ABSTRACT This work aims at evaluating and discriminating crambe genotypes regarding tolerance to water deficit by means of morpho-agronomic and physiological traits. The trial was carried out in a greenhouse under a randomized complete block design with four blocks, in a 2 x 8 factorial scheme, being two environments (with and without stress) and eight genotypes (FMS CR 1101, FMS CR 1106, FMS CR 1203, FMS CR 1305, FMS CR 1307, FMS CR 1312 and FMS CR 1326 and cultivar FMS Brilhante). The genotypes were evaluated according to physiological and morpho-agronomic traits. The significance of the mean squares was tested by the F test (P < 0.05) and the genetic parameters were estimated as ratio b between the genetic (CVg) and experimental (CVe) coefficients of variation, broad-sense heritability at genotypic mean level ( h ^ m 2), intraclass correlation (r) and selective accuracy (Ac). In general, water deficit did not cause severe physiological limitations to the plants. Plant height (PH), total dry mass (TDM) and grain yield (GY) were the traits that stood out for presenting the highest estimates of ratio b, h ^ m 2), CVg and r, revealing the possibility of genetic gains with the selection. Nevertheless, after evaluating the performance of genotypes in terms of physiological and morpho-agronomic traits, it was concluded that cultivar FMS Brilhante and inbred lines FMS CR 1326 and FMS CR 1106 had the most favorable traits for the selection, therefore, presenting potential for water deficit tolerance.

Abstract: The demand for techniques that make it possible to assess the physiological potential of seeds quickly and assertively make near-infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) and seedling analysis using ILASTIK software promising tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological potential of Urochloa decumbens seeds using near-infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) and ILASTIK software. Seeds from 10 lots of U. decumbens were classified according to their physiological potential (germination and vigor) and then FT-NIR spectra were obtained from individual seed samples, the original spectra being pre-processed with different dispersion correction methods used for the construction of a classification model through partial least squares discriminant analysis (PSL-DA). For the ILASTIK evaluation, the seedlings were photographed at 7 and 14 days of germination and the trained classifier was applied to the images, generating data on the numbers of strong seedlings, weak seedlings and non-germinated seeds. With data from the FT-NIR technique pre-processed by the 2nd derivative of Savitzky-Golay, it was possible to obtain a classification model with high efficiency to discriminate the classes regarding the physiological potential of the seeds. ILASTIK was efficient to classify seeds according to their physiological potential after only 7 days of germination. FT-NIR and ILASTIK analyses are non-destructive and fast alternatives, with great potential for quality control of U. decumbens seed lots.

Resumo: A demanda por técnicas que permitam avaliar o potencial fisiológico das sementes de forma rápida e assertiva fazem da espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo (FT-NIR) e da análise de plântulas pelo software ILASTIK ferramentas promissoras. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o potencial fisiológico de sementes de Urochloa decumbens por meio da espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo (FT-NIR) e do software ILASTIK. Sementes de 10 lotes de U. decumbens foram classificadas quanto o potencial fisiológico (germinação e vigor) e depois foram obtidos espectros FT-NIR de amostras individuais de sementes, sendo os espectros originais pré-processados utilizando diferentes métodos de correção de dispersão utilizados para a construção de um modelo de classificação por meio da PLS-DA. Para a avaliação do ILASTIK, as plântulas foram fotografadas aos 7 e 14 dias de germinação e o classificador treinado foi aplicado às imagens, gerando dados de número de plântulas fortes, plântulas fracas e sementes não germinadas. Com os dados da técnica FT-NIR pré-processados pela 2ª derivada de Savitzky-Golay, foi possível obter um modelo de classificação com alta eficiência para discriminar as classes quanto ao potencial fisiológico das sementes. O ILASTIK foi eficiente para a classificação das sementes quanto ao potencial fisiológico com apenas 7 dias de germinação. As análises pelo FT-NIR e ILASTIK são alternativas não destrutivas e rápidas, com grande potencial para o controle de qualidade de lotes de sementes de U. decumbens.

