Temperature dependence of the germination of tomato seeds

1. 1.|The germination of tomato “C38” seeds exposed to periodical white incandescent light occurs from 6.0° ± 0.2°C to 37.5° ± 0.2°C, being rate-limited for 10.3° T 25.9°C, and elsewhere limited by the germination capacity.

2. 2.|Rate averages are linearly T-dependent outside their optimum range (25.9° T 29.5°C) and rate variances are typically heterogeneous.

3. 3.|The smooth curvilinear Arrhenius plot indicates that diffusion processes cannot be rate-limiting outside the interval 25.9° T 29.5°C, whereas phase transitions and (or) transconformation of proteins may limit the rate above 34.9°C and, by opposite effects, below 15.3°C.

4. 4.|The thermal communication between the environment and the germinating seed proceeds by a temperature signal which is quenched by random thermal noise at T 11.2°C and at T 34.0°C.

Analysis of the action of compounds that inhibit the germination of spores of Bacillus species

AIMS: To determine the mechanism of action of inhibitors of the germination of spores of Bacillus species, and where these inhibitors act in the germination process. METHODS AND RESULTS: Spores of various Bacillus species are significant agents of food spoilage and food-borne disease, and inhibition of spore germination is a potential means of reducing such problems. Germination of the following spores was studied: (i) wild-type B. subtilis spores; (ii) B. subtilis spores with a nutrient receptor variant allowing recognition of a novel germinant; (iii) B. subtilis spores with elevated levels of either the variant nutrient receptor or its wild-type allele; (iv) B. subtilis spores lacking all nutrient receptors and (v) wild-type B. megaterium spores. Spores were germinated with a variety of nutrient germinants, Ca2+-dipicolinic acid (DPA) and dodecylamine for B. subtilis spores, and KBr for B. megaterium spores. Compounds tested as inhibitors of germination included alkyl alcohols, a phenol derivative, a fatty acid, ion channel blockers, enzyme inhibitors and several other compounds. Assays used to assess rates of spore germination monitored: (i) the fall in optical density at 600 nm of spore suspensions; (ii) the release of the dormant spore's large depot of DPA; (iii) hydrolysis of the dormant spore's peptidoglycan cortex and (iv) generation of CFU from spores that lacked all nutrient receptors. The results with B. subtilis spores allowed the assignment of inhibitory compounds into two general groups: (i) those that inhibited the action of, or response to, one nutrient receptor and (ii) those that blocked the action of, or response to, several or all of the nutrient receptors. Some of the compounds in groups 1 and 2 also blocked action of at least one cortex lytic enzyme, however, this does not appear to be the primary site of their action in inhibiting spore germination. The inhibitors had rather different effects on germination of B. subtilis spores with nutrients or non-nutrients, consistent with previous work indicating that germination of B. subtilis spores by non-nutrients does not involve the spore's nutrient receptors. In particular, none of the compounds tested inhibited spore germination with dodecylamine, and only three compounds inhibited Ca2+-DPA germination. In contrast, all compounds had very similar effects on the germination of B. megaterium spores with either glucose or KBr. The effects of the inhibitors tested on spores of both Bacillus species were largely reversible. CONCLUSIONS: This work indicates that inhibitors of B. subtilis spore germination fall into two classes: (i) compounds (most alkyl alcohols, N-ethylmaleimide, nifedipine, phenols, potassium sorbate) that inhibit the action of, or response to, primarily one nutrient receptor and (ii) compounds [amiloride, HgCl2, octanoic acid, octanol, phenylmethylsulphonylfluoride (PMSF), quinine, tetracaine, tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester, trifluoperazine] that inhibit the action of, or response to, several nutrient receptors. Action of these inhibitors, is reversible. The similar effects of inhibitors on B. megaterium spore germination by glucose or KBr indicate that inorganic salts likely trigger germination by activating one or more nutrient receptors. The lack of effect of all inhibitors on dodecylamine germination suggests that this compound stimulates germination by creating channels in the spore's inner membrane allowing DPA release. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work provides new insight into the steps in spore germination that are inhibited by various chemicals, and the mechanism of action of these inhibitors. The work also provides new insights into the process of spore germination itself.     

