Abstract This study aimed to determine the biometric characteristics of seeds of Tabebuia aurea and evaluate the effect of different periods of water immersion on the initial growth of seedlings. For this, the following dimensions were analyzed: length, width, and thickness of seeds with lateral wings and embryo. The moisture content, weight of a thousand seeds, and the number of seeds per kilogram were determined. The seeds were subjected to 11 treatments, as follow: control (no immersion in water; 0 hours) and periods of water immersion for 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, and 60 hours, with four replications of 25 seeds in each treatment. The aerial part and seedling root lengths were analyzed 30 days after sowing. The water content was 9.81% and the weight of a thousand seeds was 130.260 g, corresponding to about 7,677 seeds/kg. The seeds with lateral wings had mean length, width, and thickness of 5.252, 1.226, and 0.147 cm, respectively. For the embryo, these dimensions corresponded to 1.355, 0.805, and 0.103 cm. Regarding the aerial part and root length of T. aurea seedlings, immersion for 48 hours is recommended because this treatment had the best results.

ABSTRACT Maize (Zea mays L.) is among the most cultivated crops in the world and can be affected by several diseases, especially those transmitted by seeds. The study of alternatives to fungicides used for seed treatment has a promising field in essential oils. Thus, this study determined the phytochemical profile of the ethanolic extract from Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan and to evaluate its antifungal activity on the sanitary and physiological quality of maize seeds. The seeds used were of the Jaboatão cultivar, which were submitted to the following treatments: control (untreated seeds), commercial fungicide (dicarboximide) and A. colubrina extract at 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 ppm. The seeds were subjected to sanitary and germination tests in a completely randomized experimental design. Phytochemical prospecting of A. colubrina extract indicated the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and saponins, as well as the major compounds lupeol, gallic acid, ferulic acid, catechin and quercetin. The A. colubrina extract reduced the incidence of Aspergillus spp., including Aspergillus niger, Alternaria spp., Curvularia spp. and Fusarium spp. at all concentrations. The highest concentrations (800 and 1,000 ppm) of the A. colubrina extract reduced the incidence of Penicillium spp. and yielded an effective control of Rhizoctonia spp. The extract of A. colubrina did not present phytotoxic effect, guaranteeing the viability and vigor of maize seeds.

Os fungos são os principais microrganismos associados às sementes de soja (Glycine max L.), podendo causar patologias tanto na fase de campo, como também na pós-colheita e durante o armazenamento. O peróxido de hidrogénio (H2O2) é um eficiente oxidante de comprovada atividade antimicrobiana contra agentes fitopatogénicos, sobretudo, associados a sementes. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar a influência do peróxido de hidrogénio sobre a qualidade sanitária e fisiológica de sementes de soja. As sementes utilizadas foram da cultivar FTS ATHENA RR, as quais foram submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: testemunha (sementes não tratadas); fungicida comercial (dicarboximida) e os tratamentos com peróxido de hidrogénio nas concentrações de 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0; 4,0; 6,0; 8,0 e 10,0% por cinco minutos de imersão. Após os tratamentos, as sementes foram submetidas aos testes de sanidade e emergência em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. O tratamento com peróxido de hidrogénio nas concentrações de 2,0; 4,0; 6,0; 8,0 e 10,0% proporcionou eficiente redução da incidência da micoflora associada às sementes (Aspergillus nigerTiegh., Aspergillus flavusLink, Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Colletotrichum sp., Cercospora sp. e Rhizoctonia sp.) e influenciou positivamente a emergência e o crescimento inicial das plântulas de soja.

