ABSTRACT. The objectives of the present study were to determine heterotic groups of germplasm lines of tropical maize by test crosses and by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and to compare five grouping methods of heterogeneous maize. Sixteen lines of nine populations in the S 5 generation were evaluated in test crosses with three testers. The results of four experimental trials over two years were used to group the lines by five methods: evaluation based on the hybrid mean in top-cross tests, hybrid index, genetic diversity by the Mahalanobis distance, genetic diversity by the Euclidean distance, and genetic diversity by SSR markers. The concordance of grouping by the Mahalanobis and Euclidean distance amounted to 87.50%, and the concordance of these methods and grouping by SSR markers was 56.25%. Grouping by SSR markers was consistent with

Microsatellite markers, also known as SSRs (Simple Sequence Repeats), have proved to be excellent tools for identifying variety and determining genetic relationships. A set of 127 SSR markers was used to analyze genetic similarity in twenty five Coffea arabica varieties. These were composed of nineteen commercially important Brazilians and six interspecific hybrids of Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora and Coffealiberica. The set used comprised 52 newly developed SSR markers derived from microsatellite enriched libraries, 56 designed on the basis of coffee SSR sequences available from public databases, 6 already published, and 13 universal chloroplast microsatellite markers. Only 22 were polymorphic, these detecting 2-7 alleles per marker, an average of 2.5. Based on the banding patterns generated by polymorphic SSR loci, the set of twenty-five coffee varieties were clustered into two main groups, one composed of only Brazilian varieties, and the other of interspecific hybrids, with a few Brazilians. Color mutants could not be separated. Clustering was in accordance with material genealogy thereby revealing high similarity.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most important food staples in the south of Brazil. Understanding genetic variability among the assortment of Brazilian wheat is important for breeding. The aim of this work was to molecularly characterize the thirty-six wheat cultivars recommended for various regions of Brazil, and to assess mutual genetic distances, through the use of microsatellite markers. Twenty three polymorphic microsatellite markers (PMM) delineated all 36 of the samples, revealing a total of 74 simple sequence repeat (SSR) alleles, i.e. an average of 3.2 alleles per locus. Polymorphic information content (PIC value) calculated to assess the informativeness of each marker ranged from 0.20 to 0.79, with a mean of 0.49. Genetic distances among the 36 cultivars ranged from 0.10 (between cultivars Ocepar 18 and BRS 207) to 0.88 (between cultivars CD 101 and Fudancep 46), the mean distance being 0.48. Twelve groups were obtained by using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means analysis (UPGMA), and thirteen through the Tocher method. Both methods produced similar clusters, with one to thirteen cultivars per group. The results indicate that these tools may be used to protect intellectual property and for breeding and selection programs.

ABSTRACT. The objective of the current study was to apply molecular markers (microsatellites) in the analysis of genetic diversity of 48 lines of the elite maize germplasm stored in the bank of the Cooperativa Central de Pesquisa Agrícola -Coodetec, PR, Brazil, and estimate the correlation between genetic distance and heterosis and hybrid performance from the crosses among these maize lines. Fortyfour random primers were used and amplification of 124 polymorphic fragments was obtained. The expected findings from the correlation of the yield and heterosis with the genetic distance were non-significant. However, the results suggested that data from the extreme distances could be used in breeding for more productive crosses and heterotic hybrids. Thereby, molecular markers are efficient tools for predicting hybrid performance.

Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a variabilidade genética de cultivares de soja com marcadores microssatélites selecionados e caracterizados quanto à informatividade para uso em gel de agarose. O DNA de 23 cultivares de soja foi amplificado com 283 marcadores microssatélites em gel de agarose a 3%. Posteriormente, 53 marcadores que apresentaram polimorfismo facilmente detectável nos géis de agarose foram utilizados na caracterização de 53 cultivares. Nessas cultivares foram detectados 124 alelos, com média de 2,34 alelos por loco, e os valores de conteúdo de informação polimórfica variaram entre 0,16 e 0,66, com média de 0,47. As frequências alélicas variaram de 0,02 a 0,91, com média de 0,43. A distância genética calculada variou de 0,02 a 0,73, com média de 0,47. A menor distância observada foi entre as cultivares CD201 e CD208, e a maior distância entre CD210 e BRSMT Uirapuru. Os marcadores utilizados possibilitaram a identificação das 53 cultivares avaliadas. Os locos microssatélites de soja, avaliados em gel de agarose, apresentam elevada informatividade. É possível detectar variabilidade significativa no germoplasma brasileiro de soja avaliado, mesmo entre cultivares elite, quando se usa marcadores moleculares microssatélites selecionados por sua informatividade.Termos para indexação: caracterização de cultivar, conteúdo de informação polimórfica, diversidade genética, frequência alélica, marcador SSR. Genetic variability of soybean cultivars obtained through microsatellite markers in agarose gelAbstract -The objective of this work was to evaluate the genetic variability of soybean cultivars with microsatellite markers selected and characterized for their informativity to be used in agarose gel system. The DNA of 23 soybean cultivars was amplified with 283 microsatellite markers, using a 3% agarose gel systems. The 53 markers with clearly detectable polymorphism in the agarose gels were used to characterize 53 cultivars. In these 53 cultivars, 124 alleles were detected, with an average of 2.34 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content values varied between 0.16 and 0.66, with an average of 0.47. Allele frequencies were of 0.02 to 0.91, with an average of 0.43. Genetic distance was of 0.02 to 0.73, with an average value of 0.47. The shortest distance was between cultivars CD201 and CD208, and the largest between CD210 and BRSMT Uirapuru. The markers used permitted the identification of all bean 53 cultivars. The soybean microssatellite loci evaluated in agarose gel presented high informativity. It is possible to detect significant variability in the Brazilian soybean germplasm evaluated, even among elite cultivars, when microssatellite molecular markers, selected for their informativity, are used.Index terms: cultivar characterization, polymorphic information content, genetic diversity, allelic frequency, SSR marker. IntroduçãoO conhecimento da diversidade genética e a relação entre cultivares melhoradas são de grande importância para o melhoramento das culturas. A diversidade genétic...

A utilização de descritores morfológicos e marcadores bioquímicos de proteínas e enzimas têm sido recomendados para fins de caracterização de cultivares de soja. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi empregar tais descritores e marcadores na identificação de dez cultivares de soja. Os marcadores morfológicos avaliados nos estádios de plântula, planta e semente foram os recomendados pela Lei de Proteção de Cultivares e UPOV, mostrando-se eficientes na separação das dez cultivares. Marcadores específicos para sete das dez cultivares foram obtidos. A utilização de proteínas de armazenamento possibilitou a separação das cultivares em três grupos: 1) Conquista, BR/IAC 21 e Garantia; 2) Liderança, Confiança e Monarca; 3) Splendor, UFV 16, FT 2000 e Vencedora. Os sistemas enzimáticos superóxido dismutase, diaforase, fosfoglucomutase, esterase, álcool desidrogenase, isocitrado desidrogenase e peroxidase separaram as cultivares em seis grupos: 1) Conquista e Confiança; 2) Splendor e FT 2000; 3) UFV 16 e Garantia; 4) BRIAC 21; 5) Liderança e Monarca; 6) Vencedora. O emprego de marcadores bioquímicos de proteínas e caracterização de cultivares de soja.

