The Effects of Priming and Ageing on Seed Vigour in Tomato

A comparison was made of the effects of seed priming or ageingtreatments on the performance of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumMill. cv. UC204C) seeds according to a number of indices ofseed vigour. A single lot of tomato seeds was primed in 120mol m^–3 K2HPO4 + 150 mol m^–3 KNO₃ for 5 d at 20?C, or aged at 13% moisture content (dry weight basis) and 50?C for 6 d. Germination percentage (>98%) was unaffectedby priming and reduced to 85% by ageing. X-ray photographs andlongitudinal sections revealed the formation of free space surroundingthe embryo in dry primed seeds, which was not evident in controlor aged seeds. Priming increased the rate of germination atall temperatures above the base temperature (T_b), while ageingdecreased it. T_b was unaffected by priming and only slightlyincreased by ageing. The variation in individual times to germinationwas approximately doubled in both primed and aged seed comparedto the control, based upon the slopes of probit germinationpercentage versus log thermal time curves. Root growth aftergermination tests and seedling growth in both greenhouse andfield tests were not influenced by either priming or ageing.The conductivity test was found to be unreliable as a vigourtest for tomato seeds. The results identify several indiceswhich can be used to quantify seed vigour in tomato. They alsoillustrate that seed priming can enhance seed performance accordingto some criteria, while having no effect or decreasing qualityaccording to other criteria. Seed vigour can apparently be separatedinto various components which can be independently influencedby seed enhancement treatments. Key words: Tomato, seed germination rate, seed priming, seed vigour     

Germination and Food Reserves in Bambarra Groundnut Seeds (Voandzeia subterranea Thouars) after Different Periods of Storage

Studies were made on bambarranut seeds (Voandzeia subterraneaThouars) after 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of storage in gunnybags under laboratory conditions (25–35 °C). Seeddeterioration during storage was indicated by delayed germination,reduced germinability, reduced growth of seedlings and increasednumber of stunted seedlings culminating in a total failure ofgermination after two years. Slight depletion of food reserves occurred during seed storage.The loss in fat was higher than starch or protein. Total solublesugars decreased while the content of total fatty acids andamino acids and soluble protein increased. Total nitrogen (N)remained unaffected while soluble-N and amino-N increased. Allthese components showed a rapid change (increase or decrease)from 12 months to 18 months of storage which was associatedwith commencement of rapid decline in germinability of the seedsand growth of the seedlings. Initial rapid imbibition of water was observed in viable aswell as non-viable seeds, though at a higher rate in the latterand followed by a lag period in both. At the end of 24 h ofimbibition, water content in non-viable seeds was less thanthat in viable ones. Key words: Voandzeia subterranea, Seed germination, Seed storage     

AAP1 regulates import of amino acids into developing Arabidopsis embryos

The embryo of Arabidopsis seeds is symplasmically isolated from the surrounding seed coat and endosperm, and uptake of nutrients from the seed apoplast is required for embryo growth and storage reserve accumulation. With the aim of understanding the importance of nitrogen (N) uptake into developing embryos, we analysed two mutants of AAP1 (At1g58360), an amino acid transporter that was localized to Arabidopsis embryos. In mature and desiccated aap1 seeds the total N and carbon content was reduced while the total free amino acid levels were strongly increased. Separately analysed embryos and seed coats/endosperm of mature seeds showed that the elevated amounts in amino acids were caused by an accumulation in the seed coat/endosperm, demonstrating that a decrease in uptake of amino acids by the aap1 embryo affects the N pool in the seed coat/endosperm. Also, the number of protein bodies was increased in the aap1 endosperm, suggesting that the accumulation of free amino acids triggered protein synthesis. Analysis of seed storage compounds revealed that the total fatty acid content was unchanged in aap1 seeds, but storage protein levels were decreased. Expression analysis of genes of seed N transport, metabolism and storage was in agreement with the biochemical data. In addition, seed weight, as well as total silique and seed number, was reduced in the mutants. Together, these results demonstrate that seed protein synthesis and seed weight is dependent on N availability and that AAP1-mediated uptake of amino acids by the embryo is important for storage protein synthesis and seed yield.     

