ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to identify the existence of root exudation of organic acid in Lotus corniculatus germplasms subjected to toxic aluminum (Al) levels and investigate the effect of this mechanism on the Al content in the root tissue and in morphological parameters of plant development. Two experiments were performed in nutrient solution to evaluate the Al accumulation and exudation of organic acids, using cultivars INIA Draco and São Gabriel and genotypes UFRGS and UF-T2. The plants were cultivated in Al-free solution, which was applied on the 45th day in half of the pots of each genotype. Root exudation was highly correlated with the reduced accumulation of Al in the root tissue (r2 = 0.75 at 72 h). Genotype UF-T2, selected for Al tolerance, extruded 80% more oxalic acid in the presence of Al compared with the other germplasms, indicating that this mechanism is involved with Al tolerance in L. corniculatus. This experiment showed strong evidence that L. corniculatus exhibits Type I tolerance, in which anionic channels are rapidly activated by Al exposure. Exudation of oxalic acid is likely a crucial mechanism that allows the maintenance of L. corniculatus growth when exposed to toxic Al conditions, and this characteristic should be used to identify tolerant genotypes in the future.

RESUMO: O objetivo neste trabalho foi verificar a viabilidade do processamento digital de imagens na mensuração de plântulas de arroz e sua potencial utilização como teste de vigor em sementes. O experimento foi realizado no Laboratório Didático de Análise de Sementes, localizado no Capão do Leão (RS), utilizando sementes de oito cultivares de arroz: Irga 424, Puitá Inta CL, BRS Esmeralda, SCS 116, Guri Inta CL, BRS Pampa, BRSGO Serra Dourada e Olimar. Uma ferramenta de processamento de imagens (FPI) foi utilizada para mensurar o comprimento e a área da parte aérea e de raízes de plântulas de arroz de modo a classificar as sementes em níveis de vigor. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições. As variáveis avaliadas foram comprimento de raiz e parte aérea em régua graduada e pela imagem, área de raiz e parte aérea e emergência a campo. Os resultados obtidos com o FPI foram correlacionados com outros testes de qualidade por correlação de Pearson. A determinação do comprimento de parte aérea e área foliar de plântulas obtidos através do FPI é efetivo para avaliar o vigor de sementes de arroz.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this paper was to verify the viability of digital image processing in the measurement of rice seedling and its potential use as seed vigor test. The experiment took place at the Laboratório Didático de Análise de Sementes, located in Capão do Leão (RS), using seeds of eight rice cultivars: Irga 424, Puitá Inta CL, BRS Esmeralda, SCS 116, Guri Inta CL, BRS Pampa, BRSGO Serra Dourada and Olimar. An image processing system (IPS) was used to measure length and area of shoot and root as an index of seed vigor in rice seeds. The experiment design was completely randomized with five replications. The evaluated variables were root and shoot length in graded ruler and by image, root and shoot area, and field emergence. Results obtained with the IPS were correlated with other quality tests though the Pearson tests. Determination of shoot length and leaf area of the seedlings obtained through IPS is effective for assessing the vigor of rice seeds.