Storage Behaviour of Salix alba and Salix matsudana Seeds

Effects of dehydration, storage temperature and humidificationon germination of Salix alba andS. matsudana seeds were studied.Newly released seeds showed 100% germination before and afterdehydration to 11–12% moisture content. Germination ofthe high vigour lot (100% initial normal germination) was notaffected by dehydration to 6.7% moisture content but germinationdecreased with further dehydration to 4.3%. The lower vigourlot (75% initial normal germination) was more susceptible todehydration and germination decreased following dehydrationto 6.7% moisture content. Dry seeds of both species survivedimmersion in liquid nitrogen without loss of viability. Thegermination of seeds stored with 9% moisture content decreasedto 35–40% in 5 months at -20°C or in 2 months at 5°C.However, at 25°C seeds entirely lost viability within 2weeks. Seeds showed improved performance when stored at -70°C> - 20°C > 5°C > 25°C and tolerated dehydrationto a moisture content in equilibrium with 15% relative humidity.Results suggest that they are orthodox in storage behaviouralthough they are short-lived. Humidification treatment of lowvigour seed lots resulted in a remarkable increase in germinationpercentage. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Salix alba, Salix matsudana, willow, seed storage behaviour, dehydration, humidification, cryopreservation     

An Intermediate Category of Seed Storage Behaviour?: I. COFFEE

Seeds of four cultivars of arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.)were tested for germination following hermetic storage for upto 12 months at several different combinations of temperaturesbetween –20 °C and 15 °C and moisture contentsbetween 5% and 10% (wet basis). Most of the seeds from one cultivarwithstood desiccation to between 5% and 6% moisture content,a seed water potential of approximately –250 MPa, butthose of the remaining three cultivars were much more sensitiveto desiccation damage. Moreover, in all four cultivars, seedlongevity at cool and sub-zero temperatures, and at low moisturecontents did not conform with orthodox seed storage behaviour:viability was lost more rapidly under these conditions thanat either warmer temperatures or higher moisture contents. Theresults confirm that coffee seeds fail to satisfy the definitionsof either typical orthodox or recalcitrant seed storage behaviour.These results, therefore, point to the possibility of a thirdcategory of storage behaviour intermediate between those oforthodox and recalcitrant seeds. One of the main features ofthis category is that dry seeds are injured by low temperatures. Key words: coffee, Coffea arabica L., seed storage, seed longevity, desiccation, temperature     

Recalcitrant Seeds: Short-term Storage Effects in Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. may be Germination-associated

When recalcitrant propagules (seeds) of Avicennia marina werestored in a dry air stream there was no significant change intheir moisture content for 10 days, after which it declinedrapidly. Seed viability remained high during this 10-d period,only then declining. Ultrastructural changes in embryonic rootprimordium cells during the 10-d storage period were similarto those characterizing germination. It is suggested that thecontinuation of germination processes after shedding may beresponsible for the deterioration in stored recalcitrant seeds. Avicennia marina, recalcitrance, seed storage, germination     

Responses to Drying of Recalcitrant Seeds of Quercus nigra L.

It has been suggested that rate of desiccation can influencethe expression of recalcitrant behaviour in seeds, thus complicatingthe task of determining which seeds are truly recalcitrant.The objective of this study was to see if variable rates ofdesiccation influenced such behaviour inQuercus nigra L., atree seed known to be recalcitrant. Acorn moisture content, leachate conductivity, and germinationwere determined at various times during desiccation at threerates at 27 and 40°C. Moisture contents and germinationdecreased as the severity of desiccation increased. Leachateconductivity increased slightly but was not a sensitive indicatorof loss of viability. The critical (lethal) moisture contentfor these acorns was 10–15%, although rehydration within48 h of reaching this level prevented death in about 25% ofthe acorns. At 27°C any desiccation treatment that producedlosses of 30–50mg of moisture per g of acorn dry weightper day should be suitable as a test for recalcitrance in thegenus. Apparent physiological or fungal damage at 40°C rulesout the higher temperature for such a test. Quercus nigra L.; desiccation rate; temperature; recalcitrant; leachate conductivity; germination; viability     

