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Genetic diversity of cultivated species and their wild relatives, as well as of wild species encompasses plant genetic resources or germplasm, the ex situ preservation of which embodies a critical aspect of biological conservation. While seed storage affords an efficient ex situ conservation method, recalcitrant seeds are intolerant of desiccation and cannot be stored conventionally in seed banks. Seeds of the three indigenous tree species investigated in this study, viz. Trichilia emetica, T. dregeana and Protorhus longifolia are recalcitrant, with the species considered to be endangered. Cryopreservation, which involves storage at ultra-low temperatures of selected tissue(s) from which plants are subsequently able to be generated, is currently the only method available for long-term ex situ conservation of recalcitrant-seeded species and affords significant potential for the future. Many protocols that have been applied for the cryopreservation of the germplasm of recalcitrant zygotic embryonic axes excised from seeds of tropical/sub-tropical species have resulted in survival post-cryo which has been recorded only as root development or callus formation, with shoot formation seldom occurring. Successful cryostorage of genetic resources cannot be achieved until post-cryopreservation recovery facilitates normal seedling development, i.e. the formation of both a fully functional root and a shoot. Cryopreservation requires the utilisation of the smallest explant possible (greatest surface area to volume ratio), the most suitable for recalcitrant seeds in general being the zygotic embryonic axis. Based on preliminary studies it was demonstrated that shoot production by axes is inhibited in association with a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), produced in response to wounding upon excision of the axis from the cotyledons, when these are attached close to the shoot apical meristem. It was postulated that a combination of the oxidative burst at the site of excision coupled with inadequate antioxidant machinery within the recalcitrant axis tissue, precludes shoot production. It was further considered highly probable that each subsequent stressful manipulation throughout the cryopreservation process would be accompanied by a surge of uncontrolled oxidative activity within the tissue, in response to the stress. Therefore, the primary aim of the study was to investigate the underlying causes of failure of shoot production after procedures associated with cryopreservation and to focus on ways to ameliorate the consequences of unbalanced oxidative metabolism. Additionally, studies were carried out to optimise each step of the cryopreservation procedure, viz. cryoprotection, dehydration, rehydration and cooling, and subsequent recovery, in conjunction with assessment of oxidative responses, ultimately to achieve successful cryopreservation of the embryonic axes of these species. The experimental work conducted to achieve this aim assessed changes in various biomarkers of injury, those selected for this study being three ROS, viz. superoxide, the hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide, after axes were exposed to various pre-treatments, cryopreservation and recovery. Concomitantly, the elicited responses of endogenous antioxidant systems accompanying these steps were assessed. Changes in the levels of ROS and antioxidant activity were determined using various biochemical assays, and these parametres, together with assessment of shoot development, were investigated after each step of the cryopreservation process. The effect of stress on oxidative metabolism was tested after exposure to pre-treatments with and without the provision of various antioxidants, viz. DMSO, ascorbic acid and cathodic water, so as to determine the efficacy of selected ROS scavengers and, in general, to develop the best protocol for cryopreservation of embryonic axes of the three species. Significant results, in terms of shoot development and regulated ROS generation, were obtained after three major processes of the cryopreservation procedure. The production of roots and shoots by excised axes of T. emetica, T. dregeana and P. longifolia after excision (75%, 80% and 75%, respectively), and by 40% of excised axes of T. dregeana after each of the two further stages, cryoprotection and desiccation, were major achievements towards cryopreservation of the recalcitrant germplasm. The modulation of ROS by ascorbic acid and cathodic protection significantly improved survival of axes of both Trichilia species. In its entirety, the present study made significant advancements towards cryopreservation of recalcitrant germplasm and also towards understanding oxidative events associated with cryogenic processing and exposure to cryogenic conditions. This study concludes that unregulated metabolism is one of the underlying causes of failure of recalcitrant germplasm represented by zygotic axes, to survive cryopreservation. The application of antioxidants and cathodic protection during cryopreservation facilitated survival that has been previously unattainable. The outcomes of this study provide an informative platform for further optimising cryopreservation procedures for the germplasm of the species investigated, and extending the work to other recalcitrant-seeded species, especially those of tropical/sub-tropical provenances. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

Peace education offers potential for transforming violent conflict into peace between groups in conflict. The research literature on conflict transformation theory and peace education has identified key assumptions for building long-term peace following violent conflict. The extent to which peace education programs have incorporated these theoretical notions, however, is not well known. This thesis explored the extent to which key theoretical insights from the literature on conflict transformation theory and peace education are incorporated in a prominent peace education program, Seeds of Peace. Data collection consisted of interviews with ten program staff members and written documentation produced by Seeds of Peace. Employing the analytical framework developed from a review of the literature, a comparison between theoretical notions and Seeds of Peace programming was done. Findings of this study highlight the extent to which there are gaps between theory and practice, and a case is made for the establishment of a more explicit connection between theory and practice. Furthermore, the thesis highlights the importance of further studies to address the research gap.

