Quantification of soybean seed germination response to seed deterioration under PEG-induced water stress using hydrotime concept

This experiment was arranged to investigate the ability of hydrotime model (θ_H) for estimating soybean seed germination (cv. ‘JK’) under different accelerated aging periods (AAP, 0, 24, 48, and 72 h) at each of the following water potentials (ψ, 0, ??0.12, ??0.24, and ??0.36 MPa). Results indicated that both germination percentage (GP) and germination rate (GR) significantly influenced by ψ, AAP, and their interactions (P?<?0.01). GP and GR decreased by 62.6 and 47.3% with longer AAP from 0 to 72 h and by 90.7 and 81.5% with lower ψ from zero to ??0.36 MPa as compared to the control, respectively. Therefore, the effect of ψ on GP and GR was more than AAP. The θ_H value was constant (~?6.71 MPa h^?1) till 50.6 h AAP and then linearly declined with the rate of 0.1545 MPa h^?1 per hour increase in AAP until 72 h (~?50% lower than its initial value). The ψ_b(50) value was ? 0.343 MPa in the control and then increased (became more positive) by ~?70% until 72 h AAP (? 0.104 MPa). In general, GP and GR of soybean declined with the increasing ψ_b(50) which can be due to cell membrane damage and reduce the activity of enzymes and organelles during AAP. Based on our findings, the θ_H model could describe well these relationships and their parameters can nicely be used for simulating soybean seed germination under this condition.     

Effect of PEG-induced drought stress on seed germination of four lentil genotypes

Seeds of four lentil genotypes (Castelluccio, Eston, Pantelleria, and Ustica) were subjected to five levels (0, 10, 15, 18, and 21%) of polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000). Germination percentage, root length, tissue water content (WC), α- and β-amylases, α-glucosidase activities, and osmolyte content were evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h after starting the germination test. Water stress reduced seed germination percentage, root length, and seedling WC in all cultivars to different extent. The increase in proline content and total soluble sugars was greater for Eston and Castelluccio compared to the other genotypes. The activity of the enzymes involved in the germination process decreased in all cultivars; the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were most negatively affected by osmotic stress, mainly in the drought sensitive Ustica and Pantelleria. Overall, Eston and Castelluccio were able to express greater drought tolerance and consequently could be used as a valuable resource for breeding programs.     

水分胁迫下紫花苜蓿和高粱种子萌发特性及幼苗耐旱性

利用PEG溶液(水势梯度:-0.1～-0.5MPa)模拟水分胁迫,研究了紫花苜蓿(品种:阿尔冈金和陇东)和高粱(品种:抗四)种子的萌发能力的变化及对萌发环境的最低水分需求,并进行种间差异比较.结果显示:PEG水分胁迫通过限制种子有效水分的吸收而抑制了其萌发,且随着胁迫强度的增加,萌发能力减弱,主要表现在:萌发率、吸水速率、萌发活力、萌发胁迫指数等随胁迫强度的增加而下降,根芽比则随之增加.另一方面,种子群体萌动、萌发和出苗达50%概率时间随胁迫强度的增加而越发延迟,且各阶段对环境临界水势的需求不同,出苗阶段最为严格,说明种子出苗过程对环境水分胁迫最为敏感,耐旱能力最弱.相比之下,在同等胁迫条件下,高粱种子的萌发能力较苜蓿种子受到影响较小,各个阶段对环境水势的需求也相对较为宽松.因此,苜蓿苗期对干旱胁迫的忍耐能力不及高粱,且出苗过程中对环境水分条件的需求存在品种间差异.     

Effects of exogenous spermine on sweet sorghum during germination under salinity

Seedlings of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench were subjected to 180 mM NaCl with or without 0.25 mM spermine (SPM) for 7 d. NaCl treatment resulted in the inhibition of growth and increased the content of free proline, soluble protein and malondialdehyde (MDA). Additionally, it also enhanced the activity of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) in both shoots and roots, while decreased that of glutathione reductase (GR). When exogenous spermine was added to the test solution, the growth of sweet sorghum seedlings was improved, and a smaller increase in the free proline and MDA contents was observed. The addition of spermine also partially increased the activities of POX and GR, but had no effects on soluble protein content or the activity of CAT.     

