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.     

Changes in ubiquitin and ubiquitin-protein conjugates during seed formation and germination

Changes in both free ubiquitin and ubiquitin-protein conjugateswere followed in cotyledons of lupin (Lupinus albus L.) duringthe course of seed formation, from the flower to the dry seed,and during germination and seedling growth, from the dry seedto the senescing cotyledons. The observed levels of ubiquitinconjugates, detected by immunoblotting using antiubiquitin antibodiesand by autoradiography using ¹²⁵I-labelled ubiquitin, suggestan intense involvement of the ubiquitin-mediated proteolyticpathway during the highly regulated phases of seed formationand germination. High amounts of free ubiquitin are presentat all stages in all tissues examined. With the exception ofthe dry seed, the high molecular mass ubiquitin-protein conjugatesare also present at all stages. Higher amounts of these conjugateswere found during the initial stages of pod development andseed germination and during the most active phases of storageprotein deposition and degradation. Germination and seedlinggrowth in total darkness not only delays the degradation ofthe storage proteins, but also extends the period characterizedby the presence of a high amount of these conjugates. No suchconjugates were detected in the dry seeds, probably reflectingthe extremely low metabolic activity observed in these organs.A number of smaller molecular mass polypeptides were also detectedat different stages of seed development, germination and seedlinggrowth. Of particular interest is the abrupt accumulation ofan abundant 20 kDa polypeptide in the cotyledons during the4th day after imbibition, which is maintained in high amountsin these organs, rapidly declining after about 12–14 d.The pattern of accumulation of the 20 kDa polypeptide is controlledneither by light nor by the embryo axes, and large variationsin its concentration are observed during heat shock. Key words: Ubiquitin, ubiquitin-protein conjugates, seed storage proteins, protein synthesis, protein degradation     

Thermal-Stable Proteins of Fruit of Long-Living Sacred Lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn var. China Antique

Single-seeded fruit of the sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn var. China Antique from NE China have been shown to remain viable for as long as ~1,300 years, determined by direct radiocarbon-dating, and to have a germination rate of 84 %. The pericarp, a fruit tissue that encloses the single seeds of Nelumbo, is one of the major factors contributing to fruit longevity. Proteins that are heat stable and have a protective function are equally important to such centuries-long seed viability. We document proteins of Nelumbo fruit that are able to withstand heating, 32 % of which remained soluble in the 110 °C-treated embryo axis of a 549-year-old fruit and 76 % retained fluidity in its cotyledons. The genome of Nelumbo has recently been published and annotated. The amino-acid sequences of 11 “thermal proteins” (soluble at 100 °C) of modern Nelumbo embryo axes and cotyledons, identified by mass spectrometry, Western blot and bioassay, are assembled and aligned with those of an archaeal hyperthermophile Methancaldococcus jannaschii (“Mj,” an anaerobic methanogen having a growth optimum of 85 °C) and with those of five mesophile angiosperms. These thermal proteins have roles in protection and repair under stress. More than half (55 %) of the durable Nelumbo thermal proteins are present in the archaean Mj, indicating their ancient history. One Nelumbo protein-repair enzyme exhibits activity at 100 °C, having a heat-tolerance higher than the comparable enzyme of Arabidopsis. A list of 30 sequenced but unassembled thermal proteins of Nelumbo is appended.     

Hormonal Complex and Ultrastructure of Maturing Aesculus hippocastanum Seeds

The content and temporal changes in the endogenous IAA, cytokinins, gibberellin-like compounds (GLC), and ABA were determined during horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) seed development (the stages of embryo axis development, its active growth, and storage compound deposition). The active growth of the embryo was characterized by the highest amounts of free phytohormones. Later, by the end of seed maturation, we observed the accumulation of the bound forms of IAA and ABA and a trend to a decrease in the content of free IAA, zeatin, and GLC (butanol fraction). The electron-microscopic examination of the embryo from the mature seed demonstrated that some structural components of the cytoplasm were similar in the cells of embryo axes and cotyledons. During the entire period of maturation, the embryo cells preserved native vacuoles and protein bodies were not formed. Thus, the structure of cotyledonary and axial cells and the distribution of free and bound phytohormones in the horse-chestnut seeds are similar to those in maturing seeds characterized by exogenous dormancy.     

