Qualidade fisiológica, determinação do teor de água e armazenamento de sementes de cana-de-açúcar provenientes de diferentes cruzamentos

Abstract

Sugar cane is a culture which presents important economic expression in Brazil; in the next years, its production demands must be increased. One of the most fastest and efficient way to elevate the productivity of the culture has been the use of genetically modified varieties proceeding from botanic seeds which were obtained by means of hybridization. Founded on its importance to the improving process, this work aimed to study the physiological quality, to determine the content of water and the storage of sugar cane seeds. To determine the percentage of fertile spikelets, four 0,5 g samples were taken, that were obtained from distinct crossings (RB92579 x RB92606, RB92606 x RB92579, RB92579 x ? e RB92606 x ?). From each one of the samples the quantity of spikelets was determined. Subsequently, these spikelets had its caryopsis extracted, and after that they were counted; the percentage of fertility was then calculated. The percentage and the germination speed index both of the spikelets and the isolated caryopsis were evaluated, by means of tests carried out in two environments (field and laboratory). The following concentrations were used to evaluate the effect of GA3 e KNO3 on germination: 0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 mg L-1 de GA3 e 0 e 0,2% de KNO3. This test was carried out in laboratory, by using spikelets proceeding from the biparental crossing RB92579 x RB92606. To determine the minimum size of the sample, spikelets from two crossings (RB92579 x ? e RB92606 x ? ) were used. From each crossing, samples with different masses (0,2; 0,4; 0,6; 0,8 e 1,0 gram) were used through four replications. Aiming to evaluate the effect of the storage, two monthly experiments were set up in two environments (field and laboratory), using spikelets that were kept in refrigerated room. These experiments were conducted on the completely random design. For each crossing, four replications of 200 seeds, or 50 caryopsis, were carried out. Countings were carried out in a daily base, by adopting the technological criteria. The analyzed variables were the percentage and the speed indices of germination. The obtained results showed that the crossings differed with regard to the number of fertile spikelets and of caryopsis by gram. As a consequence of this, they also differed with regard to the percentage of fertile spikelets and to the speed indices of germination. The bi-parental crossings presented a larger number of spikelets, while the multiple crossings showed a larger production of caryopsis. Seeds which were obtained from the RB92579 x RB92606 crossing presented very low percentages both of fertile spikelets and germination. With regard to the pre-germinating treatments, positive effect of the giberelic acid on the stimulus of germination could be observed, since it elevated the germination to the level of fertile spikelets of the crossing. The treatment which contained potassium nitrate did not differ of the control, even in presence of GA3. This fact shows that this compound annulated the promoting effect of germination of the giberelic acid. To determine the grade of humidity, the sample of 0,6 g of seeds presented the lesser coefficient of variation, showing itself be suitable for the tests of humidity. Throughout the period of storage, reduction up to 35% of spikelets germination was observed. The best results were obtained when the tests were carried out in laboratory conditions.