Orientador: Massanori Takaki / Banca: João Domingos Rodrigues / Banca: Silvio Moure Cícero / Banca: José Marcos Barbosa / Banca: Márcia Balistiero Figliolia / Resumo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a relação entre a massa e características morfométricas de frutos e sementes de Tecoma stans, bem como relacionar a massa das sementes a suas características morfológicas, utilizando paquímetro e imagens de raios X, e fisiológicas, através da germinação, emergência e desenvolvimento inicial de suas plântulas, sob duas condições de luminosidade . a pleno sol e sombra. Além disso, também foram avaliados os efeitos de diferentes condições de temperatura e luz constantes, em laboratório, e em ambiente natural no sol e na sombra na germinação e emergência das plântulas. A massa dos frutos apresentou relações lineares significativas e positivas com suas características morfológicas e de produção de sementes. As relações entre a massa das sementes e suas características morfológicas foram positivas e significativas, porém na forma de uma função potência, sendo esta relação mais evidente com a largura do embrião. A massa das sementes também esteve relacionada a determinadas anomalias do desenvolvimento embrionário, observadas nas imagens de raios X. A germinação, a emergência e o desenvolvimento inicial das plântulas foram significativamente afetados pela massa das sementes, porém somente durante os três primeiros meses de desenvolvimento no ambiente de sol. A temperatura apresentou efeito na germinação e suas sementes germinaram tanto na luz quanto no escuro, contudo a emergência e sobrevivência das plântulas no ambiente de sol foi superior em relação ao observado na sombra. / Abstract: This study had the objective to evaluate the relationship between the mass and the morphometric characteristics of Tecoma stans fruits and seeds, as well as to relate the seed mass with its morphometric characteristics, utilizing caliper and X-ray images, and physiological characteristics, thought germination, emergency and seedlings initial development, under two conditions of light - at the sun and shade. More than, also were evaluated the effects of different conditions of constant temperature and light, under laboratory, and natural environment under sun and shade in the germination and emergency of the seedlings. The fruit mass presented positive, significative linear relationship with his morphological characteristics and with its seed production characteristics. The relationship between seed mass and its morphological characteristics were positive and significative, nevertheless with the model (shape) of power function, being the relationship more clear with the embryo width. The seed mass also was related to determinate anomalies of the embryo development that could be observed in the X-ray images. The germination, the seedling emergence and the initial seedling development were significative affected by seed mass, but only in the firth three months of development at the sun environment. The temperature affected Tecoma stans seed germination in both light and darkness environment, however the seedlings emergency and survival was greater at the sun environment than shade. / Doutor

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Illinois, 1920. / Vita. "Reprinted from Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science, vol. 14, 1921." "The common garden bean ... was chosen for these experiments." p. 4. Bibliography: p. 24.

Akademisk avhandling--Uppsala. / Summary in English. Bibliography: p. 103-108.