The Effects of Priming and Ageing on Resistance to Deterioration of Tomato Seeds

The influence of seed priming and ageing treatments on viabilityand rate of germination of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)seeds was examined under both long-term and controlled-deteriorationstorage conditions. Seeds of a single lot of tomato were eitherprimed or aged to increase or decrease the rate of germination(Argerich and Bradford, 1989). They were then stored at 6% moisturecontent (dry weight basis) at either 4 ?C or 30 ?C for 1 year.Both viability and germination rate were unaffected by eitherstorage temperature in control seeds, or by 4 ?C storage inprimed or aged seeds. At 30 ?C, however, viability and germinationrate of primed and aged seeds was markedly reduced after 6 monthsof storage. The temperature dependence of the germination rateand the spread of germination times within the population wasalso adversely affected by high temperature storage, particularlyfor primed seeds. Under controlled deterioration conditions(13.5% moisture content and 50 ?C), the rate of loss of viabilitywas greater for primed seed than for control or aged seeds.The relationship between seed viability and the mean germinationrate, however, was not influenced by the seed treatments. Thesedata are analysed in relation to current models of seed deteriorationduring storage and seed repair during priming. The results indicatethat enhancement of seed germination rates by priming treatmentssimultaneously lowers the resistance of seeds to deterioration.Primed tomato seeds must, therefore, be considered to be vigorousseeds with a reduced storage life. Key words: Tomato, controlled deterioration, seed germination rate, seed viability     

The Effect of Chilling and Moisture Status on the Germination, Desiccation Tolerance and Longevity ofAesculus hippocastanumL. Seed

Effects of 2 °C chilling on the threshold moisture contentsand water potentials for various physiological processes wereestimated forAesculus hippocastanumL. seed. Seed harvested atthe time of maximum seed fall exhibited a dual response to drying:partial drying from near 50% to 32–40% moisture contentprogressively increased germination percentage (at 16 °C)up to various peak values; further desiccation was detrimental,confirming that the seeds are ‘recalcitrant’. Themoisture content for optimum germination was increased by atleast 10% as the chilling period was raised from 0 to 9 weeks.A negative linear relationship was found between log₁₀mean timeto germinate and probit final germination, regardless of pre-treatment,indicating that partial desiccation and chilling are interchangeablein promoting germination of hydrated seed. For nearly fullyhydrated seeds, increasing the chilling period from 6 to 26weeks increased the viability-loss onset point for desiccationinjury from near 40% to about 48% moisture content without alteringthe drying rates of seed tissues. Extending moist chilling invarious seed lots from 0 to 26 weeks decreased subsequent longevityat 16 °C. For 26-week-chilled seeds longevity (the periodto lose one probit of germination) differed above and belowa threshold moisture content of 48%. It remained constant inthe moisture-content range 48–38%, but increased progressivelyas moisture content was raised above 48%. This threshold moisturecontent coincided with the value above which chilled seed pre-germinatedin storage. The results indicate that post-harvest desiccationand chilling alter the water relations of various physiologicalprocesses and a schematic summary is presented which relatesthe results to an axis water sorption isotherm.Copyright 1998Annals of Botany Company Aesculus hippocastanumL., horse chestnut, chilling, moisture content, water potential, desiccation tolerance, longevity, recalcitrant seed, embryo axis, maturation, germination.     

Loss of Viability in Lettuce Seeds and the Accumulation of Chromosome Damage under Different Storage Conditions

Loss of seed viability in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) duringstorage is associated with an increase in the frequency of cellsin the surviving seeds showing chromosome damage during firstmitoses. The relation is linear when probit of the frequencyof aberrant cells is plotted as a function of probit percentagenormal germination. The slope of the relation, however, variesaccording to moisture content so that the proportion of aberrantcells for any given loss of germination increases with decreasein moisture content over the range 13.0–5.5 per cent.At 3.3 per cent moisture content, however, the proportion ofaberrations was no greater than at 5.5 per cent moisture content;and at 18.1 per cent moisture content the proportion was noless than at 13.0 per cent moisture content. Despite these differences,the increase in chromosomal aberrations per unit time for agiven temperature was always less the lower the moisture content.Diplontic selection markedly reduced the frequency of chromosomalaberrations and eliminated the differences in these frequenciesbetween the different storage treatments. But even after fiveweeks' growth, root tips from aged seed still contained abouttwice as many aberrant cells as compared with similar root tipsderived from the original seed stock. Studies on the frequencyof recessive mutations indicated that excessive amounts of heritablemutations were not present in the progenies of aged seed, evenwhen stored at moisture contents as low as 5.5 per cent. Allthis and other evidence reinforces the view that orthodox seedsfor genetic conservation should be stored at not more than about5 per cent moisture content, and that even lower moisture contentsare worth considering. The results also emphasise the need formaintaining a high regeneration standard, i.e. the percentageto which seed viability is allowed to fall during storage beforethe seed stock is regenerated. Lactuca sativa, lettuce, seed storage, seed viability, chromosomal aberrations, phenotypic mutations     

