Desiccation tolerance (DT) in orthodox seeds is acquired during seed development and lost upon imbibition/germination, purportedly upon the resumption of DNA synthesis in the radicle cells. In the present study, flow cytometric analyses and visualization of microtubules (MTs) in radicle cells of seedlings of Medicago truncatula showed that up to a radicle length of 2 mm, there is neither DNA synthesis nor cell division, which were first detected in radicles with a length of 3 mm. However, DT started to be lost well before the resumption of DNA synthesis, when germinating seeds were dried back. By applying an osmotic treatment with polyethylene glycol (PEG) before dehydration, it was possible to re-establish DT in seedlings with a radicle up to 2 mm long. Dehydration of seedlings with a 2 mm radicle, with or without PEG treatment, caused disassembly of MTs and appearance of tubulin granules. Subsequent pre-humidification led to an almost complete disappearance of both MTs and tubulin granules. Upon rehydration, neither MTs nor tubulin granules were detected in radicle cells of untreated seedlings, while PEG-treated seedlings were able to reconstitute the microtubular cytoskeleton and continue their normal development. Dehydration of untreated seedlings also led to an apoptotic-like DNA fragmentation in radicle cells, while in PEG-treated seedlings DNA integrity was maintained. The results showed that for different cellular components, desiccation-tolerant seedlings may apply distinct strategies to survive dehydration, either by avoidance or further repair of the damages.

trabalho foi analisado o crescimento de espécies arbóreas plantadas em um gradiente topográfico em área de empréstimo de terra para construção da barragem da UHE Camargos, MG. Para tanto, aos 155 meses após o plantio foram alocados três transectos no sentido do declive, com 15 m de largura e comprimento variável. Os transectos foram divididos em parcelas de 12 x 15m para controle do gradiente topográfico. Os indivíduos com circunferência à altura do peito (DAP) ≥ 5cm foram identificados e medidos no seu diâmetro e altura. A partir dos resultados, concluiu-se que, de modo geral, as espécies pioneiras apresentaram um ritmo de crescimento maior nos primeiros 58 meses e as climácicas, no período entre 58 e 155 meses. Houve efeito da compactação do solo e do gradiente topográfico sobre o crescimento das plantas.Palavras-chave: Restauração, mata ciliar, silvicultura e espécies florestais nativas. GROWTH OF THE TREE STRATUM IN RESTORED AREA NEAR RIO GRANDE IN THE CAMARGOS HYDROELECTRIC PLANT, STATE OF MINAS GERAIS

The physiological dormancy component is broken by low temperature and/or temperature fluctuations preceding the rainy season. Subsequent embryo growth and digestion of the endosperm are both likely to be controlled by gibberellins synthesized during the breaking of physiological dormancy. Radicle protrusion thus occurred at the beginning of the rainy season, thereby maximizing the opportunity for seedlings to emerge and establish.

Structural studies in seeds with physical dormancy (PY) are important to better understand its causes and release when subjected to treatments for dormancy breaking. The aims of this study were to (1) characterize the PY break; (2) examine the role of different seed structures in water uptake; and (3) identify the water gap in Senna multijuga seeds. Imbibition patterns of dormant and non-dormant (subjected to dormancy breaking treatments) seeds and the morphological changes during dormancy breaking and germination were evaluated. To identify the water gap, the micropyle and lens were blocked separately, and the water absorption by seed parts was determined. Structural characteristics of the seed coat were also examined. Immersion in water at 80°C was efficient in breaking seed dormancy and imbibition occurred first at the hilar region, through the lens. Water was not absorbed through the micropyle or the extra-hilar region. S. multijuga seeds have a testa with a linearly aligned micropyle, hilum and lens. The seed coat consisted of a cuticle, macrosclereids, one (hilar region) or two (extra-hilar region) layer(s) of osteosclereids and parenchyma cell layers. The lens has typical parenchyma cells underneath it and two fragile regions comprised of shorter macrosclereids. Heat treatment stimulated the lens region, resulting in the opening of fragile regions at the lens, allowing water to enter the seeds. It is concluded that short-term exposure to a hot water treatment is sufficient for the formation of a water gap in S. multijuga seeds, and only the lens acts in the imbibition process.

-Knowledge of the capacity of desiccation and storage tolerance of seeds is essential to provide adequate conditions necessary to maintain viability after seed collection. Drying rate is one of the factors which have been described as affecting the physiological response of seeds of various species. Literature reports that Genipa americana seeds exhibit an intermediate behavior, quickly losing viability if stored at negative temperatures. Thus, this work aimed to verify the effect of slow drying over the capacity of desiccation and storage tolerance of Genipa americana seeds. Seeds with 47% of water content (recently harvested) were dried over salt solutions until reaching 30%, 20%, 15%, 10% and 5% of water content. After drying to 10% and 5% of water content a reduction in seed viability was observed after 30 days of storage without the total loss of germination after three months in these conditions. The slow drying increased the capacity for desiccation and storage tolerance of the Genipa americana seeds if compared to the information described in literature.Index terms: physiological classification, brazilian forest species, genipapo plants.Comportamento fisiológico de sementes de Genipa americana L.quanto à tolerância à dessecação e ao armazenamento RESUMO -Conhecer a capacidade de tolerância à dessecação e ao armazenamento das sementes tem sido imprescindível para disponibilizar condições adequadas para a manutenção da viabilidade após a coleta. A velocidade de secagem é um dos fatores que tem influenciado na resposta fisiológica das sementes de diversas espécies. Deste modo, buscou-se verificar o efeito da secagem lenta na capacidade de tolerância à dessecação e ao armazenamento das sementes de Genipa americana L. Sementes com 47% de umidade (recém-colhidas) foram secas em soluções salinas até 30, 20, 15, 10 e 5% de umidade, testando-se a viabilidade. Ao atingir 10 e 5% de umidade as sementes foram armazenadas a -20 ºC, avaliando-se a viabilidade a cada 30 dias durante três meses. Sementes recém-colhidas apresentaram 98% de germinação sem perda de viabilidade até 10% de umidade. Sementes secas a 10 e 5% de umidade apresentaram redução na viabilidade após 30 dias de armazenamento, porém não houve a perda total de germinação após este período. A secagem lenta aumentou a capacidade de tolerância à dessecação e ao armazenamento das sementes de Genipa americana se comparada às informações descritas na literatura.Termos para indexação: classificação fisiológica, espécie florestal brasileira, jenipapeiro.

