RESUMOTêm-se levantado à hipótese de que cultivares de soja RR possuem teores de lignina superiores aos convencionais, o que proporciona maior resistência a danos mecânicos e maior impermeabilidade do tegumento das sementes. Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade fisiológica e o teor de lignina no tegumento das sementes de soja convencional e RR colhidas em três épocas, em Lavras-MG. Para tanto, as sementes colhidas nos estádios R7, R8 e após 20 dias de retardamento da colheita (R8+20), foram submetidas aos testes para avaliação da qualidade fisiológica e teor de lignina. As cultivares convencionais e RR avaliadas foram: BRS 133 vs BRS 245 RR, BRS 134 vs BRS 247 RR, Conquista vs Valiosa RR, Celeste vs Baliza RR e Jataí vs Silvânia RR. Foram realizados os testes de peso de mil sementes, germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, condutividade elétrica, dano mecânico, índice de velocidade de emergência, germinação após a imersão das sementes em água e teor de lignina no tegumento de sementes. Com exceção do teor de lignina no tegumento de sementes para o contraste Jataí vs Silvânia RR, não foram observadas diferenças entre os materiais RR e convencional, tendo, neste caso, a cv Silvânia RR apresentado resultados superiores aos da convencional. No entanto, houve diferença de comportamento entre os cultivares quanto à tolerância ao retardamento da colheita. Observou-se redução significativa na porcentagem de germinação e vigor das sementes avaliadas com o retardamento da colheita.Termos para indexação: Lignina, deterioração, retardamento de colheita. ABSTRACTOne has raised the hypothesis that the RR soybean cultivars posses lignin contents higher than those of the conventional ones. The present work was conducted with the purpose of evaluating the physiological quality and lignin content in the coat of the conventional and RR soybean seeds collected in three times in Lavras-MG. To that end, the seeds collected at stages R7, R8 and after 20 days of collection delay (R8+20) were submitted to the tests for evaluation of the physiological quality and lignin content. The evaluated conventional and RR cultivars were : BRS 133 vs BRS 245 RR, BRS 134 vs BRS 247 RR, BRS Conquista vs BRS Valiosa RR, BRS Celeste vs BRS Baliza RR and Jataí vs BRS Silvânia RR. The tests of 1000-seed weight, germination, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, mechanical injury, emergence velocity index, germination after water seed soaking and lignin content in the coat seeds were performed. With the exception of the lignin content in the coat seeds for the contrast Jataí vs Silvânia RR, no differences between the RR and conventional materials were observed, the RR cultivar having presented results superior to those of the conventional one. Nevertheless, there was behavioral difference among the cultivars as to the tolerance to harvest delay. Significant reduction was observed in evaluated germination percentage and vigor of seeds with the collection delay. INTRODUÇÃOO período de viabilidade da semente é extremamente variável, dependendo tanto de cara...

The physiological quality of maize seeds is affected by the genotype. Thus, the study of expression of genes associated with this characteristic is important in the genotype selection process in breeding programs. The aim of this research was to study the expression of amylase enzymes associated with physiological quality of maize seeds with different genotypes and seed sizes. We further sought to assess the expression of these enzymes in dry and soaked seeds The experiment was conducted in the experimental area and the Central Seed Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture of the Universidade Federal de Lavras. Seeds of four maize inbred lines were used, classified in two sizes. The physiological quality of the seeds was evaluated by means of germination, seedling emergence, seedling emergence speed index and accelerated aging test. Expression of the alpha amylase enzyme was evaluated by the electrophoresis technique and expression of the alpha amylase B73, alpha amylase (LOC542522) and beta amylase 5 (amyb5) genes was studied by the qRT-PCR technique in dry and soaked seeds of the inbred lines. There is differentiated expression of amylase enzymes in maize seeds of inbred lines with different levels of physiological quality. higher expression of amylase enzymes is observed in soaked maize seeds. The expression of transcripts is higher in smaller as wellas in soaked maize seeds of inbred lines.Index terms: Zea Mays, seed quality, qRT-PCR. RESUMOA qualidade fisiológica de sementes de milho é influenciada pelo genótipo. Assim, o estudo da expressão de genes associados a essa característica é importante no processo de seleção de genótipos em programas de melhoramento. O objetivo neste trabalho foi estudar a expressão das enzimas amilases associadas à qualidade fisiológica de sementes de milho, de diferentes genótipos e tamanhos de sementes. Objetivou-se ainda avaliar a expressão dessas enzimas em sementes secas e embebidas. O experimento foi conduzido em área experimental e no Laboratório Central de Sementes do Departamento de Agricultura da Universidade Federal de Lavras. Foram utilizadas sementes de quatro linhagens de milho, classificadas em dois tamanhos. A qualidade fisiológica das sementes foi avaliada por meio dos testes de germinação, emergência de plântulas, índice de velocidade de emergência de plântulas e envelhecimento artificial.A expressão da enzima α-amilase foi avaliada pela técnica de eletroforese e a expressão dos genes alpha amylase B73, alpha amylase (LOC542522) e beta amylase 5 (amyb5), foi estudada pela técnica de qRT-PCR em sementes secas e embebidas das linhagens. Há expressão diferenciada das enzimas amilases em sementes de linhagens com diferentes níveis de qualidade fisiológica. Maior expressão das enzimas amilases é observada em sementes de milho de menor tamanho e embebidas.Termos para indexação: Zea Mays, qualidade de sementes, qRT-PCR.

