-The Seed Analysis System (SAS) is used in the image analysis of seeds and seedlings, and has the potential for use in the control of seed quality. The aim of this research was to adapt the methodology of image analysis of maize seedlings by SAS, and to verify the potential use of this equipment in the evaluation of the physiological potential of maize seeds. Nine batches of two maize hybrids were characterised by means of the following tests and determinations: germination, first count, accelerated ageing, cold test, seedling emergence at 25 and 30ºC, and speed of emergence index. The image analysis experiment was carried out in a factorial scheme of 9 batches x 4 methods of analysis of the seedling images (with and without the use of NWF as substrate, and with and without manual correction of the images). Images of the seedlings were evaluated using the average lengths of the coleoptile, roots and seedlings; and by the automatic and manual indices of vigour, uniformity and growth produced by the SAS. Use of blue NWF afffects the initial development of maize seedlings. The physiological potential of maize seeds can be evaluated in seedlings which are seeded on white paper towels at a temperature of 25 °C and evaluated on the third day. Image analysis should be carried out with the SAS software using automatic calibration and with no correction of the seedling images. Use of SAS equipment for the analysis of seedling images is a potential tool in evaluating the physiological quality of maize seeds.

Due to increased use of treated seeds, studies are necessary in relation to the effects of the treatments and their possible consequences on seed quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate phytotoxicity according to when phytosanitary products are applied on soybean seeds and their effect on seed physiological quality and field performance. A completely randomized experimental design was used in a 9 × 2 factorial arrangement involving 9 seed treatments (fungicides and insecticides) and two application times (60 days before sowing and at the time of sowing in the field). Moisture content was determined and tests were performed to ascertain physiological quality (germination and germination under water restriction). Root and hypocotyl length, seedling length, and vigor and uniformity indices were evaluated with the assistance of Vigor-S®. In the field, the following determinations were made: plant height at 30 and 60 days after emergence, first pod height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, and yield. Early seed treatment in the soybean crop can affect initial development of the plants, but it does not affect yield. The phytotoxicity caused by the soybean seed treatment was observed in the root length characteristic.

The use of an appropriate method that accurately expresses physiological seed quality and minimizes possible phytotoxicity by chemical products in laboratory testing with soybean seeds is relevant. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence and infer the method adequacy for the representative evaluation of physiological quality of soybean seeds treated with phytosanitary products. Two experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design, with trial 1 in a 9×5 factorial scheme involving nine seed treatments, including fungicides and insecticides, and solutions with five osmotic potentials (0, -0.25, -0.5, -0.75 and -1.0 MPa) for wetting a paper substrate in a germination experiment, with evaluation of the normal seedlings at five and eight days after sowing. The second experiment consisted of a 9×7 factorial, with nine seed treatments and seven methods for germination evaluation at 5 days (between paper - BP, between sand - BS, between paper with water restriction - BPWR, between paper with preconditioning - BPC, sand between paper - SBP and vermiculite between paper - VBP). Treatments with insecticides affect seedling germination and evaluation, with greater phytotoxicity in relation to fungicides. Methods with readily available water led to greater phytotoxicity than methods with low water availability. For soybean germination evaluation of seeds treated with phytosanitary products, the BPC, SBP and VBP methods were optimal.

Amaranthus species have great potential for human food due to their nutritional and functional properties, but there are few phytotechnical studies with this crop, making its cultivation unfeasible. Aiming to encourage the production of these species, this study aimed to evaluate and distinguish the morphological, chemical and physiological characteristics of seeds of Amaranthus sp. (commercial species), A. viridis and A. hybridus. The experiments were performed in a completely randomized design, evaluating seeds in size classes (850, 600 and 425 µm) and characterizing them by image analysis using the GroundEye® system, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and radiographic analysis. The first germination count, germination and germination speed index with and without KNO3 were performed to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and the means compared by the Tukey test. Radiographic analysis showed that the seeds of the three studied species were filled in the size class of 600 and 850 µm, without dormancy, but the commercial species had higher germination speed. GroundEye® and NIR allowed distinguishing the three species according to their geometric characteristics, predominance of color and chemical components.

