Desiccation tolerance and DNA integrity in Eugenia pleurantha O. Berg. (myrtaceae) seeds

The aim of this study was to assess the desiccation tolerance and DNA integrity in Eugenia pleurantha seeds dehydrated to different moisture contents (MCs). Seeds extracted from mature fruits were submmited to drying in silica gel and evaluated at every five percentual points of decrease from the initial MC (35.5%, fresh weight basis). The effects of dehydration on seeds were verified through germination tests and DNA integrity assessment. Undried seeds achieved 87% germination, value reduced to 36% after being dried to 9.8% MC. When dried slightly more, to 7.4% MC, seeds were no longer able to germinate, suggesting an intermediate behavior in relation to desiccation tolerance. It was observed DNA degradation in seeds with 7.4% MC, which might have contributed to the loss of seed germination.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Masetto,Tathiana Elisa, Faria,José Marcio Rocha, Davide,Antonio Claudio, Silva,Edvaldo Aparecido Amaral da
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Associação Brasileira de Tecnologia de Sementes 2008
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0101-31222008000100022
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