Effects of osmotic priming and ageing on the germination and emergence of carrot and leek seed

Carrot and leek seed was osmotically primed in polyethylene glycol solution (273 g/kg water and 342 g/kg water respectively) for 10, 14 or 17 days before accelerated ageing for 0, 24, 48, 72 or 96 h. Priming reduced the germination time compared with non-primed seed. Accelerated ageing increased germination and emergence times and decreased percentage germination and emergence to a greater extent for the primed seeds than for non-primed seeds in both species. Primed and dried but non-aged seed from both species was stored at 10°C for 12 months. There was no loss of viability and improvements in germination time due to priming were maintained throughout the storage period for all the priming treatments in leek, and for the 10 and 14 day priming treatments in carrot. Carrot seed primed for 17 days lost some viability after 12 months storage compared with non-stored seed.     

Interactions between seed priming treatments and nine seed lots of carrot, celery and onion. I. Laboratory germination

Samples of three seed lots of each of three cultivars of carrot, celery and onion were primed in polyethylene glycol solution for 2 weeks at 15 °C. Priming reduced the mean germination times (recorded at 15 °C) of all seed lots (compared to the untreated control) by 3–4 days in carrot, 6–10 days in celery and 3–5 days in onion. The largest reductions in mean germination time occurred in the slowest-germinating seed lots. There were highly significant interactions between priming and cultivars, and between priming and seed lots within cultivars for each species. Drying back the primed seeds at 15 °C increased the mean germination times (compared to primed seed which had not been dried) by 0·6 day in carrot and 1·4 days in celery, and there was no interaction with cultivars or seed lots. The corresponding increase for onion was either 1·0 or 1·8 days, according to the cultivar, but this variation was largely attributable to differences in time taken for the dried seeds to re-imbibe. Seeds dried back at 30 °C germinated 0·2·0·7 day (depending on the species) later than those dried at 15 °C. Percentage germination was not affected by either priming or drying back. Priming reduced the spread of germination times in all cultivars. For primed and dried-back seed, the spread of germination times was larger than that of primed seed in certain cultivars, but was always smaller than that of untreated seeds.     

Interactions between seed priming treatments and nine seed lots of carrot, celery and onion. II. Seedling emergence and plant growth

Samples of three seed lots of each of three cultivars of carrot, celery and onion were primed in polyethylene glycol solution for two weeks at 15 °C. Seedling emergence was recorded in the field for carrot and onion and in the glasshouse for celery. Compared to the untreated control, priming increased the percentage seedling emergence in certain poorly-emerging seed lots of carrot and celery, but had no effect on onion. Mean emergence times were reduced by priming in all seed lots, by 3–5, 5–8 and 3–9 days in carrot, celery and onion respectively. The largest effects occurred in the slowest-emerging seed lots. There were significant interactions between priming and seed lots within cultivars in carrot and celery and between priming and cultivars in celery and onion. Priming generally reduced the spread of emergence times, but the effects were not statistically significant in carrot. Drying back the primed seeds had no effect on percentage emergence in onion, but reduced it (compared to primed seed which had not been dried-back) in certain carrot and celery seed lots. Primed and dried-back seeds emerged later than primed seeds, by up to 1·5, 2·6 and 2·6 days in carrot, celery and onion respectively. The spread of emergence times was generally larger for primed and dried-back seeds than for primed seeds, but the differences were not always statistically significant. Plant fresh weights were recorded 9, 7 and 12 wk after sowing for carrot, celery and onion, respectively. In each species, mean plant weight was inversely related to seedling emergence time; thus plants grown from primed seed were always heavier than the controls, by up to 33%, 182% and 47% in carrot, celery and onion respectively.     

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.     

Effects of root restriction and growth regulator treatments on the growth of carrot (Daucus carota L.) seedlings

The growth of carrot (Daucus carota L.) seedlings in clear polystyrene vials (7.5 × 2.5 cm diameter) which were either perforated or unperforated and suspended in a large container containing nutrient solution was compared with that of similar seedlings grown directly in the main container. After 28 days plants grown in the perforated, aerated vials had smaller shoots, tap roots (c 20 percent reduction) and fibrous roots (c 60 percent reduction) than unrestricted plants. In the absence of adequate aeration, the effects of root restriction were greater. Foliar applications of ethephon to the leaves of unrestricted plants reduced shoot weights but had little effect on either tap root or fibrous root weights, or even increased tap root weight at lower concentrations. Silver thiosulphate, aminovinylglycine and a highly mobile cytokinin (SD8339) all slightly enhanced shoot growth of restricted plants but had no effect on either tap roots or fibrous root development. It is suggested that although root restriction effects may be partly mediated by endogenous hormones, it seems unlikely that such effects are due solely to stimulation of ethylene production or a reduction in endogenous cytokinin levels.Abbreviations AVG Aminovinylglycine - BA N⁶-Benzyladenine - Ethephon 2-Chloroethylphosphonic Acid - SD8339 6-Benzylamino-9-(Tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-Adenine - STS Silver Thiosulphate     

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.     

