The thesis presents an application of a convolutional neural network (CNN) to detect and classify plastic contaminants in seed cotton in real-time, in a ginning environment. A multi-layered CNN was developed and used to detect plastic contaminants from images captured by a universal serial bus (USB) camera, in a flowing cotton stream, with an artificial lighting system. The CNN was trained using a collection of images captured in the dynamic setting that simulated real-time cotton flow using a custom design feeder system. The CNN was trained in Google Colaboratory (Colab) environment. After the training was completed, it was then converted into TensorRT format and loaded into a Jetson Xavier-based embedded system. The model was able to achieve an 87-93% detection accuracy while maintaining 30-50 frames per second (FPS).

Forests face unprecedented threats from the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-driven disturbances, particularly in temperate regions where large disturbance events are infrequent. This study examines early-stage recovery following a 2021 tornado in a mature eastern deciduous forest at the Temple Ambler Field Station in southeastern Pennsylvania. Our aim was to investigate how surviving plants, disturbance severity, and environmental conditions combined to influence the short-term recovery of the plant community following this unusual disturbance event. Specifically, we studied the composition and abundance of the plant community, with detailed surveys of three developmental stages (adult, seedling, and seed) of woody plants. We also quantified disturbance severity by using a canopy loss model created from Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) imagery taken before and after the tornado. In addition, we assessed the environmental variables of soil moisture content, light intensity, and plant canopy coverage across our study area. The results indicate that the tornado created a heterogeneous environment, influencing the composition of the plant community. After the tornado, several species differed strongly in abundance by developmental stage. In particular, tulip polar Liriodendron tulipifera was rare in the adult stage but became hyperabundant in the seed and seedling stages. In contrast, American beech Fagus grandifolia, and northern spicebush Lindera benzoin were abundant as adults but relatively rare in the seed and seedling stages. These differences point toward a potential reassembly of the community as succession progresses. Further, in each developmental stage, canopy loss was associated strongly with overall plant composition and abundance, suggesting damage from the tornado remains the major factor structuring this recovering plant community. The study provides valuable insights into early colonization dynamics, but continued temporal analysis is necessary to fully understand long-term successional patterns and plant community shifts. These results can help orient management efforts and restoration initiatives as climate change causes large disturbances from extreme weather events to become increasingly common in areas where they were once rare. / Biology

The biology of seed dormancy and germination of 46 species representing 11 of the 12 tribes in Convolvulaceae were compared in laboratory (mostly), field and greenhouse experiments. Seeds were tested for kind of dormancy and storage behavior; artificial or simulated natural treatments were applied to break physical dormancy (PY); the initial route of water entry (“water gap”) into seeds was identified; the morphoanatomy of the water gap was compared in seeds of 17 species; ontogenetical differences between water gap and seed coat away from the hilum were described in Ipomoea lacunosa seeds; cycling of sensitivity to dormancy break was elucidated in seeds of I. lacunosa, I. hederacea, Cuscuta australis and Jaquemontia ovalifolia; and mechanism of opening of the water gap was determined for seeds of I. lacunosa and of I hederacea. Seeds of only three of the 46 species were nondormant. Two of these were recalcitrant (Maripa panamensis and Erycibe henryi), and the other one was orthodox (Bonamia menziesii). Seeds of the other 43 species were orthodox and had PY except those of Cuscuta europea, which also had physiological dormancy (PD) i.e. combinational dormancy (PY + PD). Two bulges adjacent to the micropyle were identified as the water gap in all seeds with PY except those of Cuscuta, in which the hilar fissure is the water gap. Anatomy of the bulges (water gap) adjacent to the micropyle differs from that of seed coat away from the bulges. A different sequence and phase of anticlinal and periclinal cell divisions during development created weak transitional zones between bulge - hilum and bulge - seed coat away from hilum. Water vapor pressure changes below the bulges caused formation of the opening(s) in water gap. Seeds of I. lacunosa I. hederacea, C. australis and J. ovalifolia cycle between sensitive and insensitive states to dormancy break, but not between PY and nondormancy. Seed dormancy and storage characteristics and anatomy and morphology of dormancy of seeds of Convolvulaceae closely follow the molecular phylogeny of the family. I suggest that PY in seeds of subfamily Convolvuloideae evolved from nondormant recalcitrant seeds of an ancestor closely related to Erycibeae.

