桃儿七种子解剖结构及其萌发生长期形态特征

为探明种皮和胚乳是否是限制桃儿七种子萌发的主要因素,利用组织切片和显微技术,对桃儿七种子及其不同萌发期（1、7、14、21、28 d）解剖结构和播种后一定时期内（7~210 d）的植株生长形态进行观察。桃儿七种子由种皮、胚乳和胚构成。种皮包括外种皮和内种皮,外种皮致密规整,由外至内分别为栅状石细胞和表皮层细胞,内种皮由5~6层海绵细胞组成。胚乳占种子体积的绝大部分,包括珠孔胚乳和外胚乳。胚由胚根、胚轴和子叶组成,被致密种皮、多层珠孔胚乳和外胚乳包围。萌发期1~7 d胚根和胚轴开始伸长,7~14 d两片子叶分离,14~21 d胚根突破珠孔胚乳和种皮,21~28 d胚根、胚轴和子叶继续扩张伸长。种子播种210 d后可平均形成3片功能真叶和5条不定根。致密种皮（物理休眠）和多层胚乳（机械休眠）是限制桃儿七种子萌发的两个主要因素。     

桃儿七种子休眠解除过程中细胞壁代谢及种皮超微结构的变化北大核心CSCD

为探究低温层积过程中桃儿七种子细胞壁代谢及种皮超微结构与休眠解除的内在联系,该研究通过低温层积解除桃儿七种子休眠,分析休眠解除过程中种子不同部位细胞壁组分及相关代谢酶的变化,同时利用扫描电镜对种皮的超微结构进行观察。结果表明,(1)桃儿七种皮主要由角质层、栅状石细胞层及海绵组织层3层构成,在层积过程中,种皮内部的海绵组织逐步疏松膨胀,种皮表面破损加剧;(2)种子不同部位的细胞壁组分具有明显差异,整个层积过程中,种胚、种皮和胚乳中的纤维素含量均在层积中期(45 d和60 d)降至最低,3个部位的纤维素酶活性在层积中期对应升高;种胚和种皮内的半纤维素含量均在层积中期显著下降,种皮中甘露聚糖酶活性和木糖苷酶活性在层积中期时相应达到最大;3个部位的果胶含量均在层积后期(75 d和90 d)时显著下降,而种皮和胚乳中多聚半乳糖醛缩酶活性也在层积后期相应升高;(3)种胚和胚乳内过氧化物酶活性在层积75 d和90 d时明显下降,而SOD活性在此时显著上升。(4)种子不同部位3种木质素单体的组成比例具有明显区别,同时3种木质素单体含量均随层积时间的延长而显著降低,且胚乳和种皮中的S-木质素含量对种子萌发存在显著的负向影响关系。研究认为,在低温层积过程中,桃儿七种子内细胞壁组分纤维素、半纤维素及木质素的逐步酶解,活性氧作用下的细胞壁松弛以及海绵组织层的疏松膨胀和种皮的破裂,破坏了细胞壁的刚性结构,促使种子机械束缚力降低,吸水性能提高、胚根生长能力增强,最终导致其休眠解除。     

在萌发前后小麦种子内酯酶的细胞化学研究

用组织化学定位显示,非特异性酯酶是普遍地存在小麦干种子的胚、糊粉层和胚乳内的。当种子萌发1—2天时,酯酶在各组织内的活性有所增加。但当种子萌发3—5天时,酯酶活性在糊粉层和胚乳内开始减少,而存在胚内的酯酶活性则保持不变。用组织等电点聚焦,也可以测得酯酶活性在各组织内的变化情形。用这一方法在小麦胚内可以得到10条(位在PI6.2—5.4范围内)同工酶带。这些酶带在种子的5天萌发期间保持不变。在0—2天,从糊粉层和胚乳释出ⅠI(PI 7.2—6.4)和Ⅱ(PI6.2—5.4)两组共17条同工酶带;但当种子萌发3天后,第1组(PI7.2—6.4)同工酶开始消失(第Ⅰ组同工酶在胚内不存在)。第Ⅱ组(PI6.2—6.4)同工酶中,除PI6.1逐渐消失和PI6逐渐形成的酶带外,其它的酶带与胚释出的同工酶变得一致。     

