Drying and reduction in sensitivity to desiccation of seeds of Alibertia edulis: the influence of fruit ripening stage

Abstract

The intense environmental degradation in tropical regions suitable for agriculture has decreased native forest populations of plants with important fruits and medicinal properties. Alibertia edulis is a native tree from the Brazilian Cerrado. Knowledge about the effects of drying and storage on the physiological behavior of its seeds may aid in its sustainable exploitation and conservation. The goal of the present study was to determine which fruit ripening stage results in A. edulis seeds with higher tolerance to desiccation, and to investigate the effectiveness of polyethylene glycol (PEG) induced osmotic stress in combination with abscisic acid (ABA) in increasing seed desiccation tolerance during storage. Seeds were dried in activated silica gel (fast) or under ambient conditions (slow). Seeds originating from mid-ripe or fully ripe fruits exhibited better physiological performance than those obtained from green fruits. Slow drying resulted in seeds with high physiological potential. Seeds may be stored for up to 180 days without losing viability when treated with -0.73 MPa PEG without ABA.

NAC Transcription Factor Family Regulation of Fruit Ripening and Quality: A Review

“…Seed development is an important part of fruit ripening, especially for fruits with seeds as the main edible part, such as the caryopsis of species of Poaceae or Gramineae. Many studies have shown that seed quality is closely related to fruit ripening stage [145][146][147][148]. In recent years, NAC TFs have also been reported to play an important regulatory role in seed development during fruit development and ripening.…”

Uvaia

“…9e). A porcentagem de plântulas normais aumentou com a maturação dos frutos, sendo 70% para as sementes oriundas de frutos verdes, 75% e 78% para as sementes de frutos meiomaduros e maduros (Cremon et al, 2018).…”