Relationship between water content and afterripening in red rice

Reactions regulating seed dormancy can proceed at water contents which are probably too low to permit metabolic activity. The loss of dormancy via afterripening of red rice. ( Oryza sativa L.) seeds was examined as a representative case. Equilibration of seeds to various moisture contents showed that afterripening was most rapid at 6–14% moisture content (dry weight basis). Afterripening did not occur at > 18% moisture content and was severely inhibited at < 5% moisture content. Seed viability was greater than 95% for all treatments. Utilization of moisture isotherms to calculate water-binding enthalpy values identified the optimal afterripening range as approximately the boundary between water-binding region 1 and region 2. From these findings, it is suggested that afterripening may involve some oxidative reactions which are inhibited at lower water contents by the rising free-energy and at the higher side by metabolic reactions.     

刺五加种子结构,后熟作用及其细胞化学研究

刺五加种子为扁肾形,种皮由一层细胞构成。种子脱落时,胚处于心形胚期,胚周围的胚乳细胞解体形成囊腔包囊胚,胚细胞原生质浓厚,胚乳细胞中贮存大量蛋白质和脂类,但两者均未见贮存多糖,有萌发潜能的种子只占全部种子的１２．８０％,种子经变温层积处理６个月即可完成后熟过程,其细胞化学特点是：处理１．５个月时胚细胞中开始积累多糖颗粒,至４个月时达最大量并一直保持至种子萌发。试验地种植条件下饱满种子经１８－２０个     

The effects of low water contents on physiological activities of seeds

Physiological activity changes in seeds when water content is changed from 0 to 40%. The limited metabolism of dry seeds allows for studies of the role of water in the biochemical reactions of living systems. At very low water contents, seeds exhibit limited biochemical activity, however light reactions and some oxidative processes are possible. As water content is increased, enzymatic reactions are increasingly facilitated. At moisture contents of about 24% mitochondrial electron transport is detectable. Changes in the physiological activity of seeds occur at discrete moisture levels that are reflective of discrete changes in the thermodynamic properties of water.     

Endogenous evolution of HCN during pre-germination periods in many seed species

Both cyanogenic ( Malus pumila Mill) and acyanogenic ( Oryza sativa L., Hordeum vulgare L., Zea mays L., Glycine max Merr., Lactuca sativa L., and Xanthium pennsylvanicum Wallr. etc.) seeds evolve HCN gas during the early periods of water imbibition. All tested seeds contained reserve cyanogens which liberated HCN upon hydrolysis with H₂SO₄ and with β-glucosidase and/or lipase. The amounts of liberated HCN were roughly comparable to those of unidentified cyanogens. It is thus conceivable that the cyanogens within seeds are available as precursors for free HCN evolved in the pre-germination period. The amounts of HCN evolved in the acyanogenic seeds were only 0.002 to 1% of that in apple, but the contents of the cyanogenic compounds in rice and cocklebur increased temporarily during the pre-germination period, then decreased and, finally, disappeared completely with the start of germination.     

Relationships among cytokinins, ethylene and poly amines during the stratification-germination process in seeds of Acer saccharum

Relatively high levels of dihydrozeatin and trans-zeatin were detected in unstratified seeds of Acer saccharum Marsh. Both cytokinins increased substantially over the first 20 days of stratification at 5°C and then fell rapidly to values well below original levels by first germination on day 55. In seeds held at 20°C, a non-afterripening temperature, cytokinin levels remained constant for the first 10 days and then declined to their lowest levels by day 20. Levels of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in the radicles and cotyledons did not change during the full course of the afterripening process, but large increments were noted during radicle emergence. A large increase in ethylene production at germination suggests that competition for S-adenosyl-methionine by the ethylene and polyamine biosynthetic pathways did not inhibit synthesis of ethylene or polyamines during seedling emergence and establishment. In seeds stratified at 20°C, ethylene showed an exceptionally large peak early in the stratification period, but polyamine contents remained low throughout the test. The present results are consistent with the hypothesis that cytokinins play a significant role in overcoming the metabolic block present in dormant seeds. This conclusion is supported by data showing that high levels of cytokinins develop concurrently with the start of tissue differentiation and at the time when abscisic acid and phenolic inhibitors decline in stratifying seeds. Changes in ethylene and polyamine contents did not correlate with any events in the afterripening process; however, large increases in levels of these substances were closely associated with the germinative process and, in the case of polyamines, specifically with the start of cell division.     