RESUMO -Sementes de milho tornam-se tolerantes à dessecação à medida que secam naturalmente no campo e, após a maturidade fisiológica, pré-secagem a 35ºC pode induzir tolerância à temperatura de secagem de 50ºC. Nesse trabalho, sementes da cultivar BRS-3060, colhidas com teor de água de 42,2%, submetidas a períodos crescentes de pré-condicionamento apresentaram tolerância crescente à temperatura de 50ºC, até atingirem o teor de água de 25,9%, quando exibiram o máximo desempenho fisiológico, avaliado por meio de testes de germinação, vigor e atividade de enzimas α-amilase. O presente trabalho teve o objetivo de investigar o padrão eletroforético de enzimas removedoras de radicais livres e de proteínas lea, em sementes tolerantes e intolerantes a alta temperatura de secagem. As atividades das enzimas removedoras superóxido dismutase, peroxidase e catalase, foram detectadas em hipocótilos de plântulas após cinco dias de germinação e a atividade de proteínas lea detectada em eixos embrionários. Os resultados permitiram concluir que a tolerância de sementes de milho à temperatura de 50ºC está associada à atividade da enzima catalase e pouco relacionada à atividade das enzimas superóxido dismutase e peroxidase. Proteínas lea estavam ausentes em sementes de milho intolerantes e sua presença foi associada ao desempenho fisiológico das sementes tolerantes.Termos para indexação: Zea mays, tolerância à dessecação, peroxidase, superoxidase, catalase. FREE RADICAL-SCAVENGING ENZYMES AND LEA PROTEINS ASSOCIATED TO MAIZESEED TOLERANCE TO HIGH DRYING TEMPERATURE.ABSTRACT -Maize seeds assume desiccation tolerance as they dry naturally during maturation and pre drying at 35ºC after their physiological maturity can induce tolerance to artificial drying at 50ºC. Seeds of 'BRS-3060' harvested with 42,2% water content and submitted to increased periods of pre-conditioning, showed enhanced tolerance to 50ºC until 25,9% water content when they reached maximum physiological performance. Seed quality was evaluated by germination and vigor tests and α-amilase enzyme activity. Seeds tolerant and not-tolerant to drying at 50ºC were investigated by means of electrophoretic standards of free radical-scavenging enzymes and lea proteins. The scavenger activity enzyme superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase was detected in 5-day old seedling hypocotyl and lea protein was detected in embryonic axes. The results showed that maize seeds tolerant to 50ºC are associated to catalase enzyme activity but are less related to superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzymes activities. Lea proteins were not present in maize seeds non tolerant to desiccation and their presence was associated to the physiological performance of tolerant seeds.

Resumo -Este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar o fluxo gênico em soja, na Região Oeste do Paraná. Foram semeados cinco círculos concêntricos, com a cultivar CD 219RR, que contém o gene CP4 EPSPS. Os círculos foram espaçados em 50 cm, com círculo interno de diâmetro de 50 cm. Externamente a estes, foi semeada a cultivar CD 211 (convencional), também em cinco círculos concêntricos, espaçados em 1 m. As plantas da cultivar CD 211 foram colhidas e trilhadas individualmente, e as sementes semeadas novamente no campo. Após a emergência, foram obtidas 151.772 plântulas, as quais, com 15 dias, foram pulverizadas com 900 g ha Termos para indexação: Glycine max, organismo geneticamente modificado, taxa de fecundação cruzada, escape gênico. Soybean gene flow in the Western Region of ParanáAbstract -The objective of this work was to evaluate soybean gene flow in the Western Region of Paraná. Five concentric circles were sowed with the CD 219RR cultivar, which contains the CP4 EPSPS gene. The circles were spaced in 50 cm and the central circle had 50 cm in diameter. Externally to the CD 219RR circles, five concentric circles were sowed with CD 211 cultivar, a no genetically modified soybean, spaced of 1 m. The CD 211 plants were harvested and threshed separately and the seeds were sowed again. After the emergency, 151,772 seedlings were obtained, which with 15 days were sprayed with 900 g ha -1 a.i. of glyphosate. After one week, the surviving plants were analysed by PCR to verify the CP4 EPSPS gene presence. The cross-pollinating rate was 0.61, 0.29, 0.23, 0.22 and 0.23% in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 m distance of the genetically modified plants, respectively.