Seed germination of medicinal sage is affected by gibberellic acid,magnetic field and laser irradiation

Proper priming techniques are among the most important methods for increasing seed germination and seedling growth. Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of plant hormone (500 and 1000 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA)), magnetic field (3, 15, 30 mili Tesla (mT)) and laser irradiation at 650 nm (200 mW) on the germination and the growth of Salvia officinalis. We examined the plumule and radical length, plumule and radical fresh weight, plumule and radical dry weight, germination percentage, germination rate and seed vigor. The two concentrations of GA significantly increased seed germination and seedling growth. The magnetic field at 15 mT significantly increased radical length. The effect of laser irradiation was also significant on plumule length, and fresh and dry weight, radicle fresh weight, germination percentage and rate and seed vigor. Such results may be of practical use in the field, especially in arid and semiarid areas, but more research must determine the response of medicinal sage, treated with the priming techniques tested in our experiments, under stress conditions.     

Effect of soil type, salinity, and allelochemicals on germination and seedling growth of a medicinal plant Lepidium sativum L.

The present work was conducted to elucidate the effect of soil type, salinity stress and allelochemicals from alfalfa on the germination efficiency, seedling growth and photosynthetic pigments of Medicago sativa L. The highest germination rate (69.9%) was recorded for seeds cultivated in sandy soil followed by that of clay soil (42%) and then loamy soil (19%). The maximum germination rate was attained at 50 mM NaCl concentration level, after that the values were decreased as the salinity levels increased. The maximum lengths (cm) of plumule and radicle and their growth rates (cm/day) were obtained at control level and found to decline significantly as the salinity increased. Aqueous extracts of alfalfa reduced the germination rate, radicle and plumule growth and seedling dry weight of L. sativum. However, chlorophyll and carotenoid content was increased, their maxima were recorded at 50% concentration level. The chlorophyll a/b ratio attained its maximum at the full strength concentration level.     

羽枝青藓和瘤柄匐灯藓对入侵植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

入侵植物会通过化感作用等手段抑制本地种的生存繁衍,但本土植物尤其是地被层的藓类植物对入侵植物有何影响尚不清楚。本文以本土羽枝青藓和瘤柄匐灯藓为供体材料,以恶性入侵杂草稗草和野胡萝卜为受试材料,从藓丛结构特征和化感作用角度探究藓类植物对入侵植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明: 2种入侵植物种子落入藓丛后其发芽率、发芽势和发芽指数均受到显著抑制,抑制效果为藓丛上部>藓丛下部>无藓丛。稗草种子落入藓丛下部会显著影响其根长和根芽比。施加藓类浸提液均显著降低2种入侵植物的发芽率、发芽势及发芽指数,但呈现不同的浓度效应。施加浸提液在一定程度上增加了稗草幼苗芽长、根长和根芽比,但对野胡萝卜无明显的规律性影响。藓类植物对2种入侵植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感综合效应均表现为抑制作用,其中,野胡萝卜的敏感性大于稗草,且高浓度下更加明显。可见,藓类植物对入侵植物种子萌发和幼苗生长具有一定抑制作用。     

Kinetics and implications of seedling growth responses to 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid

The effects of soaking seed in 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA) for 24 or for 48 h on the cumulative 5-day seedling growth ofCucumis sativus L. (cucumber) andPisum sativum L. (peas) were studied. Each cucumber seed absorbed an average of 0.015 ml of CEPA solution, while pea seed absorbed 0.365 ml, over a 24 h period. In cucumber, 240 mg l^?1 CEPA concentration decreased radicle length by 23%, regardless of soaking duration. The same concentration increased radicle weight in a 24 h soaking duration, but decreased radicle weight when soaking was for 48 h. At 48 h, CEPA concentrations of 0.24 and 2.4 mg l^?1 increased plumule growth by 26%. In peas, the 240 mg l^?1 decreased the length and the weight of both the radicle and the plumule in a 48 h soaking duration, but had no significant effect at a 24 h soaking. At the low concentration of 0.24 mg l^?1, seedling growth was stimulated by over 30%. Cucumber was 3 times more efficient than peas in the utilization of CEPA for seedling growth, in terms of total fresh weight of seedling per microgram of CEPA absorbed: 1 127 and 274 mg μg^?1 CEPA in cucumber and peas respectively. Extrapolative calculation, using cucumber responses as standard, suggests from this seedling study that about 12 mg l^?1 CEPA is likely to stimulate growth and/or yield in sprayed pea plants.     