Seed moisture content affects afterripening and smoke responsiveness in three sympatric Australian native species from fire‐prone environments

Germination of freshly collected seeds of three sympatric herbaceous species native to fire‐prone environments in south‐western Australia was significantly improved through the application of novel combinations of dry heat, gibberellic acid, smoke water and dry afterripening. For fresh seeds, combinations of dry heat, gibberellic acid and/or smoke water resulted in >80% germination in Austrostipa elegantissima (Poaceae) and Stylidium affine (Stylidaceae) seeds and >60% germination in Conostylis candicans (Haemodoraceae) seeds, compared with <10% germination of control seeds. For fresh seeds, two broad germination patterns were observed in response to smoke water: nil – low germination for both control and smoke water‐treated seeds (A. elegantissima and S. affine); and a significant smoke response (35%) compared with control seeds (1%) (C. candicans). During afterripening, high germination for A. elegantissima seeds was achieved following 3 months storage of seeds at equilibrium relative humidities of 23–75%, but seeds stored at 5–13% equilibrium relative humidities took 6–36 months to achieve similar levels of germination. Germination of C. candicans seeds also increased after 3 months storage, to >60% at each equilibrium relative humidity and further increases over time were slight. For S. affine seeds >60% germination was achieved only after 36 months storage at 50% equilibrium relative humidity. Seeds from all three species were smoke‐responsive at some point, but the interaction/effects of afterripening on the smoke response varied significantly between species. This study highlights an apparent effect of seed dormancy status on response to smoke and a surprisingly high level of ecological variation in pre‐germination requirements (cues) for these co‐occurring species that may relate to variation(s) in microsite selection forces operating on the soil seed bank of the different species.     

No contribution of the pentose phosphate pathway in dormancy-breaking of cocklebur seeds

The role of the oxidative pentose phosphate (PP) pathway in the dormancy-breaking of cocklebur (Xanthium pennsylvanicum Wallr.) seeds was investigated. D-[1-¹⁴C]-glucose or D-[6-¹⁴C]-glucose was fed to dormant and non-dormant lower seeds or to their axial or cotyledonary segments which were imbibed for different durations, and C₆/C₁ ratios of respired ¹⁴CO₂ as an index of the PP pathway activity were calculated. Contrary to expectation, there was no significant difference in the C₆/C₁ ratios between the dormant and non-dormant seeds or segments during a water imbition period of 24 h, although the PP pathway actually operated already in an early stage of water imbibition. Also concerning the activities of G6PDH and 6PGDH, the key enzymes of this pathway, no difference between the dormant and non-dormant seeds was found. It was thus concluded that, unlike other seeds, there is no contribution of the PP pathway to the regulation of dormancy of the cocklebur seed.     

Protein Synthesis in Dormant and Non-Dormant Cocklebur Seed Segments

Using the axial and cotyledonary segments of lower cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum Wallr.) seeds, protein synthesis as shown by incorporation of radioactive leucine was examined in relation to their dormant status. During the first 9 h of water imbibition, the protein synthesis was higher in the dormant axes than in the non-dormant, after- ripened ones. When imbibed for more than 12 h non-dormant axes had a higher activity than dormant ones. This was also the case with the cotyledonary segments. Cyctoheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, blocked protein synthesis in the axial tissue regardless of its dormant status, and thereby inhibited germination of the non-dormant seeds. In the dormant seeds, however, cycloheximide at 3 mM slightly stimulated germination without stimulating the C₂H₄ production. Based on these results, it is suggested that in cocklebur seeds there may be some proteinaceous system which is involved in the maintenance of dormancy.     

Germination Ecophysiology of the Mesic Deciduous Forest Herb Polemonium reptans var. reptans (Polemoniaceae)

Abstract Seeds of Polemonium reptans var. reptans , a perennial herb of mesic deciduous forests in eastern North America, mature in late May-early June, and a high percentage of them are dormant. Seeds afterripened (came out of dormancy) during summer when kept in a nylon bag under leaves in a nonheated greenhouse or on wet soil in a 30/15°C incubator. The optimum temperature for germination of nondormant seeds was a simulated October (20/10°C) regime. In germination phenology studies in the nonheated greenhouse, 20–30% of the seeds that eventually germinated did so in October, and the remainder germinated the following February and March. Since low (5°C) winter temperatures promote some afterripening (ca. 50%) and do not cause nondormant seeds to re-enter dormancy, seeds that fail to germinate in autumn may germinate in spring. Thus, the taxon has very little potential to form a persistent seed bank. The large spatulate embryos and ability of seeds to afterripen at high temperatures means that seeds of P. reptans var. reptans have nondeep physiological dormancy, unlike many herbaceous woodland species, which have morphophysiological dormancy.     

