Under natural conditions, the plants are, usually, surrounded by a series of potential enemies. They had created strategies of defense against pathogens and herbivores' attacks, allowing its perpetuation throughout evolution. These defense mechanisms are closely associated with the synthesis of secondary metabolites, which are also worldwide used in several areas of industry. This bibliographic review was conducted aiming to better understand how plants synthesize these substances in response to biotic or abiotic stimuli. The results discussed here revealed that synthesis of plant secondary metabolites is dependent on changes in several metabolic pathways, being often directly associated with the primary metabolism. Injury by herbivores or pathogens, temperature, CO 2 levels, solar radiation and drought, are the factors related to the environment that express the most significant signs of inhibition or synthesis of plant secondary metabolites. Global climatic changes recently observed can affect the metabolic pathways network and, consequently, secondary metabolites synthesis. Nowadays, genomic tools have been useful alternatives that are leading to a new revolution of plant breeding, allowing the overexpression or inhibition of these substances. Some limitations and challenges to be achieved upon the dynamics of secondary metabolite synthesis in plants are presented.

We appled a genetic and phenotypic multi-character predicted approach to the use of the multivariate methods Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) and Genotype Main Effects and Genotype Environment Interaction (GGE). The experiment was carried out in the agricultural crop year of 2016 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block design, with 14 growing environments x five wheat genotypes arranged in three replications. The characters were falling number, gluten strengthand protein content, which were used to make multi-character the technological index of the industrial quality of the wheat grains and multi-character the technological index of the industrial quality of the wheat grains. Multi-character selection can be a useful tool for identifying genotypes and growing environments that maximize the industrial quality of wheat grain. The GGE method provides greater explicability of the effects of genotype x environment interaction based on multi-character selection. The multicharacter genetic approach predicted for the ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 18 (3): gmr18223 V.J. Szareski et al. 2 selection of the industrial quality of wheat grain results in reliable inferences in the indication of adaptability and stability for the AMMI method and for GGE.

This work was aimed at determining stability and adaptability through Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) and Genotype Main Effects and Genotype Environment Interaction (GGE) methodologies, as well as to estimate and predict Restricted Maximum Likelihood/Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (REML/BLUP) parameters and employ them in multivariate models using wheat genotypes grown in the major wheat regions of Brazil. The trials were conducted during the 2017growing seasnon across 12 regions of Brazil, with nine wheat genotypes, arranged in three replicates. When there were significant G x E interactions, the AMMI and GGE methods were applied. The scores were represented in biplot graphs through multivariate methodology of the principal components. REML/BLUP estimates and predictions were employed in the GGE multivariate method to obtain inferences based on genetic effects, which was denominated predicted genetic GGE approach. The predicted genetic approach was superior to a phenotypic comparison to explain the effects of genotypes x ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 17 (3): gmr18026 V.J. Szareski et al 2 environments interaction for wheat seed yield in Brazil. Specific adaptability for seed yield was established through phenotypic and genetic predicted approaches for genotypes BRS 331 and Marfimin the environment Itapeva, SP, as well as the genotype FPS Certerotoin the environment Cascavel. PR, and BRS 327 in the environment Cruz Alta, RS. The use of multivariate biometric methodologies along with the new predicted genetic approach enables reliable positioning of wheat genotypes for seed production across the main wheat regions of Brazil.

This study aims to identify the phenotypic effects of traits associated with soybean pods and their growth habit. The experiments were carried out during the 2012 -2013 agricultural year. It was done in randomized blocks arranged in a 2×20 factorial design (environments × soybean cultivars) with three replications. Data were subjected to individual analysis of variance for each environment and growth habit to verify the homogeneity of variances. Phenotypic path analysis among agronomic traits was performed for each environment within the soybean growth habits. The results showed considerable influences of growth habit via traits associated with soybean pods. The traits number of pods with two, three, and four grains directly influenced the grain yield of genotypes with indeterminate growth habit regardless of the environment. The soybean genotypes with determinate growth habit contributed greatly to grain yield through the traits number of pods with one, two, and three grains and thousand grain weight via pods with two or four grains. Indirect selection of superior genotypes for pods per plant and grain weight could provide satisfactory results for soybean yield in relation to the growth habit. The interrelationships obtained between growth habits and environments, can be applied to superior genotypes selection strategies in breeding soybean programs.

The aim of this work was to characterize the physiological performance and some of the yield attributes of maize seeds in response to periods of temporary flooding. The study was conducted in an experimental design of randomized blocks, with four treatments composed by four replications, being evaluated the germination, the first count of germination, the germination speed index, the thousand seed weight, the number of seeds per ear, the number of rows per ear, the electrical conductivity in seeds, the length of shoot and primary root and the dry matter of shoot and primary root. Thousand seed weight, number of seeds per ear, number of rows per ear and electrical conductivity in seeds were reduced when plants were exposed to a 72 h flooding period. The flooding period of 72 h adversely affects the growth, the physical characteristics and the vigor of maize seeds.