The rapid alkalinization factor (RALF) peptide negatively regulates cell expansion, and an antagonistic relationship has been demonstrated between AtRALF1, a root-specific RALF isoform in Arabidopsis, and brassinosteroids (BRs). An evaluation of the response of BR signaling mutants to AtRALF1 revealed that BRI1-associated receptor kinase1 (bak1) mutants are insensitive to AtRALF1 root growth inhibition activity. BAK1 was essential for the induction of AtRALF1-responsive genes but showed no effect on the mobilization of Ca2+ and alkalinization responses. Homozygous plants accumulating AtRALF1 and lacking the BAK1 gene did not exhibit the characteristic semi-dwarf phenotype of AtRALF1-overexpressors. Biochemical evidence indicates that AtRALF1 and BAK1 physically interact with a Kd of 4.6 μM and acridinium-labeled AtRALF1 was used to demonstrate that part of the specific binding of AtRALF1 to intact seedlings and to a microsomal fraction derived from the roots of Arabidopsis plants is BAK1-dependent. Moreover, AtRALF1 induces an increase in BAK1 phosphorylation, suggesting that the binding of AtRALF1 to BAK1 is functional.These findings show that BAK1 contains an additional AtRALF1 binding site, indicating that this protein may be part of a AtRALF1-containing complex as a co-receptor, and it is required for the negative regulation of cell expansion.

-Ormosia arborea, a Leguminosae, presents seeds with tegumentary dormancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of dormancy breaking methods, characterize seeds obtained from different mother plants, and to determine the best period to collect Ormosia arborea seeds. The seeds were harvested from mother plants in two different periods (June and August/2011). The seeds were then subjected to biometrical analyses, determination of moisture content and germination tests. Determination of the soaking curve and evaluation of the dormancy breaking methods were performed using the seeds collected in the second period. The soaking curve confirmed the tegumentary dormancy, and the chemical scarification for 15 minutes was the more adequate procedure to overcome this dormancy. The biometry revealed average values higher than those on literature, and there was difference between both harvesting periods. The mass correlates with the other evaluated parameters, and can be indicated for selecting seeds for seedling production. The two harvesting periods of Ormosia arborea seeds were considered appropriated for seed supplying, due to the high germination potential. Nevertheless, the best period for harvesting is when fruits are already opened, mature, and with low moisture content (no additional drying time needed), what hinders the occurrence of fungi.Index terms: soaking curve, chemical scarification, mechanical scarification.Métodos para superação da dormência em sementes de Ormosia arborea, caracterização e época de colheita RESUMO -Ormosia arborea é uma Leguminosae que apresenta sementes com dormência tegumentar. Objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência de métodos para superação da dormência desta espécie, caracterizar lotes de sementes coletados em diferentes matrizes e determinar a melhor época de coleta. As sementes coletadas de matrizes, em duas épocas (junho e agosto/2011), foram submetidas às análises biométricas, determinação do teor de água e testes de germinação. Com sementes da segunda coleta, determinou-se a curva de embebição e avaliou-se métodos para superação da dormência. A curva de embebição confirmou a dormência tegumentar e a escarificação química por 15 minutos foi o procedimento mais adequado para a superação desta dormência. A biometria revelou valores médios maiores do que os relatados na literatura e houve diferença entre as épocas de coleta. A massa correlacionou-se com os demais parâmetros avaliados, podendo ser indicada para a seleção de sementes na produção de mudas. As duas épocas de coletas de sementes de Ormosia arborea utilizadas foram consideradas adequadas para o fornecimento de sementes, em função do elevado potencial germinativo obtido. Entretanto, a melhor época para a coleta das sementes é quando os frutos já estão abertos, maduros, com baixo teor de água, sem necessidade de secagem adicional, o que dificulta a ocorrência de fungos.Termos para indexação: curva de embebição, escarificação química, escarificação mecânica.

The effects of NO donors on germination under saline stress have been much investigated for many species, however, there are reports that the effect caused by donors are effects of cyanide present. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on germination, antioxidative system and lipid peroxidation of Senna macranthera seeds under saline stress. The osmotic potentials of -0.4 and -0.5 MPa of NaCl were used, as well as the concentration of 100 μM of sodium nitroprusside, inactive sodium nitroprusside. Germination rate, imbibition curves, antioxidant enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation, and protein content were evaluated. Similar effects were observed for sodium nitroprusside and inactive sodium nitroprusside, indicating that these effects were related to the release of the cyanide present in sodium nitroprusside. The sodium nitroprusside (SNP) improves the germination of Senna macranthera seeds under salt stress conditions, through release of cyanide. The cyanide favored germination, reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes.