青藏高原高寒草甸罂粟科植物种子萌发特性研究

对9种罂粟科植物种子在5个温度(5℃、10℃、15℃、20℃、25℃)下的萌发特性进行了研究.结果显示:(1)采自低海拔的小果博落回、秃疮花和白屈菜在15～25℃的萌发率高于5～10℃;采自高海拔的全缘叶绿绒蒿和多刺绿绒蒿达到最大萌发率的温度分别为5℃和10℃;而采自高海拔的红花绿绒蒿和五脉绿绒蒿只有通过5℃冷处理后才能萌发,表明种子的最佳萌发温度与采集地海拔相关.(2)萌发速率随温度升高增大,秃疮花和苣叶秃疮花在25℃萌发速率最大,其余种25℃的萌发速率略小于20℃的萌发速率.(3)萌发时滞表现出随温度升高而缩短的趋势,秃疮花、白屈菜和苣叶秃疮花在25℃萌发时滞最短,其余种25℃萌发时滞又长于20℃萌发时滞.(4)一年生植物多刺绿绒蒿在所有温度下的萌发率和萌发速率均最高,而萌发时滞最短,这可能是一年生植物适应特殊环境的一种对策.     

Germination responses of a seed population of Taraxacum officinale Weber to constant temperatures including the supra-optimal range

Abstract The germination responses of a nondormant fraction of a seed population of Taraxacum officinale Weber at constant temperatures in the range 7–34°C were analysed through a time-course study. Maximal percentage germination (approximately 90%) was attained at temperatures 10–18°C, where simple linear relationships were observed between the temperature and the germination rates, i.e. the reciprocals of the time taken to germinate by subpopulations with 20–80% germination. There was a variation in the required ‘thermal times’ (θ) which characterized the linear relationships, the distribution of which could be approximated for the seed population by the following distribution function: where m is the median of the distribution, and A is a shape parameter characterizing the pattern of the distribution. Final percentage germination decreased with increasing temperature from 20 to 32°C, where the final percentage germination vs. temperature plotted on a normal probability scale yielded a straight line, indicating the normality of the distribution of the upper limit temperature in the seed population. The estimated mean and standard deviation were 27.25 ± 3.75°C. The rate of germination for the subpopulation with 20–80% germination also decreased with increases in the temperature from 22 to 30°C. If the relationships between the temperature within this range and the rate for the subpopulations with 20–80% germination were approximated by the regression lines, the negative ‘thermal time’ characterizing the yielded linear relationship would have a distribution which could be approximated by the same function with the required thermal time for the relationship of suboptimal range. The parameters m and A for the negative ‘thermal time’ were determined to be 2870 K h and 1.7 × 10^-10 K^-3 h^-3.     

陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区14种植物的萌发特性

在实验室条件下观测了陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区14种植物的萌发特性,结果发现：萌发率在80%以上的植物有杠柳、铁杆蒿和茭蒿;在60%～80%之间的物种有白羊草、紫丁香、阿尔泰狗娃花、大针茅、沙棘和猪毛蒿;长芒草为37.3%;小于20%的植物有达乌里胡枝子、刺槐、虎榛子和狼牙刺。14种植物的萌发时滞最短的为2 d,最长的为8 d;几乎所有植物种子达到T50的时间都在其萌发开始后的7 d以内,且大部分物种在萌发开始后的15 d完成总萌发量的90%;萌发持续时间最短的为6 d,有刺槐、狼牙刺、虎榛子、沙棘4种,最长的为猪毛蒿,达32 d。这些植物种子的萌发特性及生态适宜性决定了它们在陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区植被演替中的角色与地位。     