Prehydration and Priming Treatments that Advance Germination also Increase the Rate of Deterioration of Lettuce Seeds

The influence of prehydration in water or priming in –1.5 MPa polyethylene glycol 8000 solution for various periods,followed by redrying, on germination rate and longevity of lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.) seeds (achenes) was determined during controlleddeterioration at 10% moisture content (fresh weight basis) and40°C. Short prehydration treatments (up to 1 h) had littleeffect on either germination rate or longevity, but significantlyimproved root growth rates. Increasing durations of prehydrationor priming reduced the mean time to germination by up to 61%relative to untreated seeds, but also reduced mean seed longevityby as much as 84% Prehydration and priming altered the relationshipsbetween germination rate and viability and between normal andabnormal seedlings during ageing. Prehydration in abscisic acidor at a temperature inhibitory to germination did not preventthe reduction in longevity under controlled deterioration conditions.While prehydration or priming treatments effectively acceleratesubsequent germination rates of lettuce seeds, the redried seedsare nonetheless highly susceptible to deterioration in storage. Key words: Lettuce, Lactuca sativa L., seed priming, seed deterioration, germination rate     

Temperature Dependence of Viability and Dormancy of Zizania palustris var. interior Seeds Stored at High Moisture Contents

Seeds (caryopses) of North American wild rice (Zizania palustrisvar. interior), a temperate aquatic grass, have been thoughtto require storage at low temperatures and high moisture contentsto preserve viability. The seeds are also deeply dormant atmaturity and require up to 6 months of stratification to breakdormancy. We report here that wild rice seeds can retain viabilityat moisture contents 30% (f. wt. basis) for up to 6 monthsat temperatures as high as 30 °C, and for at least 1 yearat temperatures below 20 °C. Dormancy is not broken at temperaturesabove 10 °C, but subsequent stratification requirementsare unaffected by prior warm storage. Cold storage is thereforenot required to maintain viability of wild rice seeds, but isnecessary to break dormancy. Hydrated wild rice seeds can befrozen to –10 °C without damage, but dormancy is notlost at subfreezing temperatures. These results provide newoptions for long-term storage of wild rice seeds. Zizania palustris var. interior (Fassett) Dore, wild rice, seed, germination, dormancy, storage, moisture content     

Biochemical Characteristics Associated with the Development of the Desiccation-sensitive Seeds of Machilus thunbergii Sieb. & Zucc.

Biochemical properties, i.e. endogenous abscisic acid, proline,sugars, respiration, adenosine phosphates and adenylate energycharge, and growth and moisture content were measured duringthe development of seeds of Machilus thunbergii. As dry matteraccumulated in the embryo during development, moisture content,ABA, proline, respiration and sugars all declined. At maturity,the dry mass of the seeds failed to attain a plateau beforethe period of natural seed shedding; the axis and cotyledonsreached moisture contents of 58 and 45%, respectively. Dryingof immature seeds at 73% relative humidity and 25 °C for30 d resulted in a complete loss of viability at all developmentalstages tested with the exception of mature seeds that were ableto tolerate a 5% decrease in moisture content before germinationdeclined. ABA was detected in all embryos tested, with a maximum value16.·16 µg g^-1 d. wt about midway through development.Although the presence of ABA induced no tolerance to desiccationof mature seeds, it did coincide with decreased content of waterin the developing seeds and decreased respiration. Desiccationdamage of M. thunbergii seeds occurred when moisture contentwas still high (45%) and this damage was not related to theabsence of oligosaccharides in the mature seeds. We concludethat developing embryos and mature seeds of M. thunbergii haveproperties common to many recalcitrant seeds, with seeds beingsensitive to desiccation at all stages, having a prominent ABApeak, little proline, lacking oligosaccharides, and specifically,little dormancy and a moderate rate of respiration of matureseeds (0·9 µmol O₂ min^-1 g^-1 f. wt). Adenosinetriphosphate content and energy charge decreased from stagefour to stage eight of seed development, then increased againto 103 nmol g^-1 d. wt and 0·73, respectively, in matureseeds. The moderate energy charge observed in mature seeds indicatesthat continuous metabolism is also a characteristic of recalcitrantseeds.Copyright 1995, 1999 Academic Press Machilus thunbergii, seed development, recalcitrant seed, abscisic acid, energy charge     