RESUMO Apesar da importância do pinhão-manso na produção de biodiesel, conhecimentos sobre a sua variabilidade genética ainda é incipiente. A idealização de descritores é essencial para se alcançar tal intento. Portanto, objetivou-se propor e desenvolver uma lista de descritores normatizados e testados, e indicar os de maior contribuição para atividades de caracterização em pinhão-manso. Propuseram-se 53 descritores morfológicos e reprodutivos de naturezas quantitativa, multicategórica e binária. Obtiveram-se estimativas descritivas entre os descritores. Procedeu-se, via PCA, o descarte dos descritores altamente correlacionados. Em seguida identificaram-se os descritores de maior contribuição relativa para a estimação da diversidade genética entre as plantas analisadas. Descritores reprodutivos apresentaram os maiores coeficientes de variação. De 38 descritores quantitativos, 19 foram suficientes para discriminar as plantas. Estes abrangeram a produção, a copa de planta, a inflorescência, e a maturação dos frutos. Descritores relacionados à produção de grãos, a uniformidade de maturação e a copa de planta apresentaram as maiores contribuições relativas para a diversidade. Dos 13 descritores multicategóricos, apenas cinco, vegetativos, foram discriminativos. Nenhum descritor binário proposto variou.

ABSTRACT Despite the importance of the physic nut (Jatropha curcas) in biodiesel production, knowledge of its genetic variability is still in the early stages, with the development of descriptors bring essential to achieving this goal. The aim of this study, therefore, was to propose and develop a list of standardised and tested descriptors, and to indicate those that make the greatest contribution to characterising the physic nut. Fifty-three morphological and reproductive descriptors of a quantitative, multi-category or binary nature were proposed. Descriptive estimates were obtained from among the descriptors. Using PCA, highly correlated descriptors were discarded. Then, the descriptors with the greatest relative contribution to estimating genetic diversity among the plants under analysis were identified. Reproductive descriptors had the highest coefficients of variation. Of 38 quantitative descriptors, 19 were sufficient to discriminate between the plants. This covered production, the crown of the plant, inflorescences, and fruit maturation. Descriptors related to grain yield, the uniformity of maturation and the crown showed the greatest relative contributions to diversity. Of the 13 multi-category descriptors, only five vegetative descriptors were discriminative. None of the proposed binary descriptors showed anyvariation.

RESUMO: O cultivo do cacau tem grande importância socioeconômica mundial. Os amêndoas de cacau são a matéria-prima essencial para a produção de chocolate. A variabilidade do cacaueiro avaliada representa apenas uma pequena fração da diversidade genética existente, principalmente na região amazônica. Além disso, apenas uma pequena parte dessa variabilidade foi explorada no melhoramento de cacau. Dessa forma, o presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar a avaliação genética e seleção de clones de cacau, com base em características morfo-agronômicas. Para isso, foram avaliados 145 clones, durante 37 colheitas, em quatro anos consecutivos. As seguintes características de frutos e sementes foram avaliadas: número total de frutos colhidos (NTFC), número total de frutos sadios (NTFS), peso de sementes úmidas dos frutos sadios (PSUFS), peso médio de sementes úmidas dos frutos sadios (PMSUFS), peso de sementes secas dos frutos sadios (PSSFS), peso médio de sementes secas dos frutos sadios (PMSSFS), porcentagem de frutos com vassoura-de-bruxa (PFVB), porcentagem de frutos com broca (PFBR), porcentagem de frutos com sementes germinadas (PFSG), número de ramos com vassoura-de-bruxa (NRVB) e número de almofadas florais com vassoura-de-bruxa (NAFVB). Diferenças significativas (P < 0,05) entre os clones foram observadas para todas as características, o que revela uma expressiva variabilidade e possibilidade de ganhos com a seleção. As maiores correlações significativas (P < 0,05) ocorreram entre os caracteres NTFC e NTFS (0,94), NTFS e PMSUFS (0,86) e, NTFS e PMSSFS (0,86). Com base no índice de seleção, os clones POUND 12 e CAB 12, 228, 253, 257, 258 e 422 foram considerados os mais adequados para a seleção.

ABSTRACT: The cultivation of cocoa is of great socio-economic importance worldwide. Cocoa beans are the essential raw material for chocolate production. The variability of cacao studied presents only a small fraction of the existing genetic diversity, mainly in the Amazon region. Furthermore, just a small part of this variability has been exploited in cocoa breeding. Thus, the present study processed the genetic evaluation and selection of cocoa clones, based on morpho-agronomical traits. For this, we evaluated 145 clones, during 37 harvests from, four consecutive years. The following traits were evaluated: total number of fruits collected (TNFC), total number of healthy fruits (TNHF), weight of wet seeds from healthy fruits (WWSHF), average weight of wet seeds per healthy fruit (AWWSHF), weight of dry seeds from healthy fruit (WDSHF), average weight of dry seeds per healthy fruit (AWDSHF), percentage of fruits with witches’ broom disease (PFWB), percentage of fruits with borer (PFBR), percentage of fruits with germinated seeds (PFGS), number of branches with witches’ broom disease (NBWB), and number of inflorescence with witches’ broom disease (NIWB). Significant differences (P < 0.05) among the clones were observed for all traits, which reveal an expressive variability and possibility of gains with selection. The highest significant correlations (P < 0.05) occurred between traits TNFC and TNHF (0.94), TNHF and AWWSHF (0.86), and TNHF and AWDSHF (0.86). Based on the selection index, the clones POUND 12 and CAB 12, 228, 253, 257, 258, and 422 were the most suitable for selection.

