ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate changes in germination and in the amount of carbohydrates, starch, proteins, and lipids of A. angustifolia seeds at different stages of development. Seeds were collected in the Cotyledonary Stage and Stages I, II, III and IV. Germination, moisture content, dry matter amount, and levels of carbohydrates, starch, proteins, lipids and fatty acids were determined. Both embryo and megagametophyte contained the starch as the large reserve content, while proteins and mainly lipids represented only a small proportion. During seed development, the highest values for germination, starch and soluble carbohydrate content were observed at stage IV. Although, soluble protein content had decreased from Cotyledonary Stage to Stage III, an increase at Stage IV was observed in the embryo. No difference was observed in lipid content. Linoleic acid was more abundant in fatty acids. Thus, A. angustifolia embryo showed an increase soluble protein content, an accumulation of dry matter and soluble carbohydrate content at Stage IV. It seems that these compounds collaborate to faster and higher germination.

ABSTRACT Brazilian pine seeds (Araucaria angustifolia) are recalcitrant, and there are no studies evaluating the longevity of their different varieties. Our objective was to evaluate the capacity of different varieties of Brazilian pine seeds to maintain their physiological quality during storage. Seeds of the varieties: sancti josephi (I), angustifolia (II), caiova (III) and indehiscens (IV) were collected from two populations located in Santa Catarina, and stored under laboratory conditions and in a cold room for 90 days. On average, freshly harvested seeds showed 88% viability, and varieties II and III maintained the greatest viability (with the greatest vigor for variety II) after 90 days in storage. Varieties I and II maintained their pre-germinative metabolism for a longer period than the other varieties during storage. Therefore, seeds from the angustifolia variety (II) have higher storage potential than the other varieties, maintaining approximately 61% viability at 90 days of storage.

ResumenAraucaria angustifolia es una conífera nativa de Brasil y una especie en peligro de extinción. Sus semillas tienen un corto período de viabilidad, factor que contribuye a su vulnerabilidad. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la calidad fisiológica durante el período de desarrollo y post-almacenamiento de semillas de A. angustifolia. Conos de A. angustifolia fueron recolectados en poblaciones naturales en Curitibanos, Santa Catarina, Brasil, en marzo, abril, mayo y junio y clasificados en los estadios de desarrollo cotiledonar i, ii y iii de acuerdo con el mes de recolecta. Un total de 10 conos fueron recolectados para cada estadio. Las semillas fueron almacenadas en refrigerador durante 60 y 120 días y posteriormente sometidas a pruebas de germinación (25 °C - fotoperiodo de 12 h) siendo evaluados el contenido de humedad, tetrazolio y el vigor (conductividad eléctrica &amp#091;75 mL de agua destilada a 25 °C&amp#093;, índice de velocidad de germinación, y la longitud de la parte aérea y de la raíz). Durante el desarrollo de las semillas, el contenido de humedad se redujo desde el estadio cotiledonar (66.54 %) al estadio iii (47.44%), y el vigor aumentaron en el último estadio. Durante el almacenamiento, el contenido de humedad en el estadio cotiledonar y estadio i fue estable. Entretanto, las semillas almacenadas mostraron una reducción en el contenido de humedad después de 120 días en los estadios ii y iii. La calidad fisiológica en el estadio cotiledonar mostró un aumento de 86 % y 93 % de germinación después de 60 y 120 días de almacenamiento, respectivamente, a diferencia de los estadios ii y iii, los cuales mostraron una disminución en la viabilidad de las semillas y en el vigor después del almacenamiento. La conductividad eléctrica fue mayor para las semillas en estadio cotiledonar recién recolectadas que para aquellas almacenadas durante 60 y 120 días. Sin embargo, en otras estadios, el contenido de lixiviados después de 120 días de almacenamiento aumentó con el avance del período de recolecta. El índice de velocidad de germinación y la longitud de la parte aérea y raíz después del almacenamiento eran más altos para las semillas en el estadio cotiledonar y el estadio i, a diferencia del estadio ii y iii, los cuales tenían raíz y parte aérea de menor longitud durante el almacenamiento. Por lo tanto, el mantenimiento del contenido de humedad de la semilla durante el almacenamiento fue variable y depende del período de recolecta. Además, la calidad fisiológica de las semillas difiere entre los estadios más tempranos o tardíos. Una recolección precoz favoreció la calidad fisiológica de las semillas, y puede ser una estrategia para aumentar la conservación de semillas de A. angustifolia.