Fungi are the main microorganisms associated with soybean seeds (Glycine max L.), which can cause pathologies both in the field as well as post-harvest and during storage. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an efficient oxidant with proven antimicrobial activity against phytopathogenic agents, mainly associated with seeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of hydrogen peroxide on the sanitary and physiological quality of soybean seeds. The seeds used were from the cultivar FTS ATHENA RR, which were submitted to the following treatments: control (untreated seeds); commercial fungicide (dicarboximide) and treatments with hydrogen peroxide at concentrations of 0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0; 4.0; 6.0; 8.0 and 10.0% for five minutes of immersion. After the treatments, the seeds were submitted to sanitary and emergency tests in a completely randomized experimental design. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide at concentrations of 2.0; 4.0; 6.0; 8.0 and 10.0% provided an efficient reduction in the incidence of mycoflora associated with seeds (Aspergillus nigerTiegh., Aspergillus flavusLink, Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Colletotrichum sp., Cercospora sp. and Rhizoctonia sp.) and positively influenced the emergence and the initial growth of soybean seedlings.

A qualidade das sementes de soja (Glycine max L.) é um fator importante para o sucesso da cultura, uma vez que a semente pode servir como fonte de inóculo para disseminação de doenças. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da termoterapia via calor úmido na qualidade fitossanitária e fisiológica das sementes de soja. As sementes utilizadas foram da cultivar FTS ATHENA RR, as quais foram submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: testemunha (sementes não tratadas), fungicida (dicarboximida) e os tratamentos térmicos a 40, 50 e 60 ºC por cinco e dez minutos de imersão em água. As sementes foram submetidas aos testes de sanidade e emergência em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. O tratamento por imersão das sementes a 40, 50 e 60 °C por cinco e dez minutos não foi eficiente para impedir o desenvolvimento de Penicillium spp., Aspergillus niger Link e A. Flavus Tiegh. As temperaturas de 40 e 50 ºC em todos os tempos de imersão, reduziram a microflora fúngica da parte aérea e do solo sem afetar a qualidade fisiológica.

The quality of soybean seeds (Glycine max L.) is an important factor for the success of the crop, since the seeds can serve as source of inoculum for the dissemination of diseases. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the thermotherapy via humid heat on the sanitary and physiological quality of the soybean seeds. The seeds used were from the cultivar FTS ATHENA RR, which were subjected to the following treatments: control (untreated seeds), fungicide (dicarboximide) and the heat treatments at 40, 50 and 60 ºC for five and ten minutes water immersion. The seeds were subjected to sanity and emergency tests in a completely randomized experimental design. Immersion of the seeds at 40, 50 and 60 ° C for five and ten minutes was not efficient to prevent the incidence of Penicillium spp., Aspergillus niger Link and A. flavus Tiegh. The temperatures of 40 and 50 ºC in all the immersion times reduced the fungal microflora of aerial part and soil without affecting the physiological quality.

RESUMO: A espécie florestal Dimorphandra gardneriana Tul. é bastante utilizada para diversos produtos farmacológicos, mesmo assim há poucos estudos básicos para compreender seus atributos ecológicos e fisiológicos sob condições de estresse. Desta forma, o objetivo nesta pesquisa foi avaliar a germinação e o vigor de suas sementes quando submetidas a diferentes potenciais osmóticos e temperaturas. A restrição hídrica foi simulada com solução de polietilenoglicol 6000 (PEG 6000) nos potenciais osmóticos de 0; -0,2; -0,4; -0,6; -0,8 e -1,0MPa nas temperaturas constantes de 20, 25, 30 e 35°C. Na avaliação do efeito dos tratamentos, determinou-se a germinação e o vigor (índice de velocidade de germinação, comprimento e fitomassa seca de parte aérea e raízes) das sementes, em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em quatro repetições. A partir de -0,4MPa ocorre redução drástica da germinação e vigor das sementes, fatores estes menos afetados na temperatura de 25°C até-0,2MPa.

