成熟时间和干贮藏对两种木蓼种子萌发的影响

刺木蓼(Atraphaxis spinosa)和长枝木蓼(A.virgata)为蓼科木蓼属灌木,刺木蓼1a结果2次,分别于6月份和9月份成熟,而长枝木蓼果期较长,于10—11月份成熟。对2种木蓼不同成熟时间及干贮藏后的种子,进行萌发实验,结果表明:不同成熟时间的刺木蓼种子在30℃/20℃的萌发率高,长枝木蓼10月份成熟的种子在15℃/6℃的萌发率低,而11月份成熟的种子在15℃/6℃的萌发率最高。成熟早的刺木蓼种子较小,而长枝木蓼成熟晚的种子较小,不同成熟时间的2种木蓼种子均表现为,小种子的休眠程度低。刺木蓼不同成熟时间的种子在干贮藏的过程中,种子的萌发率先降低后增加。干贮藏明显提高了长枝木蓼种子在15℃/6℃的萌发率,尤其是10月份成熟的种子,10月份和11月份成熟的种子分别贮藏9个月和6个月后解除休眠。     

Effect of storage time and pretreatment on seed germination of the threatened coniferous species Fokienia hodginsii

We report the effects of storage time and pretreatment on seed germination of Fokienia hodginsii. Lower mean germination was observed in seeds stored for 2 years (6.41 ± 1.23 seeds/replicate) compared with those stored for 1 year (8.52 ± 1.06 seeds/replicate). Seeds collected from a southern location had statistically higher mean germination (9.67 ± 1.28 seeds/replicate) than those collected from a northern location (7.99 ± 1.36 seeds/replicate). Higher mean T₅₀ was observed in seeds stored for 2 years (37.02 ± 4.43 days) compared with those stored for 1 year (30.69 ± 5.06 days). Mean germination of untreated fresh seeds was 9.97 ± 1.34 seeds/replicate and that of treated fresh seeds in 60°C water was 12.95 ± 1.24 seeds/replicate. Fresh seeds treated with 50°C and 70°C water had a significantly lower mean germination compared with untreated seeds and seeds treated in 60°C water. Mean T₅₀ was lowest in seeds treated with 60°C water.     

Hydrothermal time analysis of tomato seed germination responses to priming treatments

Controlled hydration of seeds followed by drying (seed priming) is used to break dormancy, speed germination, and improve uniformity of radicle emergence. To date, empirical trials are used to predict optimal priming conditions for a given seed lot. Since priming is based upon seed water relations, it was hypothesized that the sensitivity of germination to reduced water potential before priming might be mechanistically related to, and therefore predictive of, priming responsiveness. Analyses of germination of 13 tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seed lots at two temperatures (15C and 20C) and three water potentials (0, -0.28 and -0.43 MPa) showed that seed lot germination responses could be quantitatively characterized by parameters derived from thermal time, hydrotime, and hydrothermal time models (R²0.73-0.99). Six of the seed lots were primed at two temperatures (15°C and 20°C) and three water potentials (-1.0, -1.5 and -2.0 MPa) for various durations, dried, and their subsequent germination rates analysed according to hydropriming time and hydrothermal priming time models. The responses of germination rates to priming were characterized by hydropriming time (HP) and hydrothermal priming time (HTP) constants and the minimum water potential (min) and temperature (Tmin) for achieving a priming effect. The values of min and Tmin varied relatively little among tomato seed lots, and the generalized values of min=2.39 MPa and Tmin=9.10°C accounted for 74% (15°C), 57% (20°C), and 62% (across both temperatures) of the increase in germination rates following priming. Nonetheless, while the hydrothermal time models described germination patterns both before and after priming, there was relatively little predictive relationship between them.     

Effect of osmotic priming, rinsing and storage on the germination and emergence of carrot seed

Carrot seed, osmotically primed in polyethylene glycol solution (273 g/kg water) for 10 days at 15°C, was given 0–5 rinsing cycles, where each cycle comprised agitating the seed in 10 times its own bulk volume of distilled water for 20 to 30 s. Priming decreased the germination and emergence times whether the seeds were rinsed or not, and these effects were maintained even after storage for 450 days. The number of rinsing cycles had no effects, except that seed given five rinsing cycles deteriorated after 270 days storage.     