AbstractAraucaria angustifolia is a conifer native to Brazil and is an endangered species. Since this species seeds have a short period of viability, its vulnerability is higher. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of A. angustifolia seeds during the development and post-storage periods. For this, cones of A. angustifolia were collected from a natural population in Curitibanos, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in March, April, May and June 2012. The collected seeds were classified into developmental stages of cotyledonary, i, ii and iii according to the month of collection; a total of 10 cones were collected for each stage. Seeds were stored in a refrigerator for 60 and 120 days, and were submitted to a chamber germination test (25 °C-photoperiod 12 h). Additionally, seeds were tested for moisture content (105 °C for 24 hours), tetrazolium (0.1 % for 1 hour) and vigor (electric conductivity &amp#091;75 mL distilled water at 25 °C&amp#093;, germination speed index, and shoot and root length). Our results showed that during seed development, moisture content decreased from the cotyledonary stage (66.54 %) to stage iii (49.69 %), and vigor increased in the last stage. During storage, moisture content at cotyledonary stage and stage i was stable. On the other hand, stored seeds exhibited a decrease in moisture content after 120 days at stages ii and iii. Physiological quality at the cotyledonary stage resulted in an increased germination rate of 86 % and 93 % after 60 and 120 days of storage, respectively; unlike stages ii and iii exhibited a decrease in seed viability and vigor after storage. Electrical conductivity was higher for fresh seeds at the cotyledonary stage, than for those stored for 60 and 120 days. However, in other stages, released leachate content after 120 days of storage, increased with the advance of the collection period. Germination speed index and shoot and root lengths after storage were highest for seeds at the cotyledonary stage and stage i; unlike stages ii and iii which had short root and shoot lengths during storage. Thus, the maintenance of seed moisture content during storage was variable and dependent on the period of collection. Furthermore, the physiological quality differed among earlier and later stages. Early collection favored seed physiological quality, and may be a strategy for better conservation of A. angustifolia seeds. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (2): 885-896. Epub 2016 June 01.

RESUMO Sementes de Araucaria angustifolia servem de base para a economia de muitas famílias rurais do sul do Brasil e apresenta diferentes variedades botânicas. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a diversidade das características físicas, fisiológicas e bioquímicas de sementes de Araucaria angustifolia das variedades locais sancti josephi, angustifolia, caiova e indehiscens. Sementes foram coletadas nos municípios de Painel e Urubici - Santa Catarina e submetidas aos testes: grau de umidade, massa de 1000 sementes, emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência - IVE, comprimento da raiz e parte aérea, condutividade elétrica, tetrazólio, teores de açucares solúveis e amido. A variedade angustifolia de Painel apresentou maior massa de sementes e vigor pelo IVE, condutividade elétrica e comprimento parte aérea. Enquanto, a variedade sancti josephi apresentou baixa porcentagem de emergência, massa de sementes, IVE, comprimento de raiz/parte aérea e teores de açucares. Na análise de cluster baseada na distância euclidiana, verificaram-se três grupos formados pelas variedades sancti josephi, indehiscens e caiova/angustifolia. As variedades angustifolia e caiova apresentaram similaridade e melhor qualidade fisiológica. A caracterização destas variedades possibilitou obter informações que podem auxiliar na coleta e aproveitamento das sementes para produção de mudas e conservação da espécie.

