Guard cell (GC) length proved to be efficient in sorting diploids from haploids in doubled haploid development in maize (Zea mays L). It compensates for the weakness of widely used R1-nj marker approach that showed low reliability in haploids identification from tropical genotypes. Guard cell length differs between haploid and diploid plants, and these differences were evaluated in the progeny of three different induction crosses obtained using Krasnodar haploid inducer. Epidermal impressions of the abaxial surface of leaves removed from the second, third, and fourth nodes (from base to apex) were collected and measured using an optical microscope. This was also conducted on the flowering phenotype. Guard cell length varied according to germplasm source, leaf stage, and ploidy level. Mean GC length ranged from 23.67 to 33.82 μm in haploids, and from 36.1 to 41.25 μm in diploids. Based on these differences in GC length at any of the chosen leaf stages (second, third, or fourth), diploid and haploid maize plants were successfully classified. Classification efficiency was found to be more closely related to germplasm source than leaf stage. Comparing GC length according to phenotype (haploid or diploid), GC limits for classification as a diploid plant (threshold points) were estimated and ranged from 29.74 to 34.49 μm, depending on germplasm source. The highest false discovery rate was 2.93% and false negative rate was 15.06%, indicating that classification based on GC length was reliable.

L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is an allelochemical released by roots of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) that affects the growth of several plant species. However, its mechanism of action is inconclusive. In this work, we compared the effects of L-DOPA (0.01-1.0 mmol L -1 ) and of aqueous extracts (300, 1200, and 3000 mg L -1 ) of velvet bean on growth and photosynthesis (gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence) of soybean (Glycine max). Overall, the results showed that both L-DOPA and aqueous extracts of velvet bean reduced the growth, leaf area, photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (g s ), transpiration (E), and quantum yield of electron flow through photosystem II (PSII) in vivo (U F ). In addition, L-DOPA and aqueous extracts increased the internal CO 2 concentration (Ci) and the leaf wax and trichome density on the leaf surface, while the maximum quantum yield of PSII (F v /F m ) was not changed. These results suggest that the reduction of A should not be related exclusively to the stomatal closure, but also to limitations of the carbon metabolism, as indicated by the increase of Ci and decrease of U F . Briefly, we concluded that soybean growth inhibition by L-DOPA and aqueous extracts of velvet bean is due to the combination of damage in the root meristem and reduction in A.

Comparação de três testadores na avaliação de famílias de milho pipoca derivadas de IAC-125

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high dilutions of Pulsatilla nigricans in dinamisations 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 CH on the vigour of soybean seeds subjected to accelerated aging. The experiment was conducted according to a randomised design with 6 treatments and 10 replicates. The treatments consisted of dinamisations 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 CH and a distilled-water control. After the treatments, the seeds were subjected to accelerated aging (48h at 42ºC) in a growth chamber (25 ± 2ºC). The study evaluated the germination, the length of primary roots and shoots, the fresh weight of roots and shoots and the enzymatic activity of peroxidase (POX-EC1.11.1.7). The variables were analysed by ANOVA, and the means were compared using the Scott-Knott test (p = 0.05). The germination and the fresh weight of roots and shoots of the seedlings treated with Pulsatilla nigricans were higher than the water control, except that CH 30 did not significantly increase the fresh weight of shoots. The dinamisations 6, 24 and 30 CH produced a lower primary root length compared with the control. The dinamisations 12, 18 and 30 CH yielded a greater length of shoots. The total length of seedlings was reduced by the high dilutions 6 and 24 CH.

Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) is an efficient cover forage that controls weeds, pathogens and nematodes, and the non-protein amino acid L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is its main allelochemical. The effects of 3 g L of an aqueous extract of velvet bean seeds, along with 0.5 mM L-DOPA for comparison, were evaluated in roots, stems and leaves of soybean (Glycine max). The activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) were determined, along with the lignin content and its monomeric composition. The results revealed similar effects caused by L-DOPA and the aqueous extract. Both treatments reduced PAL and CAD activities, lignin, and lignin monomer contents in roots; PAL and CAD activities in stems, and CAD activity in leaves. These findings provide further evidence that the effects of velvet bean cover forage on root lignification were due to the L-DOPA, its major allelochemical.

No abstract

Introduction: Acetone is an organic solvent with molecular structure CH3(CO)CH3, its endogenous production in the animal body is called ketosis. The production of this compound increases with the fat. Acetone influences the lipid membrane, altering its fluidity and lipid composition [1], causing cell damage and leakage and can cause cell death. The use of herbicides in organic farming is not accepted by the Brazilian legislation [2]. So the weed control becomes a problem for organic farmers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the herbicide potential of high dilutions of acetone on Avena sativa L. Materials and Methods: The preliminary tests were conducted at the Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Homeopathy, State University of Maringá (UEM). The seeds of Avena sativa are placed in Petri dishes. Fitty seeds were germinated and grown in Petri dishes containing 15ml of high dilution of acetone and maintained at 25°C ± 2 and 12h photoperiod. Acetone dilutions (6, 12, 18, 24 and 30cH) were obtained according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia [3]. Were evaluated the shoot length (cm), total length (cm), fresh root (mg) and total dry mass (mg). The plants growth was measured after 7 days. The control consisted of distilled water. The experiment evaluated 4 replicates of each treatment and the data were analyzed by ANOVA and means were compared by Scott-Knott test (P ≤ 0.05). Results and Discussion: Dilutions 6, 24 and 30 cH inhibited the growth of the shoot and total seedling of A. sativa. The root fresh weight was significantly reduced by 4 dilutions (6,12,24 and 30x), with no difference of 24x compared to the control. The total dry mass of plants of A. sativa was reduced in all the dilutions studied, showing an inhibitory effect on growth of seedlings subjected to treatment. Somehow, acetone diluited inhibited the growth and accumulation of biomass of these seedlings, suggesting an imbalance in metabolism that resulted in a reduction in the variables values. Conclusion: The results suggest that high dilutions acetone interfere on the growth and accumulation of biomass of A. sativa.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influences of the factors corn (Zea mays) genotypes, crop seasons, endosperm texture, genetic background, and genetic basis on putative haploid rates (PHRs) according to the expression of gene R1-navajo (R1-nj). Forty-one corn genotypes were evaluated as pollen receptors, in crosses with the Krasnodar haploid inducer, in two crops (summer and winter), in the municipality of Maringá, in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized with ten replicates (ears). The response variable analyzed was the PHR, determined by the proportion of putative haploids, obtained through the R1-nj marker, in relation to the number of diploid seeds in each ear. Subsequently, generalized linear models were used to choose the one best fit to explain the PHR in function of the tested factors. Crop seasons, genotypes, and the crop seasons x genotypes interaction affected significantly the PHR, showing the dependence of these factors on the expression of the phenotypic marker based on anthocyanin pigmentation and determined by gene R1-nj. The number of clusters formed by the genotypes was different in each crop season. Ten genotypes showed higher rates in summer than in winter. Endosperm texture, genetic basis, and genetic background did not affect the PHR.