Proteomic analysis of arabidopsis seed germination and priming

To better understand seed germination, a complex developmental process, we developed a proteome analysis of the model plant Arabidopsis for which complete genome sequence is now available. Among about 1,300 total seed proteins resolved in two-dimensional gels, changes in the abundance (up- and down-regulation) of 74 proteins were observed during germination sensu stricto (i.e. prior to radicle emergence) and the radicle protrusion step. This approach was also used to analyze protein changes occurring during industrial seed pretreatments such as priming that accelerate seed germination and improve seedling uniformity. Several proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Some of them had previously been shown to play a role during germination and/or priming in several plant species, a finding that underlines the usefulness of using Arabidopsis as a model system for molecular analysis of seed quality. Furthermore, the present study, carried out at the protein level, validates previous results obtained at the level of gene expression (e.g. from quantitation of differentially expressed mRNAs or analyses of promoter/reporter constructs). Finally, this approach revealed new proteins associated with the different phases of seed germination and priming. Some of them are involved either in the imbibition process of the seeds (such as an actin isoform or a WD-40 repeat protein) or in the seed dehydration process (e.g. cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase). These facts highlight the power of proteomics to unravel specific features of complex developmental processes such as germination and to detect protein markers that can be used to characterize seed vigor of commercial seed lots and to develop and monitor priming treatments.     

Effects of osmotic priming and ageing on onion seed germination

Onion seeds were osmotically primed in polyethylene glycol solution (342 g/kg water) either for 14 days before accelerated ageing at 40°C. 18% m.c. for 0, 24, 48, 72 or 96 h, or for 10, 14 or 17 days after ageing. Priming improved the rate of germination compared with non-primed seed. Priming before ageing delayed the loss of viability due to ageing, but priming after ageing had no effect on viability. Primed and dried onion seed was stored for 18 months at 10°C, 9% m.c. with no effect on viability; improvements in germination rate due to priming were maintained over the storage period. Conductivity measurements of seed leachates were not a consistently reliable indicator of germination performance.     

Influence of heat on seed germination of seven Mediterranean Leguminosae species

The influence of high temperatures (dry heat and hot water) on germination of seven Mediterranean Leguminosae species typical of fire-prone ecosystems in southern Spain is analyzed, in order to know the response of seeds to wildfires and the possible implications in their regeneration after this disturbance. Seeds were heated to a range of temperatures (50 °–150 °C) and exposure times (1–60 min) similar to those registered in the upper soil layers during wildfires. Germination tests were carried out in plastic Petri dishes over 60 days. In general, the degree of seed germination promotion by dry heat treatments showed a wide interspecific variation, although the final germination level was increased in all the studied species except for Scorpiurus muricatus. The thermal pretreatment of 50 °C, however, was not effective for germination in any species, and rising the temperature to 70 °C only slightly enhanced the germination in Cytisus patens. The preheatings of 90 °C (5 and 10 min), 120 °C (5 and 10 min), and 150 °C (1 min) were the most effective in promoting seed germination. Hot water (100 °C) scarification also increased the final germination level in all cases, with the exception of C. patens. The germination rates after preheating were much lower than in mechanically scarified seeds and closely resembled those of the untreated seeds, except for C. reverchonii, whose seed germination rate decreased with heat. The response of species to heat shock had no clear relationship with life trait or with the specific post-fire regeneration strategy (obligate seeder or facultative resprouter). Those species coexisting in the same habitats had different heat optimal requirements for seed germination, an strategy suggested by some authors as minimizing interspecific competition in the secondary succession started after fire.     

The effects of thermal scarification and seed storage on germination of four heathland species

The germination responses of 4 shrubs, Erica arborea, E. australis and Daboecia cantabrica (Ericaceae) and Genistella tridentata (Papilloneaceae) in relation to variable light and temperature regimes was determined for freshly harvested and 1 year-old seeds. Temperature treatments consisted of 5 levels of heat from 60 °C to 140 °C and two levels of exposure time, 2 and 4 min. We also examined the effects of stratification on germination of Erica arborea and E. australis. The seeds of Erica arborea were the first to begin germinating and the freshly collected ones reached the highest level of germination with light. The seed viability of E. arborea was affected by storage, decreasing germinative capacity, while mean germination in Erica australis ssp. aragonensis was lowest. However, the stored E. australis seeds germinated better than the fresh ones. Germination response to ageing varies in Daboecia cantabrica depending on heat pretreatment. A significantly positive effect of high temperature and exposure time on germination was shown in Daboecia cantabrica and Genistella tridentata. Cold pre-treatment of seeds did not enhance germination.     