The Effect of Desiccation on the Longevity of Seeds of Araucaria hunsteinii and A. cunninghamii

Seeds of Araucaria hunsteinii K. Schum. dried quicker at 29°Cthan at 19°C and quicker with the seed-coat removed thanwhen intact; seeds enclosed in polyethylene bags increased inmoisture content. At 15°C, seeds in a flow of air driedquicker than seeds in a box with silica gel, which in turn driedquicker than seeds in a box with no desiccant. No loss of germinationability occurred on drying fresh seed from 53 to about 32 percent moisture content (fresh weight basis); during further desiccationthe percentage germination was related to percentage moisturecontent in the form of a sigmoid curve, culminating in a completefailure to germinate at approximately 14 per cent moisture content.A consistent relationship was observed for all treatments andthe mean critical moisture content for seed death (failure togerminate) was near 23 per cent. Excised embryos grew on 1 percent agar but died if previously subjected to 14 h of desiccationat 15°C. In contrast, no relationship was found between germination andmoisture content of A. cunninghamii D. Don on desiccation from21 to 7 per cent moisture content. Possible causes for the observeddifference in response to desiccation are discussed and methodsfor seed storage are considered. Araucaria hunsteinii, Klinkii pine, Araucaria cunninghamii, Hoop pine, desiccation, seed longevity, storage of seeds     

The Potential for Newly-Germinated Cabbage Seed Survival and Storage at Sub-Zero Temperatures

The moisture content of newly germinated cabbage seed (radicles1 05 mm long) was reduced to 14% of f.wt without loss of viability.As the moisture content was reduced below 45%, the temperatureat which the germinated seeds froze, and therefore died, decreasedprogressively to a minimum of –34 C at 19% moisture content.No freezing exotherms were recorded in seeds with moisture contentsbelow 19%. Seeds with a moisture content between 14 and 16%maintained viability for at least 1 week when cooled at 26C.min^–1to –20 C and held at this temperature, indicating thepotential for prolonged storage of these low-moisture-contentgerminated (LMCG) seeds. Brassica oleracea, cabbage, germinated seed, seed storage, fluid drilling, freezing exotherm, thermal analysis     

顽拗性竹柏种子的贮藏特性

文章对竹柏(Podocarpus nagi)种子的脱水耐性和贮藏特性进行了研究,结果表明:竹柏种子成熟时初始含水量约为(35±0.7)%,种子对脱水敏感,其最低安全含水量约为(16.86±0.73)%,具有顽拗性种子的典型特征;湿藏和半干藏都可以作为短期保存竹柏种子的方法,且以4℃保存优于15℃保存,但不管种子含水量如何,零下低温保存对竹柏种子都是致命的;半干藏法保存实验中,未进行脱水处理的种子(对照)在4℃贮藏6个月,种子萌发率没有发生明显下降,但贮藏期延长到9个月时,临界含水量的种子萌发力保存最高;不管贮藏介质的含水量高低,也无论贮藏在4℃还是15℃,湿藏种子在9个月的贮藏期内萌发率均没有明显的降低,但当贮藏到12个月时,15℃湿藏种子的萌发率显著高于4℃贮藏的种子,但15℃湿藏的种子在贮藏到3个月时即发现种子在贮藏期间萌发,且随着贮藏介质含水量的升高和贮藏期的延长,萌发的种子增多;竹柏的离体胚经过2 h硅胶快速脱水至含水量7%后再冷冻即可获得90%以上的融后存活率,且超低温保存1年的离体胚解冻后,与只保存1周的存活率没有明显差异,表明超低温长期保存竹柏种子是可行的。本研究可以为进一步探究顽拗性种子的短期贮藏和长期保存提供理论基础和基础资料。     

