Viability and cell cycle of Melanoxylon brauna seeds submitted to drying and imbibition

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate viability and DNA ploidy of seed of Melanoxylon brauna submitted or not to fast drying, along soaking. The seeds were dried followed by germination and quantification of DNA ploidy pattern. There was a gradual decrease in germination percentage with increases in temperature and drying time. The DNA ploidy of embryonic axes that were not submitted to artificial drying indicated the existence of nuclei 2C, 4C and 8C. However, 95% of the tested embrios had 2C DNA ploidy . The seeds that were subjected to rapid drying also exhibited the presence of nuclei 2C, 4C and 8C and showed no significant differences ( p > 0.05 ) compared to seeds that have not passed through drying. It is conclude that the seeds of Melanoxylon brauna submitted to different drying times and temperatures show a gradual decrease in the percentage of germination; embryonic axes subject or not to drying seeds have 2C, 4C and 8C nuclei and drying does not affect the cell cycle of cells in the embryo of the seed.