花生胚乳细胞化的超微结构观察

花生（ＡｒａｃｈｉｓｈｙｐｏｇｅａｅＬ．）心形胚期的胚乳游离核多瓣裂,或具长尾状结构。胚乳细胞质内有大量线粒体、质体、高尔基体、小泡及少量内质网。中央细胞壁有壁内突。球胚及心形胚期常见胚乳瘤。心形胚晚期,胚乳开始细胞化,胚乳细胞壁形成有３种方式,分别存在于不同的胚珠中：（１）从胚囊壁产生自由生长壁形成初始垂周壁,具有明显的电子密度深的中层,其生长主要靠末端的高尔基体小泡及内质网囊泡的融合。两相邻的自由生长壁末端或其分枝末端相连形成胚乳细胞。（２）核有丝分裂后产生细胞板,细胞板向外扩展并可分枝。间期的非姊妹核间也观察到形成了细胞板。小泡与微管参与细胞板的扩展,高尔基体和内质网是小泡的主要来源。细胞板的扩展末端相互连接,形成胚乳细胞的前身。小泡继续加入细胞板的组成,以后形成胚乳细胞壁。（３）胚乳细胞质中,出现一些比较大的不规则形的片段性泡状结构,它们可能来源于高尔基体小泡,这些片段性泡状结构随机相连形成细胞壁,未见微管参与。胚乳细胞外切向壁及经向壁上有壁内突。     

胚与胚乳的关系

被子植物的胚和胚乳都是双受精的产物,但它们最后的命运却不同。胚乳表现为有限生长,而胚则从胚乳中吸取营养分化成一个具有各器官的幼小孢子体。众所周知,成熟的种子可根据胚乳的有无分为两种类型。一类是只有胚而无胚乳的种子,如豆科、葫芦科等;另一类则是胚与胚乳俱全的种子,如禾本科中的小麦及茄科植物。在后一类植物种子的胚乳中贮藏着丰富的营养物质。种子萌发时,营养物质被胚陆续生长所利用。胚依赖胚乳提供养料而生长的最重要的     

云南红豆杉新采收种子的形态与离体胚的萌发特性

通过云南红豆杉新采收种子形态观察、透水性测定、种子大小以及所带胚乳多少对离体胚萌发率的影响等试验,探讨云南红豆杉种子的休眠与萌发机理。结果表明,云南红豆杉种子呈倒卵形和三棱形;胚酒瓶形,白色;胚乳淡黄色,油质。种子千粒重为72.934g;种皮、种仁和种胚分别占种子鲜重的50.56%、40.45%和8.99%;胚与种子的体积比(E∶S)为0.074。胚的体积为0.156—1.012mm~3,种子为51.658—109.649mm~3,两者呈显著正相关(P0.05,r=0.810)。完整种子的吸水率明显低于破裂种皮、酸蚀40min和酸蚀20min的种子,但差异随着浸泡时间延长而缩小;种子含水量饱和时,完整种子、破皮种子与酸蚀种子的吸水率无显著差异(前者为23.7%,后两者约28.0%)。不同大小种子离体胚的萌发率差异显著(P0.05),特大、大、中、小和特小种子的离体胚的萌发率为80%、77.8%、67.5%、62.0%和44.0%。胚乳抑制离体胚的萌发,不带胚乳离体胚的萌发率为41.3%,显著高于带胚乳的萌发率(P0.05),带部分胚乳的胚为9.7%—13.3%,带全胚乳的胚为0。同时离体胚培养过程中所用种胚的新鲜程度也严重影响胚的萌发率。云南红豆杉种子休眠属于中度生理休眠类型,种子中的抑制物质含量随时间的动态变化和胚乳中抑制物质含量的多少对胚萌发率的影响是以后云南红豆杉休眠研究的重点。     

