The seed water content as a time-independent physiological trait during germination in wild tree species such as Ceiba aesculifolia

Water Stress Inhibits Germination While Maintaining Embryo Viability of Subtropical Wetland Seeds: A Functional Approach With Phylogenetic Contrasts

Wetland species commonly exhibit a range of strategies to cope with water stress, either through drought tolerance or through avoidance of the period of limited water availability. Natural populations provide a genetic resource for ecological remediation and may also have direct economic value. We investigated the effects of drought stress on the seed germination of wetland species. Nineteen species were germinated in four concentrations of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) and were evaluated daily (12-h light photoperiod) or after 35 days (continuous darkness) to determine seed germination under water stress. Germination percentage decreased with an increase in polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) concentration, but species' germination response to PEG concentration varied significantly. Seeds recovered their germinability after the alleviation of water stress, but the extent of recovery was species-dependent.

The Biology of the Genus Ceiba, a Potential Source for Sustainable Production of Natural Fiber

The species of the genus Ceiba produces fruits with fibers with a high content of cellulose. The fiber is used for textiles, cushion filling and for industrial purposes and its characteristics have been studied in some species including Ceiba pentandra (kapok), C. speciosa and C. aesculifolia. The use of the trunk and seeds of Ceiba has also been described for different species. This article presents a review on the biological diversity of the genus Ceiba (Malvaceae). The genus Ceiba has 18 recognized species that are distributed naturally in America and Africa. However, some Ceiba trees have been introduced to various countries, especially in Asia, due to their ornamental interest and potential uses for their fiber. Ecophysiological studies of different Ceiba species have shown that resistance to adverse environmental conditions varies from species to species. Therefore, Ceiba species are considered potentially useful in restoring ecosystems impacted by human activity. The information related to the classification, morphological characteristics, phenology, ecophysiology and distribution of the different species will be extremely relevant for the sustainable production of kapok fiber. Finally, the recent genomic and transcriptomic studies also provide a valuable resource for further genetic improvement and effective use of Ceiba trees.

Bioactive Composition and Nutritional Profile of Microgreens Cultivated in Thailand

Microgreens are young and tender leafy vegetables that have gained wider consumer acceptance. This is attributed to their low caloric composition and rich micronutrient and antioxidant composition. The present study investigated the bioactive composition and proximate analysis of fourteen microgreens belonging to Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Pedaliaceae, Polygonaceae, Convolvulaceae, and Malvaceae. All the microgreens showed low calories (20.22 to 53.43 kcal 100 g−1) and fat (0.15 to 0.66 g 100 g−1), whilst mung bean and lentil microgreens showed considerable amounts of carbohydrate (7.16 g 100 g−1) and protein (6.47 g 100 g−1), respectively. Lentil microgreens had the highest total chlorophyll (112.62 mg 100 g−1) and carotenoid (28.37 mg 100 g−1) contents, whilst buckwheat microgreens showed the highest total phenolic content (268.99 mg GAE 100 g−1) and DPPH• scavenging activity (90.83 mM TEAC g−1). The lentil microgreens also presented high ascorbic acid content (128.70 mg 100 g−1) along with broccoli, Chinese kale, purple radish, and red cabbage microgreens (79.11, 81.33, 82.58, and 89.49 mg 100 g−1, respectively). Anthocyanin content was only detected in purple radish (0.148 mg CGE 100 g−1) and red cabbage (0.246 mg CGE 100 g−1). The results provide basic information and highlight the benefits of utilizing genetic biodiversity to obtain microgreens with the desired nutrients and antioxidants.

The Relevance of a Physiological-Stage Approach Study of the Molecular and Environmental Factors Regulating Seed Germination in Wild Plants

Germination represents the culmination of the seed developmental program and is affected by the conditions prevailing during seed maturation in the mother plant. During maturation, the dormancy condition and tolerance to dehydration are established. These characteristics are modulated by the environment to which they are subjected, having an important impact on wild species. In this work, a review was made of the molecular bases of the maturation, the processes of dormancy imposition and loss, as well as the germination process in different wild species with different life histories, and from diverse habitats. It is also specified which of these species present a certain type of management. The impact that the domestication process has had on certain characteristics of the seed is discussed, as well as the importance of determining physiological stages based on morphological characteristics, to face the complexities of the study of these species and preserve their genetic diversity and physiological responses.