ResumoImportância das amilases na qualidade isiológica de sementes de milho. A qualidade de sementes está associada à soma dos atributos genéticos, físicos, isiológicos e sanitários que afetam sua capacidade para realizar as funções vitais, estando relacionada à germinação, ao vigor e à longevidade. A expressão de genes associados à qualidade isiológica pode ser avaliada por meio de análises de germinação e vigor, e ainda pelas análises de transcritos e de proteínas em sementes. Objetivou-se com este trabalho fazer uma revisão sobre a relevância das enzimas do grupo das amilases relacionadas à qualidade isiológica de sementes de milho. Dentro do grupo das amilases, a α-amilase (1,4-α-D-glucan-glucanohydrolase, E.C 3.2.1.1) é uma enzima importante na hidrólise do amido, sendo responsável por 90% da atividade amilolítica em sementes de milho. Essa enzima, a exemplo da dextrose, causa a conversão de amido em açúcares que são utilizados no crescimento do embrião. Já a β-amilase (1,4-α-D-glucan maltohydrolase, E.C 3.2.1.2) catalisa a liberação de maltose e dextrinas a partir das extremidades não redutoras do amido. Pesquisas comprovam que as enzimas amilases estão ligadas diretamente à qualidade isiológica de sementes de milho. A α-amilase e a β-amilase estão envolvidas principalmente no processo de germinação e na heterose das sementes, podendo ser também utilizadas como marcadores moleculares relacionadas à tolerância de secagem das sementes.Palavras-chave: α-amilase; β-amilase; Germinação; Heterose; Marcador molecular AbstractSeed quality is the result of the sum of genetic, physical, physiological and sanitary attributes that affect seed ability to perform vital functions related to germination, vigor, and longevity. The expression of genes associated with physiological quality can be assessed by means of germination and vigor analyses, as well as by transcript and protein analyses. The objective in this work was to review the relevance of amylase group enzymes to the physiological quality of maize seeds. Within this group, α-amylase (1,4-α-D-glucan glucanohydrolase E.C 3.2.1.1) plays an important role in starch hydrolysis, and is responsible for 90% of the amylolytic activity in maize seeds. It is responsible for starch conversion into sugars (e.g., destrin), which is used for embryo growth. β-amylase (1,4-α-D-glucan maltohydrolase E.C 3.2.1.2) catalyzes the release of maltose and dextrins from the non-reducing ends of starch. Research has shown that amylase enzymes are directly linked to physiological quality of maize seeds. Alpha-and beta-amylases are mainly involved in the germination process and seed heterosis, and can also be used as molecular markers associated with seed tolerance for drying.

Due to the non-uninform maturation of tobacco fruits and seeds, the priming technique has been used by the tobacco industry as a way of increasing the uniformity and germinations peed of seeds. Several factors can affect priming, including the time and environment in which the treatment is performed. In order to evaluate the effect of sodium hypochlorite as priming agent at different concentrations and the priming period on the physiological quality of the tobacco seeds, it was used a seed lot of commercial cultivar CSC 439 from the Virginia varietal group, widely used by the producing companies. The seeds were subjected to priming in aerated solution at different priming periods (180, 60, 30, 15, and 5 min) and concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (1%, 0.50%, 0.25%, and 0.10 %). The physiological quality was evaluated by the water contents, germination tests, first count, germination index, initial and final stands, emergence index and electrical conductivity. The priming with sodium hypochlorite did not affect germination, but allowed a higher percentage and speed of emergence when using the 1% concentration for 180, 30 and 15 min.

Technologies that increase safety and efficiency, while facilitating and streamlining the work of seed analysts, are increasingly required by the seed industry. X-ray image analysis is a technique that has been used in the analysis of grain and seeds because it is fast, accurate and non-destructive. The traditional method to verify the presence of insect damage in seeds involves manual cutting of the seeds, which endangers the safety of the analyst and is time-consuming and repetitive work that leads to visual fatigue. The objective of this study was to compared the efficiency of radiographic analysis with and without contrast in the determination of infestation by Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), at different stages of development, in maize seeds, compared to the traditional method required by seed legislation, which consists of cutting and visual evaluation. Seeds were evaluated regarding the presence of eggs/oviposition signs, larvae, pupae, adult insects, insect damage in five infestation periods (5, 18, 33 and 35 days after infestation), while evaluating the total number of seeds infested, comparing the three methods. For characterization of the oviposition stage, the use of contrast was best at all times of infestation. For the larval stage, there was no difference between the evaluation methods; however, at 18 days, larger infestations were observed by the traditional method. At 5 days, the identification of pupae was better by the traditional method and radiography without contrast, while for the identification of adult insects the best method was the use of radiography without contrast. The characterization of the level of infestation with maize weevil damage was best verified using contrast radiography. Radiographic analysis is efficient in the detection of damage caused by S. zeamais in maize seeds. This method of radiographic analysis (with or without contrast) is thus an auxiliary tool to assess the damage and presence of S. zeamais in maize seeds.

Priming is a commercial technique used to increase the speed and uniformity of seed germination. However, the physiological quality of primed seeds is usually negatively affected during storage. Tobacco seeds of the cultivar BAT 2101 were used to investigate whether primed seeds could be cryopreserved. The most suitable substances, type of drying, and reheating during priming and cryopreservation of tobacco seeds were studied. Seed priming was performed with water, spermidine, and potassium nitrate, and drying was carried out with silica gel and a saturated saline solution. Seeds were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for 24 h and reheated in a water bath for two and five minutes and at ambient temperature. Tobacco seeds primed with spermidine and water can be cryopreserved without loss of physiological quality when quickly dried on silica gel and reheated in a water bath for two minutes.