铬胁迫对‘协优赣2号’水稻种子萌发的影响

以水稻‘协优赣2号’种子为材料,探讨不同浓度铬对其萌发的影响。结果表明：低浓度Cr6+（≤10 mg/L）对该水稻种子萌发没有抑制作用;当Cr6+浓度≥50 mg/L时对其萌发有显著抑制作用。Cr6+对该水稻种子的发芽率影响很小,但一定程度上延迟了发芽;Cr6+对胚根生长抑制作用最大。     

汞胁迫对豌豆种子的毒害效应

研究了不同 Hg2 + 浓度溶液胁迫 ,对豌豆种子萌发、胚根细胞畸变及过氧化物酶 POD 同工酶的影响 .结果表明 ,Hg2 + 能诱发豌豆胚根细胞核和染色体畸变 ;Hg2 + 浓度较低时对豌豆的生长发育有一定的促进作用 ;POD的活性 ,随着 Hg2 + 浓度的升高而明显增强 ,但当浓度升高到 10 0 mg/L后 ,POD的活性则下降     

Toxicities of DDE on Wheat and Bioremediation of DDE by Fungus Pleurotus pulmonarius

An in vitro study was performed to determine the acute phytotoxicities and genotoxicity of DDE either spiked to soil or added to hydrophonic cultures on wheat Triticum aestivum. A 24-well plate was first used to determine toxicity on individual grains using conventional seed germination/seedling growth toxicity tests whereas a single cell electrophoresis system was applied to measure genotoxicity at single cell level for wheat. Hydrophonic cultures provide a simplified environment to screen for toxicities with high sensitivity. Inverse dose-response relationships were detected between exogenous DDE levels and one of the following parameters: seed germination, seedling growth, and genotoxicity. In contrast, soil reduced the stress on T. aestivum by lowering bioavailability leading to less DDE distributed in radicle and coleoptile, modulated growth, and enhanced tolerance. At all DDE doses spiked to soil including the reference safety level of 0.5 mg/kg, DNA breakage was detected in both radicle and coleoptile but their magnitudes did not correlate with the organ nor the soil DDE contents. Thus, although wheat is highly sensitive to the genotoxic effect of DDE, first demonstrated here, the seed germination test offers a simple quantitative measure of DDE's phytotoxicity in soil and hydrophonic cultures. This study also found that fungus Pleurotus pulmonarius, which secretes extracellular ligninolytic enzymes causing non-specific cleavage of lignin and organopollutants, remediated DDE spiked to soil. In 5 weeks, 78% of 10 mg/kg DDE was biodegraded, and the fungal-treated soil reduced acute toxicity on T. aestivum using the seed germination test.     

Nitric oxide accelerates seed germination in warm-season grasses

The nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) significantly promoted germination of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L. cv Kanlow) in the light and in the dark at 25°C, across a broad range of concentrations. SNP also promoted seed germination in two other warm-season grasses. A chemical scavenger of NO inhibited germination and blocked SNP stimulation of seed germination. The phenolic (+)-catechin acted synergistically with SNP and nitrite in promoting seed germination. Acidified nitrite, an alternate NO donor also significantly stimulated seed germination. Interestingly, sodium cyanide, potassium ferricyanide and potassium ferrocyanide at 200 μM strongly enhanced seed germination as well, whereas potassium chloride was without effect. Ferrocyanide and cyanide stimulation of seed germination was blocked by an NO scavenger. Incubation of seeds with a fluorescent NO-specific probe provided evidence for NO production in germinating switchgrass seeds. Abscisic acid (ABA) at 10 μM depressed germination, inhibited root elongation and essentially abolished coleoptile emergence. SNP partially overcame ABA effects on radicle emergence but did not overcome the effects of ABA on coleoptile elongation. Light microscopy indicated extension of the radicle and coleoptiles in seeds maintained on water or on SNP after 2 days. In contrast, there was minimal growth of the radicle and coleoptile in ABA-treated seeds even after 3–4 days. These data indicate that seed germination of warm-season grasses is significantly influenced by NO signaling pathways and document that NO could be an endogenous trigger for release from dormancy in these species.     