ABSTRACT. We quantified and characterized the expression of heatresistant proteins during seed development of maize lines with distinct levels of tolerance to high drying temperature. A corn field was planted for multiplication of seeds of different lines, two tolerant and two nontolerant to high drying temperatures. Harvest of the seeds was carried out at various stages of development and they were then subjected to tests of moisture content, germination, first count of germination, accelerated aging, and cold test. The seeds were stored in a freezer for later analysis of expression of heat-resistant proteins by means of real-time PCR, electrophoresis, and spectrophotometry. We observed that heat-resistant proteins are expressed in a differential manner in seeds from different lines and at different stages of development. The expression of heatresistant proteins was earlier in lines tolerant to high drying temperatures. Greater germination and vigor values was found for seeds collected at the last stage of development.

Selenium is essential to human and animal health, as it regulates glutathione peroxidase activity. Although not considered essential to plants, it may be beneficial to plant growth and development at low concentrations. This study evaluated the effect of selenate application on Se biofortification, macro‐ and micronutrient content, and the expression of genes involved in Se uptake and assimilation in 12 Brazilian wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. This nutrient‐solution experiment was performed in a greenhouse and consisted of a complete 12 × 2 factorial randomized design, with 12 wheat cultivars in the absence or presence of Se in solution (13 μmol), with three replicates. The presence of Se in solution did not affect growth and yield of wheat cultivars. Selenium content and accumulation in the grain varied significantly among the different cultivars. The presence of Se affected macronutrient content more than micronutrient content, and selenate application increased S content in the shoots of eight cultivars and in the grains of five cultivars. Examination of gene expression did not allow identification of responses within the two groups of cultivars—with high or low Se contents—after selenate application. Our findings are relevant to the design of Se biofortification strategies for wheat in tropical and subtropical agroecosystems. Core Ideas Selenate application increased S content in the shoot and grain tissues of wheat cultivars. Supplying Se through the roots enhances Se in wheat tissue, both shoots and grain. Linking genetic–agronomic approaches is key for biofortifying Brazilian wheat cultivars with Se.

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ABSTRACT. In this study, we analyzed heterosis, amylase enzyme gene expression, and the physiological quality of maize seeds with different genotypes and sizes, which were subjected to aging and not subjected to aging. We used seeds from 2 maize lines that differed with regard to physiological quality, the hybrid, and the reciprocal hybrid; they were classified into 2 sizes and were subjected to aging and not subjected to aging. Physiological quality was assessed by performing tests for germination, emergence, emergence speed index, and artificial aging. Expressions of the genes alpha amylase B73, alpha amylase (LOC542522), isoamylase mRNA clone 353244, and the endogenous controls ubiquitin and alcohol dehydrogenase in the seeds were studied using quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction. We observed heterosis for seed quality and for expression of amylase genes in the G.E. Oliveira et al. 8624©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 14 (3): 8623-8633 (2015) genotypes studied. We found no difference in seed quality between large and small seeds.

