Fisiologia, bioquímica e morfologia da germinação de mandacaru (Cereus jamacaru D.C.).

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the physiology, biochemistry and morphology of mandacaru (Cereus jamacaru D.C) germination. Firstly, we analyzed the effects of light and temperature on mandacaru germination under four light treatments (white, dark, red and far-red) associated to six different temperatures [15, 20, 20-30 (alternated), 25, 30 and 35°C]. The germination speed index and germination percentage ratio were bigger at 25 and 30°C, associated to white light. On the other hand, the medium time germination was fewer in these conditions, and more pronounced in the dark at 20°C. Secondly, we studied seed morphology and cytochemical analyses revealed thin cell wall stained by Toluidin Blue (TB), which maintained unchanged during seed germination. Cotyledons and embryo-axes showed the same cell wall pattern, although had been observed differences in the cell form between them. Thirdly, we studied the main reserves composition and their mobilization during and following germination of C. jamacaru D.C seeds. We analyzed seeds in seven different periods after imbibitions, through biochemical and cytochemical analyses. Lipids were detectable as the major reserve, with 54,50% and 61,70% of seed dry mass of cotyledons and embryo-axes, respectively. This compound was one of the most involved on seed mobilization, which started after imbibition, carrying until the last stage analyzed (12 DAE). Carbohydrates represented only 2,13% of seed dry mass, comprising soluble sugars and starch, in this way, these compounds had little participation on mandacaru seed mobilization. On the other hand, proteins comprise about thirty percent of seed dry mass, playing an important role in C.jamacaru germination. In concern about their fractions, albumins and glutelins were the major reserve proteins detectable in these seeds, which were mobilized during seed germination. These results showed different protein degradation, which were confirmed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions (SDS-PAGE). In spite of globulins and prolamins had been observed on C. jamacaru seeds, they represent a little percentage of this seeds, did not play essential role in these seeds. In conclusion, seeds of C. jamacaru are insensitive to light, although their germination increases under light and high temperature conditions, as 25 and 30°C. Lipids and proteins are the major reserves of Cereus jamacaru seeds, therefore corresponding to the main sources involved in the initial seedling development.