Possible involvement of volatile compounds in the after-ripening of cocklebur seeds

The mechanism of emergence from primary dormancy, the process of after-ripening, in cocklebur (Xanthium pennsylvanicum) seeds was examined in relation to the involvement of volatile compounds and to the relative humidity (RH) in which the seeds were stored. The after-ripening of these seeds proceeds only at water contents between 7 and 14% which are conditioned under RHs of 33% to 53% and are identified with water-binding region II. After-ripening of cocklebur seeds occurred even in water-binding region I. imposed by 12% RH. when exposed to HCN gas during the storage period. Exposure of dormant seeds to acetaldehyde (ethanal) retarded after-ripening. even in water-binding region II. thus decreasing germinability. This decrease of germinability by ethanal was found also in the after-ripened seeds, suggesting that ethanal accelerates seed deterioration rather than retarding the after-ripening. The contents of ethanal. ethanal and HCN were high only in the dormant seeds held at 12% RH. Regardless of RH. a possible conversion of ethanal to ethanol. perhaps via alcohol dehydrogenase. was far larger in dormant than in non-dormant seeds. In contrast, the reverse conversion of ethanol to ethanal was more profound in non-dormant seeds. Pre-exposure of both types of seeds to HCN reduced the contents of both ethanal and ethanol at 12% RH. The contents of various adenylales including ATP in seed tissues were higher in dormant seeds stored at 12% RH than in non-dormant seeds after-ripened at 44% RH. It is suggested that emergence of cocklebur seeds from primary dormancy by HCN treatment at 12% RH may result from the reduction in the contents of ethanal via an unknown mechanism incurring the consumption of ATP. This implies involvement of volatile compound metabolism at the water-binding region II in the after-ripening process of cocklebur seeds.     

Temperature Response Pattern during Afterripening of Achenes of the Winter Annual Krigia oppositifolia (Asteraceae)

Abstract Freshly-matured achenes of Krigia oppositifolia Raf. were buried in soil at near-natural temperatures for 0–35 months and then exhumed and tested in light and darkness at (12/12 hr) daily thermoperiods of 15/6, 20/10, 25/15, 30/15 and 35/20°C. Achenes required light for germination and exhibited an annual dormancy/nondormancy cycle, being dormant in spring and nondormant in autumn. High summer temperatures (30/15, 35/20°C) fully promoted afterripening, whereas low temperatures (5, 15/6°C) prevented it. As buried seeds came out of dormancy in summer, they first germinated at medium temperatures (20/10, 25/15°C), but with additional afterripening the maximum and minimum temperatures for germination increased and decreased, respectively. Thus, during afterripening, achenes exhibit type 3 temperature responses, which otherwise are known only in two perennial Asteraceae and one perennial Liliaceae. The physiological responses of achenes of K. oppositifolia are unlike those of most winter annuals, which have type 1 responses—i.e., the maximum temperature for germination increases during afterripening. Also, they are unlike the majority of Asteraceae, which have type 2 responses—i.e., the minimum temperature for germination decreases during afterripening. Type 1 responses, typical of most winter annuals, have yet to be reported in the Asteraceae.     

含水量对种子贮藏寿命的影响

建立以收集种子为主体的基因库乃是当今保护植物种质资源最为普遍且可靠易行的方式,在世界库存约 61 0 0 0 0 0份种质资源中,近 90 %是以种子形式保存于约 1 30 0个基因库中。低温贮藏仍是目前基因库中种子种质保存的主要方法。种子含水量和贮藏温度是影响种子在贮藏期间生活力和活力保持的关键因素。传统的经验认为控制温度比控制水分来得安全有效,因而趋向于向低温或超低温的贮藏方向发展。国际植物遗传资源研究所（ＩＰＧＲＩ）曾推荐 5%～ 6%的含水量和 - 1 8～- 2 0℃低温作为各国长期保存种子的理想条件。目前,世界各国都把更多的…     

