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Storage of desiccation-tolerant seeds is one of the most effective germplasm conservation strategies; however, various species from tropical and subtropical humid forests have seeds that are sensitive to desiccation, recalcitrant seeds, making conservation a challenge. Recalcitrant seeds deteriorate during storage due to high respiration rates and metabolic activity, and protocols employing osmoprotective solutions aim to minimize those effects to maintain seed viability for a longer period. Hancornia speciosa, a fruit tree considered a priority for research in Brazil, is a desiccation-sensitive species of biannual harvest. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the physiological parameters of viability, vigor, and enzymatic activity of H. speciosa seeds of two harvest seasons, stored in an osmoprotective solution. Germination percentage, water content, electrical conductivity, shoot, root, and seedling length, peroxidase concentration, and heat-resistant protein concentration were all determined for seeds collected during the summer and winter harvests. In addition, gene sequences were explored through gene ontology using Blast analysis to identify the biological and molecular processes associated with enzymatic action during storage. Summer-collected seeds performed better in terms of viability and vigor, with the highest development of shoot, root, and seedling length. The summer-harvest seeds had an initial germination of 80% and maintained a 15% germination rate until 90 days of storage. The seeds collected in the winter had lower initial germination and vigor; however, improved in those parameters during storage in the protective solution, with an increase of 12.5% in germination rate after 90 days. H. speciosa seeds harvested in the summer or winter and stored in the osmoprotective solution remain viable for up to 90 days. The solution has an osmopriming effect on low-vigor seeds, increasing viability and vigor, and the summer-harvest seeds are recommended for storage in the osmoprotective solution. Peroxidase and heat-resistant proteins are active during storage in the solution; the regulation of the expression of these enzymes should be investigated further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterizing dispersal structures is crucial for species identification and selecting diverse germplasm. This study aimed to investigate the morphology of Spondias tuberosa dispersion units and assess the efficacy of x-ray imaging in characterizing their internal morphology. X-ray imaging successfully revealed the internal structures, enabling the identification of filled, translucent, malformed, and empty seeds. The morphological analysis provided valuable insights into the dispersal units and presented a non-destructive and efficient method for future germplasm research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The locally cultivated creole varieties of Phaseolus lunatus are adapted to specific climatic and environmental conditions. Family farmers and local communities preserve and multiply their seeds over generations, promoting genetic diversity, food and nutritional security, and agricultural sustainability. This species has great geno-phenotypic diversity, which can be harnessed in breeding programs if accurately characterized. We evaluated the phenotypic variations of P. lunatus seeds from 13 varieties in three states (Sergipe, Bahia, and Alagoas) using image analysis. We estimated the weight of 100 seeds using a precision analytical balance and obtained morphometric measurements, including area, maximum diameter, and minimum diameter, using Groundeye (TBit®) imaging equipment and software. We also recorded dominant color and RGB color system descriptors. The morphometric variables underwent variance analysis using the F-test, and the means were clustered using the Scott-Knott test at 5% significance level. The data underwent Pearson Correlation Analysis (t-Student at 5%), were grouped based on dissimilarity using the UPGMA method, and were represented in a dendrogram. We also performed Principal Component Analysis on the evaluated characteristics. The dominant color of the seeds was predominantly orange in nine varieties. Morphometry showed a positive and significant association. The dendrogram revealed two homogeneous and distinct groups, and the first two principal components accounted for 86.80% of the genotypic variation. Therefore, high-resolution images for phenotypic characterization of creole lima bean seeds are a promising non-destructive tool for selection purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of restoration projects depends on the genetic diversity of the implanted species. It is a limiting factor, often because the seed sources are immersed in highly fragmented landscapes. In this work, we compare the genetic diversity of the juveniles, and the adult trees of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi in a native mixed-species planting, both in the restoration process and in the remaining natural vegetation Atlantic Forest Biome. Polymorphic DNA fragments using five SSR primers were used to estimate the restored population that showed a higher genetic diversity index (He) (0.553 adults and 0.505 juveniles) compared to the wild population (0.487 adults and 0.483 juveniles). The forested area was established with individuals of high genetic diversity. There is a reduced genetic diversity for juveniles, with the loss of exclusive alleles and maintenance of endogamy and coancestry in reforested populations, and we can infer that there was a low gene flow inter fragments. The effective population size in both (adults and juveniles) was lower than the value recommended for the sustainability of populations in the short and long term. The results indicated that continuous monitoring of this particular area is of absolute necessity and should use techniques that promote the connectivity of the fragments. It would allow for a more significant reduction of genetic drift and the persistence of the planted populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hancornia speciosa is one target species for genetic diversity ethnobotanical and medicinal applications within the Brazilian Northeast Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. However, information on the genetic variability of populations associated with modeling the potential distribution in the state of Sergipe has not yet been performed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to predict the potential occurrence of H. speciosa in areas in which fruits are intensively used in an extractive practice. The maximum entropy method was used to detect the distribution patterns of H. speciosa in variable environments within the referred hotspot. The diversity of four natural populations, situated in areas of extractivism, was determined by ISSR molecular markers. The species appears to occur more densely in the coastal regions of the state of Sergipe. However, data prediction occurrence indicates that the areas of natural presence have been reduced due to anthropic actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hancornia speciosa Gomes is a fruit and medicinal tree species native to South America, which in Brazil is considered of potential economic value and priority for research and development. We present a map of the state-of-art, including articles, patents, and molecular data of the species to identify perspectives for future research. The annual scientific production, intellectual, social, and conceptual structure were evaluated, along with the number of patent deposits, components of the plant used, countries of deposit, international classification and assignees, and the accessibility of available molecular data. Brazil has the most significant publications (306) between 1992 and 2020. Technological products (29) have been developed from different tissues of the plant. Most of the articles and patents were developed by researchers from public universities from different regions of Brazil. The molecular data are sequences of nucleotides (164) and proteins (236) of the chloroplast genome and are described to identify the species as DNA barcodes and proteins involved in photosynthesis. The compilation and report of scientific, technological, and molecular information in the present review allowed the identification of new perspectives of research to be developed based on the gaps in knowledge regarding the species and perspectives for the definition of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hancornia speciosa Gomes is native tree to South America, and its fruits are a source of income for communities and the food industry. The reduction of natural occurrence areas of H. speciosa, the absence of a sustainable management plan conservation and breeding programs, threaten its natural populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the phenotypic variability of fruits, seeds, and seedlings and to estimate the genetic diversity. The main goal is to provide information for the conservation and breeding programs of the species. Measurable variables of fruits, seeds, and seedling; and genetic diversity was estimated by ISSR markers. Among fruits, 53.21% had a longitudinal diameter from 27.5 to 35 mm and 63.15% had a transversal diameter from 24.5 to 35 mm. The average seed biometry was 9.98 mm, 8.21 mm, and 3.97 mm, for length, width and thickness respectively. The length of seedlings shoots varied from 3.0 to 8.5 cm, roots from 4.0 to 15.8 cm and dry mass from 80 to 103 mg seedling−1. The genetic parameters estimated were He = 0.40, I = 0.50, Na = 2.0, Ne = 1.71 and similarity of 55.29%. The population has high phenotypic variability of fruits, seeds and seedlings, and genetic diversity. There is potential for use of this population in the enrichment process for the restoration of natural populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]