An outbreak of spontaneous Baccharis coridifolia poisoning in horses in July 2008 is reported from southern Brazil. The poisoning affected three mares out of four that were transported from the state of Paraná to a farm in the municipality of Acegua, Rio Grande do Sul, and occurred 3 days after arrival of the animals in a paddock with sprouting B. coridifolia. The fourth mare introduced to another paddock without B. coridifolia was not affected. The mares had received only one third of the concentrate ration previously ingested and stayed during the night in a stall. Clinical signs were abdominal discomfort, increased cardiac and respiratory rate, anorexia, hypermotility of the gut, cecal tympany, and diarrhea. The clinical course was of 18-36 hours. One affected mare survived after symptomatic treatment. Gross lesions were severe congestion, hemorrhages, edema and ulcers of the glandular stomach. Congestion, edema and hemorrhages were also observed in ileum, cecum and large colon. Histologic examination revealed degeneration and necrosis of the aglandular epithelium of the stomach, gastritis and enteritis with infiltration by mononuclear cells and neutrophils, edema of the mucosa, and dilatation of lymphatic vessels. One horse was poisoned experimentally with 1g/kg body weight of B. coridifolia. Clinical signs and lesions were similar to those observed in the spontaneous cases.INDEX TERMS: Baccharis coridifolia, poisonous plants, horse.

-Chia cultivation is expanding in Brazil, but there is still no standardized test to evaluate the quality of the seeds. Therefore, vigor tests that expose seeds to stress conditions must be standardized. This study aimed to establish the methodology for the accelerated aging test in chia seeds. Six chia seed lots with similar germination behavior were used. They were submitted to germination, first germination count, seedling emergence, emergence speed index and accelerated aging tests. Aging periods of 24, 48, and 72 hours were used in the conventional methodology, and also with the use of unsaturated and saturated sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. The results obtained from the accelerated aging tests revealed tendencies for lot separation similar to the classification of chia seed lots in relation to the physiological potential obtained in the preliminary quality tests. The accelerated aging test can be used to evaluate the physiological potential of chia seeds by using water or unsaturated saline solution. In the conventional test (water), the seeds should be exposed for 24 hours. When using unsaturated saline solution, the exposure time must be of 48 hours.

It is essential that tests for evaluating seed vigour be faster and increasingly efficient to enable precise differentiation among batches. In this way, it is possible to evaluate the quality of seeds based on the anaerobic metabolism of cells when exposed to environments lacking oxygen. Thus, the objective of this study was to establish methodology for evaluating the viability and vigour of 3 lots of cowpea (Amendoim cultivar) seeds using the ethanol test. The treatments were carried out in a completely randomized design with four replications. For the test, 25 seeds were stored in hermetically sealed PET (Polyethylene the Ethylene) bottles containing 40 ml of distilled water and subjected to 3 soaking times in distilled water (6, 24, and 48 h) at a controlled temperature of 40°C in a germinator. The amount of ethanol produced was quantified with the aid of an adapted breath analyser. The results are expressed as mg L-1; these data were then compared with data for the following: germination; the first germination count; the total length, root length and shoot length of the seedling; dry weight of the seedling; emergence in the field; emergence speed index; and electrical conductivity. The experimental design was completely randomised, and the data were subjected to analysis of variance and correlation analysis. The results were compared using the Tukey test at 5% probability. Measurement of ethanol after 6 or 48 h of soaking at 40°C was effective for determining the viability and vigour of cowpea seeds. As ethanol test results have high correlation with germination and vigour test results, this approach is a viable alternative for analysts and seed producers.

<p>O pau de balsa (<em>Ochroma</em><em> pyramidale</em>) vem se constituindo como umas das principais espécies arbóreas no ramo de reflorestamento, devido ao seu ponto de corte rápido, que varia entre cinco e sete anos. Entretanto, as sementes desta espécie apresentam dormência devido à impermeabilidade do tegumento, dificultando a sua germinação e assim a produção de mudas. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de métodos de superação de dormência em sementes de pau de balsa. O experimento foi conduzido na Empresa de Pesquisa, Assistência e Extensão Rural (EMPAER), localizada na cidade de Guarantã do Norte, MT. Para superar a dormência as sementes foram submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos:  1) choque térmico por 10 minutos, 2) choque térmico por 15 minutos, 3) choque térmico por 20 minutos, 4) choque térmico por 25 minutos, 5) acetona por 15 minutos e 6) hipoclorito de sódio por 15 minutos. Para avaliar o efeito dos tratamentos, foram analisadas as variáveis emergência de plântulas, índice de velocidade de emergência, comprimento de parte aérea, raiz e total de plântulas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Skott - Knot, ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. A imersão em água quente seguida de imersão água fria (choque térmico) é um tratamento eficiente na superação de dormência de sementes de pau de Balsa. O choque térmico com imersão em água quente e fria (80 ºC/ 8 ºC) por 15 minutos é recomendável para superação de dormência de sementes de pau de balsa.</p><p align="center"><strong><em>Overcoming dormancy in pau de balsa seeds </em></strong><em>(Ochroma</em><em> pyramidale)</em><strong><em></em></strong></p><p><strong>Abstract</strong><strong>: </strong>Pau de balsa (<em>Ochroma</em><em> pyramidale</em>) has been installing as one of the principal-tree species in reforestation branch, due to its fast cut-off point, which varies between five and seven years. However, the seeds of this kind present dormancy due to the impermeability of the seed coat, hindering germination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of overcoming dormancy methods in Pau de balsa seeds. The essay was carried out at company Research, Assistance and Rural Extension (EMPAER), located in the city of Guarantã do Norte - MG. To overcome dormancy the seeds were submitted to the following treatments: 1) thermal shock for 10 minutes, 2) thermal shock for 15 minutes 3) thermal shock for 20 min, 4) thermal shock for 25 minutes, 5) acetone for 15 minutes and 6) sodium hypochlorite for 15 minutes. To evaluate the effect of treatments, the variables were analyzed seedling emergence, emergence speed index, shoot length, root and total seedlings. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and the means compared by Skott-Knot test, at 5% probability. That soaking in hot water followed by cold water immersion (thermal shock) is an effective treatment to overcome dormancy pau de balsa seeds. Heat stroke with immersion in hot and cold water (80 °C/8 °C) for 15 minutes is recommended for overcoming pau de balsa seed dormancy.</p>

