Changes in sugars during rice seed desiccation

The correlation between desiccation tolerance and soluble sugars was investigated in seeds of a number of rice cultivars belonging to the Asian rice Oryza sativa L. They were dried or ultradried to various low moisture content and then imbibed for germination testing. Few or no changes on germination percentage and vigor index were found in Indian rice seeds even after their moisture content fell to 3.5%, indicating that Indian rice exhibited a strong desiccation tolerance. On the contrary, Japonica rice seed germination percentage rapidly decreased, after their moisture content fell to 4.5%. The capacity for desiccation tolerance in Japonica (cv. Chunjiang 15) and Indian (cv. Zhongzu 1) developing seeds increased on 23–40 and 15–25 days after pollination, respectively. Though the level of monosaccharides declined, the content of sucrose has increased during desiccation. These results suggest that desiccation tolerance might be associated with the increase in seed viability and the changes in sugar level, and that raffinose could be capable of contributing to the desiccation tolerance to ultradrying. Published in Russian in Fiziologiya Rastenii, 2006, Vol. 53, No. 2, pp. 220–226. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

An Intermediate Category of Seed Storage Behaviour?II. EFFECTS OF PROVENANCE, IMMATURITY, AND IMBIBITION ON DESICCATION-TOLERANCE IN COFFEE

Seeds of four cultivars of arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.)received from three continents survived desiccation to between7-2% and 11-3% moisture content (wet basis), i.e. to seed waterpotentials of –90 MPa to –150 MPa, but further desiccationreduced germination (criterion, normal seedling development)in all seed lots. Only a few individuals from four of the lotsgerminated after being dried to 4–5% moisture content.Differences in desiccation sensitivity were apparent among lotswithin each cultivar. Desiccation sensitivity in these lotswas similar to that observed in seeds of orthodox species whichhave begun to germinate. Seeds extracted from fruits of intermediatematurity (yellow) were able to tolerate greater desiccationthan those from either ripe (red) or immature (green) fruits.Imbibed storage increased desiccation sensitivity. The resultsare compatible with the view that arabica coffee seeds are unableto tolerate extreme desiccation because germination has beeninitiated before harvest.     

Modelling the effects of microclimate on bean seed desiccation rate and seed storage ability

Bean seed storage ability is of major interest for seed firms and depends, at least partially, on the effect of desiccation microclimate and desiccation rate on the mother plant; however, their effects are contradictory and not quantified. Therefore, our aims were (a) to predict seed desiccation rate from microclimatic variables at the pod level and (b) to measure the effects of seed desiccation rate and temperature on seed storage ability. For 4 years, beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were sown at different dates in the field and once in a greenhouse. Pods having seeds at the beginning of desiccation stage were selected according to their colour and then dried in the field or under controlled conditions. In the field, pods were dried under both natural conditions and conditions modified either by defoliation or by water spraying. Under controlled conditions, pods were dried under a wide range of temperature and relative humidity combinations. Seed water content, temperature and relative humidity were measured throughout the desiccation phase. Storage ability was measured by a standard germination test after either 11 or 15 days of controlled deterioration. Seed desiccation rate was highly correlated to air vapour pressure deficit, which measures the combined effects of temperature and relative humidity on drying. With a logit transformation, deterioration test results showed a linear decrease in storage ability as seed desiccation rate increased for either controlled or field‐dried lots. However, for controlled lots desiccated at temperatures lower than 24°C, the lower the temperature, the lower the storage ability at a given desiccation rate. Moreover, the relationship between the results of the two deterioration periods differed between controlled and field‐dried lots. Finally, the high correlation between seed storage ability, desiccation rate and vapour pressure deficit in the field has given new insights for building a crop decision‐oriented model for optimising harvesting.     