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.     

氧化铈纳米颗粒种子引发对盐胁迫下辣椒种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

氧化铈纳米颗粒(CeO₂NP_S),因具有较强的自由基清除能力和抗氧化酶特性,已被证明可提高植物的耐盐性,但其对辣椒种子引发作用和机制尚不明确。为揭示CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理辣椒对盐胁迫下的萌发及幼苗生长的影响,以辣椒品种(Capsicum annuum)茂蔬360为试验材料,设置了7个CeO₂NP_S浓度(0、0.05、0.1、0.2、0.3、0.4、0.5 mmol·L^-1),以未引发处理组为对照,研究不同浓度CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理后对盐胁迫下辣椒种子萌发、幼苗生物量和生理生化指标的影响。结果表明:(1)0.5 mmol·L^-1 CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理后的种子,其可溶性蛋白质、脯氨酸含量和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、抗坏血酸(AsA)含量和AsA/DHA比值显著提高,超氧阴离子(O₂^-)含量显著降低; 盐胁迫下,该处理种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数最大。(2)0.4 mmol·L^-1 CeO₂NP_S种子引发处理的幼苗在盐胁迫下的鲜重、干重和根长最大,幼苗的可溶性蛋白质、AsA含量和AsA/DHA比值均显著提高。综上认为,CeO₂NP_S引发处理不仅可通过降低种子水势、促进贮藏物质代谢和提高抗氧化能力提高种子在盐胁迫下的发芽率,还可在苗期通过增强蛋白合成和抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环(AsA-GSH)促进盐胁迫下幼苗的生长。     

Effects of early plant growth regulator treatments on flavonoid levels in grapefruit

Early foliar spray treatments containing gibberellic acid(GA₃) significantly lower the concentration ofthe bitter flavonoid naringin in fruit tissues. Sprayscontaining a surfactant and different levels ofGA₃ (5, 50, 100, and 500 ppm) or abscisic acid(ABA) (5, 25, and 50 ppm) were applied to young,developing fruit on mature grapefruit (Citrusparadisi) trees during the period from April to June,beginning just after fruit set. The fruit were allowedto mature and were harvested early the following year.Harvested fruit were evaluated for weight, juicecharacteristics, and flavonoid concentrations.GA₃ application resulted in larger mature fruit,which yielded juice with the same soluble solids valueas juice from control fruit, but with slightly loweracid percentages and lower concentrations of naringin.ABA treatment had little effect on juice solublesolids, acid content and naringin content except atthe highest concentration of 50 ppm, which lowerednaringin levels slightly in juice.     

Effect of priming treatments on seed germination and seedling growth in bamboo [Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees]

Instances of flowering of bamboo species Dendrocalamus strictus are few and far between which are taken as opportunity by nurserymen to collect seeds for propagation. Germination of seeds is reported to be poor. Therefore, different seed priming treatments were applied to D. strictus seeds collected from Ranchi in order to obtain uniform and high germination. Under laboratory conditions, dehusking of seeds before sowing ensured cent percent germination. Seed priming with KNO₃ 1% solution resulted in 80.4% increase in germination followed by hydropriming by 16 h (73.1% increase). In field conditions, dehusked seeds gave 23.0% germination without any priming treatment. Priming treatment with KNO₃ 1% gave the highest rise in germination (39.1%) followed by hydropriming for 16 h (26.1%). Seeds with their seed coats intact could give germination of 9.5% when germinated without any treatment. A rise of 115.8% in germination was obtained by priming with KNO₃ 1% (final germination count 20.5%). The next best treatment was hydropriming for 16 h (final germination 18.5%, a rise of 94.7%). KNO₃ 1% also induced the earliest and the most rapid germination. When seedlings germinated in laboratory were transferred to soil, all seedlings from all treatments established successfully without any mortality whatsoever. Therefore, it is recommended that seeds should be primed for 8 h with 1% KNO₃ and germinated in laboratory or in farm house under normal atmospheric condition before transplanting the seedlings to soil.     

