Germination and regeneration of Eugenia involucrata (Myrtaceae) seeds correlated with reactive oxygen species

Abstract

Seeds of the genus Eugenia L. (Myrtaceae) have interesting propagatiostrategies, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) seem to be related to their germinatioand seedling production. In this study, the effects of ROS on the germination of Einvolucrata seeds were analyzed indirectly, with the application of N-acetyl-L-cystein(NAC), an antioxidant. The results demonstrated that the incubation in NAC suppresseand/or delayed the germination of the seeds, as well as the regeneration of roots and aeriaparts. The higher the concentration of NAC, the greater the effects on seed germination anregeneration.