Studies on the Structure,Afterripening and Cytochemistry of Seeds in Eleutherococcus brachypus Harms

Seeds of Eleutherococcus brachypus Harms were flat-kidney-shaped and their seed coats were only composed of one layer of cells. Embryos with abundant protein in their cells were just at the heart-shaped stage and were capped by sacs formed from degenerating endosperm cells when seeds shed from their maternal plants. A large amount of stored protein grains and lipids existed in endosperm cells but no polysaccharide grains were present either in endosperm cells or in embryo cells. Viable seeds were only 9.27% of the total. The plump seeds germinated in the cultivated field after 18～19 months and their germinating rate was 1.67%. Besides, the content of protein decreased gradually and a few polysaccharide grains were stored in embryo cells during the process. The afterripening process of seeds stratified at different temperatures ended after 6 months and the cytochemistry features of the seeds were that the content of protein decreased gradually and numerous polysaccharide grains had been stored in embryo cells at the late heart-shaped embryo stage and retained till the mature embryo stage. The structure, afterripening and cytochemistry of seeds were compared between Eleutherococcus brachypus and Eleutherococcus senticosus. The poor quality of the seeds, longer time of afterripening in a natural state and much lower germination rate of E. brachypus are considered to be important reasons for the endangerment of this species. Somemeasures are suggested for its conservation based on the above facts.     

Seed dormancy in red rice : v. Response to azide, hydroxylamine, and cyanide

The activity of NaN₃ (0.5 millimolar), hydroxylamine-HCl (10-18 millimolar), and potassium cyanide (1 millimolar) as dormancy-breaking agents of dehulled red rice (Oryza sativa) is pH-dependent such that medium pH values favoring formation of the uncharged chemical species resulted in the highest germination percentages. There was no promotive effect of pH itself in the range of 3 to 10. The minimum contact times for maximum response (≥90% germination) to NaN₃, KCN, and NH₂OH-HCl are 8 hours at pH 4, 24 hours at pH 8, and 72 hours at pH 6 or 7, respectively, for exposure commencing at the start of imbibition. Dehulled seeds, imbibed first in water, show only slightly reduced germination when subsequently transferred to solutions of dormancy-breaking chemicals.

Intact seeds remain dormant in the presence of NaN₃, KCN, or NH₂OH-HCl unless partially dry-afterripened. The pH dependence of these chemicals is reduced in intact, afterripening seeds.

     

Effect of the seed coat on water uptake and electrolyt leakage of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) seeds

Four seed lots of sorghum cultivar IS 34213 were obtained which had been harvested early or at full maturity and then dried either swiftly in the sun or slowly in the shade. The earlier harvested seeds were lighter, smaller and of lower density. Earlier harvested seeds had pericarps which permitted faster water uptake and greater leakage of electrolytes. Water uptake and electrolyte leakage were positively correlated. The method of seed drying had no effect on water uptake or leakage. Greater leakage was associated with lower final germination. The results are interpreted in relation to germination testing.     

稃的有无对大赖草种子扩散与萌发特性的影响

对大赖草[Leymus racemosus（Lam．）Tzvel．]带稃种子和去稃种子的扩散性、萌发率、活力及吸水性和失水性的差异进行了比较。结果表明：在静止空气中带稃种子的降落速度显著小于去稃种子,分别为3．96和4．81m·s-1;而在风速1和4m·s-1的水平气流中带稃种子的扩散距离（15．26和11．86cm）均显著大于去稃种子（27．80和21．60cm）。培养20d后,带稃种子和去稃种子的萌发率分别为99％和97％,差异不显著;在自然条件及60℃高温条件下,带稃种子和去稃种子的活力无显著差异。带稃种子的吸水饱和时间和吸水量均显著大于去稃种子,而其失水速率小于后者但二者差异不显著。研究结果显示：稃对大赖草种子萌发和活力均无显著影响,但可增加种子的风媒扩散能力、有效保持种子含水量并能降低种子失水速率,对大赖草适应干旱的沙漠环境具有重要作用。     

