An integrated overview of seed development in Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype WS

This work is part of a research program aiming at identifying and studying genes involved in Arabidopsis thaliana seed maturation. We focused here on the Wassilewskija ecotype seed development and linked physiological and biochemical data, including protein, oil, soluble sugars, starch and free amino acid measurements, to embryo development, to obtain a complete and thorough reference data set. A. thaliana seed development can be divided into three stages. During early embryogenesis (i.e. morphogenesis), seed weight and lipid content were low whereas important amounts of starch were transiently accumulated. In the second stage, or maturation phase, a rapid increase in seed dry weight was observed and storage oils and proteins were accumulated in large quantities, accounting for approximately 40% of dry matter each at the end of this stage. During the third and last stage (late maturation including acquisition of desiccation tolerance), seed dry weight remained constant while an acute loss of water took place in the seed. Storage compound synthesis ended concomitantly with sucrose, stachyose and raffinose accumulation. This study revealed the occurrence of metabolic activities such as protein synthesis, in the final phase of embryo desiccation. A striking correlation between peaks in hexose to sucrose ratio and transition phases during embryogenesis was observed.     

Irrigation and Seed Quality Development in Rapid-cycling Brassica: Soluble Carbohydrates and Heat-stable Proteins

Changes in soluble carbohydrates and heat-stable proteins havebeen examined in relation to the acquisition of desiccationtolerance and/or potential seed longevity during seed developmentin rapid-cycling brassica [Brassica campestris (rapa)L.]. Ratesof seed development were moderated by different irrigation regimes.At the early stages, glucose, fructose and sucrose predominated.The raffinose series oligosaccharides accumulated during seedmaturation, and occurred earliest in seeds from plants irrigatedonly until 16 days after pollination. Stachyose content correlatedpositively, and monosaccharide content correlated negatively,with the ability of seeds to tolerate rapid desiccation andwith their potential longevity (the constantK_iof the seed viabilityequation). Similarly, the ratio of oligosaccharide[ratio]totalsugars provided strong positive correlations with ability totolerate desiccation and with potential longevity. Most of theheat-stable proteins selected for study accumulated comparativelylate, i.e. during maturation drying. The imposition of waterstress induced earlier accumulation of heat-stable proteins.The ability to tolerate desiccation was correlated with thecontent of selected heat-stable proteins, but potential longevityprovided stronger correlations. The content of a 58 kDa heat-stableprotein provided the strongest positive correlation with potentiallongevity. A simple multiple regression model of the relationsbetween potential longevity and both the oligosaccharide[ratio]totalsugar ratio and the 58 kDa heat-stable protein content was developedfor all three plant irrigation regimes to show the combinedeffect of certain sugars and proteins on seed quality. The modelsuggests that these sugars and proteins are equally likely tobe required for seed quality development, and that initiallythe sugars tend to accumulate at a greater rate than the proteins,but that during maturation drying the heat-stable proteins accumulateat the greater rate.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company Brassica campestris (rapa) L., rapid-cycling brassica, potential longevity, seed development, desiccation tolerance, soluble sugars, oligosaccharides, dehydrins, heat-stable proteins.     

Regulation of starch and protein accumulation in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) somatic embryos

Compared to seeds, somatic embryos accumulated relatively low levels and different types of storage carbohydrates. The regulation of starch accumulation was studied to determine its effects on desiccation tolerance and vigor of dry somatic embryos. Somatic embryos of Medicago sativa are routinely matured through three phases: 7 days of development; 10 days of phase I maturation, a rapid growth phase; and 10 days of phase II maturation, a phase leading to the acquisition of desiccation tolerance. The control of starch deposition was investigated in alfalfa somatic embryos by manipulating the composition of the phase I maturation medium with different levels of sucrose, abscisic acid, glutamine and different types of carbohydrates and amino acids. After phase II maturation, mature somatic embryos were collected for desiccation and subsequent conversion, or for biochemical analyses. Starch deposition occurred primarily during phase I maturation, and variations in the composition of this medium influenced embryo quality, storage protein and starch accumulation. A factorial experiment with two levels of glutamine × three levels of sucrose showed that increasing the sucrose concentration from 30 to 80 g/l increased embryo size and starch content, but had minimal effect on accumulation of storage proteins; glutamine also increased embryo size, but decreased starch content and increased accumulation of the high salt soluble S-2 (medicagin) storage proteins. ABA did not influence any of the parameters tested when included in phase I maturation at concentration up to 10 μM. Replicating sucrose with maltose, glucose, or glucose and fructose did not alter embryo size or starch accumulation (mg/g fresh weight), but replacement with fructose alone reduced embryo size, and replacement with glucose alone reduced germination. Suplementation with the amino acids, asparagine, aspartic acid and glutamine increased seedling vigor, but decreased the starch content of embryos. The data indicate that starch accumulation in somatic embryos is regulated by the relative availability of carbon versus nitrogen nutrients in the maturation medium. The quality of mature somatic embryos, determined by the rate of seedling development (conversion and vigor), correlated with embryo size, storage protein and free amino acid but not with starch. Therefore, further improvements in the quality of somatic embryo may be achieved through manipulation of the maturation medium in order to increase storage protein, but not starch deposition.     

