Analysis of radiographic images and germination of Campomanesia pubescens (Mart. ex DC.) O.Berg (Myrtaceae Juss.) seeds under drying

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the internal morphology of seeds of Campomanesia pubescens (Mart. ex DC.) O. Berg with varying water content through X-ray image analysis, and correlate the images with the germination of these seeds. Fruits were collected in Jataí, Goiás, Brazil, and taken to the Seed Laboratory of the Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde Campus, where they were processed and the seeds were extracted. To establish the predetermined water content (43%, 37%, 34%, 31%, and 28% wet basis), seeds with an initial water content of 43% were kept in an oven with forced air circulation at a temperature of 40 °C until they reached the predetermined water content levels. Next, the seeds were placed in acrylic holders with double-sided tape and transported to the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), where they were exposed to different intensities of radiation. The X-ray test was conducted with 200 seeds per treatment, and images of the internal structures of the seeds were evaluated. The seeds were returned to the Seed Laboratory of the Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde Campus, where the germination test was initiated. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a factorial design (5 × 4), in which there were five water content levels and four seed classes, with four replications. The X-ray test was efficient in the identification of filled, malformed, damaged and empty seeds, which germination rate above 50% in the filled seeds. This visualization of the internal morphology of the seed can be useful to select seeds of better quality, improving the percentage of germination of C. pubescens seeds.

Classification and quality of Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret seeds as to tolerance to desiccation

“…Regarding the initial water content, all genotypes of A. sellowiana had an initial content of 28% (Table 1), value relatively lower than what was found by Gomes et al (2013) (36%), and higher than the one described by Santos et al (2004) (21%). The high amount of water in seeds of Myrtaceae family is common and may reach 70% for some species (Amaral et al, 2019). According to the same authors water content was an effective index to assist in determining the physiological maturity of seeds, which is directly connected to the germination process.…”

“…sellowiana is well-known as goiabeira-serrana, goiabeira do mato or feijoa (Ducroquet & Ribeiro, 1991), and is native to the southern Brazilian plateau (Ducroquet, et al, 2000). It is under a domestication process, occurring within natural populations in understory layer of areas with altitudes above 800 m, a fleshy fruit, sweet and acidulous taste with excellent aroma, consumed in natura or processed (Ducroquet et al, 2000;Thorp & Bieleski, 2002), and demonstrating great market potential (Amaral et al, 2019). It also has the peculiarity of presenting edible petals (Mattos, 1986) and important characteristics for ornamental use (Gomes et al, 2017) and is recommended for the recovery of affected ecosystems (Fockink et al, 2020) also in Pharmacology (Santos et al, 2019).…”

Desiccation Tolerance and germination of Psidium guajava seeds from different regions of Brazil

“…Recent reports have show the usefulness of radiographic images for embryo abnormality detection, identification of seed coat mechanical damages, determination of seed maturation stage, full seed selection, and general assessment of seed quality (Amaral et al, 2019;Gibbert et al, 2019;Medeiros et al, 2019;. X-ray tests are recommended by the Rules for Seed Testing (Brasil, 2009) and by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA, 2003) aiming to detect full, empty, damaged, or insect-predated seeds.…”