板蓝根种子的吸水特性及发芽条件研究

采用室内测定方法,对板蓝根种子的吸水特性及不同处理下种子的发芽率、发芽势和相对活力指数等进行比较研究。结果表明,板蓝根种子具有快速吸水的生物学特性,分为快速吸水期、缓慢吸水期和缓慢吐水期三个阶段,入水后2 h的吸水量达最大吸水量的73.29%,为快速吸水阶段;温度对板蓝根种子的萌发影响较大,最适发芽温度为30℃。光照、发芽床和种子预处理对板蓝根种子的萌发无明显影响。这说明板蓝根种子的萌发主要取决于水分和温度。     

Germination of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis spores in the gut of Aedes larvae (Diptera: Culicidae)

In laboratory experiments, germination and growth of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis in the gut of Aedes aegypti and A. vexans larvae (Culicidae: Diptera) was observed. The number of spores and vegetative cells in the gut of living larvae and in cadavers was estimated by plaing homogenized larvae on selective agar plates. The number of spores per gut increased in the first 40–140 min of exposure to a maximum, and decreased in the subsequent time, demonstrating spore germination in living larvae, moribunds, and in cadavers. Twenty-four hours after the death of the larvae, a minimal amount of spores, but an increased number of vegetative cells, was found in cadavers. In A. aegypti larvae, germination and growth of B. thuringiensis israelensis in the larval gut was photographically documented.     

丹参种子的吸水特性及发芽条件研究

丹参(Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge)种子具有快速吸水的生物学特性,在10℃和25℃下,种子入水10min后吸水量即可达到种子原重的4．5倍左右,至2h吸水量分别达到原重的10．5和11．7倍。温度对种子的吸水速率无明显的影响。丹参种子发芽的最适宜温度在25～30℃,在实验室条件下,采用滤纸床25℃时,一级种子发芽率可达83％,混级种子为74％。同时发现,预先冷冻、PEG—4000引发和GA3浸种处理可以明显提高丹参种子的发芽率。采用超声波处理和PEG引发技术可以使贮藏1a的陈种子发芽率达到45％以上。     

Studies of the release of small molecules during pressure germination of spores of Bacillus subtilis

AIMS: To measure rates of release of small molecules during pressure germination of Bacillus subtilis spores, and the role of SpoVA proteins in dipicolinic acid (DPA) release. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rates of DPA release during B. subtilis spore germination with pressures of 150 or 500 megaPascals were much higher in spores with elevated levels of SpoVA proteins, and spores with a temperature-sensitive mutation in the spoVA operon were temperature-sensitive in DPA release during pressure germination. Spores also released arginine and glutamic acid, but not AMP, during pressure germination. CONCLUSIONS: Pressure germination of B. subtilis spores causes release of many small molecules including DPA. SpoVA proteins are involved in the release of DPA, perhaps because SpoVA proteins are a component of a DPA channel in the spore's inner membrane. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work provides new insight into the mechanism of pressure germination of spores of Bacillus species, a process that has significant potential for usage in the food industry.     

Photoinhibition of radish (Raphanus sativus L) seed germination: control of growth potential by cell-wall yielding in the embryo

The biophysical mechanism underlying photoinhibition of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seed germination was investigated using three cultivars differing in sensitivity to continuous irradiation with far-red light (high-irradiance reaction of phytochrome). Sensitivity of germination to the inhibitory action of light was assessed by probing germination under osmotic stress (incubation in media of low water potentials adjusted with polyethylene glycol 6000) and expressed in terms of ‘germination potential’ (positive value of the water potential at which germination is inhibited by 50%). Far-red light decreases the germination potential to various degrees in the different cultivars, reflecting the light-sensitivity of germination in water. Removal of the seed coat increases the germination potential by a constant amount in darkness and light. It is concluded that germination depends on the expansive force of the embryo which can be drastically diminished by far-red light. Seed-coat constraint and expansive force of the embryo interact additively on the level of the germination potential. Photoinhibition of germination was accompanied by an inhibition of water uptake into the seed. Analysis of seed water relations showed that osmotic pressure and turgor assumed higher levels in photoinhibited seeds, compared to seeds germinating in darkness, while the water potential was close to zero under both conditions. Far-red light produced a shift (to less negative values) in the curve relating water-uptake rate to external water potential, i.e. a reduction in the driving force for water uptake. It is concluded that photoinhibition of germination results from the maintenance of a high threshold of cell-wall extensibility in the embryo.     