不同处理对沙生针茅种子萌发的影响

沙生针茅是重要的荒漠植物,研究其种子萌发特性及其对主要影响因子的响应对于认识其生存适应性以及荒漠植被恢复具有重要意义。鉴于沙生针茅种子常处休眠状态、不易萌发,而现有研究尚未充分揭示各种因素和处理对沙生针茅种子萌发的影响,本论文报道了不同因素、不同处理对沙生针茅种子萌发的影响。结果表明:(1)60℃蒸馏水浸泡种子24 h,种子吸水率、发芽率、发芽势分别达到26%、38%和32%;(2)-20/20℃变温处理96 h,发芽率、发芽势分别达到48%和46%;(3)切除绝大部分胚乳(3/4)后,种子发芽率、发芽势分别可达到58%和54%;(4)用80 mg·L~(-1)赤霉素(GA3)水溶液浸泡种子24 h,发芽率、发芽势分别达到54%和48%;(5)用聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)处理,随浓度增加,种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数均呈下降趋势,种子萌发水分胁迫的临界值和极限值分别为15.9%和26.3%;(6)盐胁迫处理下,种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数均随盐碱浓度增加呈下降趋势,其中Na2CO3处理下的种子萌发率下降幅度明显大于Na Cl,表明碱性盐胁迫对沙生针茅种子萌发的抑制作用大于中性盐胁迫;(7)采用综合处理方法,种子发芽率、发芽势分别达到78%和76%。     

Pineapple stem-derived bromelain based priming improves pepper seed protein reserve mobilization,germination, emergence and plant growth

Pepper seeds are slow to germinate and emergence is often non-uniform and incomplete, reducing gains from this cash crop. This study investigated the effects of pineapple stem- derived protease (stem bromelain) based priming on pepper seed germination in relation to reserve mobilization (specifically, proteins and amino acids), germination, emergence and plant growth. These parameters were compared across two controls, (1) unsoaked seeds and (2) seeds soaked in deionized water, and seeds soaked in pineapple stem bromelain crude extract (treatment). Seeds were soaked in bromelain crude extract possessing a proteolytic activity of 6.25 tU or deionized water (first control) for 3 h at 35 °C. Light microscopy revealed an abundance of protein bodies in the endosperm of the seeds prior to imbibition. When observed for a period of 96 h, these bodies were progressively degraded, with the rate of this degradation being fastest in bromelain-treated seeds. Quantitative analysis of protein levels confirmed this observation: 17.2 mg proteins/g FW at 120 h after priming in bromelain-treated seeds compared with 22.1 mg/g FW in controls (average). The bromelain treatment also increased levels of free amino acids from 3.9 mg/g FW in the controls to 4.6 mg/g FW after 120 h of imbibition. Germination and emergence percentages were initially higher in bromelain-treated seeds: 92.0% germination in bromelain-treated seeds vs. ~ 52.2% in the controls at 18 d; 100% emergence in protease-treated seeds vs. ~ 72.2% in the controls at 18 d. However, these parameters were comparable across the treatment and the controls at 28 d. Importantly, plant fresh and dry weights were significantly higher when seeds were primed with bromelain. The results suggest the use of bromelain extracts for priming pepper seeds based on their proteolytic activity, since germination is dependent on the availability of crude protein and essential amino acids. The benefits of bromelain seed priming appear to translate into improved seedling growth as well.     

Effect of some plant growth regulator treatments on apple fruit ripening

The activity of IAA oxidase (IAAox), peroxidases (POD), and polyphenoloxidases (PPO), as affected by different pre-harvest growth regulator treatments (ABA, AVG, NAA, PDJ), was determined in on-tree ripening apples (cv. Golden Delicious) before and during the ethylene climacteric. The production of ethylene was inhibited by AVG and delayed by NAA, whereas ABA and PDJ treatments caused, in the on-tree remaining fruits, a marked fruit drop and a decrease or a slight increase in ethylene levels respectively. While all treatments reduced POD activity, jasmonate increased IAAox and PPO activity. The inhibitory effect of NAA on all enzyme activity seems related to interference with C₂H₂ action or to a reduced sensitivity of the fruit abscission zone tissues to the hormone. The observed high fruit drop induced by ABA treatment made it impossible to detect differences in enzyme activity. AVG-treated fruits showed no substantial effects on IAAox and PPO activity in comparison to the control, a finding that seems to be related to a delay in all senescence processes caused by the very low level of the inhibited ethylene production. In control fruits IAAox activity increased during the initial ripening stages and decreased thereafter, POD activity increased throughout ripening and PPO showed little variation.     

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.     

The effect of seed drying and gibberellin treatment on the germination performance of developing carrot seed

In a succession of seed harvests of carrot, the highest percentage and most rapid germination was obtained from seed harvested 51 days after anthesis (DAA) when dried by conditioning at 25°C and 60% RH for one week and from seeeds harvested 65 or 79 DAA with or without conditioning treatment. Seed from these harvests had reached maximum weight when dried, had embryos of maximum length and were considered mature. The germinaton of seed from these treatments was unaffected by a mixture of the gibberellins A₄ and A₇ (GA_4/7) applied in the incubation medium. Seed harvested 37 DAA also gave maximum percentage germination when it was both conditioned and incubated in GA_4/7 solution. Seed harvested earlier than this germinated poorly. Germination times of both mature and immature seed were reduced after storage for 18 months but there was no response to GA_4/7.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - DAA days after anthesis - GA gibberellin     