<p>The B3-domain transcription factor ABI3 is a major regulator of gene expression of seed maturation during Arabidopsis embryogenesis. The <i>napA</i> gene encodes for a <i>Brassica napus</i> 2S storage protein specifically expressed in the embryo during the early and mid-maturation phase (MAT program).The <i>napA</i> promoter contains two essential cis-sequences; the B-box, which functions as an Abscisic acid-responsive element (ABRE) and the RY/G cluster. ABI3 is known to target both these cis-sequences. Several bZIP factors expressed during seed maturation, bZIP12, bZIP38 and bZIP66, as well as a heterodimer of ABI5 and bZIP67, can bind the B-box ABRE in a yeast one-hybrid assay. Amongst them ABI3 and bZIP67 are able to activate synergistically the two cis-elements in a transient protoplast assay. We also show that bZIP67 interacts directly with ABI3 in a yeast two-hybrid assay. Therefore, we hypothesize that i)ABI3 is recruited indirectly to <i>napA</i> through molecular interaction with bZIP67 bound to the B-box ABRE, ii) ABI3 binds directly to the RY-element and interacts with bZIP67 targeted to the adjacent G-box found in the napA RY/G-cluster.</p><p>We also show that the RY/G cluster is responsible for repression of <i>napA</i> expression during the late maturation LEA program, and for repression of ABI3-mediated transactivation during germination. ABI3 from which the A1 activation domain had been removed, can bind to the <i>napA</i> RY-element in a yeast one-hybrid assay, in contrast to full-length ABI3, suggesting that ABI3 DNA-binding abilities are regulated by auto-inhibition. We propose that during late maturation ABI3 loses ability to bind RY, which results in repression of MAT genes but not of LEA genes that contain fewer RY-elements. In parallel, we show that the B3-domain VAL proteins bind to RY-elements and decrease ABI3-mediated transactivation of the <i>napA</i> RY/G and therefore act as active repressors maintaining silencing of MAT genes during vegetative growth.</p>

Thesis (MScConEcol)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Acacia saligna, or Port Jackson, is an Australian Acacia which has spread throughout the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa where it has become invasive and a prominent feature of the vegetation. In areas where A. saligna establishes it replaces natural vegetation, alters ecosystem processes and interferes with agricultural practices. Consequently large management efforts have been made to eradicate this invasive alien tree. However, its large and persistent soil stored seed bank, even in the presence of management and biological control agents, poses a serious obstacle to its successful removal. Furthermore the reproductive output and the size of the seed bank of A. saligna over its whole distribution as well as the variation of seed production and the seed bank with environmental conditions in time and space is poorly known. Understanding the seed bank dynamics of A. saligna in time and space is essential for reducing invasive success and achieving management objectives. This study has filled this knowledge gap through studying the seed production and seed bank of A. saligna over its invaded range in South Africa, including how environmental factors influence these factors in time and space. The seed rain of A. saligna was assessed at 10 sites across its distribution in South Africa. The seed rain of A. saligna at the sites was determined through the use of seed rain traps. Twenty five traps were placed out at every site during November 2010 (pre-dehiscence) which was collected again during April 2011 (postdehiscence). The seed bank of A. saligna was estimated through sampling at 25 sites across its distribution range in South Africa. The seed bank was sampled during April 2010 (postdehiscence), November 2010 (pre-dehiscence) and April 2011 (post-dehiscence) through taking 50 litter and soil samples at every site which gave a total sampling size of 3 750 for both the seed in the soil and litter over its distribution in South Africa. In addition the average tree diameter, tree density, average number of Uromycladium tepperianum induced galls per tree, the summer aridity index, De Martonne aridity index, winter concentration of precipitation, temperature of coldest month and the soil texture for every site was determined. The damage done by the seed feeding weevil, Melanterius compactus, was also estimated for the seed rain study sites. Water availability during the hot summer months was assessed as the most important factor governing seed production and seed bank size. Riparian and non-riparian water regimes were shown to be important in understanding the seed bank dynamics of A. saligna over its distribution range in the Cape Floristic Region. In non-riparian A. saligna populations the seed production and consequently the size of the seed bank and its rate of