Subtropical Thicket is the dominant vegetation biome in the Eastern Cape. Little regeneration through seedlings has been observed in Thicket. This is of serious concern, as Thicket has been degraded over large areas of its distribution. An understanding of the seed dynamics is necessary for any restoration project. A number of possible causes for the lack of seedlings were therefore investigated. Study sites were best classified according to the biogeographical regions of the Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Planning (STEP) project. The seed bank of Thicket is dissimilar to the aboveground vegetation, as it lacks woody species and is dominated by herbs and grasses, making little contribution to the regeneration of Thicket species. An increase in canopy cover resulted in lower soil and air temperatures, as well as light, and an increase in litter depth. Seedling abundance and species richness increases with mean annual rainfall, with woody seedlings being dominant in the higher rainfall areas, and succulent species in the lower rainfall regions. Anemochorous species dominated the germinable seed bank, and zoochorous species were more prevalent underneath the canopy, compared to open areas, an indication of active seed dispersal. No germination was recorded in many Thicket species, and dormancy mechanisms were lacking in many of the species that did germinate. Immersion in hot water increased germination in the hard seeds of Acacia karroo, whereas shade enhanced germination in small seeded Burchellia bubalina. The response of seedlings of four Thicket species with varying distribution to shade and drought was studied. Ptaeroxylon obliquum and Aloe africana are drought tolerant species, whereas Burchellia bubalina and Rhus dentata were intolerant to low soil moisture. All four species were able to grow in deep shade, although Rhus dentata would be classified as a shade avoider, unlike the other three species that are shade tolerant. This results in the four species having different regeneration niches. It was concluded that dispersal and the lack of “safe sites” for seedlings were the main limitations to seedling establishment in Mainland Thicket.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-06-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:01:15Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 socolowski_f_dr_rcla.pdf: 774673 bytes, checksum: 524e3b5dcb3693c8da59453eb583ea90 (MD5) / Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a relação entre a massa e características morfométricas de frutos e sementes de Tecoma stans, bem como relacionar a massa das sementes a suas características morfológicas, utilizando paquímetro e imagens de raios X, e fisiológicas, através da germinação, emergência e desenvolvimento inicial de suas plântulas, sob duas condições de luminosidade . a pleno sol e sombra. Além disso, também foram avaliados os efeitos de diferentes condições de temperatura e luz constantes, em laboratório, e em ambiente natural no sol e na sombra na germinação e emergência das plântulas. A massa dos frutos apresentou relações lineares significativas e positivas com suas características morfológicas e de produção de sementes. As relações entre a massa das sementes e suas características morfológicas foram positivas e significativas, porém na forma de uma função potência, sendo esta relação mais evidente com a largura do embrião. A massa das sementes também esteve relacionada a determinadas anomalias do desenvolvimento embrionário, observadas nas imagens de raios X. A germinação, a emergência e o desenvolvimento inicial das plântulas foram significativamente afetados pela massa das sementes, porém somente durante os três primeiros meses de desenvolvimento no ambiente de sol. A temperatura apresentou efeito na germinação e suas sementes germinaram tanto na luz quanto no escuro, contudo a emergência e sobrevivência das plântulas no ambiente de sol foi superior em relação ao observado na sombra. / This study had the objective to evaluate the relationship between the mass and the morphometric characteristics of Tecoma stans fruits and seeds, as well as to relate the seed mass with its morphometric characteristics, utilizing caliper and X-ray images, and physiological characteristics, thought germination, emergency and seedlings initial development, under two conditions of light - at the sun and shade. More than, also were evaluated the effects of different conditions of constant temperature and light, under laboratory, and natural environment under sun and shade in the germination and emergency of the seedlings. The fruit mass presented positive, significative linear relationship with his morphological characteristics and with its seed production characteristics. The relationship between seed mass and its morphological characteristics were positive and significative, nevertheless with the model (shape) of power function, being the relationship more clear with the embryo width. The seed mass also was related to determinate anomalies of the embryo development that could be observed in the X-ray images. The germination, the seedling emergence and the initial seedling development were significative affected by seed mass, but only in the firth three months of development at the sun environment. The temperature affected Tecoma stans seed germination in both light and darkness environment, however the seedlings emergency and survival was greater at the sun environment than shade.

Thesis (M. Tech. Agriculture) -- Central University of Technology, Free state, 2012 / A series of incubation studies and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of EM seed treatments, at different application levels, handling techniques and soil conditions on germination and seedling vigour of selected cultivars of maize, sorghum and sunflower. Two incubation studies were conducted to evaluate the germination and seedling vigour of maize, sorghum and sunflower seeds treated with M-EM from three different suppliers, multiplied at two different ratios (1% and 3%) and diluted at three different levels (0.01%, 0.1% and 1.0%) compared to a control treated with pure water. Results revealed no significant differences under optimum germination conditions, while seedlings under cold stress indicated that M-EM treatments positively affected germination and seedling vigour compared to the control treatments. Two incubation studies were also conducted to evaluate the germination and seedling vigour of maize, sorghum and sunflower seeds treated with M-EM from three different suppliers, multiplied at two different ratios (1% and 3%) and exposed to the influences of irradiation and temperature fluctuation. From the results became clear that the correct storage and handling is essential in optimizing the effect of M-EM on seeds. Even though M-EM was exposed to irradiation and temperature fluctuation, M-EM still had positive effects on germination and seedling vigour. Pot experiments were conducted to determine the effect of EM as seed treatment, at different dilutions, on germination, seedling vigour and dry mass of maize, sorghum and sunflower at different planted depths. Germination were not affected by the M-EM treatment, while shoot length results indicated that seed treated with M-EM could have significant effect on seedling survival. A greater effect was visible on the shoot length of shallow planted seeds, than on deeper planted seeds. From the results no single company, ratio or dilution could be prescribed as paramount. To further investigate the effect of M-EM subjected to the influences of irradiation and temperature fluctuation; maize, sorghum and sunflower seeds were treated with M-EM from three different suppliers, multiplied at two different ratios (1% and 3%) and exposed to the influences of irradiation and temperature fluctuation and planted in soil. M-EM treatments only benefited the germination of deeper planted sorghum seeds compared to the control treatments. The shoot lengths of deeper planted maize and sunflower seed were positively increased by the M-EM treatments while also resulting in significant results for the overall shoot length of sorghum. The third pot study was conducted to determine the influence of EM as a seed treatment on maize, sorghum and sunflower planted in three different soils, namely: sterilized soil, soil treated with M-EM and Fusarium containing soil. Germination and seedling vigour results of the sterilized and M-EM treated soil revealed to be superior to that of the Fusarium containing soil. From the results was concluded that M-EM treatments will probably improve early seedling growth of maize, sorghum and sunflower compared to untreated seed and that M-EM seed treatment and a pre-plant EM soil treatment might assist seeds in unfavourable germination and growth conditions.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of day/night temperatures (22/l6°C, 2712l oC and 33/27°C) and phosphorus levels (0, 0.12 and 1.2g per 20 kg soil) on seedling establishment and seed viability during three stages of seed development (15, 22 and 33 days after flowering) for seed of normal and quality protein maize cultivars. Soluble carbohydrate accumulation and mineral element content were determined using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) in relation to seed phytate levels and seed germination capacity at different stages of development. Leaf emergence rate and plant height during seed development were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by temperature and phosphorus nutrition. Phosphorus in seed is stored primarily in the form of phytic acid, also known as phytate. Accumulation of phytate takes place during maturation phase of seed development. Phosphorus nutrition and temperature also caused a.significant (P < 0.05) increase in seed germination at all stages of seed development. Furthermore, phosphorus nutrition and temperature influenced occurrence of soluble carbohydrates in seeds. Myo-inositol, the sugar alcohol that forms the basic structure of phytate, was increased by P nutrition and increasing growth temperature. Whereas, QPM maize was generally found to perform poorly than normal maize, with respect to phytate content, seed germination and seedling establishment, both cultivars displayed the same responses to phosphorus nutrition and temperature. In both cultivars, globoids, the sites of phytate synthesis and storage, were found only in the embryonic axis. Subsequently, there were significantly low levels of mineral elements (P, Mg and K) found in the endosperm, compared with embryonic axis. This finding suggested that the embryonic axis plays a major role in seed performance, through its effects emanating from phyate metabolism. Myo-inositol plays a role in membrane biogenesis during stress conditions such as temperature by maintaining the integrity of the cell wall and minimizes the leaching of cations essential during germination. Myo-inositol, although it occurs in small concentrations, could be used to indicate seed quality in maize, because its accumulation was found to be associated with enhanced phyate levels and better seed germination in a wide range of temperatures. Low vigour seeds are associated with high electrolyte leakage during imbibition. Mineral elements form a significant portion of the imbibition leachate, which causes seeds to lose nutrients for early seedling growth. This study provided evidence that phosphorus nutrition can alleviate poor seed vigour of maize by improving phytate levels. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