Global Changes in DNA Methylation in Seeds and Seedlings of Pyrus communis after Seed Desiccation and Storage

The effects of storage and deep desiccation on structural changes of DNA in orthodox seeds are poorly characterized. In this study we analyzed the 5-methylcytosine (m⁵C) global content of DNA isolated from seeds of common pear (Pyrus communis L.) that had been subjected to extreme desiccation, and the seedlings derived from these seeds. Germination and seedling emergence tests were applied to determine seed viability after their desiccation. In parallel, analysis of the global content of m⁵C in dried seeds and DNA of seedlings obtained from such seeds was performed with a 2D TLC method. Desiccation of fresh seeds to 5.3% moisture content (mc) resulted in a slight reduction of DNA methylation, whereas severe desiccation down to 2–3% mc increased DNA methylation. Strong desiccation of seeds resulted in the subsequent generation of seedlings of shorter height. A 1-year period of seed storage induced a significant increase in the level of DNA methylation in seeds. It is possible that alterations in the m⁵C content of DNA in strongly desiccated pear seeds reflect a reaction of desiccation-tolerant (orthodox) seeds to severe desiccation. Epigenetic changes were observed not only in severely desiccated seeds but also in 3-month old seedlings obtained from these seeds. With regard to seed storage practices, epigenetic assessment could be used by gene banks for early detection of structural changes in the DNA of stored seeds.     

The effect of time of harvest on the viability and pre-emergence mortality in soil of pea (Pisutn sativum L.) seeds

A series of harvests from field plots of peas showed that the younger seeds were at the time of harvest the lower was their percentage viability and the greater their percentage mortality in soil. Young seed also showed a high degree of solute leaching into steep water and had a high moisture content at harvest compared with older seeds. Heavy rainfall just prior to harvesting reduced the percentage viability of the dried seed and increased the moisture content of the seed at harvest as well as the leaching of solutes from the dried seed into steep water. Comparisons of moisture content at harvest and seed condition after drying suggested that cotyledons and embryo axes were only able to withstand enhanced drying after removal from the plant if the seed moisture content had already begun to decline whilst the seed was still on the plant.     

Seed Storage Behavior and Seed Germination of Nine Species of Lauraceae from Yunnan,China

Seed banking following internationally agreed standards is an important way for preserving collections of wild plant species ex situ; but this method is not suitable for desiccation sensitive species. Lauraceae comprehends some of the dominant species in the evergreen broadleaved forest in the south of China and contains many species both of ecological and economical importance. However, study on seed biology such as germination and desiccation tolerance of this family is scarce. Seeds of 9 species from 5 genera of this family were collected and their dormancy status and germination requirement were studied; also their desiccation tolerance were determined using a modified 100 seed test. The results showed that seeds of Cinnamomum camphora probably have intermediate physiological dormancy; seeds of Actinodaphne forrestii, Actinodaphne obovata, Cinnamomum migao, Lindera metcalfiana var. dictyophylla, Lindera communis and Neolitsea polycarpa are non deep physiological dormant; Seeds of Cinnamomum burmannii and Phoebe glaucophylla may have no or negligible dormancy. All 9 species lost seed viability after desiccated to 286%-716% moisture content while still retained considerable viability with moisture content ranged from 1732% to 4487% after moist storage; thus seeds of the 9 species are all desiccation sensitive and can not be stored at the conventional seed bank conditions.     

Desiccation and storage studies on Dipterocarpm seeds

The relationship of seed moisture content (fresh weight basis) to germination, and the effect on viability of various storage conditions were examined for five species of the tropical forest tree genus Dipterocarpus. It was shown that seeds fall into two groups with regard to desiccation tolerance. Firstly, D. obtusifolius and D. turbinatus cannot be dried below about 45% moisture content without damage; a sigmoid curve was found to fit the relationship between germination and moisture content for the latter species. Secondly, D. intricatus, D. tuberculatus and D. alatus can be safely dried to 10%, 12% and 17% moisture contents respectively, but desiccation to near 7% moisture content reduced viability by at least a half. Storage studies showed that seed of D. intricatus and D. tuberculatus possessed increased longevity as moisture contents were reduced within the range 6–20%. It was concluded that seeds in the first group are ‘recalcitrant’ and that those in the second group are ‘orthodox’ in their storage physiology, according to the categories described by Roberts (1973). Wide differences between species in seed desiccation rates were observed. In 15% relative humidity D. intricatus dried to 7% moisture content within a week, whilst D. obtusifolius retained 30% moisture content even after 5 wk; other species had intermediate desiccation rates. Seed size and structure may partly account for the differences observed. Correlations were observed between seed storage physiology and other factors which were investigated. ‘Orthodox’ seeds had quicker desiccation rates, were derived from drier habitats, and had smaller embryos than those of ‘recalcitrant’ seeds. ‘Orthodox’ seeds, with the possible exception of D. alatus, should be kept at 0–3°C with about 12% moisture content in the short term and, provided less than 10% germination is lost on freezing, at-18°C with about 8% moisture content in the long term. ‘Recalcitrant’ seeds should be stored in ventilated containers at 21°C and with moisture contents above 45–50%.     