accumulation is limited by both water and temperature and in riparian A. saligna populations, only by temperature. Therefore, two environmental gradients influence the seed bank dynamics of Port Jackson in South Africa. In non-riparian A. saligna populations the number of seed produced and the accumulation of seed in the seed bank generally increases along the west coast of South Africa from Clanwilliam towards Cape Town and along the south coast from Cape Town towards Port Elizabeth. Seed banks are larger closer to the coast, when A. saligna populations of similar age are compared. In riparian A. saligna populations, the number of seed produced generally increases from Port Elizabeth towards Cape Town and from Cape Town towards Clanwilliam, again, with larger seed banks being accumulated closer to the coast, when populations of similar age are compared. This study provides managers with a useful tool for prioritising management efforts. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Acacia saligna of Port Jackson is ‘n indringerplant in Suid-Afrika wat afkomstig is uit Suid-Wes Australië. Acacia saligna is ‘n onmisbare kenmerk van die plantegroei in die Wes en Oos-Kaap. Waar Port Jackson vestig, verplaas dit natuurlike plantegroei, verander dit ekosisteem prossesse en verhinder dit landbou praktyke. Gevolglik is groot bestuurspogings aangewend om hierdie indringer plant uit te roei. In die teenwoordigheid van bestuursprogramme en biologiese beheer bly A. saligna lewensvatbaar as ‘n gevolg van die plant se groot blywende grond saadreserwes. Verder is die saad produksie en saadbank grootte van A. saligna oor sy verspreiding bereike asook hoe dit met omgewingstoestande in tyd en ruimte interreageer en varieer grootendeels onbekend. ‘n Goeie en omvattende begrip van die saadbankdinamika is belangrik om die indringings vermoë van die plant te verlaag en om bestuursdoelwitte te bereik. Hierdie studie vul die bestaande gaping in die kennis aangaande die saadbank dinamika van A. saligna aan deur die saadproduksie en die saadreserves van die indringerplant oor sy verspreiding in Suid-Afrika te bestudeer, insluitend hoe omgewingstoestande die saadbankdinamika beïnvloed in tyd en ruimte. Die saadreën vir 10 A. saligna populasies was bepaal deur die gebruik van saadlokvalle. Vyf-entwintig lokvalle was uitgeplaas in elke bestudeerde Port Jackson perseel gedurende November 2010 (voor-saadval) wat weer gaan haal is gedurende April 2011 (na-saadval). Die saadbank van A. saligna was bepaal in 25 populasies van die boom gedurende April 2010 (na-saadval), November 2010 (voor-saadval) en April 2011 (na-saadval) deur die neem van 50 blaar- en grondmonsters by elke perseel wat ‘n totaal van 3 750 blaar- en grondmonster gee oor die hele verspreiding van A. saligna in Suid-Afrika. Verder is die gemiddelde boomdeursnee, boomdigtheid, gemiddelde Uromycladium tepperianum geinduseerde galle per boom, die somers droogtheids indeks, De Martonnes droogtheids indeks, die winter konsentrasie van presipitasie, die temperatuur van die koudste maand en die grond tekstuur van elke Port Jackson stand bepaal. Die skade wat die saad voedende kewer, Melanterius compactus, aanrig aan die sade van A. saligna is ook vir die persele waar die saadreën eksperiment uitgevoer is, bepaal. Die beskikbaarheid van water vir A. saligna in die droë somermaande is bepaal as die belangrikste faktor wat die grootte van die saadproduksie en saadbank beïnvloed. Oewer en nie-oewer water omgewings is bevind as noodsaaklik om die saadbank dinamika van A. saligna oor die indringerplant se verspreidingareas in die Kaap Floristiese Streek te verstaan. In nie-oewer A. saligna populasies word saadproduksie en gevolglik die grootte en tempo van akkumulasie van die saadbank deur beide water en temperatuur omstandighede beperk, terwyl in oewer A. saligna populasies word die indringerplant slegs deur temperatuur omstandighede beperk. Gevolglik blyk dit dat twee water beskikbaarheids gradiënte bestaan waarop die plant reageer wat dan uitgedruk word in die plant se saad produksie en gevolglik ook die plant se saadbank. In nie-oewer Port Jackson populasies neem die saadproduksie en die tempo waarteen die saadbank akkumuleer algemeen toe langs die weskus van Clanwilliam na Kaapstad en van Kaapstad na Port Elizabeth, met grootter saadproduksie en saadbank akkumulasie nader aan die kusgebiede, wanneer A. saligna populasies van dieselfde ouderdom vergelyk word. In oewer Port Jackson populasies neem die saadproduksie en die tempo waarteen die saadbank akkumuleer algemeen toe van Port Elizabeth na Kaapstad en van Kaapstad na Clanwilliam, met grootter saadproduksie en saadbank akkumulasie nader aan die kusgebiede, wanneer A. saligna populasies van dieselfde ouderdom vergelyk word. Hierdie studie verskaf bestuursplanne met ‘n nuttige raamwerk waarvolgens uitroeiing en beheer programme vir A. saligna beplan kan word.