The Formation of Polyploid Cells in Ripening Cotyledons of Pisum sativum L. in Relation to Ribosome and Protein Synthesis

The present paper deals with the formation of polyploid nucleiand the synthesis of RNA and protein in the parenchyma cellsof developing cotyledons of Pisum sativum L. During seed formationthese cells synthesize large amounts of reserve proteins andstarch, which later on are used up by the embryo during seedgermination. The changes of the amount of DNA per cell in the ripening cotyledontissue have been estimated by Feulgen histophotometry. The amountsof DNA, RNA, and protein in the whole cotyledons have been estimatedby chemical methods. In this way it was possible to correlatethe fluctuations of the amount of DNA, RNA, and protein withchanges at the cellular level. During a preparatory phase, preceding the phase of real cellexpansion and intensive accumulation of seed globulins and starch,the storage cells attain a high level of polyploidy: nucleiwith up to a 64 C DNA content are formed. The results indicate a correlation between the high degree ofpolyploidy in the parenchyma cells of the cotyledon and thehigh rate of RNA and protein synthesis (seed globulins) in thisstorage organ (gene dosage effect).     

Utilization of Seed Reserves and Currently Produced Photosynthates by Embryonic Tissues of Pine Seedlings

The importance of seed reserves for growth of Pinus resinosaAit. during and shortly after seed germination was studied undercontrolled conditions. Tissues in the resting embryo were notcompletely differentiated. Many small, presumably reserve particleswere present in the embryo in addition to reserves in the megagametophyte.During seed germination, procambia in the embryo first differentiatedprotophloem 2 days after seeds were sown. The radicle beganto emerge from the seed coat at 5 days, at which time initialxylem formation was observed. Also, at approximately the sametime, primordia of primary needles were forming in the peripheralzone of the apex. Elements of the photosynthetic apparatus,including stomata and mesophyll with chloroplasts, were differentiatedfirst in the hypocotyl and then in cotyledons between 5 and8 days after seeds were sown. Photosynthetic rates of youngseedlings were correlated with rates of cotyledon expansion.During early developmental stages, reserve particles in megagametophytecells and embryo cells gradually disappeared. Surgical removalof megagametophytes at various stages of seed germination resultedin subsequent growth inhibition of the hypocotyl-radicle axis,with early removal of cotyledons suppressing most growth. Growthof primary needles appeared to be influenced indirectly by megagametophytereserves, probably by changes in amount of photosynthetic tissue.The embryo alone possessed capacity to differentiate such tissuesas primary needle primordia, stomata, and primary and secondaryvascular systems. Megagametophyte reserves appeared to contributeto growth of embryonic tissues only after the embryo itselfinitiated growth. Both current photosynthesis of seedlings andseed reserves contributed importantly to seedling development.     

Degradation of the endosperm cell walls of Lactuca sativa L., cv. Grand Rapids

The timing of mobilisation of lipid, sucrose, raffinose and phytate in lettuce seeds (achenes) (cv. Grand Rapids) has been examined. These reserves (33%, 1.5%, 0.7%, 1.4% of achene dry weight, respectively) are stored mostly in the cotyledons. Except for a slight degradation of raffinose and increase in sucrose, there is no detectable reserve mobilisation during germination. The endosperm (8% of seed dry weight), which has thick, mannan-containing cell walls (carbohydrate, 3,4% of seed dry weight), is completely degraded within about 15h following germination. Mannanase activity increases about 100-fold during the same period and arises in all regions of the endosperm. Also during this period sucrose and raffinose are degraded and fructose and glucose accumulate in the embryo. The endosperm hydrolysis products are taken up by the embryo, and are probably used as an additional reserve to support early seedling growth. However, endosperm cell-wall carbohydrates, such as mannose, are not found as free sugars. Lipid and phytate are degraded in a later, second phase of mobilisation. Low levels of sucrose are present in the embryo, mostly in the cotyledons, and large amounts of fractose and glucose (14% of seedling dry weight at 3 days after sowing) accumulate in the hypocotyl and radicle. It is suggested that sucrose, produced in the cotyledons by gluco-neogenesis, is translocated to the axis and converted there to fructose and glucose.     

Accumulation of Storage Materials,Precocious Germination and Development of Desiccation Tolerance During Seed Maturation in Mustard (Sinapis alba L.)