Photoregulation of Germination in Freshly-harvested and Dried Seeds of Bromus sterilis L.

Freshly-harvested and dried seeds of Bromus sterilis L. withrespectively 52-54% and less than 10% moisture contents, differedmarkedly in their rates of germination and in their responsesto light. Dried seeds attained full germination in darknessat 15 ?C by 4 d from sowing and were inhibited by the formationof Pfr. In contrast, freshly-harvested seeds required 3-4 weeksto attain maximum germination and were promoted by Pfr. Themodified photoresponse of the seeds was induced only when theseeds were dried in an alternating temperature regime. The resultsare discussed in relation to the importance of desiccation asthe trigger for the transition from the developmental to thegerminative and growth phases of seed maturation of Bromus steriliswhich is well-documented in seeds of other species. Key words: Bromus sterilis, desiccation, light     

Studies on the Development of the Desiccation-sensitive (Recalcitrant) Seeds of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh.: The Acquisition of Germinability and Response to Storage and Dehydration

Germinability and responses to storage and dehydration werestudied throughout the development of the desiccation-sensitiveseeds of Avicennia marina. Seeds acquired the ability to produceroots at 55 d after fruit set (DAFS) which is shortly afterhistodifferentiation, but the capacity for full germinability(seedling establishment) was not attained until 70 DAFS, whichis midway through the phase of growth and reserve accumulation.Pre-mature seeds showed a germination lag that was equivalentto the period between harvest and full maturity, but, followingshort-term storage, this was reduced to that of mature seeds.At no stage, however, would seeds with an intact pericarp germinate. Once seeds were fully germinated, storage lifespan under non-desiccatingconditions was independent of developmental stage, but was considerablyreduce by the presence of the pericarp, probably because offungal contamination. Prior to the acquisition of full germinationcapacity, the seeds were unable to tolerate any dehydrationbut became tolerant to slight water loss once they became fullygerminable, after which desiccation sensitivity was not influencedby the stage of development. If rapidly dried, excised axesof germinable seeds survived to lower water contents than didaxes removed from seeds following slower drying.Copyright 1993,1999 Academic Press Desiccation-tolerance/sensitivity, germination, mangrove, recalcitrant, seed development, seed storage     

Some cytological and physiochemical features relating to non-storability of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) pollen

Pollen grains may become desiccated after independence from parent plants and remain viable in an inactive dry state during presentation and dispersal, until the conditions for rehydration and germination are prepared. But some pollen types do not tolerate the desiccation state and lose the germination power soon after release, and therefore, are difficult to store. In this study, moisture content, germinability, cytology and dehydrin and phenolics contents were surveyed in pistachio pollen at fresh and desiccated states. Mature pollen lost 54.1% of its initial moisture after 48 h desiccation along with severe decrease in germinability. Light microscopy results indicated that a low rate of pollen grains have vegetative cell rupture caused by desiccation, but a higher rate of grains were intact in appearance. Numerous amyloplasts persisted after desiccation as a sensitivity indicator. A 16 kDa dehydrin band was detected by western blot method with higher content in desiccated than fresh samples. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that the total content of phenolics increased slightly by desiccation. These results indicate the insufficiency of dehydrin and phenolics accumulation for achievement of desiccation tolerance. Furthermore, the severe loss of germinability in desiccated pistachio pollen may be the result of deficiency in some other protective mechanisms that need further investigations.     

Seed Dormancy,Germination and Storage Behavior of Magnolia wilsonii (Magnoliaceae), an Endangered Plant in China

In this paper, we measured the embryo morphology and size of Magnolia wilsonii seeds. And the effects of temperature, stratification, KNO3 and soaking on seed dormancy and germination were studied. Seeds were desiccated to different moisture content, and then stored at 4℃ and -20℃ for 100 d. The effects of desiccation and storage temperature on seed viability of M. wilsonii were analyzed. The results showed that the underdeveloped embryos of Mwilsonii seeds needed cold stratification to achieve physiological afterripening. The favorable temperature for germination of Mwilsonii seeds was 25/20℃. Cold stratification and GA3 could effectively overcome dormancy of Mwilsonii seeds. Therefore, Mwilsonii seeds have morphophysiological dormancy. About 5350% of seeds could survive in the moisture content of 539%. After 100 d storage at -20℃, all seeds in different moisture contents died. However, after 100 d storage at 4℃, 76% of seeds survived. Thus, Mwilsonii seeds exhibited intermediate seed storage behavior. The optimum storage environments was dry or moist storage at 4℃.     