野豌豆属4种植物种子萌发的积温模型分析

以青藏高原野豌豆属窄叶野豌豆(Vicia angustifolia)、山野豌豆(V. amoena)、歪头菜(V. unijuga) 3种野生植物与一种当地栽培植物救荒野豌豆(箭筈豌豆) (V. sativa) ‘兰箭3号’种子为材料, 在5、10、15、20、25及30 ℃下进行萌发实验, 应用种子萌发的积温模型对上述4种植物萌发对温度的响应特征进行了比较分析。结果表明: 1)基于萌发速率(1/T_g)对种子萌发温度最低温T_b值的估计受萌发率(g)的影响较小; 与此不同, 除‘兰箭3号’种子外, 对萌发最高温T_c值的估计, 受到g的显著影响。 这表明种群内所有种子个体萌发的T_b值相对恒定, 但T_c值在有些物种中变异较大; 2)基于重复概率单位回归分析估计的种子萌发T_b值与基于萌发速率估计的值较为接近; 而由此方法估计的T_c值则与萌发率为50%时的估计值较为接近; 3)相比多年生豆科植物歪头菜和山野豌豆, 一年生豆科植物箭筈豌豆‘兰箭3号’与窄叶野豌豆具有相对较低的T_b与T_c值; 4)积温模型可准确地预测休眠破除后豆科植物种子在不同温度条件下的萌发进程。     

环境因素对伞形科两种植物种子萌发的影响

种子萌发模式是植物生活史策略中的一个主要特征。研究了环境因素对伞形科濒危植物明党参 (Changium smyrnioidesWolff)和非濒危植物峨参 (Anthriscussylvestris Hoffm.)种子萌发特性的影响。结果表明 ,温度是影响明党参和峨参这类冬性植物种子萌发的主要因素。两物种的种子萌发温度范围是 5～ 15℃ ,明党参种子的最适萌发温度是 10℃ ,峨参是 5℃ ,两物种在15℃时萌发率均已受抑制 ,到 18℃时几乎不萌发。两种植物种子的萌发率与温度显著负相关。两种植物种子在光照和黑暗条件下萌发率差异很小 ,均是中性种子。明党参种子在干燥条件下比峨参种子更容易失去活力 ,其种子的适宜含水量 (5 .9%～6 .4 % )比峨参 (<3.7% )高。种子质量好、萌发率高但种子产量低也是濒危植物种群更新的一个薄弱环节。     

Reactive oxygen species and seed germination

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously produced by the metabolically active cells of seeds, and apparently play important roles in biological processes such as germination and dormancy. Germination and ROS accumulation appear to be linked, and seed germination success may be closely associated with internal ROS contents and the activities of ROS-scavenging systems. Although ROS were long considered hazardous molecules, their functions as cell signaling compounds are now well established and widely studied in plants. In seeds, ROS have important roles in endosperm weakening, the mobilization of seed reserves, protection against pathogens, and programmed cell death. ROS may also function as messengers or transmitters of environmental cues during seed germination. Little is currently known, however, about ROS biochemistry or their functions or the signaling pathways during these processes, which are to be considered in the present review.     

Cell cycle activity during seed priming is not essential for germination advancement in tomato

Seed priming is a technique of controlled hydration and drying that results in more rapid gemination when the seeds are reimbibed. Advancement of radicle meristem cells into the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, increasing the percentage of nuclei having a 4C DNA content, has been reported to occur during priming. It has been suggested that the efficiency of priming is related to the accumulation of 4C nuclei in the radicle meristem, but the extent of cell cycle activity varied among different treatments and seed lots. A wide range of priming treatments across temperatures, water potentials and durations can be compared on a common basis using the hydrothermal priming time model. Flow cytometry was used to monitor cell cycle activity in a number of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seed lots during priming in relation to the accumulation of hydrothermal priming time and the subsequent germination rate response. In some seed lots, the percentage of 4C nuclei in the radicle meristems prior to emergence increased in proportion to accumulated hydrothermal priming time, while in other lots, no increase in nuclear DNA content was detected. All lots, however, demonstrated rapid radicle emergence following priming. Thus, replicative DNA synthesis in radicle meristem nuclei often occurred during seed priming, but an increase in the percentage of 4C nuclei was not essential for germination advancement.     