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Organisms are often adapted to their local environment, but the role of early life stages in adaptive differentiation among populations remains poorly known. The aim of my thesis was to investigate the contribution of early life stages to the magnitude and genetic basis of local adaptation, and to identify the underlying adaptive traits. For this, I used two natural populations of the annual plant Arabidopsis thaliana from Italy and Sweden, and a Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL) population derived from a cross between these populations. By combining greenhouse and field experiments, Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping, and path analysis, I examined (1) the genetic basis of seed dormancy, (2) the contribution of differential seedling establishment to local adaptation, (3) among-year variation in selection during seedling establishment, (4) direct and indirect effects of seed dormancy and timing of germination on fitness, and (5) the adaptive value of the seed bank. I found that both the level and the genetic basis of seed dormancy were affected by the maternal environment. One major-effect QTL was identified in all maternal environments, which overlaps with the dormancy gene DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1). Selection through seedling establishment success contributed strongly to local adaptation and genetic tradeoffs, and varied among years. Variation in seedling establishment and overall fitness among RILs could be explained by genetically based differences in seed dormancy and timing of germination. Seed dormancy affected fitness throughout the life cycle, by affecting the proportion of germinated seeds, and indirectly via effects on timing of germination, plant size and flowering time. My results suggest that a considerable portion of A. thaliana seeds enter the seed bank. I found genetic differences in dormancy cycling behaviour between the two populations, which could contribute to local adaptation. The value of a seed bank should be higher at the Swedish study site than at the Italian study site due to lower rate of seed mortality in the soil. Overall, the results of this thesis demonstrate that early life stages contribute strongly to both the magnitude and the genetics of local adaptation.

Em empresas florestais que plantam florestas de rápido crescimento voltadas ao abastecimento industrial, é comum, hoje em dia, a existência de áreas de plantios comerciais que devem ser revertidos para áreas de vegetação natural. Entretanto, dependendo das condições locais e do contexto da paisagem, nem sempre os processos naturais de regeneração são suficientes para garantir que a vegetação natural se desenvolva e se auto-sustente nessas áreas. Este estudo avaliou os processos de regeneração natural e a efetividade de algumas técnicas de restauração florestal para indicar a melhor estratégia aplicável em larga escala, em áreas anteriormente manejadas com as culturas de Eucalyptus sp e Pinus sp, que foram abandonadas com o intuito de serem incorporadas como reservas legais. O projeto foi desenvolvido no município de Borebi, SP, em duas fazendas, sendo uma em ecossistema de cerrado latu sensu e outra de floresta estacional semidecidual. Em cada área foi instalado um experimento em blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições e cinco tratamentos, com parcelas de 30 x 30m. Os tratamentos foram: T1: controle, T2: semeadura direta de dez espécies florestais de rápido crescimento; T3: plantio convencional de 19 espécies florestais de crescimento lento, médio e rápido; T4: condução da regeneração natural através de tratos silviculturais e T5: picagem da cobertura vegetal e revolvimento do solo. A regeneração natural de indivíduos lenhosos existente foi levantada em duas classes: altura a 1,30 m (parcela toda) e altura > que 0,50m e < que 1,30m (em três subparcelas de 1 x 30m ), antes e após (12 meses) a implantação dos tratamentos. O banco de sementes do solo foi amostrado antes da instalação e duas vezes após, e o solo superficial retirado de uma área de 315cm² e profundidade de 5cm, formando duas amostras compostas por parcela. Para a chuva de sementes foram instalados cinco coletores por parcela, com dimensões de 0,50 x 0,50m cada. Tanto o banco como a chuva de sementes apresentaram baixa porcentagem de espécies lenhosas e alta densidade de algumas espécies herbáceas invasoras. A regeneração natural apresentou espécies típicas da fase inicial da sucessão, com predomínio de espécies não constituintes. A maior similaridade na composição das espécies ocorreu na comparação entre a vegetação e a chuva de sementes e a menor na comparação da vegetação com o banco de sementes. O tratamento T4 (condução da regeneração) apresentou efeito significativo na área basal, densidade, número de espécies e diversidade de espécies da regeneração natural, em ambas as áreas, após 12 meses de implantação, mostrando-se mais viável ecologicamente e economicamente em relação aos demais. / In Forest Companies that cultivate fast-growing forest