Endosperm protein of wheat seed as a determinant of seedling growth

Seed of a Mexican semidwarf wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Inia 66), was obtained from a nitrogen fertilizer field trial grown in Mexico. A high positive correlation was obtained between seed protein content and seedling dry weight after 3 weeks growth (r = +0.92^**). The seedling dry weight was positively related to the protein content of the aleurone layer and endosperm, but not to the embryo. Small, 35 milligrams, high protein seeds (4.7 milligrams protein per seed) produced larger seedlings than large, 45 milligrams, low protein seeds (4.3 milligram protein per seed). There was no difference in the weight or protein content of embryos from low and high protein seeds and their growth was similar. Composite seeds of the two protein levels were produced by transferring embryos from one endosperm type to the other. After 4 weeks, there was no difference between the different embryo types grown on the same endosperm type. High protein endosperm produced more vigorous seedlings regardless of the embryo type grown on it, indicating that the factor(s) responsible for the greater growth of high protein seed is in the endosperm.     

Carbon and Nitrogen Assimilation by Vicia faba L. at Low Temperature: the Importance of Concentration and Form of Applied-N

Low temperature (6 C) growth was examined in two cultivarsof Vicia faba L. supplied with 4 and 20 mol m^–3 N as nitrateor urea. Both cultivars showed similar growth responses to increasedapplied-N concentration regardless of N-form. Total leaf areaincreased, as did root, stem and leaf dry weight, total carboncontent and total nitrogen content. In contrast to findingsat higher growth temperatures, 20 mol m^–3 urea-N gavesubstantially greater growth (all parameters measured) than20 mol m^–3 nitrate-N. The increased carbon content per plant associated with increasedapplied nitrate or urea concentration, or with urea in comparisonto nitrate, was due to a greater leaf area per plant for CO₂uptake and not an increased CO₂, uptake per unit area, carbon,chlorophyll or dry weight, all of which either remained constantor decreased. Nitrate reductase activity was substantial inplants given nitrate but negligible in plants given urea. Neitherfree nitrate nor free urea contributed greatly to nitrogen levelsin plant tissues. It is concluded that there is no evidence for a restrictionin nitrate reduction at 6 C, and it is likely that urea givesgreater growth than nitrate because of greater rates of uptake. Vicia faba, broad bean, low temperature growth, carbon assimilation, nitrogen assimilation     

Grain Yield of Pennisetum americanum Adjusts to Nitrogen Supply by Changing Rates of Grain Filling and Root Uptake of Nitrogen

Coaldrake, P. D., Pearson, C. J. and Saffigna, P. G. 1987. Grainyield of Pennisetum americanum adjusts to nitrogen supply bychanging rates of grain filling and root uptake of nitrogen.–J.exp. Bot 38: 558–566. Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum(L.)Leeke) was grown in containers at three constant rates of nitrogensupply or with the nitrogen supply increased from the lowestto the highest rate during panicle differentiation or at anthesis.We measured the rate and duration of nitrogen and dry weightgain by individual grains and nitrogen (¹⁵N) uptake by rootsand its distribution during grain filling. The total amountsof nitrogen and dry weight in all grain per plant at the lowestnitrogen supply were 8% and 14% respectively of plants growncontinuously at the highest rate of nitrogen. This was becauselow rates of nitrogen supply reduced grain number, mean grainweight and the nitrogen content of each individual grain. Theamino acid composition of the grain protein was affected onlyslightly by nitrogen treatments. Rates of grain growth were sensitive to nitrogen supply whereasthe duration of nitrogen movement to the grain was not. Nitrogenuptake by roots continued throughout grain filling; rates ofuptake per g root in plants given least nitrogen were one-halfthose of plants given the highest amount of nitrogen. A changefrom lowest to highest nitrogen supply at panicle differentiationincreased the uptake of nitrogen by roots and the rates of growthof individual grains, to the rates observed in plants whichhad been supplied continuously with the highest nitrogen. Whenthe change in supply was made at anthesis there was rapid movementof nitrogen into the plant but this was not translated intomore rapid grain growth. Key words: Nitrogen supply, Pennisetum americanum, grain yield, root uptake     

Effects of Nutrient Supply on Pre-emergence Growth and Nutrient Absorption in Wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) and Sugarbeet (Beta vulgarisL.)