Under defined environmental conditions (20°C, continuous light of 15 klx) development of mustard seeds from artificial pollination to maturity takes about 60 d. After surpassing the period of embryo cell division and histodifferentiation (12–14d after pollination = dap), the seed enters into a maturation period. The time courses of various physiological, biochemical, and structural changes of embryo and testa during seed maturation were analyzed in detail (dry and fresh mass changes, osmotic and water potential changes, respiration, DNA amplification by endomitosis, total ribosome and polysome formation, storage protein synthesis and accumulation, storage lipid accumulation). In addition to the final storage products protein and lipid, embryo and testa accumulate transiently large amounts of starch within the chloroplasts during early maturation. Concomitantly with the subsequent total breakdown of the starch, the plastids lose most of their internal structure and chlorophyll and shrink into proplastids, typical for the mature seed. At about 30 dap the seeds shift from a desiccation-sensitive to a desiccation-tolerant state and are able then to germinate rapidly upon drying and reimbibition. If isolated from the immature fruit and sown directly on water, the seeds demonstrate precocious germination from about 13 dap onwards. Young seeds (isolated ≦ 38 dap) germinate only after surpassing a lag-phase of several days (after-ripening) during which the embryo continues to accumulate storage protein and lipid at the expense of the surrounding seed tissues. We conclude from these results that the maturing seed represents a rather closed developmental system which is able to continue its development up to successful germination without any specific regulatory influence from the mother plant. Immature seeds are able to germinate without a preceding dehydration treatment, which means that partial or full desiccation does not serve as an environmental signal for reprogramming seed development from maturation to germination. Instead, it is argued that the water relations of the seed are a critical element in the control of maturation and germination: during maturation on the mother plant the embryo is subject to a considerable turgor pressure (of the order of 12 bar) accompanied by a low water potential (of the order of ?12 bar). This turgor permits maturation growth but is subcritical for germination growth. However, upon imbibition in water, the low water potential provides a driving force for a burst of water uptake overcoming the critical turgor threshold and thereby inducing germination.     

Relationships between Respiration Rate and Adenylate and Carbohydrate Pools of the Soybean Fruit

Relationships between respiration rate and adenylate and carbohydrate pools of the soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) fruit during rapid seed growth were evaluated. Plants at mid pod-fill were subjected to different concentrations of CO(2) to alter the amount of photosynthate produced and, thus, available to the fruit. Respiration rate of the intact fruits was measured, along with glucose, sucrose, and starch concentrations, adenylate energy charge (AEC), and total adenylate pool (SigmaAdN) in the pod wall, seed coat, and cotyledons. The concentration of sucrose remained relatively constant in the pod wall (1.0 milligram per 100 milligrams dry weight), seed coat (6.5 milligrams per 100 milligrams dry weight), and cotyledons (4.5 milligrams per 100 milligrams dry weight) at moderate and high respiration rates. Furthermore, AEC remained relatively constant in the pod wall (0.55), seed coat (0.24), and cotyledons (0.44) during changes in respiration rate. This suggests that the amount of assimilate transported to the fruit, and its flux through the sucrose pools of the fruit parts, were important in the regulation of the respiration rate of the fruit. The average SigmaAdN in the seed coat (1300 picomoles per milligram dry weight) was significantly greater than in the cotyledons (750 picomoles per milligram dry weight) and pod wall (300 picomoles per milligram dry weight). In addition, the SigmaAdN in the seed coat and cotyledons increased with increasing respiration rate of the fruit. The high SigmaAdN in the seed coat and its increase with increases in respiration rate of the fruit suggest that an energy-requiring process is involved in the movement of sucrose through the seed coat.     

A Rapid Increase in the Level of Binding Protein (BiP) is Accompanied by Synthesis and Degradation of Storage Proteins in Pumpkin Cotyledons