This investigation was concerned with determining the interaction of microwaves with germinating seeds. This study covers two different approaches. The preliminary efforts covered the response of germinating seeds to treatment by microwaves and heat. The second phase of the investigation used microwaves as a probe to determine some of the processes of early seed germination. The preliminary investigation measured the internal metabolic process by ATP production. Leakage of ions and organic material from germinating seeds indicated that membranes are a target of microwaves and heat. Electron photo-micrographs showed an increase in damage to membranes as heat and microwave treatments were increased. The second phase of this investigation was concerned with determining some of the biological activity at the initiation of germination of wheat seeds, Triticum aestivum L., using a resonating microwave cavity oscillating at 9.3 GHz as a probe. Direct current conductivity measurements were also made on the seeds as a means of confirming the observations made with the microwave cavity. There was no observable difference between treatment by UHF or heat in the ultrastructure of germinating seeds. A dielectric response far above that of free water was found as live seeds of wheat began to imbibe water. This effect was assumed to be due to the release of ions, because conductivity increased as corresponding quantities of water were imbibed; and both conductivity and dielectric response decreased as imbibition progressed. Although dead seeds also imbibe water, they do not show this decrease in dielectric response. The dielectric response of live seeds was reduced after the initial imbibition, showing that water became tightly bound as imbibition progressed. The dielectric response of actively growing shoots from the seeds was much less than that of the seeds themselves. The large quantity of water in the shoots is assumed to be immobile, being tightly bound within the membranes, enzymes, and organelles.

Deserted and disintegrating barns, houses, and silos have always perplexed me when driving through the country. I am fascinated by how this leisurely decay reveals their structural integrity in a slow, reverse process of construction. It is as if humanity and nature consciously collaborated to create these gigantic memento mori for a steady stream of highway viewers. These monumental tributes to inevitable decline, along with my own adventures in gardening, childrearing, eldercare, and travels, have led me to explore the universal cycles of life. The dilapidated buildings in my work are rendered in a tight, sharp, close-up viewpoint so that the viewer is forced to engage them. I will often layer images of seeds, leaves, and rocks on top of images of houses to symbolize the different stages of the life cycle. I see seeds and buildings as containers and incubators of potential. Any foliage represents a fulfillment of that potential, while rocks stand for the fossilized remains, or the achievements of one’s life accomplishments.

Henslow’s sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) winters in recently burned sites in pine savannas of the Southeastern United States. Previous studies have suggested that factors such as seed abundance and litter depth are important to wintering Henslow’s sparrows. My study asked how habitat variables including vegetation structure, seed abundance, and arthropod abundance predict Henslow’s sparrow site occupancy at Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. In this study, Henslow’s sparrow more often occupied sites burned one growing season earlier than sites burned two growing seasons earlier, and did not occupy sites burned three or more growing seasons earlier. Data indicated that mass of graminoid seeds borne on stalks in November and minimum total seed mass were higher in occupied sites vs. unoccupied sites while litter density was lower. This suggests that Henslow’s sparrow selects habitats that may maximize foraging efficiency and probability of survival based on information about litter density and seed availability.