Lignification of the plant and seed quality of RR soybeans sprayed with herbicide glyphosateDifferences in levels of lignin in the plant between conventional and transgenic cultivars RR has been reported by several authors, however, there are few studies evaluating the influence of spraying of glyphosate on the lignin in the plant and RR soybean seeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of RR transgenic soybean seeds and the lignin contents of plants sprayed with the herbicide glyphosate. The assays were conducted both in greenhouse and field in the municipality of Lavras, MG, in the agricultural year 2007/08. The experiment was arranged in a splitplot design with four replicates, considering the treatments hand weeding and herbicide glyphosate as plots, and five RR soybean cultivars (BRS 245 RR, BRS 247 RR, Valiosa RR, Silvânia RR and Baliza RR) as splitplots. In the Diferenças nos teores de lignina na planta entre cultivares transgênicos RR e convencionais, tem sido relatadas, por vários autores, no entanto, são escassos os trabalhos avaliando a influência da aplicação do glifosato sobre os teores de lignina na planta e em sementes de soja RR. Neste sentido, objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de soja transgênica RR e os teores de lignina de plantas submetidas à pulverização com o herbicida glifosato. Os ensaios foram conduzidos em casa de vegetação e em campo, no município de Lavras, MG, na safra 2007/08. O delineamento experimental, utilizado em campo, foi o de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições, considerando-se como parcelas os tratamentos capina e herbicida glifosato, e, como subparcelas, cinco cultivares RR de soja (BRS 245 RR, BRS 247 RR, Valiosa RR, Silvânia RR e Baliza RR). No ensaio de casa de vegetação, utilizaram-se os cultivares BRS 245 RR e Valiosa RR, em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. As aplicações com herbicida glifosato foram realizadas nos estádios de desenvolvimento V3, V7 e início de R5 (3 L/ha). Determinou-se o peso de 1000 sementes, dano mecânico, germinação e índice de velocidade de germinação, índice de velocidade de emergência, envelhecimento acelerado, condutividade elétrica e teste de imersão de sementes em água, além dos teores de lignina no tegumento das sementes, no caule e nos legumes. A aplicação do herbicida glifosato, em campo e em casa de vegetação, não alterou a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de soja RR nem os teores de lignina na planta.Palavras-chave: soja transgênica, qualidade fisiológica, lignina.

Physiological quality and expression of genes in seeds ofHandroanthus serratifolius subjected to drying ABSTRACT -Handroanthus serratifolius seeds are considered orthodox and have some mechanisms that assist in desiccation tolerance, like heat-resistant proteins and the presence of protective systems against free radical production. In order to investigate the drying effect on the quality of Handroanthus serratifolius seeds collected with 28% water content two methods were used: slow drying (30 °C) and fast drying (45 °C) until water contents equaled 20%, 15%, 10% and 5%. Seed quality was assessed by germination test, first count of germination, speed germination, emergence and speed emergence. The expression of heat-resistant proteins and enzymes catalase, esterase and isocitrate lyase was assessed by electrophoresis. The gene expression of sHSP17.5, CAT3 and ICL6 was quantified by real time PCR. Higher values of germination and vigor were obtained in seeds with 20% water content, subjected to fast drying. There was induction of heat-resistant proteins expression for both drying methods. There was variation in the electrophoretic pattern of catalase, esterase and isocitrate lyase in seeds subjected to different treatments. The gene expression in Handroanthus serratifolius seeds varies depending on methods of drying and water content of seeds. The drying of Handroanthus serratifolius seeds until the water content between 15 and 10% compromises their physiological quality. Index terms: isoenzymes, enzymes, qRT-PCR, Handroanthus serratifolius.Qualidade fisiológica e expressão de genes em sementes de Handroanthus serratifolius submetidas à secagem RESUMO -Sementes de ipê-amarelo são consideradas ortodoxas e dispõem de mecanismos que auxiliam na tolerância à dessecação, como proteínas resistentes ao calor e sistemas de proteção contra radicais livres. Para investigar o efeito da secagem na qualidade das sementes de ipê-amarelo coletadas com 28% de teor de água utilizaram-se dois métodos: secagem lenta (30 ºC) e secagem rápida (45 ºC) até atingirem teores de água na massa de sementes iguais a 20%, 15%, 10% e 5%. A qualidade das sementes foi avaliada por meio de testes de germinação e vigor. Foi avaliada a expressão das proteínas resistentes ao calor e das enzimas catalase, esterase e isocitrato liase. A expressão dos genes sHSP17.5, CAT3 e ICL6 foi quantificada por meio da técnica de qRT-PCR. Maiores valores de germinação e vigor foram obtidos em sementes com teor de água de 20%, submetidas à secagem rápida. Houve a indução de expressão de proteínas resistentes ao calor nos dois métodos de secagem. Ocorreu variação no padrão eletroforético das enzimas catalase, esterase e isocitrato liase entre os diferentes tratamentos. A expressão de genes varia em função dos métodos de secagem e teores de água das sementes. A secagem até os teores de água entre 15 e 10% compromete a qualidade fisiológica das mesmas.Termos para indexação: isoenzimas, enzimas, RTqPCR, ipê-amarelo.