ABSTRACT: The forest species Dimorphandra gardneriana Tul. is widely used for various pharmacological products, yet few basic studies have been undertaken to understand their ecological and physiological attributes under stress conditions. The goal of this research was to evaluate the seed germination and vigor when subjected to different osmotic potentials and temperatures. Water restriction was simulated with polyethylene glycol 6000 solution (PEG 6000) with osmotic potentials of 0; -0,2; -0,4; -0,6; -0,8, and -1,0MPa at temperatures of 20, 25, 30, and 35°C. The effect of the treatment was determined by the germination and vigor (germination speed index, length and phytomass of dry shoot and roots) of the seeds, in an entirely random design with four repetitions. From-0, 4MPa it occurs a drastic reduction in germination and vigor of seeds although these factors were less affected at temperature of 25°C up to -0, 2MPa.

Os fungos são os principais micro-organismos associados às sementes, podendo causar danos, tanto na fase de campo, como também na pós-colheita e durante o armazenamento. Nesta última fase, a deterioração pode ocorrer pela ação específica de fungos, afetando a qualidade fisiológica das sementes. A utilização de extratos de plantas com propriedades antimicrobianas são alternativas ecológicas e promissoras para substituir a proteção promovida pela aplicação de fungicidas. Objetivou-se nesta pesquisa avaliar a eficiência dos extratos de Allamanda blanchetti e Momordica charantia nas concentrações de 10, 100, 500 e 1000 ppm sobre a micoflora e germinação em sementes de Enterolobium contortisiliquum. As sementes foram coletadas em diferentes municípios do estado da Paraíba (Areia, Arara, Conde e Sobrado). Os lotes foram submetidos a testes de sanidade e de germinação. A avaliação da incidência de fungos foi feita a partir da visualização dos fungos através do método de papel de filtro. Utilizaram-se no teste de sanidade 100 sementes por tratamento, as quais foram imersas em 20 mL dos extratos por cinco minutos, em seguida incubadas em placas de Petri sobre dupla camada de papel de filtro. No teste de germinação utilizaram-se 200 sementes, distribuídas em papel germitest e germinadas à temperatura de 30 ± 2°C. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado. Constatou-se nas sementes de Enterolobium contortisiliquum os fungos: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium sp., Curvularia lunata, Nigrospora sp. e Cladosporium sp. Os extratos de Allamanda blanchetti e Momordica charantia nas concentrações de 500 e 1000 ppm causaram redução da frequência dos fungos. O extrato de Momordica charantia nas concentrações de 500 e 1000 ppm proporcionou o aumento na germinação e primeira contagem, além de reduzir o percentual de sementes mortas.

The fungi are main micro-organisms associated with seeds, may cause damages, both in the field but also post-harvest and during storage. In this last phase, deterioration can occur by the action of specific fungi, affecting their physiological quality. The use of plant extracts with antimicrobial properties are promising and environmentally friendly alternatives to replace the protection promoted by fungicide application. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of extracts of Allamanda blanchetti e Momordica charantia in concentrations of 10, 100, 500 e 1000 ppm on mycoflora and germination in seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum. Seeds were collected in different municipalities in the state of Paraiba (Areia, Arara, Conde and Sobrado). The lots were tested for germination and sanity. The evaluation of the incidence of fungus was made from the visualization of fungi by the method of incubation blotter test. Was used the health test 100 seeds per treatment which were immersed in 20 mL of extracts for five minutes, incubated in then Petri dishes on double layer of filter paper. 200 seeds were used in the germination test, with four replications of 25 seeds per treatment, divided into germitest paper and germinated at temperatures of 30 ± 2°C. The experimental design was completely randomized. It was found in the seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum the following fungi: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium sp., Curvularia lunata, Nigrospora sp. and Cladosporium sp. The extracts of Allamanda blanchetti and Momordica charantia at concentrations of 500 and 1000 ppm caused a reduction in the frequency of fungi. The extract of Momordica charantia at concentrations of 500 and 1000 ppm provided an increase in germination and first count, and reduce the percentage of dead seeds.