三类抗性种子萌发对酸雨胁迫响应

实验采用 p H2 .0、2 .5、3.0、3.5、4 .0、5 .0模拟酸雨处理培养皿中的水稻 (Oryza sativa)、小麦 (Triticum aestivum)、油菜(Brassica chinensis var. oleifera) 3类抗性种子 ,每皿 5 0粒 ,置恒温培养箱内萌发 (2 5℃ ) ,每天更换 1次酸雨 ,处理与对照均 3次重复。定时测定酸雨胁迫强度、胁迫时间对种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数、异状发芽率 ,吸水值、呼吸速率、贮藏物质运转效率、贮藏物质消耗率、根长抑制指数与芽长抑制指数的影响。结果表明 ,当酸雨胁迫强度 p H=2 .0～ 2 .5时 ,因胁迫强度过高 ,3类抗性种子皆不萌发 ;胁迫强度 p H≥ 3.0时 ,3类抗性种子 5项萌发指标的变幅是水稻 <小麦 <油菜 ;酸雨伤害阈值是水稻 (p H3.0～ 3.5 ) <小麦 (p H3.5～ 4 .0 ) <油菜 (p H4 .0～ 5 .0 ) ;当胁迫强度 (p H)≥ 2 .5时 ,3类抗性种子 6项生理指标的变幅是水稻 <小麦 <油菜 ,其生理反应阈值 (p H≥ 2 .0 ) <萌发反应阈值 (p H≥ 3.0 ) ;3类抗性种子贮藏物质消耗率、贮藏物质运转率 ,根长抑制指数及芽长抑制指数对酸雨胁迫时间的响应 (组间达到差异显著水平 )时间是 :水稻 (7d、7d,3d、3d)≥小麦 (6 d、6 d,3d、3d)≥油菜 (3d、4 d,3d、3d) ;3类抗性种子对酸雨胁迫强度与胁迫时间的耐受性差异 (     

Effect of industrial air pollution on wild plant seed germination and seedling growth

Germination of the following wild plant seeds was studied: bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), cowberry (V. vitis-idaea L.), bog bilberry (V. uliginosum L.), black crowberry (Empetrum hermaphroditum Hagerup), bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.), bunchberry (Chamaepericlymenum suecicum (L.) Aschers. et Graebn.), cottongrass (Eriophorum polystachion L.), goldenrod (Solidago lapponica With.), fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop.), marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre L.), cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The seeds were collected at different distances from the source of industrial air pollution (Severonickel smelter complex, Murmansk region). The task was the assessment of potential possibility of restoring corrupted north forest plant communities via seed propagation. By the response of reproductive structures to stressor, investigated species were divided into 3 groups: tolerant (members of the genus Vaccinium and Ch. angustifolium); moderately tolerant (C. palustre, E. polystachion, A. uva-ursi, and R. chamaemorus); and sensitive (P. sylvestris, E. hermaphroditum, and S. lapponica). Laboratory seed germinability of Vaccinium species was high (> 90%) regardless of the levels of Ni and Cu accumulation in the seeds and the index of technogenic load, whereas this index in E. hermaphroditum and P. sylvestris seeds was significantly reduced with the increase in the heavy metal contents in the seeds. The greenhouse experiments with the seeds of three Vaccinium species collected in the background area and in the zone of the highest pollution and germinated on the forest litter from the same sites and observation for seedling development allow us to conclude that a potential possibility of these species to seed propagation are not limited by their seed viability even under conditions of the highest technogenic load. In sites of environment pollution, the high metal content in the upper soil layer is the main factor limiting plant seed propagation.     

Effects of 35 C heat treatments on photosensitive grand rapids lettuce seed germination

Grand Rapids lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seeds were given 35 C heat treatments to increase photodormancy in a subsequent 20 C dark period. Short heat treatments (1-5 hours) induced a significant germination percentage increase of from 16% to over 50% depending on seed lot. With longer heat treatments dark germination percentage was gradually reduced to zero. If given at the end of 35 C, far red or red followed by far red further increased the amount of dark germination.     

Effects of the plant growth regulator chlormequat on plant form and yield of triticale

Three field experiments were conducted in order to evaluate the effect of application of the plant growth regulator chlormequat on growth and yield of the cereal triticale. Application of chlormequat resulted in shorter triticale plants as a result of restricted elongation of the upper internodes of the stem. These shorter plants produced a lower weight of straw and were more resistant to lodging. In two experiments chlormequat application led to no statistically significant increase in triticale grain yield; in a third yield was increased. Chlormequat consistently increased the number of grains per ear but this was offset to some extent by a lower mean grain weight. Yield was closely correlated with the number of grains per m². Leaf senescence was delayed by chlormequat. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that chlormequat can increase yield potential.