Nutrient absorption in wheat and sugarbeet was studied duringpre-emergence growth by adding 0, 7, 10.5 or 14 mol m^-3nitrogen(N) to the growth medium. Seedling growth and carbon, N and¹⁵Ncontents of the seedling parts were measured. Differences betweenthe natural abundance of¹⁵N in seeds and in nutrient solutionwere used to determine the proportion of N in the organs originatingfrom seed reserves and from absorption. Absorption began laterfor wheat than for sugarbeet and had less effect on seedlinggrowth. The absorbed N was found mainly in roots. Compared towheat, sugarbeet seedling N content was greatly altered andthe hypocotyl showed increased elongation when nutrients wereadded. Most of the absorbed N was found in the radicle and hypocotylwith less in the cotyledons. Sugarbeet seedling emergence andearly growth could be decreased by adverse conditions occurringafter sowing by affecting mineral availability in the soil orthrough altered root absorption.Copyright 1998 Annals of BotanyCompany Triticum aestivumL., wheat,Beta vulgarisL., emergence, natural isotopic composition, seedling, seed reserves     

The Developing Endosperm of Wheat -- A Stereological Analysis

A stereological analysis of light and electron micrographs ofwheat endosperm during grain formation and development providesinformation on a range of parameters of cell structure. Thecell volume increases approximately ten-fold; mitochondrialnumber per cell increases but the individual mitochondrial volumedecreases, the overall volume fraction of the cell occupiedby mitochondria remaining fairly constant. Amyloplast divisionstops before cell division, resulting in the distribution ofpreviously-formed plastids; there are differences in starchgranule growth rate in different cell layers of the endosperm.The rough endoplasmic reticulum increases four-fold in areaper cell and its surface-to-volume ratio increases just priorto protein deposition. Triticum aestivum, L., wheat, endosperm, seed development, starch, stereology     

Urease Is Not Essential for Ureide Degradation in Soybean

The hypothesis that soybean (Glycine max L. [Merrill]) catabolizes ureides to urea to a physiologically significant extent was tested and rejected. Urease-negative (eu3-e1/eu3-e1) plants were supported by fixed N2 or by 2 mM NH4NO3, so that xylem-borne nitrogen contained predominantly ureides (allantoin and allantoic acid) or amide amino acids, respectively. Seed nitrogen yield was equal on either nitrogen regime, although 35-d-old fixing plants accumulated about 6 times more leaf urea. In callus, lack of an active urease reduced growth on either arginine or allantoin as the sole nitrogen source, but the reduction was greater on arginine (73%) than on allantoin (39%). Furthermore, urease-negative cells accumulated 17 times more urea than urease-positive cells on arginine; for allantoin the ratio was 1.8. Urease-negative callus accumulated urea at 3% the rate of seedlings. To test whether urea accumulating in urease-negative seedlings was derived from ureides, seeds were first allowed to imbibe in 1 mM allopurinol, an inhibitor of ureide formation. Seedling ureides were decreased by 90%, but urea levels were unchanged. Thus, ureides are poor precursors of urea, which was confirmed in seedlings that converted no more than 5% of seed-absorbed [14C-ureido]allantoate to [14C]urea, whereas 40 to 70% of [14C-guanido]arginine was recovered as [14C]urea.     