The International Seed Testing Association and the Association of Official Seed analysts define seed vigour as the ability of a seed lot to perform during the germination process and crop stand establishment under a wide range of environmental conditions. There are many ways to determine seed vigour, but few satisfy the requirements of being simple, inexpensive and reproducible, among others, to permit the seed industry to adopt seed vigour as an indicator of seed quality when they sell seeds. Hence, the standard germination test, which is performed under uniform and favourable conditions, is generally used to indicate seed quality when seeds are marketed. The objective of this study was to determine the performance of tomato and pepper seeds in response to pre-germination hydration and dehydration relative humidities (12%, 49% and 75% RH). Before hydration, seeds were hydrated at three temperatures (10°C, 20°C and 30°C). Hydration was performed by imbibing pre-weighed pepper ('Santarini' and 'California Wonder'), Chilli and tomato ('Heinz', 'Marondera' and 'Roma') seeds for 2 h in 10 ml of distilled H(2)0 per 100 seeds at 10°C, 20°C and 30°C. Dehydration was performed by change in seed mass determined during a 72-hour dehydration at 12%, 49% and 75% RH. Seed performance in response to imbibition and dehydration was determined by leakage of electrolytes from seeds during imbibition, laboratory germination capacity and seedling emergence under simulated shadehouse nursery conditions. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of seed treatments on yield. Seed mass increased by about 50% during the 2-hour of hydration. Dehydration was hastened by decreasing the RH, and 12% RH significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the post-imbibition seed moisture content compared with 49% and 75% RH. The latter two relative humidities reduced the seed moisture content to about 10% and 15%, respectively, for all cultivars, irrespective of imbibition temperature. Low imbibition temperature (10°C) significantly (P < 0.01) increased electrolyte leakage, compared with high imbibition temperatures (20°C and 30°C), which were not significantly different from each other. At all hydration temperatures, low RH (12%) caused a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in seed germination whereas 49% RH and 75% RH apparently had a priming effect on seeds. There was no significant difference between imbibition temperatures, with respect to seed germination, but 100G caused a significant decrease in germination index, a measure of seed vigour. Seedling emergence was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced by both low imbibition temperature (10oG) and low dehydration relative humidity (12% RH). The negative effects of low imbibition temperature and rapid dehydration at 12% RH were also observed as stunted seedling growth. Principal component analysis and linear regression were used to determine a statistical model to predict seedling emergence from germination percentage. The model predicted emergence consistently, but it overestimated it by about 2% to 3%. It is concluded that low imbibition temperature and rapid dehydration can be used to simulate stress to determine seed performance in pepper and tomato. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.