ABSTRACT Araucaria angustifolia seeds are the basis for the rural economy in southern Brazil, and the species presents different botanical varieties. The objective of this work was to evaluate the diversity of physical, physiological and biochemical characteristics of Araucaria angustifolia seeds from local varieties: 'sancti josephi', 'angustifolia', 'caiova', and 'indehiscens'. Seeds were collected from the cities of Painel and Urubici in Santa Catarina State and tested for moisture content, 1000-seed weight, emergence, emergence speed index (ESI), root and shoot length, electrical conductivity, tetrazolium, soluble carbohydrates, and starch content. Among the varieties cited above, the angustifolia variety from Painel displayed a greater 1000-seed weight, ESI, electrical conductivity and shoot length. However, the sancti josephi variety displayed a lower emergence percentage, 1000-seed weight, ESI, root and shoot length, and carbohydrate content. In a cluster analysis, based on Euclidean distance, three groups constituting the sancti josephi, indehiscens, and caiova/angustifolia varieties were found. In conclusion, there is great diversity in A. angustifolia seeds. The angustifolia and caiova varieties displayed similar diversity, and their physiological quality was better than that of other varieties. Variety characterization allowed for the compilation of information regarding seed collection and use for seedling production and species conservation.

Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassm. is a species native to Brazil that is of ecological and aesthetic importance. This study aims to describe the biometric characteristics of S. romanzoffiana fruits and to assess the effects that treatments meant to overcome dormancy and partial drying have on seed germination. For biometric characterization, each repetition consisted of 50 fruits from eight clusters (total, 400 fruits). To evaluate methods for overcoming dormancy, seeds representative of populations were treated by perforation of the operculum; perforation of the operculum and immersion in water for 24 hours; cracking; exposure to fire for three minutes; and non-removal of fibers. There was also a control group. In a second experiment, seeds were partially dried. We determined the proportional moisture content of newly harvested seeds (20.2%) and dried them down to moisture contents of 15.5% and 12.7%. All seeds were subjected to a germination test at 30ºC. The fruits showed biometric variations, with an average of 21.7 mm in longitudinal diameter and 19.7 mm in polar diameter, and a fresh mass of 5.61 g, of which 59.29% was pulp. The highest germination rates and vigor to overcome dormancy occurred after the operculum was perforated and the seeds were soaked in water for 24 hours. The results of the partial drying treatments did not differ sufficiently to discourage dormancy in any significant manner.

Objetivou-se estudar o efeito do armazenamento e do envelhecimento acelerado na germinação e no perfil das proteínas de reserva de sementes de Handroanthus albus. As sementes foram armazenadas em câmara fria e ao 0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 meses submeteu-se ao envelhecimento acelerado por 0, 24, 48, 72 e 96 h, e avaliou-se a germinação e o perfil proteico. O teste de germinação foi realizado sob luz constante a 25 ºC. Para a extração das proteínas, utilizaram-se 125 mg de sementes maceradas com 2 mL do tampão de extração (1M tris HCl pH 8,8) e aplicadas em gel SDS-PAGE (3% e 15%) a 80 V .15 h-1. O armazenamento por 12 meses associado a 72 h de envelhecimento acelerado aumentaram a germinação em aproximadamente 65% em relação às sementes não envelhecidas e envelhecidas por 24 h. Associado a este efeito benéfico, observou-se a degradação e síntese de diferentes proteínas. Conclui-se que a germinação de sementes de Handroanthus albus não envelhecidas artificialmente é favorecida pelo armazenamento em câmara fria por três ou seis meses, e por nove ou 12 meses, associado ao envelhecimento acelerado. As proteínas de reserva podem estar associadas a este acréscimo e necessitam ser mais bem estudadas.

This research was aimed at studying effects of storage and accelerated aging on germination and profile of storage proteins in Handroanthus albus seeds. These were stored into a cold chamber (± 8 ºC; RH ± 40%) and after periods of 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of storage, were subjected to accelerated aging for 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. Relationships between germination and proteins profile were assessed. Germination test was performed at 25 ºC, under constant light. For protein extraction, 125 mg of seeds were macerated in 2 mL of extraction buffer (1M Tris-HCl; pH 8.8) and applied to SDS-PAGE polyacrylamide gel at 80 V .15 h-1. Twelve month storage, combined with 72 hours accelerated aging have increased germination in approximately 65% when compared to non-aged seeds or to seeds with 24 h of accelerated aging. Besides beneficial effects, degradation and synthesis of different proteins were observed. It was concluded that germination of Handroanthus albus seeds, when not subjected to accelerated aging, is favored by storage in cold chamber during three to six months, or from nine to 12 months when subjected to accelerated aging process. Storage proteins may be associated to those increases, and hence further studies are needed.