An Investigation of the Influence of Constant and Alternating Temperature on the Germination of Cassava Seed using a Two-dimensional Temperature Gradient Plate

The germination of cassava seed in response to various constantand alternating temperature regimes within the range 19–40°C was investigated using a two-dimensional temperaturegradient plate. It was found that almost all seeds were incapableof germination unless the temperature for part of the day exceeded30 °C and the mean temperature was at least 24 °C. However,dormant seeds required environments where the temperature forpart of the day exceeded 36 °C, the mean temperature wasat least 33 °C, and the amplitude of the diurnal temperaturealteration was within the range 3–18 °C. Providingthese conditions were met, the times spent at the upper andlower temperatures within a diurnal cycle were not critical.Hermetic storage of the seed for 77 days at 40 °C with 7.9per cent moisture content did not influence the pattern of germinationin response to constant and alternating temperatures. It issuggested that an alternating temperature regime of 30 °Cfor 8 h/38 °C for 16 h applied for a minimum of 21 daysis appropriate for cassava seed viability tests. Manihot esculenta Crantz, cassava, germination, dormancy, temperature     

The Dry Storage of Citrus Seeds

The survival of seeds of lemon (Citrus limon L.), lime [C. arantifolia(Christm.) Swing.] and sour orange (C. aurantium L.) was examinedunder a wide range of constant moisture contents and temperatures.Seed longevity was increased by decreasing the moisture contentand temperature of the storage environment. Maximum viabilitywas maintained in the combination of storage conditions includingthe lowest moisture content (5 per cent) and lowest temperature(–20 °C) investigated. The practicality of dry storageof citrus seed for genetic conservation is discussed. Citrus limon L., lemon, Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.), Swing, lime, Citrus aurantium L., sour orange, dry storage, moisture content, temperature, seed viability, seed longevity     

Protein Synthesis During Rehydration, Germination and Seedling Growth of Naturally and Precociously Matured Soybean Seeds (Glycine max)

Soybean seeds [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] synthesize de novo andaccumulate several non-storage, soluble polypeptides duringnatural and precocious seed maturation. These polypeptides havepreviously been coined ‘maturation polypeptides’.The objective of this study was to determine the fate of maturationpolypeptides in naturally and precociously matured soybean seedsduring rehydration, germination, and seedling growth. Developingsoybean seeds harvested 35 d after flowering (mid-development)were precociously matured through controlled dehydration, whereasnaturally matured soybean seeds were harvested directly fromthe plant. Seeds were rehydrated with water for various timesbetween 5 and 120 h. Total soluble proteins and proteins radio-labelledin vivo were extracted from the cotyledons and embryonic axesof precociously and naturally matured and rehydrated seed tissuesand analyzed by one-dimensional PAGE and fluorography. The resultsindicated that three of the maturation polypeptides (21, 31and 128 kDa) that had accumulated in the maturing seeds (maturationpolypeptides) continued to be synthesized during early stagesof seed rehydration and germination (5–30 h after imbibition).However, the progression from seed germination into seedlinggrowth (between 30 and 72 h after imbibition) was marked bythe cessation of synthesis of the maturation polypeptides followedby the hydrolysis of storage polypeptides that had been synthesizedand accumulated during seed development. This implied a drasticredirection in seed metabolism for the precociously maturedseeds as these seeds, if not matured early, would have continuedto synthesize storage protein reserves. Glycine max (L.) Merr, soybean, cotyledons, maturation, germination/seedling growth     

Osmoconditioning as a Means of Counteracting the Ageing of Pepper Seeds during High-temperature Storage

