The effects of storage and deep desiccation on structural changes of DNA in orthodox seeds are poorly characterized. In this study we analyzed the 5-methylcytosine (m(5)C) global content of DNA isolated from seeds of common pear (Pyrus communis L.) that had been subjected to extreme desiccation, and the seedlings derived from these seeds. Germination and seedling emergence tests were applied to...

Intact wild-type tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Moneymaker) seeds do not complete germination to the same percentage or at the same speed as intact ABA-deficient sitiens (sit") mutant seeds when seeds of both genotypes are imbibed on polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions of -0 .3 to —1.5 MPa osmotic potential. However, if the thicker testas of wild-type seeds are removed (stripped) from the ...

We explore the feasibility of implementing fast and reliable computer-based systems for the automatic identification of weed seeds from color and black and white images. Seeds size, shape, color and texture characteristics are obtained by standard image-processing techniques, and their discriminating power as classification features is assessed. These investigations are performed on a database ...

Several representatives of Meliaceae contain biologically active compounds that are toxic to insects with few negative effects on the environment and humans. Our study evaluated the activity of ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts from the fruit and seeds of Cabralea canjerana (Vellozo) Mart (Sapindales: Meliaceae) on Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Limonoids and triter...

Oviposition and predation levels by Speciomerus revoili bruchid beetles were quantified on fruits and seeds of the macaúba palm, Acrocomia aculeata, collected from below mother-trees within the Sarah Kubitschek Park of Brasília, DF, Brazil. A maximum of 12 eggs per fruit were found, with high variations observed between samples. No clear pattern was found for the distribution of the number of e...

Seed masting and production of empty seeds have often been considered independently as different strategies to reduce seed predation by animals. Here, we integrate both phenomena within the whole assemblage of seed predators (both pre and post-dispersal) and in two contrasting microsites (open vs. sheltered) to improve our understanding of the factors controlling seed predation in a wind-disper...

Dormancy breaking and germination requirements were determined for seeds of the eastern North American (eNA) species Sanicula canadensis, Sanicula gregaria and Sanicula trifoliata, and the data compared to those available for the European–Asian (EurA) congener Sanicula europaea. Seeds of the three eNA species had underdeveloped embryos that were physiologically dormant, i.e., morphophysiologica...

Seeds of Balanites aegyptiaca stored for one year were germinated using cold and boiling water pre-treatments and different sowing orientations. Whole fruits were soaked in cold water for (18, 24 and 48 hours, respectively), while extracted sun dried seeds were immersed in boiling water for 7 minutes. Seeds of each treatment were sown in three orientations (seeds laid vertically with stalk end ...

In monoecious plants, gametes can be exchanged in three ways: among unrelated genets (outbreeding), with close relatives (inbreeding), or within individuals (geitonogamous selfing). These different mating systems may have consequences for population demography and fitness. The experiment presented herein used artificial crosses to examine the mating system of Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA eelgr...

The identification and classification of seeds are of major technical and economical importance in the agricultural industry. To automate these activities, like in ocular inspection one should consider seed size, shape, color and texture, which can be obtained from seed images. In this work we complement previous studies on the discriminating power of these characteristics for the unique identi...