PVA和PEG(6000)预处理对大豆胚轴生长、蛋白质合成和ATP含量的影响

在低温吸胀阶段,经PVA(聚乙烯醇)和PEG(聚乙二醇6000)预处理的大豆胚轴蛋白质合成和ATP含量均比对照高。在萌发阶段,胚轴生长增快,蛋白质合成明显加快,ATP迅速被消耗,而对照胚轴则相反。试验结果表明,预处理大豆种子萌发和生长与其蛋白质合成、ATP水平和消耗能力有密切关系。     

An Extracellular Insoluble Protein in Cultures and Seeds of Carrot

An 18-kDa extracellular insoluble protein (EIP18) was foundin the culture medium of calli and in seeds of carrot (Daucuscarota L.). EIP18 was found in amorphous particles suspendedin the culture medium of callus and was not solubilized by treatmentof these particles with EDTA, with Triton X-100 plus NaCl orwith LiCl, but it was partially solubilized by treatment withNaSCN and was entirely solubilized by treatment with urea. EIP18seems not to belong to any known family of cell wall proteinsbecause of the complete absence of glycan moieties and its lowlevels of hydroxyproline, proline and glycine. The protein inthe medium seemed to have become insoluble as a result of formationof a homopolymer. In the plant, the protein was found only inthe seed, being located both in the embryo and at the inneredge of the endosperm that faced the interspace between theembryo and the endosperm. EIP18 might be an extracellular matrixprotein specific to seeds. (Received August 19, 1994; Accepted December 20, 1994)     

Deoxyribonucleic Acid, Ribonucleic Acid, Protein and Uncombined Amino Acid Content of Legume Seeds During Embryogeny

The nucleic acid, protein and uncombined amino acid contentof seeds of soya-bean (Glycine max L. Merr.), garden pea (Pisumsativum L.), kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.) were measured at various times duringseed formation in an effort to understand why the soya-beanhas nearly twice as much protein as the other legume seeds.In all these species the concentration of deoxyribonucleic acid,ribonucleic acid and uncombined amino acids decreased duringseed formation. The protein level of kidney bean was relativelyconstant during development whereas the protein levels of pea,peanut and soya-bean increased during development. The proteincontent of the soya-bean increased throughout development whereasthe protein increase in peanut took place early and that inpea took place later in development. The ratio of protein toribonucleic acid was highest in peanut, less in soya-bean, andlowest in pea and kidney bean. Similarly, the ratio of proteinto deoxyribonucleic acid was higher in kidney bean than in soya-bean.Soya-beans had a lower amino acid content than any of the otherseeds at all stages of development. These results indicate thatneither total deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid nor uncombinedamino acid content is responsible for the higher protein contentof soya-beans.     

Influence of Irradiated Pollen on Embryo and Endosperm Development in Kiwifruit

Development of seeds following pollination with irradiated pollenwas studied inActinidia deliciosa(kiwifruit) ‘Hayward’.Pollinations were carried out using two different sources ofpollen (‘Tomuri’ and ‘Matua’) irradiatedwith gamma rays at doses of 700 and 900 Gy. Non-irradiated crosseswere used as controls. Pollen irradiation had little effectonin vitropollen germination. Irradiated pollen affected seedset and seed content, and induced the formation of parthenogeneticembryos. In comparison to the control, the embryo growth ratewas slower and the endosperm contained very low amounts of storageproducts. Seed set was significantly reduced following bothdoses of irradiation. Two types of seeds were observed: (1)seeds with endosperm only; and (2) seeds with both embryo andendosperm. The proportion of seeds containing endosperm onlywas almost ten-fold higher than those containing both embryoand endosperm. Embryo production by gamma-irradiated pollenwas genotype- and dose-dependent. The induction of parthenogenesiswas higher following gamma ray doses of 900 Gy than 700 Gy,which suggests the ‘Hertwig Effect’; the best efficiencywas obtained with ‘Tomuri’ pollen. Ploidy levelof parthenogenetic embryos was evaluated by nuclear size (area)with the use of image analysis. There was a large differencein embryo nuclei size between control and parthenogenetic embryos(mean size 90.8 and 49.1 µm², respectively). It is concludedthat parthenogenetic embryos represent trihaploids.Copyright1998 Annals of Botany Company. Actinidia deliciosa, kiwifruit, pollen irradiation, induced parthenogenesis.     