Sweet pepper seeds were osmotically conditioned in 0.4 M mannitolsolution for 4 d (at 25 °C, in darkness) before or afterstorage at 35 °C for up to six months, and their germinationand viability was compared with that of untreated seeds storedunder the same conditions. Seeds that had been osmoconditionedprior to storage retained a high rate of germination and germinatedto a high final percentage (from 80 to 50 per cent) at both15 and 25 °C throughout the storage period. By contrast,both the rate and total level of germination of untreated pepperseeds declined rapidly at both germination temperatures, andby three months of storage the total level of seed viabilitywas already less than 10 per cent. Seeds that were first storedat 35 °C, and then osmoconditioned just prior to germination,showed a decline in germinability which when tested at 25 °Cwas the same as for untreated seeds, while tested at 15 °Coccurred at a slightly slower rate than for untreated seeds. It is evident that osmoconditioning prior to storage, in additionto the acceleration of germination, resulted in a dramatic delayof the ageing rate, thus increasing considerably the longevityof seeds. On the other hand, osmoconditioning after storagedid not seem to have any significant effect on seed viability,though it enhanced the germination rate. Capsicum annuum, sweet pepper, seed, germination, osmoconditioning, priming, storage, viability, ageing, longevity     

Germination-associated events and the desiccation sensitivity of recalcitrant seeds — a study on three unrelated species

The storage behaviour of recalcitrant seeds was assessed using three diverse species: a gymnosperm, Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze; a herbaceous monocotyledon, Scadoxus membranaceus (Bak.) Friis Nordal; and a woody dicotyledon, Landolphia kirkii Dyer. Seeds were stored under conditions of high relative humidities that maintained seed moisture content and under low relative humidities that caused drying. At regular intervals moisture content was determined, germinability assessed and the ultrastructure of radicle meristem cells examined. Under storage at high relative humidity, seed moisture content was maintained at the original level and subcellular germination events were initiated in the short-term. Such seeds showed enhanced rates of germination when removed from storage and planted. Long-term storage under these conditions resulted in the initiation of subcellular damage which intensified with time and ultimately resulted in the loss of viability. The rate at which germination events proceeded varied among the three species, and could be directly correlated with the period of viability retention under humid storage conditions. Storage under desiccating conditions resulted in subcellular damage and rapid loss of viability. The rate at which the seeds dried varied among the three species. The proportion of water loss tolerated by the different species before loss of viability, correlated with the rate of drying. The storage behaviour of the seeds of these three species is discussed in terms of a previously described model.     

Dormancy Breaking and Storage Behavior of Garcinia cowa Roxb. (Guttiferae) Seeds: Implications for Ecological Function and Germplasm Conservation

The dormancy breaking and storage behavior of Garcinia cowa Roxb. seeds were investigated.The seeds of G. cowa had 8-11 months dormancy in their natural habitat. Seeds were matured and dispersed at the end of the rainy season (mid-late August to late September) and were scatter-hoarded by rodents as food for winter after the seeds had fallen to the ground. Seedlings often emerged in the forest during the rainy season (May to August) the following year. Intact seeds of G. cowa failed to germinate after being sown at 30 ℃ for 120 d and the mean germination time (MGT) of seeds cultured in a shade (50% sunlight)nursery was 252 d. The most effective method of breaking dormancy was to remove the seed coat totally,which reduced the MGT to 13 d at 30 ℃. Germination was also promoted by partial removal of the seed coat (excising the hilum and exposing the radicle) and chemical scarification (immersion in 1% H2O2 for 1 d).Unscarified seeds take up water rapidly in the first 96 h, but water was absorbed by the outside seed coat,without penetrating through it. The moisture content (MC) of G. cowa seeds was high (50% in fresh weight)at shedding. The seeds could tolerate desiccation to some extent, until the MC reached approximately 40%;below that, the viability decreases rapidly and all seeds died at approximately 17% of MC. Seed viability decreased rapidly when seeds were chilled at 4 ℃; germination was 2% after storage for 1 week. Even stored at 10 ℃, seeds began to be damaged after 4 weeks. Seed storage for 1 yr revealed that in both dry (relative humidity (35 ± 5)%) and moist (wet sand) storage conditions, seed viability declined, but germination percentages for seeds stored under moist conditions are better than for seed stored under dry conditions.Because of their low tolerance to desiccation, marked chilling sensitivity and relatively short lifespan, G.cowa seeds should be classified into the tropical recalcitrant category. The ecological implications of dormant recalcitrant seeds and cues on storing recalcitrant seeds were discussed.