Mathematical description of the seed germination dependency on time and temperature

Abstract. A mathematical model which describes the germination percentage dependency on time and temperature of a seed population was derived from the experimental results with a seed population of Amaranthus patulus Bertol. under sub-optimal temperature conditions (Washitani & Takenaka, 1984). The equation of the model which is a modified thermal time model is where G is germination percentage at a certain time after the start of imbibition ( t ) at a certain temperature ( T ), μ _{T 1} and σ _{T 1} are the mean and standard deviation of lower limit temperature among the seeds belonging to the seed population, and Tb, m , and A are the parameters characterizing the linear relationship between the rate and temperature, namely, Tb is the base temperature, m , the median of the required thermal time and A , a parameter determining the pattern of the variation of the required thermal time within seed population, respectively. The equation yields time courses for germination which are very similar to those observed by experiment.     

等渗的盐分和水分胁迫对杠柳种子萌发的影响

通过等渗的NaCl和PEG溶液模拟盐分和水分胁迫,设置渗透梯度,在控制条件下对杠柳种子的萌发过程中总萌发率、幼苗鲜重、胚根生长、种子活力、发芽值等指标系统研究,对种子萌发率与渗透势之间关系进行回归分析,主要结果包括：（1）杠柳种子萌发过程中总萌发率、幼苗鲜重、活力指数和发芽值四项指标均随NaCl和PEG溶液的渗透势降低逐渐下降,综合研究活力指数和发芽值表明渗透势≥-0.5 MPa和≤-1.4 MPa时,PEG对种子萌发抑制作用大于NaCl,其他情况相反;（2）杠柳种子逐日萌发率和胚根日变化研究表明,与NaCl相比,PEG推迟杠柳种子萌发,并且对胚根增长抑制作用较大;（3）建立盐分和水分胁迫条件下种子萌发率与渗透势回归方程,发现杠柳种子在PEG胁迫下的萌发临界值和极限值为-1.0和-1.4 MPa,在NaCl胁迫下是-0.9和-1.3 MPa,解除胁迫条件,不同处理的杠柳种子复水萌发率均达到100%。说明杠柳具有良好的耐盐抗旱的特性。     

Germination responses of a non-dormant seed population of Amaranthus patulus Bertol. to constant temperatures in the sub-optimal range

Abstract. The germination responses of a nondormant seed population of Amaranthus patulus Bertol, at constant sub-optimal temperatures in the range of 10–34°C were analysed through a detailed time-course study. Although a final germination percentage of nearly 100% was attained at temperatures above 18°C, it fell abruptly to zero with decreasing temperature from 17 to 10°C. The final germination percentage, v. temperature plotted on a normal probability scale yielded a straight line, indicating normality of the lower limit temperature within seed population with an estimated mean of 13.75°C and a standard deviation of 1.50°C. Simple linear relationships were obtained between the temperature and the germination rates, i.e., the reciprocals of the time taken to germinate by the subpopulations with 20–80% germination. The linear relationships were characterized by similar base temperatures or theoretical limit temperatures of about 11°C but there was a variation in the required 'thermal times' (θ), the distribution of which could be approximated for the seed population by the following distribution function: where m is the median of the distribution and A is a parameter characterizing the pattern of the distribution. When the germination rates were calculated after subtracting 10–14 h from the time actually consumed in germination, linear Arrhenius relationships were obtained. The apparent activation energy estimated from the linear regression of Arrhenius plot was approximately 100 kJ mol⁻¹ with all 20–80% subpopulations.     

A rapid plant assay for the parasponia-rhizobium symbiosis

A plant assay was devised which enabled the rapid and reliable assessment of nodulation and nitrogen fixation in the symbiosis formed between Parasponia andersonii and Parasponia Rhizobium strain CP279. Seed germination was obtained in 4 days with 87% germination after 13 days. An agar plate plant assay allowed nodulation of all replicates in 7–8 days with nitrogen fixation established at 21 days as measured by acetylene reduction. Nodules could also be assessed for effectiveness by a visual comparison between inoculated and uniculated plants or by differences in total plant fresh wt. after 6 weeks of growth.     