Water Content and the Conversion of Phytochrome Regulation of Lettuce Dormancy

In an effort to determine which biological reactions can occur in relation to the water content of seeds, the regulation of lettuce seed dormancy by red and far red light was determined at various hydration levels. Far red light had an inhibiting effect on germination for seeds at all moisture contents from 4 to 32% water. Germination was progressively stimulated by red light as seed hydration increased from 8 to 15%, and reached a maximum at moisture contents above 18%. Red light was ineffective at moisture contents below 8%. Seeds that had been stimulated by red light and subsequently dried lost the enhanced germinability if stored at moisture contents above 8%. The contrast between the presumed photoconversion of phytochrome far red-absorbing (Pfr) to (Pr) occurring at any moisture content and the reverse reaction occurring only if the seed moisture content is greater than 8% may be explained on the basis of the existence of unstable intermediates in the Pr to Pfr conversion. Our results suggest that the initial photoreaction involved in phytochrome conversion is relatively independent of water content, while the subsequent partial reactions become increasingly facilitated as water content increases from 8 to 18%.     

储藏方式和时间对三峡水库消落区一年生植物种子萌发的影响

为了明确不同储藏方式和储藏时间对三峡水库消落区4种1年生植物稗(Echinochloa crusgalli)、苍耳(Xanthium sibiricum)、合萌(Aeschynomene indica)和水蓼(Polygonum hydropiper)种子萌发能力的影响,筛选出有利于其萌发的最佳储藏方式及时间,采取5种储藏方式(室温、冷藏、冷冻、干沙、湿沙)、8个储藏时间段(30、60、90、120、150、180、210、240d)对种子进行储藏实验。在光照培养箱昼25℃/夜20℃和周期性光照(昼12h/夜12h,光强100μmol·m-·2s-1)条件下进行种子萌发,每次萌发持续时间为30d。结果显示:(1)稗、苍耳和水蓼的种子在湿沙储藏条件下萌发起始时间缩短,种子萌发率、萌发指数高于其它储藏方式;湿沙储藏条件下,稗的种子储藏90-180d萌发率达到80%以上,苍耳的种子储藏180d萌发率达(64±2)%,水蓼的种子储藏30-240d萌发率均超过90%。(2)冷冻储藏能有效地解除合萌种子休眠,显著提高其种子萌发率和发芽指数;冷冻储藏90-180d合萌的种子萌发率均超过80%,之间没有显著差异。(3)果皮是限制苍耳种子萌发的主要因素之一,而去除果皮对合萌种子萌发没有显著影响。研究结果建议:采用种子来进行消落区植被恢复和重建时,稗、苍耳和水蓼的最佳储藏方式是湿沙储藏,合萌的最佳储藏方式是冷冻储藏。结合三峡水库水位调度原则,在适宜的储藏方式下,本实验中储藏120-180d的种子能够应用于消落区实地播种中。     

中国特有植物凹叶木兰种子的休眠与贮藏行为

凹叶木（Magnoliasargentiana）是中国特有的观赏树木,种群的自然更新很差,须阐明其原因。研究发现,凹叶木兰种子的胚很小,无论是否被植物生长调节剂预处理,在冷层积（4℃）和暖层积（15℃）过程中,胚在种子内逐渐生长发育成熟,并能在多个温度下萌发,以变温30℃／20℃为最适宜。由此可见,凹叶木兰种子不能萌发的直接原因是形态休眠。此外,凹叶木兰种子较耐脱水,但干燥脱水至含水量为7．1％和5．3％时,种子的存活率分别是78．3％和40％。保存6个月后,含水量为9．4％或7．1％的种子在-20℃下全部失活,而在0和4℃下的种子,存活率无显著变化,充分证实凹叶木兰种子是中间性的。     

Seed Dormancy in Red Rice : III. Response to Nitrite, Nitrate, and Ammonium Ions

Sodium nitrite at 10 millimolar breaks dormancy of dehulled red rice (Oryza sativa). While germination is light independent, low pH conditions (pH 3) are required for maximum response. Water and buffer controls at pH 3 remain dormant. The response to nitrite occurs at 25 and 30°C but is reduced at 20°C, although nondormant seeds germinate readily at this temperature. The contact time for response to nitrite is less than 2 h at the start of imbibition. Seeds imbibed first in water show reduced germination when subsequently transferred to nitrite. Dehulled seeds show little or no response to nitrate and ammonium ions.

Intact seeds remain dormant in the presence of nitrite or nitrate unless partially dry-afterripened. The pH dependence of nitrite sensitivity is reduced in intact, afterripening seeds. In highly dormant seeds, vacuum infiltration experiments suggest that the hull restricts uptake of nitrite.