Canopy and leaf photosynthetic characteristics and water use efficiency of sweet sorghum under drought stress

The objective of this paper was to examine the relationship between Water Use Efficiency (WUE) at the canopy and leaf levels, to determine soil moisture conditions, which can optimize yield, and WUE of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (Linn.) Moench), thus providing some theoretical foundation for using marginal land effectively and developing production of sweet sorghum. Three levels of soil moisture conditions were established, and photosynthetic characteristics and yield were measured. The canopy apparent photo-synthetic rate (CAP) and leaf photosynthetic rate (P _N) were reduced gradually with increased drought stress, and the CAP was lower than the P _N under every soil moisture conditions. The P _N had a midday depression phenomenon, but the CAP did not exhibit this midday depression phenomenon under severe drought stress. The linear regression relationship of CAP and P _N was CAP = 1.5945 + 0.1496 P _N. The canopy apparent WUE_C and leaf WUE_L were the highest under moderate drought stress. The first was 5.3 and 5.8 times higher than the WUE_L in mid-July and late August, respectively. The stem fresh biomass yield was 77 tons/ha under moderate drought stress and WUE of aboveground biomass yield (WUE_B) was also the highest. Our results showed that moderate drought stress did not result in a significant reduction in biomass yield but increased WUE significantly.     

油菜素内酯浸种对盐胁迫番茄种子萌发的影响及其生理机制

为揭示油菜素甾醇类化合物提高作物耐盐的效应和机理,研究了10^-11、10^-10、10^-9、10^-8、10^-7、10^-6、10^-5 mol/L 2,4-表油菜素内酯（EBL）浸种处理对0、50、100、150、175 mmol/L NaCl胁迫7 d的番茄种子萌发、生长、溶质积累、抗氧化代谢的影响。结果显示：NaCl浓度越高的盐胁迫下,10^-9 mol/L EBL浸种可体现出越显著的促进番茄种子萌发的效应;在所有处理下,EBL浸种浓度过高,即10^-6、10^-5 mol/L EBL,均表现出对种子萌发的抑制效应。盐胁迫下种子萌发后,一定浓度的EBL浸种可表现出明显的增加种子胚根和下胚轴长,提高萌发种子鲜重和种子活力指数,其中10^-9 mol/L EBL浸种处理促进效果最适;EBL浸种浓度过高,则表现出抑制效应。150 mmol/L NaCl胁迫或非盐胁迫下,10^-9 mol/L EBL浸种均可降低萌发种子体内的O₂^·-、H₂O₂、丙二醛（MDA）和脯氨酸（Pro）含量;盐胁迫下,10^-9 mol/L EBL浸种可显著提高萌发种子可溶性糖（SS）和可溶性蛋白（SP）的含量。150 mmol/L NaCl胁迫或非盐胁迫下,10^-9 mol/L EBL处理可不同程度促进番茄种苗超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性的上升。综上所述,盐胁迫下,一定浓度范围内的EBL浸种可明显促进番茄种子萌发或成苗,其中以10^-9 mol/L EBL浸种的效果最好,主要是因为EBL施用可积极促进番茄种子萌发中物质转化,SS和SP等溶质积累增多,增强其渗透调节能力;同时SOD和POD酶活增强,缓解盐胁迫导致番茄种子萌发中的次生氧化胁迫。     

The laboratory germination of crisp lettuce seeds under moisture stress

Seeds of the crisp lettuce cultivar Pennlake were germinated using all combinations of six ‘initial’ solutions of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) with osmotic potentials ranging from 0 to -8 bars and seven ‘secondary’ solutions of PEG with osmotic potentials ranging from 0 to -10 bars, to which seeds were moved after 24 or 48 h in the ‘initial’ solution. The number of seeds germinating decreased at more negative osmotic potentials of both ‘initial’ and ‘secondary’ solutions but there was an interaction between germination temperature and the osmotic potential of the ‘initial’ solution. At an ‘initial’ solution osmotic potential of 0 bars germination at 20°C exceeded that at 10°C. As the osmotic potential of the ‘initial’ solution decreased germination at 20°C decreased more than at 10°C so that at the more negative osmotic potentials germination at 10°C exceeded that at 20°C. However seeds ungerminated after 14 days germinated normally when transferred back to water, so that the average final germination was 99.5%. The results suggest that major fluctuations in soil water potential in a seedbed are unlikely to influence seed germination per se provided that a period of 24 to 48 h at 0 bars tension is available at some time. The timing of such a period relative to sowing will have a considerable effect on the time of germination and hence the time of emergence. It is concluded that factors other than the direct effect of soil moisture content on germination are involved in reducing seedling emergence under fluctuating soil moisture conditions in the field.     