Seed Selection for Potential Viability

A simple method is presented for selecting individual seedsfor growth and vigour prior to germination. The selection isbased on the measurement of an electric current originatingduring the initial stage of seed imbibition. After selecting,seeds may be returned to the quiescent state without affectingviability. Results of both laboratory germination and fieldexperiments demonstrate that high germination rates, more extensivegrowth, higher yields, and fewer defective plants are associatedwith small currents. Seeds of low viability and high currentsmay be removed to upgrade the germination and vigour. Resultsare presented from several varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris andfrom three other plant species. Experiments are discussed whichindicate that seeds graded by current levels possess markedlydifferent respiration rates.     

The Role of Anaerobic Respiration in Germinating Muskmelon Seeds: I. IN RELATION TO SEED LOT QUALITY

Five muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivar seedlots from a commercialsource and freshly produced seeds of two cultivars, when artificiallyaged, were found to differ in their viability and vigour asdetermined by germination tests. Furthermore, the various commercialseedlots without ageing also exhibit a range of deteriorationlevels. Low vigour seeds had higher respiratory quotient valuesthan the high vigour seeds as a result of a higher level ofCO₂ production. This high level of CO₂ evolution in low vigourseeds may have been due to anaerobic respiration. Levels of acetaldehyde and ethanol produced by imbibing seedswere negatively associated with seed viability and vigour. After6 h of imbibition low vigour seeds produced significantly moreethanol and acetaldehyde than high vigour seeds. After 24 hof imbibition, ethanol continued to accumulate in the commercialseedlots up to 10-fold the amount produced after 6 h of imbibition,whereas, acetaldehyde levels increased less. However, in thefreshly produced, artificially aged seeds (except the most extremeageing), ethanol levels were reduced and no acetaldehyde productioncould be detected, indicating re-utilization of ethanol. It is suggested that ethanol production in the first hours ofimbibition can be used as a reliable index to predict germinationin muskmelon seedlots. Key words: Germination, Cucumis melo L., Seeds, Anaerobic respiration     

Mobilization of Seedpiece Nitrogen During Plant Growth from Aged Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Seed-tubers

A study was conducted to characterize patterns of mobilizationand translocation of seedpiece nitrogen (N) from single-eyeseedcores cut from 5 and 17-month-old potato seed-tubers. Differencesin mobilization efficiency were related to age-induced, morphologicaldifferences in plant development. Seedcores from older seed-tuberssprouted earlier and produced an average of 6.6 shoots per eyecompared to a single shoot from younger seed-tubers. Shoot vigour(d. wt per shoot) from 17-month-old was four-fold lower thanthat from 5-month-old seed-tubers following 25 d of growth.However, total shoot dry matter from older seedcores was two-foldgreater than that from younger seedcores. Differences in vigourper shoot were not explained entirely by differences in shootnumber. Rates and absolute amounts of free amino, soluble protein andtotal-N mobilized from 17-month-old seedcores were greater thanfrom younger seedcores. However, a higher degree of intersproutcompetition from older seedcores translated into a lower amountof mobilized N available to support growth of individual shoots.Furthermore, before seedcore N became limiting, concentrationof foliar N (mg g d. wt^–1) from older seedcores was lowercompared to that from younger seedcores, indicating a lowersink strength for N per unit increase in dry weight of the multipleshoots. Seedpiece N did not appear to limit shoot growth fromyounger seedcores. Age-induced loss of vigour on an individualshoot basis may thus be related to decreased sink strength andincreased competition among multiple shoots for seedcore N. Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), seed-tuber age, nitrogen mobilization, plant growth potential     

Effect of arginine and urea on polyamines content and growth of bean under salinity stress