濒危植物西康玉兰种子休眠、萌发及贮藏特性

研究了西康玉兰(Magnolia wilsonii)种胚的形态大小,温度、层积、硝酸钾、浸种处理和GA_3对种子休眠及萌发的影响.通过将种子脱水至不同含水量和在两种温度(4℃和一20℃)下贮藏100 d后测其生活力,分析各处理对西康玉兰种子活力的影响.结果表明:西康玉兰种子胚尚未分化完全,需经过低温层积完成生理后熟;低温层积和GA3可打破种子休眠.种子最适萌发温度为25/20℃.由此推测,西康玉兰种子具有形态生理休眠特性.西康玉兰种子当含水量降至5.39%,存活率为53.50%.不同含水量的种子贮藏在-20℃条件下,100 d后种子全部死亡;但在4℃下含水量为10.31%的种子存活力高达76%.因此,西康玉兰种子极可能属于中间性种子,其适宜贮藏环境为4℃下的干藏或湿藏.     

Seed development and maturation in Phaseolus vulgaris I. Ability to germinate and to tolerate desiccation

The onset and development of both the ability to germinate andto tolerate rapid enforced desiccation were investigated duringthe development and maturation of seeds of bean (Phaseolus vulgahsL.) at different temperatures and also after different slow-dryingtreatments. The onset of germinability occurred when seeds wereless than half-filled in the absence of both a post-ovule abscissionprogramme and water loss from the seeds. Maximum ability togerminate normally and maximum tolerance to rapid enforced desiccationto 14–16% moisture content did not occur until 2–23d and 6–23 d after mass maturity (end of the seed-fillingperiod), respectively. The slow-drying of immature seeds for7 d ex planta before rapid enforced desiccation increased theability to germinate and stimulated the onset of desicationtolerance. Holding seeds moist for 7 d (during which time moisturecontent declined by <5%) had similar effects, but seed germinationafter rapid enforced desiccation was consistently greater inseeds first dried slowly than held moist. Comparisons betweenseeds less than half-filled dried slowly ex planta and fullseeds undergoing maturation drying in planta showed that a similar(slow) rate of water loss over a 7 d period had a similar effecton the subsequent ability of seeds to tolerate rapid enforceddesiccation. Thus, neither a post-ovule abscission programmenor loss of water were required for the onset of the abilityto germinate in developing bean seeds, but both were requiredfor the development of the ability to germinate and resistanceto solute leakage, when rehydrated, after rapid enforced desiccation. Key words: Bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., seed germination, seed development, desiccation tolerance     

沙芥种子发育过程中的脱水耐性

以发育过程中经脱水和未脱水处理的沙芥种子为试验材料,测定了其含水量、萌发率和抗氧化酶系统,探讨了沙芥种子脱水耐性与抗氧化系统之间的关系。结果表明：在20～60DAF,沙芥种子含水量逐渐下降,干重逐渐增加;60DAF种子具有萌发能力,萌发率为24％;且脱水可促进沙芥种子的萌发,人工脱水至含水量为12％和5％时,萌发率分别为56％和44％,自然脱水至含水量为12％和5％时,萌发率分别为52％和60％;发育过程中沙芥种子SOD活性逐渐降低,而CAT、POD、LOX活性以及MDA含量均呈上升趋势;在脱水过程中,随着种子含水量的下降SOD活性逐渐降低,CAT和LOX活性逐渐升高,而POD活性呈先降低后升高的变化趋势。脱水后,种子中MDA含量均高于CK。60DAF的沙芥种子已获得脱水耐性。     

木波罗种子脱水敏感性与膜脂过氧化的研究

刚采收的木波罗种子含水量为５８．６％。随着含水量下降,种子的发芽率和发芽指数迅速下降,种子对脱水非常敏感,是典型的顽拗性种。自然脱水时,种子胚轴和子叶中超氧物歧化酶的活性先上升,然后下降,丙二醛和脂质氢过氧化物的含量显著增加。其脱水敏感性的原因可能是当种子脱水时,植物酶ＳＯＤ的活性下降,膜脂过氧化作用加强,从而使膜的结构和功能受到破坏,种子生活力丧失。     