Resumo: O feijão-miúdo (Vigna unguiculata) apresenta multiplicidade de usos, que o torna boa opção para os agricultores, podendo ser utilizado além de recuperador de solos, como forragem verde, na alimentação animal e destaque na consorciação com gramíneas de alto potencial de produção. Objetivou-se adequar o teste de condutividade elétrica para avaliação do vigor de lotes de sementes de feijão miúdo. Foram utilizados três lotes de sementes da variedade Amendoim e da variedade Mosqueado. Para avaliar a qualidade fisiológica foram conduzidos os seguintes testes: germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, massa seca de plântula, área foliar, emergência e índice de velocidade de emergência. O teste de condutividade elétrica foi realizado com 25 e 50 sementes embebidas em 75 mL e 200 mL de água destilada, a 20º C, por 2, 4, 6, 8, e 24 horas e o delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com 4 repetições. As demais variáveis: germinação, índice de velocidade de emergência, envelhecimento acelerado, massa seca de plântulas, área foliar e emergência, não permitiram diferenciar os lotes, sendo que o teste de envelhecimento acelerado e massa seca mostraram-se contraditórios. O teste de condutividade elétrica não foi eficiente na diferenciação dos lotes analisados. Palavras-chave:Vigna unguiculata L.; Vigor; Qualidade fisiológica. Abstract:The cowpea bean (Vigna unguiculata) shows multiple uses, which makes it good choice for farmers and can be used in addition to soil recovery, as green fodder in animal feed and featured in intercropping with high production potential grasses. The objective of this work was to adjust the electrical conductivity test to evaluate the effect of lots of cowpea bean seeds. Three lots of seeds of two varieties mosqueado and amendoin were used.nTo evaluate the physiological quality, the following tests were conducted: germination accelerated aging, dry weight of seedling, leaf area and emergency and emergency speed index. The conductivity test was carried out with 25 and 50 seeds soaked in 75 mL and 200 mL of distilled water at 20 ° C for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours and the experimental design was completely randomized with four replications. The other variables: germination, emergence speed index, accelerated aging, seedling dry mass, leaf area and emergence did not vary between lots, and the accelerated aging test and dry mass proved to be contradictory. The electrical conductivity test was not effective in differentiating lots analyzed.

Distinct levels of quality of treated soybean seeds evaluated in alternative substrates to the germination test Níveis distintos de qualidade de sementes de soja tratadas avaliadas em substratos alternativos ao teste de germinação

Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is forage with the potential to increase pasture area in Southern Brazil. It is an option for more profitable and intensive use of floodplain areas during the cold seasons of the year. However, irrigation of crops in these areas in the summer can result in the salinization of the soils that have inadequate drainage, preventing the removal of salt by leaching. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of ryegrass seeds using different concentrations of sodium chloride. Four commercial ryegrass cultivars of PGG Wrightson Seeds Brazil were used: Inia Bakarat, Inia Scorpio, Inia Camaro, and La Estanzuela 284. Saline substrates consisted of Germitest® paper wetted with sodium chloride solution at five osmotic potentials (0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6 and -0.8 MPa). The study was conducted at the "Flavio Rocha" Didactic Seeds Analysis Laboratory and involved analysis of the following indicators of salt stress response: germination (%), first germination count (%), plantlet length (cm), and plantlet dry phytomass (mg/seedling). The results showed that saline stress conditions caused by reduced osmotic potential affected ryegrass seed germination and vigor, as well as decreased the stature of the aerial and root parts of the seedlings. Out of the cultivars evaluated, La Estanzuela 284 was the most tolerant to saline stress. It is possible to cultivate ryegrass in areas with salinity up to mean values of -0.2 MPa osmotic potential. In this study, no significant decrease in seedling performance was observed.

<p>Para uma análise plena da qualidade fisiológica de sementes, há necessidade de complementar informação provida do teste de germinação com testes de vigor, a fim de selecionar os lotes vigorosos para comercialização. Objetivou-se estudar metodologias do teste de envelhecimento acelerado tradicional e modificado, com solução salina saturada e não saturada, avaliando o potencial fisiológico de sementes de melancia. Foram utilizadas sementes de melancia cultivar Congo e Crimson Sweet, representadas por quatro e cincos lotes de sementes, respectivamente. Para a avaliação da qualidade das sementes de melancia foram utilizados as seguintes determinações: testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, teste de frio, índice de velocidade de emergência, emergência de plântulas e procedimentos do teste de envelhecimento acelerado nas metodologias: tradicional, solução salina saturada (40g de NaCl por 100 mLde água) e solução salina não saturada (11g de NaCl por 100 mLde água), a 41°C, por períodos de 48; 72 e 96 horas. O teste de envelhecimento acelerado, utilizando solução salina não saturada ou solução salina saturada e combinação 41°C por 72 horas, mostra-se adequado para avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de melancia, constituindo-se em um teste promissor para avaliação da expressão do vigor.</p>