Abstract To meet the demands of the production chain, breeding programs need to reduce the time for selection and development of higher yielding maize genotypes. This involves application of new strategies, such as the use of the doubled haploid lines. We evaluated the use of stomatal area and density in distinguishing doubled haploids (DH) from false positive (FP) plants derived from nine tropical source populations. We selected four DH plants and two FP plants for identification of DH through leaf anatomy in the populations, in each group. Data on stomatal area and density were considered in a completely randomized model in a factorial scheme (populations and genotypes) and analyzed by restricted maximum likelihood. There were statistically significant effects of populations and genotypes for both traits. For stomatal density, the population by genotype interaction was not verified. Stomatal density proved to be efficient for distinguishing DH and FP for use in selection of doubled haploids.

Abstract Sustainable development in the Amazon involves moderate actions that combine technology-based agriculture with forest conservation. One of these actions is the genetic breeding of native species, which promotes cultural appreciation of the local society, and enables the opening of new markets. As an example, two breeding programs with solid results will be mentioned in this review: açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. and E. oleifera (Kunth.) Cortés). Despite its importance, the prospects for breeding programs on Amazon are not optimistic. Factors intrinsic to plants, such as their incipient domestication, as well as their perennial nature and the difficulty linked to the improvement of plants in this category; and extrinsic factors, such as the lack of resources and specialized labour, in addition to the deficiency in logistics, are growing challenges that make it difficult to implementation of new programs and expansion of existing ones.

Abstract: Social, economic, and cultural globalization and the consumer society have enabled science to definitively participate in people’s daily lives. Human knowledge has advanced at an extraordinary rate; science has become present and imperative; and never has more been expected from scientific advances than now. Here I addressed answers to the following questions: What is the importance of science? How can science be correctly communicated? What can we learn from comparing articles from Mendel and from Watson & Crick? How is a scientific paper to be written? How are target journals for publishing articles to be chosen? What is the impact factor of a journal and the h-index of a researcher, and what importance do they have? What is the role of authors, editors, and reviewers in the publication process? What are the main scientific databases? What are predatory journals/publishers and their consequences for science? What are particular features of articles in the area of plant breeding? Finally, in what directions is science moving, considering that it has come to stay?

Resumo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito dos estádios de maturação dos frutos e das temperaturas de secagem sobre o teor de óleo e o potencial fisiológico das sementes de crambe. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. A colheita ocorreu quando as plantas atingiram 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100% de frutos de cor marrom. Após a colheita, as sementes foram secas em diferentes temperaturas (ar natural e artificial a 30, 45 e 60 °C). As sementes foram avaliadas quanto ao peso de mil sementes, produtividade, teor de óleo, germinação e vigor (primeira contagem de germinação e emergência de plântulas). As sementes de crambe, cultivar FMS Brilhante, atingiram o teor máximo de óleo com colheitas feitas a partir de 70% do total de frutos de cor marrom. As temperaturas de secagem não afetaram o teor de óleo das sementes. A colheita de sementes de crambe visando a mais alta qualidade fisiológica deve ocorrer quando as plantas tiverem entre 75 e 85% de frutos marrons. A secagem artificial a 30 e 45 °C pode ser recomendada para sementes de crambe, favorecendo a produção de sementes de qualidade.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of maturation fruit and drying temperatures stages on oil content and the physiological performance of crambe seeds. Randomized blocks were the experimental design, with four replications. Harvests occurred when the plants reached 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% brown color fruits. After harvest, seeds were dried at different temperatures (natural and artificial air at 30, 45 and 60 °C). The seeds were evaluated for the weight of a thousand seeds, productivity, oil content, germination and vigor (count of the first germination and seedling emergence). Crambe seeds, FMS Brilhante cultivar, reach the maximum oil content with harvests made from 70% of total brown color fruits. Drying temperatures do not affect the oil content of the seeds. Harvesting crambe seed aiming at the highest physiological quality should occur when the plants have between 75 and 85% brown fruits. Artificial drying at 30 and 45 °C can be recommended for crambe seeds, favoring the production of quality seeds.