A termoterapia é um tratamento físico, que consiste na exposição das sementes à ação do calor em combinação com o tempo. Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade sanitária e fisiológica de sementes de erva-doce (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), recém-colhidas e armazenadas por três anos, submetidas à termoterapia. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos: no primeiro, a termoterapia foi realizada com sementes de erva-doce recém-colhidas obtidas de diferentes sistemas de plantio: T1 - erva-doce solteira tratada com inseticida thiamethoxam; T2 - erva-doce solteira sem aplicação do inseticida; T3 - erva-doce consorciada com algodão e tratada com inseticida; T4 - erva-doce consorciada sem aplicação do inseticida. No segundo experimento utilizaram-se sementes armazenadas por três anos obtidas de plantas tratadas e não tratadas com inseticida. As sementes foram submetidas a diferentes tempos de exposição ao calor seco (0; 3; 6; 9, 12 e 15 dias) a 70 °C. Os testes realizados foram: sanidade, germinação, primeira contagem, índice de velocidade de germinação, comprimento e massa seca de plântulas. Os sistemas de plantio não influenciaram na incidência do fungo Alternaria sp. As sementes de erva-doce armazenadas, oriundas de plantas tratadas com inseticida, possuem maior qualidade sanitária e fisiológica. O período de 12 dias de termoterapia é eficiente no controle do fungo Alternaria sp. sem proporcionar perdas na viabilidade das sementes de erva-doce.

Thermotherapy is a physical treatment consisting of the exposure of seeds to the action of heat over time. The aim was to assess the health and physiological quality of fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), both freshly harvested and stored for three years, and submitted to thermotherapy. Two experiments were conducted. In the first, thermotherapy was carried out on freshly-harvested fennel seeds obtained under different cropping systems: T1 - Monocrop fennel treated with the insecticide, thiamethoxam; T2 - Monocrop fennel without the application of insecticide; T3 - Fennel intercropped with cotton and treated with insecticide; T4 - Intercropped fennel without the application of insecticide. In the second experiment, seeds were used which had been stored for three years and obtained from plants, both treated and untreated with insecticide. The seeds were exposed to dry heat for different periods (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days) at 70 °C. The tests performed included: health, germination, first count, speed germination index, seedling length and dry weight. The cropping systems had no influence on the incidence of the fungus Alternaria sp. Stored fennel seeds coming from plants treated with insecticide, display better health and physiological quality. A period of 12 days of thermotherapy is effective in controlling the fungus Alternaria sp. without causing losses in the viability of the fennel seeds.

A demanda por sementes florestais para reflorestamento e outras finalidades poderá se constituir em um meio de disseminação de patógenos, que podem comprometer a qualidade fisiológica das sementes. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de extratos naturais de melão-de-são-caetano (Momordica charantia) e alamanda (Allamanda blanchetti) sobre a micoflora e a fisiologia de sementes de Pterogyne nitens. Os seguintes tratamentos fitossanitários foram avaliados: testemunha (sementes não tratadas); fungicida Captan® (240 g/100 kg), e extratos de melão-de-são-caetano e alamanda nas concentrações de 10, 100, 500 e 1000 ppm. No teste de germinação, avaliaram-se a porcentagem de germinação, a primeira contagem e o índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG). Os extratos vegetais de melão-de-são-caetano e alamanda reduziram a incidência de fungos e aumentaram o percentual de germinação das sementes de P. nitens.

The demand for tree seeds for reforestation and other purposes may constitute a means of spreading pathogens that may affect the physiological quality of seeds. In this study, we evaluated the effect of natural extracts of Momordica charantia and Allamanda blanchetti on the mycoflora and physiology of Pterogyne nitens seeds. The following phytosanitary treatments were evaluated: control (untreated seeds); fungicide Captan® (240g/100kg), and extracts of Momordica charantia and Allamanda blanchetti at concentrations of 10, 100, 500 and 1000 ppm. Germination percentage, first counting, and germination rate index (GRI) were assessed in the germination test. The plant extracts of Momordica charantia and Allamanda blanchetti reduced the incidence of fungi and increased the germination percentage of P. nitens seeds.