This study aims to analyze the maturation and dispersal of Eugenia pyriformis Cambess. seeds produced in different years, and the influence of variation in thermal and hydric environment on seed physical and physiological characteristics at dispersal. Fruits at different developmental stages were harvested in the city of São Paulo between 2003 and 2010, as well as in the cities of Campinas and Lavras, in 2009 and 2010 and analyzed for size and color. The seeds were extracted from the fruits and their dry mass, water content, germination and vigor were assessed. Results showed that seed maturation is unsynchronized to the maturation of the fruit, taking 45 days on average (430 growing degree-days), longer in rainy times or lower temperatures. Seeds with higher physiological quality were produced in rainy years and when the temperature range was larger. We concluded therefore that hydric and thermal environmental variations during development influence the maturation of Eugenia pyriformis seeds and are able to determine the formation cycle and the final seed quality.

RESUMO -Foi avaliado o processo de regeneração natural de mata em função da distância do rio, da compactação do solo e da distância da fonte de sementes em uma área degradada por uso como área de empréstimo de terra para construção da barragem da UHE Camargos, MG, aos 155 meses após o plantio. Para o levantamento da regeneração natural foram implantadas parcelas de 2 x 15 m a cada 10 m, dentro de três transectos, alocados no sentido do declive, com 15 m de largura e comprimento variável, onde foi identificada e medida a altura de todos os indivíduos com DAP<0,05 m e altura maior que 0,10 m. Foram encontradas 64 espécies de 27 famílias. O fragmento de mata adjacente à área de plantio deste estudo forneceu grande quantidade de propágulos para a regeneração, pois muitas das espécies regenerantes na área degradada foram encontradas apenas nesse estrato arbóreo. Distância de até 75 m do fragmento não afetou a densidade e a altura das plantas nem a diversidade da regeneração, mas, nas parcelas em que houve desenvolvimento de capim-gordura, a densidade de planta arbórea ou arbustiva foi menor, porém com indivíduos de maior altura, uma vez que somente plantas que conseguiram ultrapassar a massa vegetal formada pela planta invasora sobreviveram.Palavras-chave: Área degradada, Recuperação de área degradada e Mata ciliar. NATURAL REGENERATION AS AN INDICATOR OF LAND RECLAMATION NEAR THE CAMARGOS HYDROELECTRIC PLANT, STATE OF MINAS GERAIS

. RESUMO -O teste de raios X é uma ferramenta útil para avaliar a qualidade física de sementes florestais, que pode ser afetada pela ocorrência de sementes vazias, infestação por insetos e alterações físicas. Objetivou-se, com este estudo, verificar a eficiência do teste de raios X na avaliação dos danos internos em sementes de Eugenia pleurantha, bem como examinar a conseqüência destes danos na germinação. Sementes de Eugenia pleurantha foram colocadas em suportes de isopor e expostas a diversas intensidades de radiação (35, 45, 50 e 60 Kvp), com duração de 45 e 60 segundos para determinar o padrão de raios X. De acordo com a anatomia visualizada nas radiografias, as sementes foram classificadas em Sementes Cheias e Sementes Infestadas. Em seguida, as sementes foram submetidas ao teste de germinação em substrato sobre areia a 30ºC sob luz branca constante. A intensidade de radiação de 50 Kvp no tempo de exposição aos raios X de 60 segundos permitiu a visualização nítida dos danos internos causados por infestação de insetos nas sementes. Os danos internos causados por larvas observados nas radiografias impedem a germinação das sementes de Eugenia pleurantha.Termos para indexação: Danos internos, germinação, sementes florestais. EVALUATION OF SEED QUALITY IN EUGENIA PLEURANTHA -(MYRTACEAE) BY X RAY TEST.ABSTRACT -The X ray test is a useful tool to evaluate seed physical quality, thatt can be affected by the occurrence of empty seeds and the presence of insects and physical alterations. The objective of this study was also to investigate the efficiency of the X ray test in the evaluation of internal damage in seeds of Eugenia pleurantha, as well as to examine the consequence of this damage in the germination. Seeds of Eugenia pleurantha were placed in supports and exposed to several radiation intensities (35, 45, 50 and 60 Kvp) for 45 and 60 seconds to determine the X ray pattern. According to the anatomy visualized in the X rays, the seeds were classified as full seeds and infested seeds. The seeds were submitted to the germination test with sand as substratum placed at 30°C under continuous light. The 50 Kvp radiation intensity and a 60 second exposure to the X rays allowed clear visualization of the internal damage caused by the presence of insects in the seeds. The internal damage caused by insects prevented Eugenia pleurantha seed germination.