Prior to sowing, seeds of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were treated with 4 mM arginine or 0.1% urea, as nitrogen source. The seeds were then subjected to salinity stress. Arginine and urea treatments stimulated germination of both unstressed and salinity-stressed seeds. It was interesting to observe that the increased germination percentage in response to arginine and urea treatments was associated with increased content of polyamines, particularly putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm). Growth of the seedlings was also improved by application of arginine and urea, which was also associated with increased content of the polyamines Spd and Spm, while the Put content decreased. Total soluble sugars were much accumulated in response to arginine and urea treatments under salinity stress for cellular osmoregulation. The ratio of K⁺/Na⁺ increased in the leaves by application of arginine and urea, indicating a more alleviation to the adverse effects of salinity stress. Changes in proteinogenic amino acids were also investigated.     

Changes in Seed Constituents During Germination and Seedling Growth of Precociously Matured Soybean Seeds(Glycine max)

During 7 d of precocious maturation of soybean seed (Glycinemax), the starch content declined and soluble sugar levels increasedin patterns similar to natural seed dehydration and maturation.Total seed protein content and total seed dry weight increasedwhereas oil content remained relatively unchanged. Overall,the proportions of the constituents in precociously maturedseeds were comparable to naturally mature seeds. Precociouslymatured soybean seeds showed much the same germination and seedlinggrowth frequency patterns as naturally matured seeds. Duringgermination and seedling growth of precociously matured seeds,starch, soluble sugar, protein and oil levels followed patternssimilar to naturally mature, germinating seeds and seedlings.Therefore, precocious maturation may be used as a model systemto investigate the control of the physiological and biochemicalevents occurring during seed maturation which lead to germinationand subsequently, seedling growth. Glycine max (L.) Merr., soybean, cotyledons, maturation, germination/seedling growth     

Changes in Trifolium arvense Seed Quality Following Alternating Temperature Treatment using Liquid Nitrogen

The effects of alternating temperatures, using liquid nitrogen(–196°C) as the low temperature phase, on Trifolium arvense L.seed quality was investigated. Treatment reduced hardseedednesswith the seeds exhibiting a linear increase in the probit ofgermination with the logarithm of the number of alternatingtemperature cycles. Germination levels equal to ‘chipped’controls were achieved after four cycles or more, dependingon the initial depth of hardseededness, and the response wasunaffected by either the rate of cooling or the rate of warming. Imbibition time was reduced with increasing alternating temperaturecycles. Resealing experiments identified the main area of wateruptake as the lens, and SEM showed that deepening of alreadypresent cracks may be important in removing hardseededness.Pre-treatment of seeds with alternating temperatures predisposesthe seeds to subsequent damage by sulphuric acid treatment,but not by impaction. Stress effects were not restricted to the seed coat surfaceas between 10 and 20 % of seeds treated for 3–15 cyclesdeveloped into abnormal seedlings with detached cotyledons.Seed vigour is also reduced as treatment leads to contractionof the temperature response curve for germination. The resultshave implications for the cryopreservation of papilionoid legumeseeds as a means of genetic conservation. Trifolium arvense, Hare's foot, hardseededness, quantal response, cryopreservation, liquid nitrogen     

Proteolytic activity and nitrogen transfer in maize seeds during imbibition

Ethanol-soluble and insoluble nitrogen and protease activity in maize seeds during imbibition period of 6 to 60 h at 30 ± 2 °C were determined both in light and in the dark. In light, soluble and insoluble nitrogen in the embryo were similar to that in the dark. But the increase in soluble nitrogen in the endosperm up to 38 h was higher in light than in the dark. Decrease in insoluble nitrogen was correlated with increase in soluble nitrogen, the level always being higher in the dark. Light increased protease activity also in the endosperm. Among various light qualities, red light was most effective in inducing proteolysis, and loss of nitrogen from the endosperm. Further, the growth and organic nitrogen of primary leaves from seedlings raised from light pretreated seeds were better than those from dark pretreated ones.