ABSTRACT. Crambe is an oilseed plant producing oil that can be used for various industrial purposes, including the production of biofuel. It is a short-cycle, non-food plant that can be grown as a second crop following soybean or corn crops and using the same agricultural machinery. This work aimed to estimate genetic parameters and correlations between traits of genotypes grown for two years in seven locations in two Brazilian states. The cultivar FMS Brilhante and the lines CR 1101, CR 1102, CR 1105, CR 1202, CR 1303, and CR 1304 were used. The traits evaluated were grain yield (YD), plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), first fruiting branch height (BH), 1,000-seed weight (SW), and number of branches (NB). The correlations between traits were identified from the phenotypic covariance matrix through path analysis. Based on the joint analysis, the interaction of genotypes x years x locations was observed. Expressive genetic variability was verified for all evaluated traits, which allows gains to be made with the selection of genotypes. High broad-sense heritabilities based on plot means were verified for YD, BH, and SW (82, 84 and 77%, respectively), which indicates the possibility of directly selecting them. SW and SD showed the greatest direct effects and strongest correlations with YD.

Abstract We evaluated the genetic variability of a collection of Jatropha curcas germplasm, represented by 93 accessions, using microsatellite markers. Among the 60 markers tested, five of them detected polymorphisms, with a total of 11 alleles and mean of 2.2 alleles per loci. These five markers enabled the quantification of genetic variability through estimates of expected (He=0.42) and observed (Ho=0.64) heterozygosity, Shannon-Weaver index (H'=0.62), coefficient of inbreeding (ƒ=-0.44) and the formation of 11 clusters. Simultaneously, 14 accessions randomly sampled among the 93 and represented by seven plants each, were analyzed with these same five markers to quantify the within and between variability. Most of the genetic variation (92.58%) was contained within the accessions. These analyses revealed, for the first time, expressive genetic variability to be explored in this collection. The accessions UFVJC 05, 07, 12, 18, and 53 presented expressive variability among them with potential for the constitution of a base population for the breeding program.

RESUMO Crambe é uma oleaginosa adequada para vários fins industriais, como a produção de biodiesel, plásticos, borrachas e cosméticos. Há relatos da rusticidade desta espécie e seu potencial para o plantio em ambientes áridos e semi-áridos, onde a escassez de água e salinidade do solo são comuns. Entretanto, estudos sobre a tolerância de sementes a estes estresses e as respostas fisiológicas desencadeadas durante a germinação e estabelecimento de plântulas nessas condições são incipientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a tolerância de sementes de crambe ao déficit hídrico e ao estresse salino durante a germinação e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas, bem como investigar o papel das enzimas antioxidantes na tolerância a essas condições. As sementes foram expostas aos estresses hídrico e salino e seu desempenho foi analisado. Avaliou-se o grau de umidade, taxa de embebição, porcentagem e velocidade de germinação e o potencial hídrico base para a germinação das sementes. Nas plântulas, as seguintes medidas foram realizadas: comprimento da raiz e parte aérea, massa fresca e seca da raiz e parte aérea, teor de água e atividade das enzimas superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e peroxidase (POX). O déficit hídrico e o estresse salino reduzem a taxa de absorção de água das sementes, a germinação e o crescimento de plântulas. As sementes de crambe apresentam maior tolerância ao estresse salino do que ao déficit hídrico. A absorção do sal e a ação das enzimas antioxidantes SOD e CAT fazem parte do mecanismo de tolerância das sementes de crambe ao estresse salino.

ABSTRACT Crambe is an oilseed plant whose oil is suitable for various industrial purposes, such as production of biodiesel, plastics, rubbers, and cosmetics. There are reports of the rusticity of this species and its potential for growth in arid and semi-arid environments, where water scarcity and soil salinity are common. However, studies regarding the tolerance of its seeds to these stresses and the physiological responses triggered during germination and seedling establishment under these conditions are incipient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of crambe seeds to water deficit and salt stress during germination and early seedling development, as well as to investigate the role of antioxidant enzymes on tolerance to these conditions. The seeds were exposed to water and salt stresses and their performance was analyzed. Seed water content, imbibition rate, percentage and speed of germination, and the base water potential for seed germination were evaluated. In the seedlings, the following measurements were made: root and shoot length, fresh and dry matter of roots and shoots, moisture content, and activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). Water deficit and salt stress reduce the water uptake rate of the seeds, the germination and growth of seedlings. The crambe seeds had higher tolerance to salt stress than to water deficit. Absorption of salt and the action of the SOD and CAT antioxidant enzymes are part of the tolerance mechanisms of crambe seeds to salt stress.

