An integrative analysis of physiological and biochemical changes during pod and seed development in the tree legume Acacia mangium

• Published in: New forests 2024-07, Vol.55 (4), p.699-711
• Main Authors: Duarte-da-Silva, Mariana, Alves-de-Oliveira, Danilo Flademir, Cardoso Felix, Francival, dos Santos Ferrari, Cibele, Emídio Cunha, Elizângela, Voigt, Eduardo Luiz, Vasconcelos Pacheco, Mauro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acacia mangium; Accumulation; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Carbohydrates; Cultivation; Deposition; Dry weight; Drying; Forestry; Germinability; Grain cultivation; Legumes; Life Sciences; Moisture content; Physiology; Proteins; Reforestation; Seeds; Water content; Water uptake
• ISSN: 0169-4286; 1573-5095
• DOI: 10.1007/s11056-023-09998-2

Seed development has been studied in many woody species due to its role in seed production for afforestation and reforestation programs. Still, which biochemical changes co-occur in fruits and seeds during development are poorly known. Thus, this work is an integrative analysis of physiological and biochemical alterations during pod and seed development in Acacia mangium , a fast-growing tree legume cultivated worldwide. Pods were harvested between 30 and 165 days after anthesis, but seeds could be detached from 105 days after anthesis. The content of water, dry weight, non-structural carbohydrates, and soluble proteins was evaluated in both pods and seeds, and the activity of hydrolases was assessed only in pods. Early pod growth was governed by water uptake and was associated with low levels of soluble sugars and soluble proteins and high activity of acid proteases. Late pod growth was marked by reserve deposition, considering the accumulation of non-structural carbohydrates and soluble proteins. The remobilization of these reserves in the pods was preceded by high activity of amylases and acid proteases, and this process may have contributed to reserve deposition in the seeds during late filling, regarding an increase in the levels of starch and soluble proteins. Seed physiological maturity was achieved before harvesting time, as minimum water content and maximum germinability and vigour were attained after the end of dry weight accumulation. Seeds should not be harvested after the end of maturation drying to avoid losses in quality.