成熟度与烘干温度对结球甘蓝种子质量的影响

以结球甘蓝品种冬升种子为材料,研究了不同成熟度和烘干温度下种子秕粒率、千粒重、发芽率、生理活性情况以及不同烘干温度下种子的含水量.结果表明,结球甘蓝冬升开花后45～55 d采收的种子,发芽率均达到了95%以上;随着种子成熟度提高,其种子质量、发芽活力及其超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、脱氢酶活性显著上升,而相对电导率显著下降.与对照(自然风干)相比,30～50℃的烘干温度对种子千粒重和秕粒率无显著性影响,也仅在50℃下可使种子的发芽活力显著降低;随着烘干温度的升高,种子的SOD、POD和脱氢酶活性逐渐显著下降,相对电导率则逐渐显著上升;30～50℃烘干6 h种子的含水量由13.3%降至5.4%左右.研究发现,结球甘蓝冬升开花授粉后45 d种子已达到了采收程度,30～50℃烘干6 h种子含水量已达到储藏要求,并且愈接近自然干燥温度(30～40℃)的处理,种子发芽能力愈好;甘蓝种子活力与其SOD、POD和脱氢酶活性呈正相关,而与其相对电导率呈负相关.     

Preliminary Study on Development,Germination and Desiccation Tolerance of Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae)

The developmental changes in morphology and germinability of Jatropha curcas seeds, effects of temperature and light on seed germination , and changes in desiccation tolerance of mature seeds were studied in this paper. The results indicated that J. curcas seeds reached a physiological maturation at 58 days after anthesis, and that seed germination percentage reached a peak at physiological maturation, and then decreased. The optimal germination temperature was 25 to 30℃. J. curcas seeds were insensitive to dehydration at physiological maturation . There was not a notable effect of light on seed germination. Therefore, J. curcas seed was a non-photoblastic and orthodox seeds .     

Role of Abscisic Acid in the Induction of Desiccation Tolerance in Developing Seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana

In contrast to wild-type seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana and to seeds deficient in (aba) or insensitive to (abi3) abscisic acid (ABA), maturing seeds of recombinant (aba,abi3) plants fail to desiccate, remain green, and lose viability upon drying. These double-mutant seeds acquire only low levels of the major storage proteins and are deficient in several low mol wt polypeptides, both soluble and bound, and some of which are heat stable. A major heat-stable glycoprotein of more than 100 kilodaltons behaves similarly; during seed development, it shows a decrease in size associated with the abi3 mutation. In seeds of the double mutant from 14 to 20 days after pollination, the low amounts of various maturation-specific proteins disappear and many higher mol wt proteins similar to those occurring during germination are induced, but no visible germination is apparent. It appears that in the aba,abi3 double mutant seed development is not completed and the program for seed germination is initiated prematurely in the absence of substances protective against dehydration. Seeds may be made desiccation tolerant by watering the plants with the ABA analog LAB 173711 or by imbibition of isolated immature seeds, 11 to 15 days after pollination, with ABA and sucrose. Whereas sucrose stimulates germination and may protect dehydration-sensitive structures from desiccation damage, ABA inhibits precocious germination and is required to complete the program for seed maturation and the associated development of desiccation tolerance.     

Two-coat systems for encapsulation of spathoglottis plicata (Orchidaceae) seeds and protocorms

Complex coacervation of alginate-chitosan and alginate-gelatin were used to develop two-coat systems for the encapsulation of Spathoglottis plicata seeds and protocorms (top-shaped structures formed after seed germination of orchids). Both the seeds and the protocorms could withstand the encapsulation treatments with high viability. About 54% of seeds and 40% of large protocorms (1.6-2.0 mm) were able to tolerate a 6-h desiccation treatment. However, viability of the small protocorms (0.7-0.9 mm) was greatly reduced if they were desiccated before encapsulation. Encapsulation after desiccation significantly increased the percentage viability of seeds and protocorms. Treatment with abscisic acid (ABA, 10(-5) M) before desiccation and encapsulation resulted in high percentage viability in seeds and large protocorms whereas the small protocorms were found to be less tolerant to the treatments. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.