Orientador: Cibele Chalita Martins / Coorientador: Francisco Guilhien Gomes Junior / Banca: Ana Regina Pimentel de Almeida / Banca: Rinaldo César de Paula / Banca: Maria Renata Rocha Pereira / Banca: Everlon Cid Rigobelo / Resumo: A realização e o uso de testes rápidos e eficientes para a avaliação do vigor de lotes de sementes de gramíneas forrageiras são desejáveis nos programas de controle de qualidade das empresas deste setor. O objetivo do trabalho foi identificar testes de vigor eficientes para a diferenciação dos lotes, previsão de emergência de plântulas em campo e avaliação da qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Panicum maximum cvs. Mombaça, Massai e Tanzânia. Foram avaliados dezenove, onze e doze lotes de sementes de capim-mombaça, capim-massai e capim-tanzânia, respectivamente. As sementes foram avaliadas quanto ao teor de água, germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, emergência de plântulas em areia, primeira contagem de emergência de plântulas em areia, comprimento de raiz e parte aérea de plântulas, análise de imagens de plântulas com o SVIS® (comprimento de plântulas, índices de vigor e uniformidade) e emergência de plântulas em campo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado para os testes realizados em laboratório e blocos ao acaso para o teste de emergência de plântulas em campo, com quatro repetições de 50 sementes. Para os testes avaliados por meio do SVIS utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com oito repetições de 25 sementes. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Scott Knott a 5% de probabilidade. Realizou-se a análise estatística multivariada de agr... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The realization and use of quick and efficient tests for the evaluation of the vigor of seed lots of forage grasses are desirable in the quality control programs of companies in this sector. The objective of this study was to identify efficient vigor tests for lots differentiation, seedling emergence prediction in the field and evaluation of the physiological quality of Panicum maximum cvs. Mombasa, Massai and Tanzania seeds. Seed samples of nineteen, eleven and twelve seed lots of Mombasa grass, Massai grass and Tanzânia grass were evaluated, respectively. The seeds were evaluated for water content, germination, first germination count, germination speed index, seedlings emergence in sand, first emergence count of seedlings in sand, root and shoot length of seedling, seedling image analysis with SVIS® (seedling length, vigor indexes and uniformity ) and seedling emergence in the field .The experimental design was completely randomized for the laboratory tests and randomized blocks to seedling emergence on the field, with four replications of 50 seeds. For the tests evaluated by the SVIS was used the completely randomized design with eight replications of 25 seeds. The data were submitted to variance analysis and means compared by the Scott Knott test at 5% probability. Multivariate statistical analysis of cluster and principal component was performed. It was concluded that are efficient in the evaluation of the physiological potential of seeds, providing similar information ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

MSc., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / ABSTRACT Observations of the changes in woody plant density in the Kruger National Park (KNP) over 58 years have shown an increase in large woody plant density on granite substrates, which is attributed to fire and herbivore density. Woody plants persist in areas with frequent fires, herbivory and drought by resprouting or protecting seeds in the ground. Soil seed banks, which are stores of seeds below ground or in leaf litter, provide 'insurance' for trees and allow populations to persist in unfavourable environments. No comprehensive studies have been conducted on soil seed bank ecology of Acacia species in the Kruger National Park, a research gap which this study aimed to fill. The spatial distribution and density of in situ soil seed banks for four Acacia species, A. grandicornuta, A. nilotica, A. senegal and A. tortilis was assessed in the Skukuza land system of the KNP, South Africa. In situ soil seed banks were quantified for eight mature trees per species during 2005/2006. Greenhouse and field seed burial trials were carried out for one year and 16 months respectively, between 2005 and 2007, to investigate the persistence of Acacia seeds over an extended