species for industrial supply, it has been usual the existence of commercial production areas that need to be converted in protected areas with native vegetation. Nevertheless, depending on local conditions and landscape context, the natural regeneration process is not enough to guarantee the successional development This work aimed at investigating the natural regeneration process and the effectiveness of some forest restoration techniques to be applied in large scale in, former Eucalyptus sp and Pinus sp plantations, which were abandoned to be incorporated as protected areas. The project was developed at Borebi municipality, SP, in two forest farms, one comprising latu sensu savana formations, and the other corresponding to seasonal semideciduous forest. In each experimental area a complete randomized block experiment with five treatments and five replicates was installed, with 30 x 30 m plots. The treatments were: T1: control; T2: direct seeding of 10 fast growing forest species; T3: conventional planting of 19 species with different growth characteristics; T4: management of natural regeneration by silvicultural treatments; T5: tillage of ground vegetation cover and plowing. Natural regeneration was surveyed before and 12 months after the experiment installation, when all woody individuals with height 1.30m were measured; the individuals with height 0.50m and <1.30m were surveyed in three 1 x 30m subplots within each plot. The soil seed bank was sampled before and two times after the treatments, were 315cm² and 5cm depth samples formed 2 composite samples by each plot. Seed rain was studied by five 0,50 x 0,50m litter traps installed in each plot. The soil seed bank and seed rain had a low percentage of woody species and high density of some nonconstituent invasive herbaceous species. The natural regeneration showed a predominance of early successional species, but was dominated by nonconstituent species. The higher similarity in species composition occurred between the natural regeneration and the seed rain, and the smaller between the natural regeneration and the soil seed bank. The regeneration management treatment (T4) showed a significant effect in basal area, density, species diversity and species richness of natural regeneration after 12 months, indicating to be the most viable ecologically and economically in comparison with the other, for the local conditions.

A limitação de dispersão de sementes tem sido empiricamente investigada como um mecanismo equalizador das diferenças competitivas entre espécies que coexistem em comunidades vegetais. Além da limitação espacial, as variações temporais da dispersão também podem ser importantes para a coexistência das espécies. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a relação entre limitação de dispersão espacial (LDe) e limitação de dispersão temporal (LDt) e as características das espécies que influenciam as duas limitações. Em uma floresta da planície costeira, a chuva de sementes foi amostrada, ao longo de 36 meses, em 40 coletores (20m2) distantes 100m entre si e da borda do fragmento. A abordagem de seleção de modelos mistos foi utilizada para testar a relação entre a limitação de dispersão e a massa média das sementes, a síndrome de dispersão, a altura máxima local e a frequência de distribuição dos indivíduos adultos. Os resultados encontrados mostram que as proporções de espécies analisadas limitadas espacial (90,3%) e temporalmente (70,9%) foram altas e a correlação entre LDe e LDT também foi alta (Spearman = 0,8). Tanto para LDe como LDt, foram selecionados a massa média das sementes, a altura máxima e a frequência de distribuição de adultos. Em geral, as relações encontradas indicam que espécies com sementes maiores, com menor altura máxima e menor frequência de distribuição dos indivíduos adultos são mais limitadas espacial e temporalmente. Apesar desses fatores terem sido selecionados, houve uma grande variação nos efeitos para as espécies analisadas. O estudo reforça o fato do mecanismo de limitação de dispersão espacial ser frequentemente encontrado em comunidades arbóreas e apresenta uma abordagem temporal para o estudo da limitação de dispersão. A redução das interações competitivas interespecíficas, decorrente das altas limitações de dispersão observadas no estudo, se contrapõe às teorias amplamente aceitas (Janzen-Connell) que indicam os mecanismos de dispersão eficientes de sementes como uma forma de minimizar a competição intraespecífica. A importância relativa dos mecanismos de dispersão e de limitação de dispersão para a manutenção da diversidade em comunidades deveria ser estudada para avaliar em quais situações ou para quais conjuntos de espécies a coexistência é mediada pela ausência das interações intraespecíficas ou interespecíficas / The seed limitation has been empirically investigated as an equalizing mechanism of the competitive differences between species that coexists in plant communities. In addition to the spatial limitation, the temporal variations of seed dispersal can also be important to the species coexistence. The aim of the study