Effects of salt stress on the reproductive biology of the halophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plantago crassifolia</Emphasis>

Floral phenology, pollen quality and seed set of Plantago crassifolia plants, grown in the presence of increasing NaCl concentrations, were studied to test how this Mediterranean halophyte responded to salt stress during the reproductive phase of its life cycle. Reproductive success was maximal in plants grown in non-saline conditions, or in the presence of 100 mM NaCl, but it was negatively affected by higher salinities, due to a progressive reduction of pollen fertility, seed set, and seed viability.     

Internode length in Pisum. I. The effect of the Le/le gene difference on endogenous gibberellin-like substances

The allelopathic potential of the dry fruits of Washingtonia filifera (L. Linden) H. Wendl. was investigated. Leachates from fruits inhibited the germination of lettuce, wheat, red cabbage and cucumber seeds. The inhibitory effect was partly neutralized by kinetin (20 mg 1⁻¹) and gibberellic acid (50 mg 1⁻¹). The effect of kinetin was more pronounced at 25°C than at 20°C. Substances inhibiting germination were localized in the pericarp of the fruit and were resistant to high temperature.     

果翅对梭梭属(Haloxylon)种子萌发行为的调控

种子萌发行为的受控机制是生殖生态学的重要研究内容。通过果翅存留实验研究了在不同贮藏时期果翅对梭梭和白梭梭种子萌发的影响。结果表明：①新成熟的梭梭种子具有高的萌发率（〉90％）。梭梭果翅对秋天新成熟的种子萌发有显著的抑制作用（萌发率〈50％）,使种子处于强迫休眠状态;果翅对种子萌发的抑制作用随着贮藏时间的推移逐渐降低,到翌年春天（4月）这种抑制作用已完全解除,果翅对梭梭种子的抑制主要是化学抑制。果翅对梭梭种子萌发行为的调控作用确保了种子在合适的时间萌发与种群的成功定居,也正是梭梭在荒漠地区广泛分布的主要原因。②新成熟的自梭梭种子萌发率为59．5％,贮藏1个月后达到80％。表明种子存在短时期的生理后熟现象。白梭梭果翅在每一贮藏时期对其种子的萌发都具有显著的抑制作用,翅＋种子（将果翅与种子剥离。一起放人培养皿中）也部分地抑制种子的萌发,因此,果翅对白梭梭种子萌发的抑制既有化学抑制也存在机械抑制。果翅对种子萌发的抑制,限制了白梭梭的分布。     

光照、温度和盐分对梭梭种子萌发的影响

梭梭是我国西北荒漠中分布的多年生植物,属中亚荒漠植被成分。其种子萌发的最适温度为10℃,亚适宜温度为15～20℃。从20℃起,温度越高,萌发比率越低。种子无论在光下和暗中都能萌发,萌发率无显著性差异。浓度低于0.2mol/L的NaCl溶液对萌发的影响不大;但从0.8mol/L起,萌发率随着浓度增高而降低,直至为零。将在盐溶液中处理9d的种子转移至蒸馏水后,原来较高浓度下的种子具有较高的萌发恢复率。不同浓度下的种子的萌发率和萌发恢复率要比蒸馏水中的低,表明NaCl处理后的部分种子永久地失去萌发力。     

芽孢杆菌孢子萌发机理的研究进展

芽孢杆菌休眠孢子的萌发是孢子恢复到营养生长的第一个决定性步骤。孢子被营养性萌发剂和各种非营养信号诱导而萌发恢复到营养细胞状态。芽孢萌发后就丧失了对外界胁迫的抵抗力。该文主要从芽孢萌发信号传导、营养萌发受体、萌发中的离子通道、皮层溶解酶的功能、非营养诱导萌发和萌发途径等方面阐述芽孢杆菌孢子萌发机理的进展,并对其前景作了简要评述。