The binding protein (BiP) has been implicated in cotranslationalfolding of nascent polypeptides, and in the recognition anddisposal of aberrant polypeptides. To elucidate the involvementof BiP in the biosynthesis of vacuolar proteins, we have characterizedthe protein in pumpkin cotyledons during seed maturation andseedling growth. Isolated microsomes from maturing pumpkin cotyledonscontained a significant amount of BiP, protein-disulfide isomeraseand calreticulin. We have purified a 70-kDa protein; sequencesof the N-terminus and internal fragments of this protein exhibiteda high identity to the sequence of soybean BiP. Immunoblot analysiswith specific antibodies raised against the purified BiP showedthat the amount of BiP in a cotyledon increased markedly atthe middle stages and then decreased. The increase was accompaniedby the synthesis of storage proteins and the development ofthe endoplasmic reticulum in the cotyledons at the middle stageof seed maturation. Most of these storage proteins degradeddramatically between 2 and 5 days after seed germination, andthe degradation was also accompanied by a rapid increase inthe level of BiP. Subcellular fractionation of the 4-day-oldcotyledons showed a high accumulation of BiP in the endoplasmicreticulum. It is possible that BiP might be involved in thesynthesis of seed storage proteins during maturation and inthe synthesis of hydrolytic enzymes responsible for the degradationof the storage proteins during seed germination. (Received September 18, 1996; Accepted January 8, 1997)     

Correlated in situ hybridisation and immunochemical studies of legumin storage protein deposition in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Legumin and vicilin are the major globulin seed storage proteins of pea. They are synthesised predominantly in the cotyledons where they are sequestered within membrane-bounded vacuolar protein bodies. In situ hybridisation histochemistry, with both biotinylated and ³⁵S-labelled cDNA probes, has been used to visualise the temporal and spatial patterns of distribution of legumin and vicilin mRNAs during seed development. These patterns have been compared with those of storage protein deposition which have been determined by immunocytochemistry. Results indicate that within the cotyledons high levels of legumin and civilin mRNAs are restricted to the storage parenchyma tissues, whilst the epidermal cells and vascular parenchyma do not show such accumulation. The tissues of the embryo axis also show differential levels of expression, although where present the levels of mRNAs appear much lower than in the cotyledons. Throughout the embryo the patterns shown by in situ hybridisation are similar to those shown by immunocytochemistry, although the transient endosperm of early seed development does not show such a correlation.     

A pea seed mutant affected in the differentiation of the embryonic epidermis is impaired in embryo growth and seed maturation

During legume seed development the epidermis of the embryos differentiates into a transfer cell layer which mediates nutrient uptake during the storage phase. This specific function of the epidermal cells is acquired at the onset of embryo maturation. We investigated this process in the pea seed mutant E2748. The epidermal cells of the mutant embryo, instead of turning into transfer cells, enlarge considerably and become vacuolated and tightly associated with adjacent seed tissues. Expression of a sucrose transporter gene that is upregulated in wild-type transfer cells decreases in the mutant and changes its spatial pattern. This indicates that the outermost cell layer of mutant cotyledons cannot acquire transfer cell morphology but loses epidermal cell identity and does not function as a sucrose uptake system. Seed coat growth as well as composition, concentration and dynamics of sugars within the endospermal vacuole are unchanged. The loss of epidermal identity has severe consequences for further embryo development and is followed by disruption of the symplast within the parenchyma, the breach of the developmental gradient, lower sucrose and starch levels and initiation of callus-like growth. It is concluded that the E2748 gene controls differentiation of the cotyledonary epidermis into transfer cells and thus is required for the regional specialisation with a function in embryo nutrition.     

Seeds of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) which develop in a fully hydrated environment in the fruit switch from a developmental to a germinative mode without a requirement for desiccation

Seed water content is high during early development of tomato seeds (10–30 d after pollination (DAP)), declines at 35 DAP, then increases slightly during fruit ripening (following 50 DAP). The seed does not undergo maturation drying. Protein content during seed development peaks at 35 DAP in the embryo, while in the endosperm it exhibits a triphasic accumulation pattern. Peaks in endosperm protein deposition correspond to changes in endosperm morphology (i.e. formation of the hard endosperm) and are largely the consequence of increases in storage proteins. Storage-protein deposition commences at 20 DAP in the embryo and endosperm; both tissues accumulate identical proteins. Embryo maturation is complete by 40 DAP, when maximum embryo protein content, size and seed dry weight are attained. Seeds are tolerant of premature drying (fast and slow drying) from 40 DAP.Thirty-and 35-DAP seeds when removed from the fruit tissue and imbibed on water, complete germination by 120 h after isolation. Only seeds which have developed to 35 DAP produce viable seedlings. The inability of isolated 30-DAP seed to form viable seedlings appears to be related to a lack of stored nutrients, since the germinability of excised embryos (20 DAP and onwards) placed on Murashige and Skoog (1962, Physiol. Plant. 15, 473–497) medium is high. The switch from a developmental to germinative mode in the excised 30- and 35-DAP imbibed seeds is reflected in the pattern of in-vivo protein synthesis. Developmental and germinative proteins are present in the embryo and endosperm of the 30- and 35-DAP seeds 12 h after their isolation from the fruit. The mature seed (60 DAP) exhibits germinative protein synthesis from the earliest time of imbibition. The fruit environment prevents precocious germination of developing seeds, since the switch from development to germination requires only their removal from the fruit tissue.Abbreviations DAP days after pollination - kDa kilodaltons - SP1-4 storage proteins 1–4 - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - HASI hours after seed isolation - MS medium Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium This work is supported by National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada grant A2210 to J.D.B.     

