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.     

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.     

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.     

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 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.     

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)...     

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.     

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.      

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; )     

Boron and calcium increasePisum sativum seed germination and seedling development under salt stress

A beneficial effect of B and Ca application on symbiotic interaction between legume and rhizobia under saline conditions has recently been shown, suggesting conventional agricultural practices to increase crop salt tolerance. However, nothing is known about application of both nutrients on early events of legume development under salt stress, prior to the establishment of a symbiotic interaction. Therefore, the effects of different levels of B (from 9.3 to 93μM B) and Ca (from 0.68 to 5.44 mM Ca) on seed germination, root elongation, plant development, and mineral composition of pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Argona) grown under 0 to 150 mM NaCl, were analysed. Development of plants previously germinated in the presence of salt was more impaired than that of plants put under salt stress once seeds were germinated. A NaCl concentration of 75 mM and 150 mM inhibited pea seed germination and seedling growth. The addition of either extra B or extra Ca to the germination solution prevented the reduction caused by 75 mM NaCl but not that of 150 mM NaCl. However, root elongation and plant development under salt stress (75 mM NaCl) was enhanced only by addition of both B and Ca. When plants were cultivated in the absence of external N, N content in roots and shoots originating from seeds was diminished by salt and enhanced by B and Ca, suggesting a role of these nutrients in remobilisation of seed nutrient stores. Salinity also led to an extremely high concentration of Na⁺ ions, and to a decrease of B and Ca concentrations. This can be overcome by addition of both nutrients, increasing salt tolerance of developing pea plants. The necessity of nutritional studies to increase crop production in saline soils is discussed and proposed.     

Brassinosteroid improves seed germination and early development of tomato seedling under phenanthrene stress

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the toxic persistent organic pollutants, have global environmental concern. Seed germination and early seedling development are the initial handicaps for plant establishment in phytoremediation program. Assisted phytoremediation by plant growth regulators may be a potential solution for these problems. Hence, we investigated the effects of seed treatment with various concentrations (0.01, 1.0, 100?nM) of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) in tomato under graded levels (30, 100, 300???M) of a three-ring PAH namely phenanthrene (PHE). Delayed and decreased seed germination, reduced length and fresh weight (FW) of shoot and root were observed following 10?days of PHE exposure in a dose dependent manner. Chlorophyll fluorescence study suggested a possible photoinhibition and damage to photosynthetic apparatus under PHE exposure. However, seed treatment with EBR improved seed germination and increased length and FW of shoot and root. In addition, EBR remarkably restored the studied chlorophyll fluorescence parameters towards control levels. Different responses in antioxidant enzymes were observed following PHE exposure, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased in a concentration dependent manner. EBR treatment prior to PHE exposure remarkably increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes over PHE alone, but decreased the MDA contents both in shoot and root of young tomato seedlings. Considering all the studied parameters, seed treatment with 1.0?nM EBR was most effective followed by 100 and 0.01?nM for the improvement of germination and seedling growth under PHE stress in tomato.     

盐分和水分胁迫对盐生植物灰绿藜种子萌发的影响

研究了不同浓度的NaCl和复合盐及等渗溶液(PEG-6000)处理下盐生植物灰绿藜(Chenopodium glaucum L.)种子的萌发状况.结果表明:灰绿藜种子的萌发率与处理溶液的浓度或渗透势之间有显著的负相关关系;在低浓度盐溶液(2.9 g*L-1)中灰绿藜种子的萌发率高于对照(蒸馏水);NaCl溶液对灰绿藜种子萌发的抑制作用大于复合盐溶液.渗透势为-0.2和-0.5 mPa 时,PEG-6000溶液对灰绿藜种子萌发的抑制作用小于等渗NaCl溶液,而在较高渗透势溶液中则正好相反.用渗透势≤-1.8 mPa 的PEG-6000溶液及所有浓度的NaCl和复合盐溶液处理的种子复水后相对萌发率都达到了90%以上,说明一定程度的盐分和水分胁迫对灰绿藜种子萌发潜力并没有很大的影响,并且萌发恢复率随处理盐浓度或PEG-6000溶液渗透势(≤-1.4 mPa)的增加而增加.     

Effect of water stress on seed germination and seedling growth inOryza sativa L.

The effect of water stress induced by application of polyethylene glycol 6000 during seed germination and seedling growth ofOryza sativa L. cv. IAC 165 was analysed. The seed germination was inhibited by the decrease in the water potential of the medium, the inhibition being greater under white light than under continuous darkness. When the seedling was submitted to water stress (-0.51 MPa) white light inhibited growth of root, coleoptile-and leaf, while under no stress conditions white light caused increase in growth of root and leaf and only inhibition of coleoptile growth.     

Effects of nitric oxide on the germination of cucumber seeds and antioxidant enzymes under salinity stress

Effects of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) on the germination and antioxidant enzyme during cucumber seed germination were investigated under salt stress. Seeds of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Jinyou 1) were treated with distilled water or NaCl in the presence or absence of NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) during germination. Excess 50 mM NaCl reduced significantly the seed germination rate in a short term and speed of germination. When salt concentration increased, germination of cucumber seed was reduced and the time needed to complete germination lengthened. Addition of exogenous SNP in salt solution attenuated the salt stress effects in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by accelerating the seed germination, as well as weight increase of budding seeds, and 50 μM SNP was optimal concentration. At 150 mM NaCl, the 50 μM exogenous SNP significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) and protein content, while decreased the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA). There were no obvious effects of exogenous NO on peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.6) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.6) activities under salt stress. Exogenous NO also increased the SOD and CAT isozyme expression under salt stress, which was in accordance with the improved antioxidant activities in the germinating seeds. The NO-induced salt stress resistance was associated with activated enzymes, and enhanced protein content, thus decreasing MDA content. It is concluded that exogenous NO treatment on cucumber seeds may be a good option to improve seed germination under saline conditions.