贮藏条件对河西走廊四种旱生灌木种子萌发的影响

不同贮藏条件下,探讨了河西走廊枸杞(Lycium barbarum)、黑果枸杞(L.rutheni-cum)、花棒(Hedysarum scorpaium)和泡果白刺(Nitraria sphaerocarpa)4种旱生灌木种子萌发情况。结果表明:枸杞、黑果枸杞和花棒种子萌发对贮藏条件有一致性的响应,即经过低温湿润(-5℃和4℃)贮藏后有较高的萌发率、较快的萌发速度和较早的萌发开始时间,贮藏条件对泡果白刺的种子萌发(<30%)的影响较小;冬季冷屋贮藏后(-5℃,湿润)的枸杞种子萌发率(68%)显著大于冰箱贮藏(4℃,湿润)和室温干燥贮藏(<20%);冰箱和冬季冷屋贮藏后黑果枸杞种子萌发率约80%,室温干燥贮藏后萌发率仅为5%;冰箱和冬季冷屋贮藏后的花棒种子萌发率达到88%和65%,干燥贮藏后为40%。低温层积(-5℃和4℃)是打破枸杞、花棒和黑果枸杞种子休眠的有效方法之一。     

Influence of different seed priming techniques on oxidative and antioxidative responses during the germination of Oryza sativa varieties

Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants - NaCl and PEG stresses have negative impacts on seed germination and early seedling establishment in Oryza sativa. The present study was designed to...     

青藏高原东缘11种小檗属(Berberis)植物种子萌发特性

在实验室条件下研究了青藏高原东缘11种小檗属(Berberis)植物的种子萌发特性,并分析了种子萌发能力与种子大小和海拔之间的关系。结果表明,11种植物中,仅有5种植物(金花小檗、匙叶小檗、锥花小檗、鲜黄小檗和刺黄花)种子萌发率超过50%,其中金花小檗最高(86.7%);有2种植物(巴东小檗、华西小檗)种子始终没有萌发,其余4种植物种子萌发率均在10%以下;种子萌发开始时间均在10d以后,匙叶小檗种子萌发的持续时间最长(40d)。11种植物种子萌发率、萌发速率、萌发持续时间与种子大小均呈显著负相关,而萌发开始时间与种子大小之间具有显著的正相关关系。萌发率、萌发速率、萌发持续时间与海拔均有较弱的正关联,萌发开始时间与海拔有较弱的负关联。     

Effects of germination time on seed morph ratio in a seed-dimorphic species and possible ecological significance

Background and Aims Diaspores of heteromorphic species may germinate at different times due to distinct dormancy-breaking and germination requirements, and this difference can influence life history traits. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of germination time of the two seed morphs of Suaeda corniculata subsp. mongolica on life history traits of the offspring.Methods Germinated brown and black seeds were sown on the 20th of each month from April to September in a simulated but near-natural habitat of the species. Phenological and vegetative traits of the maternal plants, and number, size and germination percentage of the offspring were determined.Key Results Germinated seeds sown late in the year produced smaller plants that had a higher proportion of non-dormant brown than dormant black seeds, and these brown seeds were larger than those produced by germinated seeds sown early in the year. The length of the seedling stage for brown seeds was shorter than that for black seeds, and the root/shoot ratio and reproductive allocation of plants from brown seeds were more variable than they were for plants from black seeds. Late-germinating brown seeds produced larger plants than late-germinating black seeds.Conclusions Altering the proportion of the two seed types in response to germination timing can help alleviate the adverse effects of delayed germination. The flexible strategy of a species, such as S. corniculata, that produces different proportions of dimorphic seeds in response to variation in germination timing may favour the maintenance and regeneration of the population in its unpredictable environment.     

Polyethylene glycol 6000 priming effect on germination of aged wheat seed lots

The effects of PEG 6000 priming on germination performance of aged wheat seed lots have been studied. A correct application of osmopriming treatment indicated a relationship between the pattern of water absorption, the reactivation of mitotic activity and the start and synchronization of germination. The possibility of controlling pregerminative events by means of this treatment is discussed on the physiological basis of seed germination.