period of time. Post-dispersal seed predation of Acacia seeds was investigated during July 2006 in six demarcated grids within 15 km of Skukuza. Overall soil seed bank density differed significantly among species, being highest for A. tortilis (19.5 ± 6.4 seeds m-2), followed by A. grandicornuta (12.1 ± 6.9 seeds m-2), A. nilotica (4.9 ±1.8 seeds m-2) and lowest for A. senegal (0.6 seeds ± 0.4 seeds m-2). Generally, seed bank density decreased with depth in the soil and distance from the centre of the tree canopy. Seed bank density increased significantly with a decrease in soil compaction for A. senegal only, while it was not related to over-storey canopy shading or herbaceous biomass for any of the species. No significant relationship was found between seed bank density and tree characteristics such as stem diameter, bark thickness or tree canopy area for any of the species. Viability of seeds from the seed bank decreased between species as follows: A. tortilis (77% of 142 seeds), A. nilotica (61% of 39 seeds), A. grandicornuta (58% of 87 seeds), and A. senegal (0% of 4 seeds). For all species with viable seeds, viability decreased with distance from the centre of the tree canopy. Bruchid beetle predation (assessed on 100 newly produced seeds) was low for all four species. Fifty seeds each of A. grandicornuta, A. senegal and A. tortilis and 100 A. nilotica seeds were destroyed by fire during the field seed burial trial, of which four hundred seeds/species were used. Of the remaining seeds, 15% of A. senegal, 19% of A. grandicornuta, 34% of A. nilotica and 66% of A. tortilis remained intact after 16 months in the field. Of these, 65% of A. tortilis, 27% of A. nilotica, 5% of A. grandicornuta and no A. senegal seeds were still viable. The percentage of remaining intact, viable seeds was highest under tree canopy cover and buried for A. tortilis (86%), A. nilotica (39%) and A. grandicornuta (6%), but the micro-site placement of seeds had a significant effect on viability for A. nilotica only (d.f. = l; χ2 = 7.5; P = 0.006). In the greenhouse seed burial trial (150 seeds/species/treatment), one percent of the total seed lot germinated, which was 2.9% of A. grandicornuta, 0.7% of A. senegal and 0.2% of both A. nilotica and A. tortilis. A. tortilis had the highest percentage of remaining intact, viable seeds (92.2%), followed by A. nilotica (58.3%), A. grandicornuta (57.6%) and A. senegal (0%). The number of remaining intact, viable seeds was highest when watered with the average rainfall (327 seeds), followed by the highest (314 seeds) and lowest rainfall (296 seeds). There was no association between rainfall treatments and the number of remaining intact, viable seeds for any of the species, except for A. grandicornuta where the number of remaining intact, viable seeds increased significantly with the average rainfall. Across six grids in the Skukuza land system, A. grandicornuta was the most dominant woody plant of six study species, followed by Dichrostachys cinerea, A. tortilis, A. nilotica, A. senegal and A. nigrescens. Woody plant density in grids varied between 226 plants ha-1 (Grid 3) to 1618 plants ha-1 (Grid 5), with a mean density of 862 ± 195 plants ha-1. Overall, woody plant species diversity was low (Shannon Wiener Index, 1.8 ± 2.8; Evenness Index, 0.7 ± 0.02; Simpson's Reciprocal Index, 4.5 ± 0.6). The dung of nine species of large herbivore was recorded across all six grids. Large herbivores favoured seeds of indehiscent (55 A. tortilis seeds and 11 A. nilotica seeds) over dehiscent pods (1 A. grandicornuta seed). Only 9% (five A. tortilis seeds and one A. grandicornuta seed) of the 67 seeds extracted from dung germinated after a six-week germination trial. Less than half the remaining ungerminated A. nilotica seeds (46%) and A. tortilis seeds (40%) tested viable. There was no correlation between the number of termitaria recorded and the number of Acacia trees growing on them (r = 0.07). Termite mounds occupied 0.0009 ± 0.0003 ha per grid matrix (0.8%). Only four rodent species were recorded across all six grids, Mastomys coucha (multimammate mouse), Rhabdomys pumilio (striped mouse), Aethomys chrysophilus (red veld rat) and Tatera leucogaster (highveld gerbil). Rodent species diversity was low (Shannon Wiener Index, 0.6 ± 0.2; Evenness Index, 0.6 ± 0.2; Simpson's Reciprocal Index, 1.9 ± 0.3). In the field cafeteria trial there was a significant difference in the percentage of seeds removed between seed species (P < 0.05; F = 2.8; d.f. = 3, 