一氧化氮对水分胁迫下玉米种子萌发及幼苗生理特性的影响

以0.4mol/L的甘露醇(M)模拟水分胁迫状况,研究了外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)对水分胁迫下玉米种子萌发、幼苗生长和生理特性的影响。结果表明:(1)水分胁迫下,玉米种子萌发和幼苗生长受到抑制,叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量、质膜相对透性、脯氨酸含量均显著增加;(2)SNP能显著提高水分胁迫下玉米种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数和活力指数,增加玉米幼苗的根长、茎长、根重和整株干重,抑制水分胁迫下玉米幼苗叶片MDA含量的上升,降低叶片质膜相对透性,降低脯氨酸含量。其中以100μmol/L和200μmol/LSNP对水分胁迫的缓解效果最佳。     

A water relations analysis of seed germination rates

Seed germination culminates in the initiation of embryo growth and the resumption of water uptake after imbibition. Previous applications of cell growth models to describe seed germination have focused on the inhibition of radicle growth rates at reduced water potential (Ψ). An alternative approach is presented, based upon the timing of radicle emergence, to characterize the relationship of seed germination rates to Ψ. Using only three parameters, a `hydrotime constant' and the mean and standard deviation in minimum or base Ψ among seeds in the population, germination time courses can be predicted at any Ψ, or normalized to a common time scale equal to that of seeds germinating in water. The rate of germination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv Empire) seeds, either intact or with the endosperm envelope cut, increased linearly with embryo turgor. The endosperm presented little physical resistance to radicle growth at the time of radicle emergence, but its presence markedly delayed germination. The length of the lag period after imbibition before radicle emergence is related to the time required for weakening of the endosperm, and not to the generation of additional turgor in the embryo. The rate of endosperm weakening is sensitive to Ψ or turgor.     

A model of the effects of water stress on seed advancement and germination

A model of seed germination is proposed which uses a variable with the units of an osmotic potential (virtual osmotic potential) to integrate the effect of a constant or a varying water potential. This differs from existing models that describe the effects of fixed water potentials on germination, or the effects of fixed priming water potentials on the subsequent germination at a fixed water potential. When a seed is sown, the virtual osmotic potential is assumed to fall at a rate that depends on the ambient water potential, and on the difference between its current and a minimum value. Radicle growth is assumed to initiate when the difference between the ambient water potential and the virtual osmotic potential exceeds a threshold. The germination of carrot and onion seeds at various fixed potentials below 0 MPa was well described by the virtual osmotic potential model. The model was also used to simulate the results of experiments in which seeds were given a single step change in water potential.     

外源cGMP调控盐胁迫下黑麦草种子萌发机制

c GMP(cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate)是一类环化核苷酸,能响应植物非生物胁迫的信号分子。以c GMP的膜透性类似物8-Br-cGMP为供体,研究c GMP对盐胁迫下黑麦草种子萌发及生理指标的影响。通过计算萌发指标、测定种子萌发过程中各项生理指标,探讨c GMP对黑麦草种子萌发时耐盐机制的作用。结果表明:低浓度(50 mmol/L)盐胁迫能促进黑麦草种子的萌发,随着盐浓度(100、150、200、250 mmol/L)的增加黑麦草种子的萌发率逐渐降低甚至抑制其萌发。而加入20μmol/L c GMP能缓解100 mmol/L Na Cl胁迫对黑麦草种子造成的伤害,使黑麦草种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数分别提高了7.4%、133.3%、52.1%、104.2%。此外,研究发现加入20μmol/Lc GMP能够促进100 mmol/L Na Cl盐胁迫下黑麦草萌发期根的生长,比单独100 mmol/L Na Cl盐胁迫处理下的黑麦草植株全长、根长、叶长分别提高了2.5、2.8倍和2.6倍,种子在萌发过程中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白含量、淀粉酶活性,脯氨酸含量分别提高了47.9%、15.7%、94.3%、117.4%,而淀粉含量、MDA含量、电导率,O_2~-产生速率分别降低了40.9%、128.7%、88.6%、211.9%。说明20μmol/Lc GMP通过提高可溶性糖,可溶性蛋白含量及脯氨酸含量,同时减少MDA、O_2~-的产生,以此缓解盐胁迫对黑麦草种子的伤害、同时促进淀粉水解,从而加速种子萌发。     

SMXLs regulate seed germination under salinity and drought stress in soybean

Plant Growth Regulation - Soybeans are one of the most important crops worldwide, but yield and quality can be severely affected by abiotic stresses. Genes in the Suppressor of MAX2 1-Like (SMXL)...     