was to investigate the relation between spatial seed limitation and temporal seed limitation and the species characteristics that influence both limitations. In a coastal plain forest, the seed rain was sampled over 36 months in 40 traps (20 m2), 100 m distant from each other and from the forest edges. The generalized mixed-effect models approach was used to test the relation between seed limitation and the average mass of the seeds, the dispersal syndrome, the trees local maximum height, and the adult trees distribution frequencies. The results show that the proportion of the analysed species spatial limited (90,3%) e temporal limited (70,9%) were high and the correlation between spatial seed limitation and temporal seed limitation were also high (Spearman = 0,8). To explain spatial seed limitation and temporal seed limitation were selected the average mass of seeds, the trees local maximum height and the adult trees distribution frequencies. Usually those relations indicate that species with lagger seeds, lowest maximum tree height and lowest adult trees distribution frequencies are more limited spatially and temporally. Although these factors have been selected, there was a great variation in the effects of the species analysed. The study supports the fact that the spatial seed limitation mechanism is frequently found in tree communities and shows a temporal approach to the seed limitation study. The reduction of interspecific competitive interactions, due to the high seed limitation observed in the study, is opposed to widely accepted theories (Janzen-Connell) that indicates that the efficient seed dispersal mechanism are a strategy to minimize the intraspecific competion. The relative importance of dispersal mechanisms and seed limitation on maintaning diversity in trees communities should be studied to evaluate which situations or which species sets the coexistence is mediated by the absence of intraspecific or interspecifir interactions

Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2018-10-05T18:46:48Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Aline Pereira Ribeiro.pdf: 903124 bytes, checksum: 38852b2b9d89e490eebf4bcec98d0f57 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-05T18:46:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Aline Pereira Ribeiro.pdf: 903124 bytes, checksum: 38852b2b9d89e490eebf4bcec98d0f57 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-02 / A investigação científica na área de Tecnologia de Sementes é baseada em técnicas que visem à redução de custos e de tempo, à padronização, ao aperfeiçoamento e ao estabelecimento dos métodos de análise, para a obtenção de resultados que caracterizem a qualidade das sementes. Nessa pesquisa foi avaliada a viabilidade das sementes de aveia preta (Avena strigosa S.) por meio das características do exsudato, utilizando os métodos individual e massal. O objetivo foi de verificar qual o tempo de hidratação (30, 60, 90 e 120 minutos) e o tipo de preparo (semente inteira ou cortada) possibilitam estimar a viabilidade das sementes de aveia preta, por meio das determinações do pH, da condutividade elétrica e da variação da cor do exsudato durante a hidratação das sementes; paralelamente foram avaliados o teor de água, a germinação e a emergência da plântula. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente aleatorizado, em esquema fatorial 4 × 2 (tempos de hidratação em água e tipos de preparo), com quatro repetições; a análise da variância (ANOVA) foi calculada e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey, em nível de 5% de probabilidade. Não é possível estimar a viabilidade das sementes de aveia preta por meio das avaliações do pH, da variação da cor, utilizando a fenolftaleína, e da condutividade elétrica do exsudato dessas sementes, durante a hidratação. / Scientific research in the field of Seed Technology is based on techniques that aim to reduce costs and time, standardize, improve and establish methods of analysis, to obtain results that characterize seed quality. In this research the viability of black oat seeds (Avena strigosa S.) was evaluated through the exudate characteristics, using the individual and mass methods. The objective of this study was to verify the hydration time (30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes) and the type of preparation (whole or cut seed) that make it possible to estimate the viability of black oat seeds by means of pH determinations, electrical conductivity and color variation of the exudate during the hydration of the seeds; water content, germination and seedling emergence were evaluated. The experimental design was the completely randomized, in a 4 × 2 factorial design (water hydration times and preparation types), with four replications; the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was calculated and the means were compared by the Tukey test, at a 5% probability level. It is not possible to estimate the viability of black oat seeds through pH, color variation using phenolphthalein and the electrical conductivity of the exudate of these seeds during hydration.