Abstract Studies highlight the hypocotyl diameter (HD) as an effective indicator of plant architecture (PA). Here, we estimated the genetic gain based on HD to improve PA. Twenty populations of cycles zero (C0) and one (C1), both in the F4 generation, were evaluated for PA, grain yield (GY) and HD. Plants with thickest HD in C0 were intercrossed in a circulant diallel mating design. In cycle C1, an estimated genetic gain of 4.93% was achieved for PA and 4.95% for HD. The populations with the highest probability of breeding lines with a thicker HD belong to cycle C1, and this selection strategy did not alter the GY of the populations of this cycle. Thus, indirect selection based on HD is promising for breeding for common bean PA by recurrent mass selection.

RESUMO O melhoramento do crambe ainda é incipiente, com poucas cultivares de interesse. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram: i) avaliar a divergência entre 10 genótipos de crambe, por meio de características morfoagronômicas e de qualidade, utilizando análises multivariadas e; ii) estimar parâmetros genéticos relativos a essas características. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, e os dados obtidos foram submetidos a análises multivariadas e de avaliação genética. Os genótipos diferiram significativamente entre si quanto a altura de planta (ALT), diâmetro do caule (DC), número de ramos por planta (NR), altura do primeiro ramo produtivo (ARP), massa de 1000 grãos (M1000), produtividade de grãos (PROD) e de óleo (PO). O coeficiente de variação revelou boa precisão experimental (4,29 a 13,81%). As médias de PROD (1936,94 kg/ha) e de PO (660,10 kg/ha) foram elevadas. As características apresentaram altas estimativas de herdabilidade em nível de médias de progênies (h2 > 73,65). A análise de cluster revelou cinco grupos de genótipos. PROD foi a característica com maior contribuição (22,31%) para a diversidade entre os genótipos, seguida por ARP, NR e DC. Os genótipos 2 e 4 podem ser utilizados como genitores em cruzamentos futuros, pois são promissores na obtenção de populações segregantes.

ABSTRACT Crambe’s breeding is still incipient, with few cultivars of interest. The aims of the present study were: i) to evaluate the divergence between 10 genotypes of crambe, through morphoagronomic and quality traits, using multivariate analyses; and ii) to estimate genetic parameters related to these traits. The trial was conducted in a greenhouse, and the experimental data were submitted to multivariate analysis and genetic evaluation. The genotypes differed significantly among them for plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), number of branches per plant (NB), height of the first productive branch (HPB), mass of 1000 grains (M1000), grain yield (YIELD) and oil productivity (OIL). The experimental coefficient of variation revealed good precision (4.29 to 13.81%). The averages of YIELD (1936.94 kg/ha) and OIL (660.10 kg/ha) were high. The traits presented high estimates of broad-sense heritability on a mean genotype basis (h2 > 73.65). The cluster analysis revealed five clusters of genotypes. YIELD showed the greatest contribution (22.31%) to the diversity among the genotypes, followed by HPB, NB and SD. Genotypes 2 and 4 can be used as parents at future crosses, as they are promising in obtaining segregant populations.

Abstract Jatropha curcas L. is a species with high potential for the biodiesel production. Therefore, the oil yield and quality from it seeds should be known. This study aimed to estimate the correlation between morphological traits, yield and oil quality evaluated in the seeds, to know the genetic diversity between J. curcas accessions and it behavior regarding to three harvest seasons. For this purpose, X-ray digital images from seeds of 18 accessions were obtained, and the seeds analyzed for external and internal morphological aspects. The same seeds were analyzed for oil yield and quality. In general, the results concerning diversity indicated a narrow genetic base. More rounded and very long seeds had lower oil yield. Larger seeds presented higher oil yield only when their internal cavity was filled by their endosperm. Most of the accessions showed variation regarding the size of the endosperm, yield and oil quality between harvest seasons.

Abstract J. curcas (physic nut) is one of the most promising oilseeds for biofuel production and the knowledge about genetic parameter estimates is important for its breeding. Here, we evaluated 121 families, from 48 to 60 months of age, aiming genetic evaluation and selection. The trial was set up in an 11 x 11 lattice design, with three replications and 4-plant plot. The traits evaluated were fruit yield (FY), grain (GY) and oil yield (OY), fruit husk percentage (FH) and seed oil content (OC). Individual heritabilities were low (0.19 to 0.23), requiring accurate selection and improvement methods. Moderate repeatabilities were observed for FY (0.54), GY (0.52), OC (0.30) and OY (0.51), indicating that the families evaluated maintained relative superiority over the years. With selection of the 20 best individuals, the predicted genotypic gains (66%) were greater than the additive gains (56%), indicating greater possibilities of success from cultivation of clones.