African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6853

Full Length Research Paper

Enzyme activities and gene expression in dry maize seeds and seeds submitted to low germination temperature

Izabel Costa Silva Neta*
  • Izabel Costa Silva Neta*
  • Department of Agriculture, Seeds Laboratory, Federal University of Lavras (Universidade Federal de Lavras – UFLA), University Campus – P.O. Box 3037, ZIP code 37200-000, Lavras MG, Brazil.
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Edila Vilela de Resende Von Pinho
  • Edila Vilela de Resende Von Pinho
  • Department of Agriculture, Seeds Laboratory, Federal University of Lavras (Universidade Federal de Lavras – UFLA), University Campus – P.O. Box 3037, ZIP code 37200-000, Lavras MG, Brazil.
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Viviane Maria de Abreu
  • Viviane Maria de Abreu
  • Department of Agriculture, Seeds Laboratory, Federal University of Lavras (Universidade Federal de Lavras – UFLA), University Campus – P.O. Box 3037, ZIP code 37200-000, Lavras MG, Brazil.
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Heloisa Oliveira dos Santos
  • Heloisa Oliveira dos Santos
  • Department of Agriculture, Seeds Laboratory, Federal University of Lavras (Universidade Federal de Lavras – UFLA), University Campus – P.O. Box 3037, ZIP code 37200-000, Lavras MG, Brazil.
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Danielle Rezende Vilela
  • Danielle Rezende Vilela
  • Department of Agriculture, Seeds Laboratory, Federal University of Lavras (Universidade Federal de Lavras – UFLA), University Campus – P.O. Box 3037, ZIP code 37200-000, Lavras MG, Brazil.
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Renzo Garcia Von Pinho
  • Renzo Garcia Von Pinho
  • Department of Agriculture, Seeds Laboratory, Federal University of Lavras (Universidade Federal de Lavras – UFLA), University Campus – P.O. Box 3037, ZIP code 37200-000, Lavras MG, Brazil.
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Maria Laene Moreira de Carvalho
  • Maria Laene Moreira de Carvalho
  • Department of Agriculture, Seeds Laboratory, Federal University of Lavras (Universidade Federal de Lavras – UFLA), University Campus – P.O. Box 3037, ZIP code 37200-000, Lavras MG, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 10 April 2016
  •  Accepted: 08 July 2016
  •  Published: 18 August 2016

Abstract

The study was conducted on dry maize seed and seed subjected to sub optimal germination temperature. Four lines of maize seeds were used, two were classified as susceptible to low temperature (44 and 54) and two tolerant to low temperature (64 and 91°C). Water content and germination tests were performed at different temperatures (10 and 25°C) to evaluate the physical and physiological quality of maize seeds. For molecular study, activity of heat-resistant proteins, esterase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and α-amylase enzymes were assessed. Study of AOX1, ZmMPK5, SOD, APX, SAD, ENR and LEA genes with real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were carried out. AOX, SAD and LEA genes that are related as tolerant to abiotic stress showed higher expression in line 64, which was classified as tolerant to low germination temperature. The ZmMPK5 gene is associated with increased production of abscisic acid and expressed more in line 54, which was considered as susceptible to low germination temperature. 

Key words: Zea mays, seed vigor, abiotic stress.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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