Ethylene biosynthesis in tissues of young and mature avocado fruits

Sitrit, Y., Blumenfeld, A. and Riov, J. 1987. Ethylene biosynthesis in tissues of young and mature avocado fruits.
Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit tissues differ greatly in their capability to pro duce wound ethylene. In fruitlets, the endosperm lacks the ability to produce ethylene because no 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) is synthesized and no activity of the ethylene-forming enzyme (EFE) is present. The cotyledons (embryo) do not produce significant amounts of ethylene at any of the developmental stages of the fruits, although in both young and mature fruits they contain a relatively high level of ACC synthase (EC 4.4.1.-) activity. Because of the very low EFE activity present in the cotyledons, most of the ACC formed in this tissue is conjugated. Of the various fruitlet tissues, the seed coat has the highest potential to produce ethylene. This is due to a high ACC synthase activity and particularly a high EFE activity. Also, the seed coat is very sensitive to the autocatalytic effect of ethylene. Fruitletpericarp possesses a lower potential to produce ethylene than the seed coat. Towardruit maturiy, the endosperm disappears and the seed coat shrivels and dies so that the pericarp and the cotyledons remain as the only active tissues in the mature fruit. At this stage, the pericarp is the only tissue producing ethylene. Mature precli macteric pericarp has a lower potential to produce ethylene than fruitlet pericarpThe role of ethylene in regulating various physiological processes at different stages of fruit maturation is discussed.     

Free Amino Acid, Protein and Water Content Changes Associated with Seed Development in Araucaria angustifolia

The free amino acid, protein, water and dry matter contents were determined during the seed development of Araucaria angustifolia. Soluble and insoluble proteins in the mature seed represent 4.2 % of the fresh matter. The embryonic axis stored the greatest amount of soluble proteins, while cotyledons both with the embryonic axis showed the largest quantities of insoluble proteins in the mature seed. The greatest concentration of free amino acids was detected during the stage when cotyledons start to develop. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine and serine were predominant in the whole seed while arginine, lysine and γ-aminobutyric acid were present in great amounts only in cotyledons and embryonic axis. Although megagametophyte was important as a source of free amino acids, it was not the major protein storage organ in the mature seed. In the embryogenetic process, the rise of cotyledons is closely related to physiological and biochemical changes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

扇脉杓兰果实生长动态及胚胎发育过程观察

对授粉后不同发育阶段扇脉杓兰(Cypripedium japonicum Thunb.)果实的生长动态进行了观察和分析,并分别采用TrC法和常规石蜡切片法研究了种子生活力及其胚胎发育过程.观察结果湿示:扇脉杓兰果实形态成熟时间约为110 d,其中,授粉后0～20 d为第1次迅速生长期,授粉后20～30 d为第1次缓慢生长期,授粉后30～50 d为第2次迅速生长期,授粉后50～110 d为第2次缓慢生长期;果实纵径和横径的生长动态变化过程相似,但横径的生长动态曲线较纵径平缓,形态成熟时果实的纵径和横径分别为48.87和13.59 mm.成熟种子由内外2层种皮和球形胚构成,不具胚乳,内外种皮间具空气腔;败育种子只具有内种皮和外种皮而无种胚.胚胎发育类型为石竹型,种胚自受精形成合子到发育为成熟球形胚约需95 d.种胚发育时合子第1次不均衡横裂形成基细胞和顶细胞;基细胞发育为胚柄细胞,胚柄细胞高度液泡化,在胚胎发育的过程中不进行分裂并逐渐退化消失;顶细胞不参与胚柄形成,并且经过有丝分裂最终形成球形胚;内珠被在种子成熟时发育成为1层致密的紧贴胚体的内种皮.种胚纵径和横径的生长动态变化相似,成熟球形胚的纵径和横径分别为208.71和106.19 μm.扇脉杓兰种子生活力较高,有生活力的种子占56％.根据研究结果推测:自然状态下扇脉杓兰种子萌发率较低,可能与致密的种皮、种子中较小的胚体以及无胚乳导致的营养成分不足有关.     