Seed vigour and water relations in wheat

The laboratory germination (criterion radicle emergence) of seven seed lots of winter wheat cv. Slejpner was similar. However, they differed in vigour as demonstrated by differences in germination after controlled deterioration carried out at a range of seed moisture contents, at two temperatures and for different times. A vigour assessment for each lot was quantified by calculating a value for the seed lot constant K_i, of the viability equation. Germination in lower water potentials reduced the uptake of water, radicle and coleoptile emergence and radicle and coleoptile extension. There was no difference in the water uptake of seed lots differing in vigour. However, seed lots of lower vigour showed less radicle emergence, less coleoptile emergence and shorter radicles than higher vigour seed lots in low water potentials. Similarly, controlled deterioration resulted in reduced radicle and coleoptile emergence and growth compared to unaged seed, and also to a greater sensitivity to low water potentials. The implications for field establishment are discussed.     

Thermal Hardening: A New Seed Vigor Enhancement Tool in Rice

In a laboratory study, indica and japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeds were exposed to thermal hardening (heating followed by chilling followed by heating; chilling followed by heating followed by chilling; heating followed by chilling or chilling followed by heating). In indica rice, heating followed by chilling followed by heating resulted in decreased mean germination time, time to start germination, electrical conductivity of seed leachates, and time to 50% germination, as well as increased germination index, energy of germination, radicle and plumule length, root length, root/shoot ratio, root fresh and dry weight, radicle and plumule growth rate, and shoot fresh weight. In japonica rice, chilling followed by heating followed by chilling performed better than all other treatments, including control.     

Thermal Hardening： A New Seed Vigor Enhancement Tool in Rice

In a laboratory study, indica and japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeds were exposed to thermal hardening (heating followed by chilling followed by heating; chilling followed by heating followed by chilling; heating followed by chilling or chilling followed by heating). In indica rice, heating followed by chilling followed by heating resulted in decreased mean germination time, time to start germination, electrical conductivity of seed leachates, and time to 50% germination, as well as increased germination index, energy of germination, radicle and plumule length, root length, root/shoot ratio, root fresh and dry weight, radicle and plumule growth rate, and shoot fresh weight. In japonica rice, chilling followed by heating followed by chilling performed better than all other treatments, including control.     

Sequential temperature control of multi-phasic dormancy release and germination of Paeonia corsica seeds

Aims The physiological responses during dormancy removal and multi-phasic germination were investigated in seeds of Paeonia corsica (Paeoniaceae).Methods Seeds of P. corsica were incubated in the light at a range of temperatures (10–25 and 25/10°C), without any pre-treatment, after W (3 months at 25°C), C (3 months at 5°C) and W + C (3 months at 25°C followed by 3 months at 5°C) stratification, and a GA 3 treatment (250 mg·l^-1 in the germination substrate). Embryo growth, time from testa to endosperm rupture and radicle emergence were assessed as separate phases. Epicotyl–plumule emergence was evaluated incubating the germinated seeds at 15°C for 2 weeks, at 5 and 25°C for 2 months on agar water before transplanting to the soil substrate at 10, 15 and 20°C and at 15°C for 2 months on the surface agar water with GA 3 .Important findings Embryo growth, testa rupture, endosperm rupture (radicle emergence) and growth of the epicotyl were identified as four sequential steps in seeds of P. corsica. Gibberellic acid alone and warm stratification followed by 15°C promoted embryo growth and subsequent seed germination. Cold stratification induced secondary dormancy, even when applied after warm stratification. After radicle emergence, epicotyl–plumule emergence was delayed for ca. 3 months. Mean time of epicotyl–plumule emergence was positively affected by cold stratification (2 months at 5°C) and GA 3. P. corsica seeds exhibited differential temperature sensitivity for the four sequential steps in the removal of dormancy and germination processes that resulted in the precise and optimal timing of seedling emergence.     

GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH IN ECHINOCHLOA CRUS-GALLI VAR. ORYZICOLA UNDER ANOXIC CONDITIONS: STRUCTURAL ASPECTS

The morphological and cellular basis of anoxic germination in Echinochloa crus-galli var. oryzicola is reported. The embryo of E. crus-galli var. oryzicola is typically panicoid in its overall morphology, and is relatively large with a prominent coleoptile and mesocotyl. The response to anoxia is essentially the same in light and dark. Shoot growth occurs in both mesocotyl and coleoptile by cell elongation with no cell division. There is no emergence of the radicle without oxygen. Under anoxia the growth response is not the same as etiolation; there is no plumule elongation within the coleoptile, no protochlorophyll(ide) is found, and limited mesocotyl elongation occurs without oxygen. Air-dark treatment after anoxic germination results in a typical etiolated morphological response, including a resumption of mesocotyl growth, elongation of the plumule within the coleoptile, and initiation of pigment synthesis. These results indicate the effects of anoxia are not permanent but rather limiting and reversible.     

Effect of aflatoxin B1 on germination index and seedling growth in wheat varieties

The effect of different concentrations of aflatoxin B₁ (100, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 µg/l) was studied on germination index and seedling growth in three varieties of wheat seeds. Inhibition in the above process was directly influenced by the concentration of toxin. Concentration of toxin had highly significant effect (p<0.001) for seed germination rate and radicle and plumule development. Inhibition dose for 50% reduction in germination rate (ID₅₀) determined by probit analysis was maximum for the variety HP-129 (895 µg/l).     

Somatic embryogenesis of maize hybrids: histological analysis

The immature zygotic embryos of reciprocal maize hybrids (CHI-31 x GF1 and CHI-31 × GE2) were used as the initial material for induction of somatic embryogenesis in vitro. Histological analysis of somatic embryogenesis revealed high developmental variability. The arising formations were classified into 5 groups: A) somatic embryos phenotypically similar to zygotic embryos, B) polyembryos, C) formations with radicle but without meristematic plumule, D) formations with radicle without differentiated plumule, and E) formations with plumule without radicle. The formatioms A and B regenerated directly into plants. Plant regeneration from formations E required preculture on the rooting medium. Formations C and D failed to develope into plants possibly because of early loss of meristematic cell character during the embryo axis differentiation. The reverse sequence of radicle and plumule differentiation in somatic embryos in comparison with zygotic ones was noted. The epigenetic character of the scutellum, coleoptile, coleorhiza and leaves primordia development was discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Toxicological aspects of pendimethalin induced activities of certain oxidising and hydrolytic enzymes in the germinating seedlings of maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize (Zea mays L.) variety NAC-6002 grains were exposed to a range of field relevant concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ppm) of formulated grade of pendimethalin. The seedlings were maintained in Hogaland and Arnon's nutrient media for up to 15 days to study the toxicity of pendimethalin on germination and activities of certain oxidizing and hydrolytic enzymes using embryonic axis and endosperms of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 15-day-old germinating maize seedlings. The percent germination, length of radicle and plumule decreased significantly with increasing pendimethalin concentrations. The α-amylase activity in the treated seedlings decreased with increasing concentration of pendimethalin in both endosperm and embryonic axis of maize seedling, when compared with control in all the days of observations. The catalase, peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase activity was high in both cotyledons and embryonic axis of treated sets at all time intervals of seedling during early growth over the period of 15 day when compared to control. However, catalase and peroxidase activity was decreased and polyphenoloxidase activity was higher in treated seedlings at higher pendimethalin concentrations. The present study therefore indicates that herbicidical stress brings constraints in the physiological events of seed germination and enzyme activity.     