赤霉素代谢与信号转导及其调控种子萌发与休眠的分子机制

种子的萌发能力由胚周围组织(种皮和胚乳)强加的物理限制与胚的生长潜能之间的平衡所决定.覆盖胚根尖端的珠孔端胚乳细胞的弱化被植物激素赤霉素(gibberellin, GA)促进但被脱落酸抑制,是胚根伸出的重要前提.GA是一种调控植物许多关键生理过程,如种子萌发、根和茎的伸长、开花、座果和种子发育的重要激素. GA在种子萌发与休眠解除中的作用主要受其生物合成与分解代谢和信号转导途径的调控.本文主要综述了GA的生物合成与代谢、GA的信号转导以及它们对种子萌发和休眠解除调控的研究进展.此外,本文也提出了本领域需要进一步研究的科学问题,试图为解释GA调控种子萌发与休眠的分子机理提供新的研究信息.     

赤霉素对蛋白质合成的调节控制作用

种子萌发时胚的生长需要营养物质。禾谷类的种子在胚乳中贮藏着丰富的养分。这些贮藏物质的动用主要受植物激素赤霉素(GA)的控制。GA是在胚中合成,经过盾片输送到胚乳周围的糊粉层细胞-GA发生作用的靶细胞。糊粉层组织由均一的、不分裂的、富含蛋白质的二到三层细胞组成,这些细胞对GA反应时合成多种水解酶如a-淀粉酶和蛋白酶。这些酶被分泌释放到胚乳中去,水解大分子贮藏物质淀粉和蛋白质等形     

莲种子的极端高温耐性与抗氧化酶活性的变化

莲（Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn．）种子是一种长寿命和耐极端高温的种子．莲和玉米（Zeamays L．）种子的含水量分别为0．103和0．129gH20／g干重,随着在100℃处理时间的延长,种子的含水量、萌发率和由存活种子产生的幼苗鲜重逐渐降低．100℃处理15min时,玉米种子的萌发率为零;但莲种子被处理24h时,其萌发率仍然为13．5％．50％的玉米和莲种子被100℃处理致死的时间（T50）分别为6min和14．5h．随着100℃处理时间的延长,莲胚轴的相对电解质渗漏明显增加,总叶绿素含量显著下降,当在100℃处理时间短于12h时,莲下胚轴的亚细胞结构保持完整;当处理时间长于12h时,细胞逐渐发生质壁分离、内质网变得不清晰、核和核仁降解、大多数线粒体膨胀、脂质颗粒在细胞边界积累,最后细胞器和质膜降解．此外,莲胚轴和子叶的丙二醛（MDA）含量在100℃处理的0～12h内下降,然后增加：玉米胚和胚乳的MDA含量在100℃处理的5～10min内增加,然后有所下降．莲胚轴和子叶的超氧物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）和胚轴的过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性在100℃处理初期增加,然后下降;而莲胚轴和子叶的抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（DHAR）和子叶的CAT活性随100℃处理时间的延长而逐渐下降．玉米胚和胚乳中的SOD,DHAR以及胚的GR活性在100℃处理初期增加,然后下降;玉米胚和胚乳中的APX,CAT和胚乳的GR活性随100℃处理时间的延长迅速下降,与种子萌发率下降的趋势相同,莲胚轴和子叶的SOD,APX,CAT,GR和DHAR活性下降缓慢,而在玉米胚和胚乳中这些酶的活性则迅速降低。     