Comparison of globulin mobilization and cysteine proteinases in embryonic axes and cotyledons during germination and seedling growth of vetch (Vicia sativa L.)

Vicilin and legumin, the storage globulins of mature dry vetch (Vicia sativa L.) seeds, are found in protein bodies which are present not only in the cotyledons, but also in the radicle, axis and shoot (together, for reasons of simplicity, here called axis). When at 24 h after the start of imbibition (hai) the radicle breaks through the seed coat a major part of the globulins in the axis has already been degraded, whereas in the cotyledons globulin breakdown cannot yet be detected. Globulin mobilization starts with the degradation of vicilin. At 48 hai when globulin mobilization in the cotyledons just begins, the axis is already nearly depleted of globulins. Mobilization of storage globulin is probably brought about by a complex of different cysteine proteinases (CPRs). The papain-like CPR2 and CPR4, and the legumain-like VsPB2, together with their mRNAs, are already present in axes and cotyledons of dry seeds. This means that they must have been formed during seed maturation. Additional papain-like CPRs are formed later during germination and seedling growth. CPR4 and VsPB2 together with their corresponding mRNAs become undetectable as germination and seedling growth proceed. VsPB2 and VsPB2-mRNA are substituted by the homologous legumain-like proteinase B and its mRNA. The composition of stored and newly formed CPRs undergoes developmental changes which differ between axes and cotyledons. It is concluded that storage globulin mobilization in germinating vetch seeds is started by stored CPRs, whereas the mobilization of the bulk of globulin is predominantly mediated by CPRs which are formed de novo.     

宁夏枸杞果实与种子形态发育初探

研究了宁夏枸杞不同发育时期果实和种子形态的变化特征及种子内胚的变化.结果表明:宁夏枸杞果实的生长发育曲线为花后8d以前为其第一次快速生长期,花后8～24 d为缓慢生长期,花后24～34 d是第二次快速生长期,属于典型的双“S”型.宁夏枸杞种子的生长曲线既不属于单“S”型,也不属于双“S”型,表现为果实的第一次快速生长期同样也是种子的快速生长期,但种子完成的生长比例快于果实完成的生长比例,此期种子内的胚乳生长快;当果实进入缓慢生长期,种子也表现出缓慢生长的特性,且种子长度和宽度的增加速率均显著低于果实第一次快速生长期种子的生长速率,此期种子主要进行胚的分化;在果实的第二次快速生长期,果实体积和重量迅速增加,而种子的长度和宽度增加很少,此期种子内仅胚进一步增大,从而反映出宁夏枸杞果实的发育与种子发育有一定的相关性.     

Sequential Expression of Trypsin Inhibitors in Developing Fruit of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

Trypsin inhibitor (TI) activity was followed in the pod (pericarp),seed coat, cotyledon and embryo axis during fruit developmentof cowpea. On the basis of seed fresh weight, three phases couldbe distinguished from anthesis to fruit maturity. In the podTI activity increased from the beginning of Phase I to a maximumin the middle of the phase. From then on the activity declineduntil no activity could be detected before the end of phaseII. The cotyledons did not contain any TI in Phase I. TI activitywas first detected in the cotyledon in the beginning of PhaseII at the same time that globulin synthesis started. The TIactivity in the cotyledon increased to a maximum at the endof Phase II before decreasing in Phase III. In the embryo axisa similar pattern of TI activity to that of the cotyledon wasfound. No protein TI could be detected in the seed coat at anystage. In the pod there is a TI with a mol. wt of 12500 andpI of 4.4. Mature cotyledon and embryo axis have two TI withmol. wt 10800 and 24700 with pI 4.7 and 5.0 respectively. Duringdevelopment the smaller TI (mol. wt 10800) was synthesised beforethe larger TI (mol. wt 24700). There were large differencesbetween the maximum absolute amounts of TI present in the pericarp,cotyledon and embryo axis.