more sensitive vigour test that takes into account cold, wet conditions. In practice, South African maize producers would not plant if it is too cold and wet. However, cold, wet conditions are commonly experienced during planting time in the main maize production regions of South Africa, especially during October and even November. Furthermore, in most of the commercial maize production areas, such as the western Free State, chances of thunder and hailstorms are high during the planting period. These weather conditions are major causes for sudden drops in temperature and flooding which can expose maize seed and emerging maize seedlings to stress conditions The effects of cold, wet conditions on germination and emergence of nine maize hybrids were investigated in laboratory, glasshouse and field experiments. Growth chamber and glasshouse experiments were conducted under 10°C, 20°C and 30°C and 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours flooding. Field experiments were conducted under different climatic conditions, resulting in cool and wet, cold and wet and favourable conditions during planting. The objectives were to investigate the correlations between different laboratory vigour tests and field emergence of maize hybrids under cold, wet conditions in order to identify the most suitable laboratory vigour test for predicting field emergence under cold, wet conditions. Eight different vigour tests were conducted and each was compared with field emergence under cold, wet conditions. The eight tests conducted, were the cold test, soak test, complex stressing vigour test, electrical conductivity test, accelerated ageing test, tetrazolium test, fast green test and emergence rate test. The soak test was the most sensitive vigour test when considering cold, wet conditions, as it measures seed germination, based on the warm test, after a 48 hour soak in water at 27°C. Correlations found between the soak test and field emergence (53%) under cold, wet conditions was unexpected, since the soak test does not account for low temperatures. The complex stressing vigour test was conducted to study the effect of fluctuating soaking temperatures on germination of maize seed. Seeds of nine maize hybrids were soaked for 48 hours at a moderate temperature (25°C), followed by another 48 hours soak at a low temperature (5°C), and then planted in sand and grown for 4 days at 25°C, before evaluation. Highly significant correlations were found between the complex stressing vigour test and simulated field emergence under both controlled conditions in a glasshouse (89.9%) and cold, wet conditions in the field (90.0%). The complex stressing vigour test was the best test to predict field performance under a wide range of climatic conditions, especially cold, wet conditions. Implementation of the complex stressing test as a routine vigour test, will be to the advantage of maize seed companies, especially in being proactive in predicting emergence of maize hybrids under cold, wet conditions. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

No description available.

MSCAGR (Plant Production) / Department of Plant Production / Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an excellent utilizer of residual soil moisture in agricultural ecosystems. However, its seed quality and hence reproduction is constrained by water stress, seed size and storage conditions. This study was carried out at the University of KwaZulu- Natal (UKZN), Pietermaritzburg Campus. It was conducted to evaluate the performance of chickpea genotypes (Desi-K, Saina-K and ICCV-K) with different seed sizes on seedling emergence (i), seed ageing effect on seed quality and imbibition of genotypes produced under water stressed and non-stressed conditions (ii), and (iii) the effect of water stress during seed development on sugars and protein accumulation, germination and seed vigour. Pot experiments were conducted under glasshouse / tunnel conditions at the Controlled Environment Facilities (CEF). The experiment for objective 1 was laid out as a single factor in completely randomized design (CRD). Data on emergence rate, final hypocotyl and complete emergence was collected. The small seeded Desi-K showed higher and faster emergence compared to medium sized Saina-K and large seeded ICCV-K. In the experiment of the second objective, seeds of the three genotypes were first obtained by production under water stressed and non-stressed growing conditions. They were then aged for 0, 1, 3, 5, or 7 days at 41 ºC and 100% relative humidity to form a 2 x 3 x 5 (water levels x genotypes x ageing) factorial design. Data was collected on germination percentage (GP), mean germination time (MGT), electrical conductivity (EC), tetrazolium chloride test (TZ) and imbibition weight. Seed ageing caused progressive loss of seed viability and vigour in all genotypes, which resulted in lower GP, delayed MGT, reduced TZ staining, cell death and high solute leakage from the seeds produced under the two water regimes. However, the effect was more severe under water stressed conditions. In the experiment for objective 3, seeds of all three genotypes were larger when grown under non-stressed condition compared to those under water stressed condition. These larger seeds had higher seed viability and germination percentage but lower electrical conductivity and mean germination time. Stressed seeds had higher soluble sugars than non-stressed seeds. It was deduced that irrigation during seed development reduces the final sugars and protein content but increases the seed size and physiological quality parameters allied to production of chickpea. Therefore, water provision to chickpea crop is critical during seed development. / NRF