Germination and regeneration of Eugenia involucrata (Myrtaceae) seeds correlated with reactive oxygen species

Abstract

Seeds of the genus Eugenia L. (Myrtaceae) have interesting propagation strategies, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) seem to be related to their germination and seedling production. In this study, the effects of ROS on the germination of E. involucrata seeds were analyzed indirectly, with the application of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant. The results demonstrated that the incubation in NAC suppressed and/or delayed the germination of the seeds, as well as the regeneration of roots and aerial parts. The higher the concentration of NAC, the greater the effects on seed germination and regeneration.