As sementes de Passiflora apresentam germinação baixa e desuniforme, devida a presença de dormência das sementes, sendo assim, esta dormência deve ser superada por um método eficiente que aumente as taxas de germinação. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência de métodos para superação da dormência das sementes de Passiflora elegans. Foram coletados 35 frutos maduros no município de Getúlio Vargas, Rio Grande do Sul em dezembro de 2013. O experimento foi conduzido na Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Foram utilizados os seguintes métodos para superação da dormência: T1: sementes com tegumento; T2: sementes sem tegumento; T3- escarificação mecânica; T4: escarificação química em ácido sulfúrico concentrado por 10 min; T5: estratificação por 5 dias a 4 ˚C; T6: sementes sem o tegumento, seguido de imersão em ácido giberélico GA3 (50 µM); T7: sementes sem o tegumento, seguido de imersão em solução de paclobutrazol (0,1 mM). As sementes foram submetidas a teste de germinação, utilizando cinco repetições de 40 sementes, mantidas em B.O.D. à 25 ˚C. A germinação foi avaliada diariamente por 80 dias. Foram avaliadas a porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG) e velocidade de germinação (VG). No teste do tetrazólio as sementes receberam um picote e foram embebidas por 16 h e cortadas longitudinalmente e imersas em solução de tetrazólio 0,05% e mantidas no escuro em banho-maria a 36 ˚C, por 24 h. Conclui-se que a imersão em GA3 (50 µM) é o melhor método para a superação de dormência de P. elegans.

Studies show the positive effect of the nitric oxide donor in the seed germination process. However, there are no precise reports about which compound present in sodium nitroprusside would cause these effects in seeds under salt stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SNP on germination of Senna macranthera seeds under salt stress. The osmotic potentials of -0.3, -0.4, and -0.5 MPa of NaCl were used, as well as the concentration of 100 μM of sodium nitroprusside, inactive sodium nitroprusside, and ferrocyanide. The sodium nitroprusside in germination was applied before, during, and after salt stress. Germination rate, germination speed index, percentage of normal seedlings, and seedling development components were evaluated. The treatments that proved to be more promising in recovery of germination under salt stress are -0.4 MPa together with SNP; -0.4 MPa together with inactive SNP; -0.5 MPa together with SNP and -0.5 MPa together with inactive SNP. Effects similar to those brought about by the sodium nitroprusside treatment were also observed in the treatments with inactive sodium nitroprusside and ferrocyanide, indicating that the effects observed were related to release of the cyanide present in the sodium nitroprusside.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been used as stimulating of the germination process for many species. However, there are few studies evaluating the effect of nitric oxide donor in the regulation of seed germination under salt stress, especially for native forest species. The objective was to evaluate the effects of SNP, an NO donor substance, on germination of Senna macranthera seeds under salt stress. The seeds were germinated at different osmotic potentials induced by NaCl solution (0.0, -0.1, -0.2, -0.3, -0.4 and -0.5 MPa). To evaluate the effect of the SNP, potentials -0.3 and -0,4 MPa were selected, applying SNP at different concentrations: 100, 200, 300 and 400 µM. Germination tests were conducted at 25 °C, with photoperiod of 8 hours. Percentage of radicle protrusion, radicle protrusion speed index, percentage of normal seedlings, shoots and roots length and dry matter were evaluated. Salt stress with NaCl is harmful to germination of S. macranthera seeds. SNP has the potential to recover germination under salt stress, especially in the concentration of 100 µM.

Salinity influences all germination stages and may adversely affect the seedlings establishment in the field. This study aimed at assessing the effects of salt stress on the physiological potential of melon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds. Germination and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) enzymes were assessed at the osmotic potentials of 0.0 MPa, -0.1 MPa, -0.2 MPa, -0.3 MPa, -0.4 MPa and -0.5 MPa. The enzymatic activity was assessed after 24 h, 48 h and 72 h of imbibition. Seed germination was zero at -0.5 MPa and 91 % and 85 % at -0.1 MPa and -0.2 MPa, respectively. In general, the activity of SOD, CAT and POX enzymes increased with the salt-induced stress, in the different times of imbibition, and these increases were more evident at -0.4 MPa and -0.5 MPa. The salt stress induced by NaCl diminishes the germination rate of melon seeds, particularly from the osmotic potential of -0.2 MPa. There is a significant increase in the activity of SOD, CAT and POX enzymes, mainly after 48 h of exposure.

The study aimed to define the best conditions to conduct germination tests for Ormosia arborea seeds and assess the viability of seeds using the tetrazolium test. The germination tests were conducted at temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C and alternating temperatures of 20-30 °C, in the presence or absence of light. For the tetrazolium test, seeds were immersed in tetrazolium solution 0.075%, at 35 °C for three hours, and then the viability was evaluated. It was verified that the seeds did not present absolute photosensitivity. The tetrazolium test was effective in separating the seeds into two categories concerning seed viability, viable and nonviable. It was concluded that O. arborea seeds germinate in the presence or absence of light in a wide range of temperatures. Temperatures of 25 and 30 ºC and alternating temperatures of 20-30 ºC are indicated to conduct germination tests. The tetrazolium test was effective in assessing seed viability.