毛竹种子形成过程中形态解剖学特征

为揭示毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)种子生长过程中胚、胚乳、果皮及种皮的发育规律,以桂林海洋山一带的开花毛竹为材料,采集并固定不同时期的开花毛竹种子,使用石蜡制片法制片,显微镜观察胚、胚乳、果皮与种皮的结构变化。结果表明：(1)毛竹花后1 d完成受精并形成合子,合子休眠时长约为5 d。经过原胚阶段、胚芽鞘阶段、幼胚生长阶段及成熟胚阶段,花后40 d的胚发育基本成熟,其发育类型为禾本型。(2)胚乳发育早于胚的发育,其发育类型为核型胚乳,历经游离核、细胞化、细胞分化及成熟4个阶段。在细胞分化阶段胚乳细胞分化形成淀粉胚乳细胞以及糊粉层细胞,淀粉胚乳细胞主要积累淀粉粒,糊粉层细胞主要积累矿质元素、脂类及蛋白质等。(3)花后1 d的果皮细胞及珠被细胞形状规则、内含物丰富、结构完整;花后10～20 d,内、外果皮及珠被细胞层数递减,形状发生改变,中果皮细胞开始出现淀粉粒;花后20～60 d,随着胚乳细胞营养物质的积累及体积的增大,向外产生机械压力,中果皮细胞逐步消解仅剩残留的细胞壁;外果皮细胞呈长条形,细胞壁加厚,与残留的中果皮细胞壁组成保护结构;皮层在种子发育过程中主要起到合成...     

Effect of Salicylhydroxamic Acid on Endosperm Strength and Embryo Growth of Lactuca sativa L. cv Waldmann''s Green Seeds

Salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) stimulated germination of photosensitive lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv Waldmann's Green) seeds in darkness. To determine whether SHAM acts on the embryo or the endosperm, we investigated separately effects of SHAM on growth potential of isolated embryos as well as on endosperm strength. Embryo growth potential was quantified by incubating decoated embryos in various concentrations of osmoticum and measuring subsequent radicle elongation. Growth potential of embryos isolated from seeds pretreated with 4 millimolar SHAM was equal to that of untreated controls. Rupture strength of endosperm tissue excised from seeds pretreated with SHAM was 33% less than that of controls in the micropylar region. To determine if the embryo must be in contact with the endosperm for SHAM to weaken the endosperm, some endosperms were incubated with SHAM only after dissection from seeds. Rupture strength of SHAM-treated, isolated endosperms in the micropylar region was 25% less than that of untreated controls. There was no difference in rupture strength in the cotyledonary region of endosperm isolated from seeds treated with SHAM in buffer or buffer alone. SHAM therefore stimulates germination not by enhancing embryo growth potential, but by weakening the micropylar region of the endosperm enclosing the embryo.     

Effects of APETALA2 on embryo, endosperm, and seed coat development determine seed size in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis APETALA2 (AP2) controls seed mass maternally, with ap2 mutants producing larger seeds than wild type. Here, we show that AP2 influences development of the three major seed compartments: embryo, endosperm, and seed coat. AP2 appears to have a significant effect on endosperm development. ap2 mutant seeds undergo an extended period of rapid endosperm growth early in development relative to wild type. This early expanded growth period in ap2 seeds is associated with delayed endosperm cellularization and overgrowth of the endosperm central vacuole. The subsequent period of moderate endosperm growth is also extended in ap2 seeds largely due to persistent cell divisions at the endosperm periphery. The effect of AP2 on endosperm development is mediated by different mechanisms than parent-of-origin effects on seed size observed in interploidy crosses. Seed coat development is affected; integument cells of ap2 mutants are more elongated than wild type. We conclude that endosperm overgrowth and/or integument cell elongation create a larger postfertilization embryo sac into which the ap2 embryo can grow. Morphological development of the embryo is initially delayed in ap2 compared with wild-type seeds, but ap2 embryos become larger than wild type after the bent-cotyledon stage of development. ap2 embryos are able to fill the enlarged postfertilization embryo sac, because they undergo extended periods of cell proliferation and seed filling. We discuss potential mechanisms by which maternally acting AP2 influences development of the zygotic embryo and endosperm to repress seed size.     