236). There was a significant difference in the percentage of seeds removed from trays placed under vegetation cover compared with trays placed in the open (P = 0.034). This study suggests that A. grandicornuta, A. nilotica and A. tortilis seeds form short-term persistent seed banks, while A. senegal seeds are transient and do not form seed banks. Seeds of several woody plants were ingested by large herbivores and selected by rodents. The relevance of soil seed banks to regeneration of Acacia trees needs to be evaluated by investigating whether these species rely more on seed production or resprouting for individual recruitment into tree populations. Once this issue is clarified the effect of certain factors on seed fate and consequently, recruitment of individuals into plant populations, can be more clearly understood. This will assist in managing and understanding these potentially encroaching species in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

O Brasil é o maior produtor e exportador de café do mundo. O café em grãos é um dos principais produtos da balança comercial brasileira. Duas espécies de café são as mais importantes economicamente: o Coffea arabica L. e Coffea canephora Pierre sendo o maior representante do Coffea canephora Pierre o conillon. A irradiação de alimentos é uma área de pesquisa que tem por objetivo aumentar a vida útil de prateleira dos alimentos e controlar as pragas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar se as variáveis físico-químicas do café arábica e conillon foram afetadas quando submetidas à doses de radiação gama do Cobalto-60. As amostras foram cedidas pelo Polo de Tecnologia em Qualidade do Café da Universidade Federal de Lavras - UFLA. As amostras de café foram submetidas à irradiação com doses de: 0 (testemunha), 5 kGy e 10 kGy, em um irradiador multiproposito do IPEN - Instituto de Pesquisas Energética e Nucleares da Universidade de São Paulo, sob uma taxa de 7,5 kGy/hora. Para a irradiação as amostras foram embaladas a vácuo em embalagens aluminizadas apropriadas. Após o processo de irradiação as amostras foram armazenadas a uma temperatura de 15 ± 1ºC e umidade relativa de 17 ± 1%. Foram realizadas as seguintes análises: teores de açucares totais, glicose, sacarose, cafeína, umidade, pH, acidez total titulável, fibras e condutividade elétrica. As análises foram realizadas 1, 30, 60 e 90 dias após a irradiação e os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5%. Observou-se que os resultados das análises das amostras irradiadas com doses de 5 kGy e 10 kGy apresentaram valores semelhantes ao da testemunha. Foi concluído que a irradiação não induziu efeitos deletérios nas sementes de café arábica e conillon irradiados com 5 kGy e 10 kGy até 90 dias após a irradiação / Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of coffee in the world. The coffee bean is one of the main products of the Brazilian trade balance. Two species of coffee are the most economically important: the Coffea arabica L. and Coffea canephora Pierre is the largest representative of the Coffea canephora Pierre is the coffea conillon. Food irradiation is an area of research that aims to increase the shelf life of foods and controlling pests. This study aimed to verify the physicochemical variables of Arabica coffee and conillon were affected when exposed to doses of gamma radiation from cobalt-60. The samples were provided by Polo in Coffee Quality Technology, Federal University of Lavras - UFLA. The coffee samples were subjected to irradiation doses: 0 (control), 5 kGy and 10 kGy, a multipurpose irradiator of IPEN - Research Institute of Nuclear Energy and the University of São Paulo, at a rate of 7.5 kGy / hour. For irradiation the samples were vacuum-packed in appropriate packaging aluminised. After the process of irradiation the samples were stored at a temperature of 15 ± 1 º C and relative humidity of 17 ± 1%. The following analyzes were performed: levels of total sugars, glucose, sucrose, caffeine, humidity, pH, total acidity, electrical conductivity and fibers. Analyses were performed 1, 30, 60 and 90 days after irradiation, and the results were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey test at 5%. It was observed that the analysis results of the samples irradiated with 5 kGy and 10 kGy showed values similar to the control. It was concluded that irradiation did not induce deleterious effects on arabica coffee seeds and conillon irradiated with 5 kGy and 10 kGy to 90 days after irradiation