Physical purity and germination of sugarcane seeds (caryopses) (Saccharum spp.)

Abstract

-Plant breeding is generally done through sexual reproduction even when the species is propagated asexually for commercial exploitation, as for example, in sugarcane. Therefore, the development of procedures to evaluate sugarcane seed viability is important for plant breeding programs. The objective of this research was to develop a methodology for analyzing the viability of sugarcane seeds (Saccharum spp.). Three crosses were used, two biparental crosses and one polycross. For the germination test study, two substrates (paper and sand) and three constant incubation temperatures (25 ºC, 30 ºC and 35 °C), in the presence of constant light and also an alternating temperatures (20-30 ºC), with 8 hours light (30 ºC) and 16 hours darkness (20 ºC), were studied. Seedlings were evaluated every five days. The results demonstrated that temperature affected sugarcane seed germination with the most favorable conditions being the alternating temperature (20-30 ºC) and the constant temperature of 30 °C on a paper substrate.Index terms: substrate, temperature, plant breeding. PUREZA FÍSICA E GERMINAÇÃO DE SEMENTES (CARIOPSES) DECANA-DE-AÇÚCAR (Saccharum spp.)RESUMO -O melhoramento de plantas geralmente é conduzido com o uso da reprodução sexuada, mesmo quando a espécie é multiplicada assexuadamente para a exploração comercial, como é o caso da cana-de-açúcar. Neste sentido, o desenvolvimento de procedimentos para avaliar a viabilidade de sementes de cana-de-açúcar é de grande interesse em programas de melhoramento genético. A pesquisa teve por objetivo o desenvolvimento de metodologia para avaliação da viabilidade de sementes de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.

Viability and vigor of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. Hybrid) seeds from intrageneric and intergeneric crosses at various storage periods

“…Based on these results, it shows that the percentage of sugarcane seed germination is low. This is in line with the results of research conducted by [3], [9], which stated that the germination of sugarcane seeds was low. In addition, [10] reported that the percentage of germination in sugarcane seeds from crosses was low and the maximum was only 49%.…”

“…However, seed production from crosses is crucial for sugarcane genetic improvement programs. Genetic improvement was done by selecting the offspring population and cloning the superior offspring obtained from the crosses [3]. In sugarcane, the induction of flowering, crossing and seed production only occurs at a certain temperature and photoperiodicity.…”

Production and performance of sugarcane seeds (caryopses) from different hybridizations involving RB92579

“…Seed germination tests were conducted with three replicates of 100 spikelets per crossing. Spikelets were distributed on paper towel moistened with water equivalent to 2.5 times the paper weight, and then placed at bottom of plastic boxes (11.0 x 11.0 x 3.5 cm) under alternating temperature of 20-30 ºC and continuous light (Caieiro et al 2010). The number of normal seedlings was recorded daily to obtain index of germination rate (Maguire 1962).…”

Avaliação do sistema radicular da cana-de-açúcar (<i>Saccharum spp</i>.) sob diferentes quantidades de palha mantidas na superfície do solo

“…Comercialmente a cana-de-açúcar é multiplicada assexuadamente via propagação vegetativa, mesmo se tratando de reprodução sexuada (Caieiro et al, 2010). A propagação vegetativa da cana de açúcar ocorre a partir da germinação de cortes ou "gemas" presentes em seus colmos de até 1 m de comprimento, plantadas em sulcos (Netafim, 2013).…”