Endosperm cellularization defines an important developmental transition for embryo development

The endosperm is a terminal seed tissue that is destined to support embryo development. In most angiosperms, the endosperm develops initially as a syncytium to facilitate rapid seed growth. The transition from the syncytial to the cellularized state occurs at a defined time point during seed development. Manipulating the timing of endosperm cellularization through interploidy crosses negatively impacts on embryo growth, suggesting that endosperm cellularization is a critical step during seed development. In this study, we show that failure of endosperm cellularization in fertilization independent seed 2 (fis2) and endosperm defective 1 (ede1) Arabidopsis mutants correlates with impaired embryo development. Restoration of endosperm cellularization in fis2 seeds by reducing expression of the MADS-box gene AGAMOUS-LIKE 62 (AGL62) promotes embryo development, strongly supporting an essential role of endosperm cellularization for viable seed formation. Endosperm cellularization failure in fis2 seeds correlates with increased hexose levels, suggesting that arrest of embryo development is a consequence of failed nutrient translocation to the developing embryo. Finally, we demonstrate that AGL62 is a direct target gene of FIS Polycomb group repressive complex 2 (PRC2), establishing the molecular basis for FIS PRC2-mediated endosperm cellularization.     

Embryo growth, testa permeability, and endosperm weakening are major targets for the environmentally regulated inhibition of Lepidium sativum seed germination by myrigalone A

Myrigalone A (MyA) is a rare flavonoid in fruit leachates of Myrica gale, a deciduous shrub adapted to flood-prone habitats. As a putative allelochemical it inhibits seed germination and seedling growth. Using Lepidium sativum as a model target species, experiments were conducted to investigate how environmental cues modulate MyA's interference with key processes of seed germination. Time course analyses of L. sativum testa and endosperm rupture under different light conditions and water potentials were combined with quantifying testa permeability, endosperm weakening, tissue-specific gibberellin (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) contents, as well as embryo growth and apoplastic superoxide production important for cell expansion growth. Lepidium sativum testa permeability and early water uptake by imbibition is enhanced by MyA. During late germination, MyA inhibits endosperm weakening and embryo growth, both processes required for endosperm rupture. Inhibition of embryo cell expansion by MyA depends on environmental cues, which is evident from the light-modulated severity of the MyA-mediated inhibition of apoplastic superoxide accumulation. Several important key weakening and growth processes during early and late germination are targets for MyA. These effects are modulated by light conditions and ambient water potential. It is speculated that MyA is a soil seed bank-destroying allelochemical that secures the persistence of M. gale in its flood-prone environment.     

Metabolism of sugars in the endosperm of developing seeds of oilseed rape

The sugars in the endosperm of a developing seed have many potential roles, including the supply of carbon to the developing embryo and controlling gene expression in it. Our understanding of their metabolism is, however, fragmentary and is confined to a very few species (especially Vicia spp.). To develop a quantitative understanding of the regulation of sugars in seeds of oilseed rape (Brassica napus), we measured relevant enzyme activities, the sizes of the pools of sugars in the liquid endosperm, and the flux of sugars from the endosperm into the embryo. The concentrations of hexose sugars in the liquid endosperm decreased, and sucrose (Suc) increased through development. The overall osmotic potential also fell. The timing of the changes was not precise enough to determine whether they signaled the onset of rapid accumulation of storage products. Changes in endosperm invertase activity were complex and quantitatively do not explain the changes in sugars. The embryo can metabolize hexose sugars in addition to Suc, and possibly at higher rates. Therefore, in addition to invertase, the growing embryo itself has a potential to influence the balance of sugars in the endosperm. The activity of Suc synthase in the embryo was greater than that of invertase during development. This observation and a higher activity of fructokinase than glucokinase in the embryo are both consistent with the embryo using Suc as a carbon source.     

A water relations analysis of seed germination rates

Seed germination culminates in the initiation of embryo growth and the resumption of water uptake after imbibition. Previous applications of cell growth models to describe seed germination have focused on the inhibition of radicle growth rates at reduced water potential (Ψ). An alternative approach is presented, based upon the timing of radicle emergence, to characterize the relationship of seed germination rates to Ψ. Using only three parameters, a `hydrotime constant' and the mean and standard deviation in minimum or base Ψ among seeds in the population, germination time courses can be predicted at any Ψ, or normalized to a common time scale equal to that of seeds germinating in water. The rate of germination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv Empire) seeds, either intact or with the endosperm envelope cut, increased linearly with embryo turgor. The endosperm presented little physical resistance to radicle growth at the time of radicle emergence, but its presence markedly delayed germination. The length of the lag period after imbibition before radicle emergence is related to the time required for weakening of the endosperm, and not to the generation of additional turgor in the embryo. The rate of endosperm weakening is sensitive to Ψ or turgor.     