亚精胺浸种对渗透胁迫下白三叶子萌发及淀粉代谢的影响

以‘拉丁诺’白三叶为材料,用0、10％、15％、20％（W/V）即的聚乙二醇（PEG-6000）溶液模拟干旱条件,研究亚精胺fSpd）浸种对渗透胁迫下白三叶种子萌发和淀粉代谢的影响。结果表明,在PEG渗透胁迫下,白三叶种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、胚芽及胚根鲜重和胚根长度均显著（P〈0．05）降低,淀粉水解为糖类的速率减慢;与蒸馏水浸种相比,0．05mmol．L-1 Spd浸种处理显著（P〈0．05）提高了在渗透胁迫条件下种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、胚芽及胚根鲜重、干重和胚根长度,同时大幅提高了α-淀粉酶、β-淀粉酶及（α＋β）．淀粉酶总活性,降低了淀粉含量,增加了还原糖和葡萄糖含量。说明Spd浸种提高了白三叶种子在渗透胁迫下的萌发能力和幼苗生长的环境适应性,这可能与增强种子体内淀粉酶活性,加速淀粉水解为还原糖和葡萄糖,为种子萌发和幼苗早期生长及时提供充足能量有关。     

饭包草种子萌发过程中养分运输和 消耗的细胞学过程初探

对饭包草大粒种子萌发过程中胚结构变化、养分运输和肖耗的细胞学过程进行了观察.结果显示:种子萌发时萌发孔盖张开,胚根、胚芽、胚轴、子叶鞘和子叶柄突破种皮生长,子叶片呈球状留在胚乳内吸收营养;透射电镜观察显示胚乳养分运输主要通过传递细胞运输、穿壁运输、胞间通道运输三种方式;细胞内养分消耗过程是细胞程序性死亡的过程,多膜小体...     

Pathogenicity variation in Fusarium verticillioides populations isolated from maize in northern Italy

One hundred and eighty one strains were selected among Fusarium verticillioides populations isolated from maize samples collected in three fields located in northern Italy. All the isolates were tested for their pathogenicity on maize seeds by assessing the seed germination percentages and the percentage infection indexes concerning seed colonization, radicle decay and coleoptile rot. Fusarium verticillioides strains did not affect seed germination even in presence of high seed colonization, but showed a variable pathogenic behavior according to the maize growth stages. Seedborne F. verticillioides population as well as strains isolated at maturity was effective in seed colonization and in inducing coleoptile rot, not causing however serious radicle decay. Only populations isolated at seedling and pre-silking stages showed high radicle decay ability. These results provide baseline information on F. verticillioides pathogenicity. They constitute an important input for further investigation of F. verticillioides biology in order to define its evolutionary potential.     

Concentration and localization of zinc during seed development and germination in wheat

In a field experiment, the effect of foliar Zn applications on the concentration of Zn in seeds of a bread wheat cultivar ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Balatilla) was studied during different stages of seed development. In addition, a staining method using dithizone (DTZ: diphenyl thiocarbazone) was applied to (1) study the localization of Zn in seeds, (2) follow the remobilization of Zn during germination, and (3) develop a rapid visual Zn screening method for seed and flour samples. In all seed development stages, foliar Zn treatments were effective in increasing seed Zn concentration. The highest Zn concentration in the seeds was found in the first stage of seed development (around the early milk stage); after this, seed Zn concentration gradually decreased until maturity. When reacting with Zn, DTZ forms a redcolored complex. The DTZ staining of seed samples revealed that Zn is predominantly located in the embryo and aleurone parts of the seeds. After 36 h of germination, the coleoptile and roots that emerged from seeds showed very intensive red color formation and had Zn concentrations up to 200 mg kg⁻¹, indicating a substantial remobilization of Zn from seed pools into the developing roots (radicle) and coleoptile. The DTZ staining method seems to be useful in ranking flour samples for their Zn concentrations. There was a close relationship between the seed Zn concentrations and spectral absorbance of the methanol extracts of the flour samples stained with DTZ. The results suggest that (1) accumulation of Zn in seeds is particularly high during early seed development, (2) Zn is concentrated in the embryo and aleurone parts, and (3) the DTZ staining method can be used as a rapid, semiquantitative method to estimate Zn concentrations of flour and seed samples and to screen genotypes for their Zn concentrations in seeds.