Amelioration of osmotic stress by brassinosteroids on seed germination and seedling growth of three varieties of sorghum

The effect of 28-homobrassinolide and 24-epibrassinolide on the germination and seedling growth of three varieties of sorghum, viz. CSH-14 and ICSV-745 (susceptible to water stress) and M-35-1 (resistant to water stress), under osmotic stress conditions was studied. Both the brassinosteroids were very effective in increasing the percentage of germination and seedling growth of all the three varieties of sorghum under osmotic stress, the growth promotion being associated with enhanced levels of soluble proteins and free proline. Brassinosteroid treatment enhanced the activity of catalase and reduced the activities of peroxidase and ascorbic acid oxidase.     

Modelling the effects of water stress and temperature on germination rate of Orobanche aegyptiaca seeds

Orobanche aegyptiaca seeds were germinated at a range of water potentials and temperatures and the progress of germination within the seed population was modelled. Base water potentials (at which the rate of progress towards germination is zero) varied between individual seeds according to a normal distribution with a mean of -1.96 MPa and standard deviation of 0.33 MPa at 20C. Contrary to the underlying assumption of the hydrothermal time model in the literature, the median base water potential varied significantly with temperature, being c. -2 MPa at 14-23C and increasing at both higher and lower temperatures. Thermal times to germination also varied according to a normal distribution between individual seeds with a mean of 49°Cd and standard deviation of 18°Cd in water. The median thermal time to germination varied with water potential. Again, however, an assumption of the hydrothermal time model was found to be invalid since the base temperature for rate of germination also varied significantly with water potential. The relationship of both base temperature and thermal time to water potential were linear such that germination progress curves in 33 different hydrothermal environments (8-26°C and 0 to -1.2 MPa) could be described according to a new modified thermal time model which accounted for 78% of the variation in the data.Keywords: Water stress, temperature, Orobanche aegyptiaca, germination rate, hydrothermal time models.      

Energy dissipation and antioxidant enzyme system protect photosystem II of sweet sorghum under drought stress

The effect of drought stress on energy dissipation and antioxidant enzyme system in two sweet sorghum inbred lines (M-81E and Roma) was investigated. Results showed that the germination indicator increased more in M-81E than that in Roma under rehydration. Under drought stress, both the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) and oxidoreductive activity (ΔI/I₀) of Roma decreased more than those in M-81E. Relative to Fv/Fm, the ΔI/I0 decreased markedly, which indicated that PSI was more sensitive to drought stress than PSII. Increases in the reduction state of Q_A (1–q_p), nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) and minimal fluorescence yield of the dark-adapted state (F₀) were greater in Roma than those in M-81E; meanwhile, the H₂O₂ content was lower in M-81E than that in Roma. Our results suggested that the photoinhibition might be related to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The antioxidant enzyme system and energy dissipation of M-81E could respectively increase drought tolerance by eliminating ROS and excess energy more efficiently than that of Roma.     

纬度对甜高粱营养生长和籽粒产量的影响

为了解甜高粱〔Sorghumbicolor(L.)Moench〕各品种在我国的适应性,在不同地区进行了‘意达利’、‘雷伊’、‘凯勒’、‘M81E’的品种比较试验,对各品种的生育期、株高、茎秆直径、茎秆重量、茎秆汁锤度、籽粒产量与纬度的关系进行了一元线性回归分析。结果表明:纬度变化,实际上是日照长度的变化,对甜高粱营养生长有影响,高纬度有利于其营养生长。各品种对纬度变化反应敏感程度从大到小为:‘意达利’>‘M81E’>‘凯勒’>‘雷伊’。纬度变化对甜高粱籽粒产量也有影响,4个品种的敏感程度从大到小为:‘意大利’>‘M81E’>‘凯勒’>‘雷伊’,4个品种的生育期、茎秆含糖量(汁锤度)、籽粒产量也随着纬度的增高而增加     

Interactions of seed water content with phytochromeinitiated germination of Rumex crispus (L.) seeds

Light-initiated germination levels of Rumex crispus L. seedswere reduced equally by imbibition in mannitol or polyethyleneglycol 6000 (PEG 6000) solutions of the same w, indicating thatthe effects of each were through w. Reduction of the water contentof the seeds with these osmotica decreased the effectivenessof the far-red absorbing form of phytochrome (P_tr) in causinggermination. However, reduced water content had no effect onthe slopes or saturation points of fluence/response curves whichindicates that has no effect on the number of P_tr receptor sites.The time during which a portion of the seeds were still photoreversibleby far-red light was increased by imbibition in PEG 6000, indicatinga direct effect of w on a reaction involving phytochrome. Noqualitative effect of PEG 6000 on the Onset of secondary dormancywas seen; however, its effect on the relative rate of appearanceof secondary dormancy was equivocal. ¹ Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station cooperating. (Received February 23, 1978; )