Abscisic acid controls embryo growth potential and endosperm cap weakening during coffee (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea arabica</Emphasis> cv. Rubi) seed germination

The mechanism and regulation of coffee seed germination were studied in Coffea arabica L. cv. Rubi. The coffee embryo grew inside the endosperm prior to radicle protrusion and abscisic acid (ABA) inhibited the increase in its pressure potential. There were two steps of endosperm cap weakening. An increase in cellulase activity coincided with the first step and an increase in endo--mannanase (EBM) activity with the second step. ABA inhibited the second step of endosperm cap weakening, presumably by inhibiting the activities of at least two EBM isoforms and/or, indirectly, by inhibiting the pressure force of the radicle. The increase in the activities of EBM and cellulase coincided with the decrease in the force required to puncture the endosperm and with the appearance of porosity in the cell walls as observed by low-temperature scanning electronic microscopy. Tissue printing showed that EBM activity was spatially regulated in the endosperm. Activity was initiated in the endosperm cap whereas later during germination it could also be detected in the remainder of the endosperm. Tissue printing revealed that ABA inhibited most of the EBM activity in the endosperm cap, but not in the remainder of the endosperm. ABA did not inhibit cellulase activity. There was a transient rise in ABA content in the embryo during imbibition, which was likely to be responsible for slow germination, suggesting that endogenous ABA also may control embryo growth potential and the second step of endosperm cap weakening during coffee seed germination.     

Growth Substances Separated from the Fruits of Cassia fistula

The growth substances of the seeds of Cassia fistula were studied and the changes in the relative levels in the endosperm and embryo (plus cotyledons) with development of the seed were noted. Indoleacetic acid was found to be the major auxin component of the seed almost throughout its growth and development, while acidic inhibitors possibly belonging to β-complex were also noted in bioassay tests. The main source of the IAA in the seed is the endosperm, although measurable amounts are also present in the embryo. While this IAA activity in the endosperm is detectable till maturity of the fruit, it decreases relatively in the embryo to fall to insignificance at maturity of the seed. However, there is indication of the binding of such IAA in the embryo or the cotyledon, which can be released by alkaline hydrolysis but not before the seeds are matured. No such bound auxin could be detected in the endosperm. The inhibitors, on the other hand, are more prominent in the embryo than in the endosperm, particularly with ageing of the fruit. The possible significance of these changes in the growth factors has been discussed in relation to the age of the seed and the development of the embryo inside it.     

Mechanism and control of Genipa americana seed germination

Genipa americana (Rubiaceae) is important for restoration of riparian forest in the Brazilian Cerrado. The objective was to characterize the mechanism and control of germination of G. americana to support uniform seedling production. Morphology and morphometrics of seeds, embryo and endosperm were assessed by light and scanning electron microscopy during germination. Imbibition and germination curves were generated and over the same time interval endosperm digestion and resistance were measured by puncture force analysis and activity assay of endo-β-mannanase (EBM) in water and in abscisic acid (ABA). The gene encoding for EBM was partially cloned and its expression monitored by quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction. Embryos displayed growth prior to radicle protrusion. A two-phase increase in EBM activity coincided with the two stages of weakening of the micropylar endosperm. The second stage also coincided with growth of the embryo prior to radicle protrusion. Enzyme activity was initiated in the micropylar endosperm but spread to the lateral endosperm. ABA completely inhibited germination by inhibiting embryo growth, the second stage of weakening and expression of the EBM gene, but EBM activity was not significantly inhibited. This suggests that a specific isoform of the enzyme is involved in endosperm weakening. EBM may cause a general 'softening' of micropylar endosperm cell walls, allowing the embryo to puncture the endosperm as the driving force of the decrease in puncture force.