Water Content, Raffinose, and Dehydrins in the Induction of Desiccation Tolerance in Immature Wheat Embryos

Desiccation tolerance is initiated in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) embryos in planta at 22 to 24 d after anthesis, at the time that the embryo water content has decreased from about 73% fresh weight (2.7 g water/g dry weight) to about 65% fresh weight (1.8 g water/g dry weight). To determine if desiccation tolerance is fully induced by the loss of a relatively small amount of water, detached wheat grains were treated to reduce the embryo water content by just a small amount to approximately 69% (2.2 g water/g dry weight). After 24 h of such incipient water loss, subsequently excised embryos were able to withstand severe desiccation, whereas those embryos that had not previously lost water could not. Therefore, a relatively small decrease in water content for only 24 h acts as the signal for the development of desiccation tolerance. Embryos that were induced into tolerance by a 24-h water loss had no detectable raffinose. The oligosaccharide accumulated at later times even in embryos of detached grains that had not become desiccation tolerant, although tolerant embryos (i.e. those that previously had lost some water) contained larger amounts of the carbohydrate. It is concluded that desiccation tolerance and the occurrence of raffinose are not correlated. Immunodetected dehydrins accumulated in embryos in planta as desiccation tolerance developed. Detachment of grains induced the appearance of dehydrins at an earlier age, even in embryos that had not been made desiccation tolerant by incipient drying. It is concluded that a small reduction in water content induces desiccation tolerance by initiating changes in which dehydrins might participate but not by their interaction with raffinose.     

Maturation proteins and sugars in desiccation tolerance of developing soybean seeds

The desiccation-tolerant state in seeds is associated with high levels of certain sugars and maturation proteins. The aim of this work was to evaluate the contributions of these components to desiccation tolerance in soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill cv Chippewa 64). When axes of immature seeds (34 d after flowering) were excised and gradually dried (6 d), desiccation tolerance was induced. By contrast, seeds held at high relative humidity for the same period were destroyed by desiccation. Maturation proteins rapidly accumulated in the axes whether the seeds were slowly dried or maintained at high relative humidity. During slow drying, sucrose content increased to five times the level present in the axes of seeds held at high relative humidity (128 versus 25 μg/axis, respectively). Stachyose content increased dramatically from barely detectable levels upon excision to 483 μg/axis during slow drying but did not increase significantly when seeds were incubated at high relative humidity. Galactinol was the only saccharide that accumulated to higher levels in axes from seeds incubated at high relative humidity relative to axes from seeds that were slowly dried. This suggests that slow drying serves to induce the accumulation of the raffinose series sugars at a point after galactinol biosynthesis. We conclude that stachyose plays an important role in conferring desiccation tolerance.     

Manipulation of Grain Dormancy in Wheat

To help in understanding the mechanisms of dormancy in wheat(Triticum aestivum L.), brief drying of intact ears has beenexamined as a technique for rapid imposition of dormancy. Beforenatural grain desiccation at 40 d post anthesis (dpa), wholeplants were moved for 15 to 20 d to ‘wet’, humidconditions (90–100% RH) or to ‘dry’ conditions(35–40% RH). The duration of subsequent dormancy was atleast doubled by the ‘dry’ treatment, however, onlyif the grain was allowed to dry before 50 dpa. In the ‘wet’ears there was a low level (up to 22%) in-ear germination by55 dpa and the remaining, non-sprouted grain no longer becamedormant on drying. Brief (4 d) drying episodes could also preventsprouting and induce some dormancy, but only over a 4 to 10d window of sensitivity before 50 dpa. Grain drying when properlytimed not only arrests development but, perhaps through damagingeffects of drying, causes dormancy. Dormancy imposition wasnot related to embryo abscisic acid (ABA) or sucrose content. Key words: Abscisic acid, desiccation, dormancy, in-ear sprouting, wheat     

Seed development and maturation in Phaseolus vulgaris I. Ability to germinate and to tolerate desiccation

The onset and development of both the ability to germinate andto tolerate rapid enforced desiccation were investigated duringthe development and maturation of seeds of bean (Phaseolus vulgahsL.) at different temperatures and also after different slow-dryingtreatments. The onset of germinability occurred when seeds wereless than half-filled in the absence of both a post-ovule abscissionprogramme and water loss from the seeds. Maximum ability togerminate normally and maximum tolerance to rapid enforced desiccationto 14–16% moisture content did not occur until 2–23d and 6–23 d after mass maturity (end of the seed-fillingperiod), respectively. The slow-drying of immature seeds for7 d ex planta before rapid enforced desiccation increased theability to germinate and stimulated the onset of desicationtolerance. Holding seeds moist for 7 d (during which time moisturecontent declined by <5%) had similar effects, but seed germinationafter rapid enforced desiccation was consistently greater inseeds first dried slowly than held moist. Comparisons betweenseeds less than half-filled dried slowly ex planta and fullseeds undergoing maturation drying in planta showed that a similar(slow) rate of water loss over a 7 d period had a similar effecton the subsequent ability of seeds to tolerate rapid enforceddesiccation. Thus, neither a post-ovule abscission programmenor loss of water were required for the onset of the abilityto germinate in developing bean seeds, but both were requiredfor the development of the ability to germinate and resistanceto solute leakage, when rehydrated, after rapid enforced desiccation. Key words: Bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., seed germination, seed development, desiccation tolerance     

Changes in soluble sugars in relation to desiccation tolerance and effects of dehydration on freezing characteristics of Acer platanoides and Acer pseudoplatanus seeds

The role of soluble sugars in desiccation tolerance was investigated in seeds of two species from the genus Acer: Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) — tolerant and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) — intolerant to dehydration. During two years of observations it was found that seeds of Norway maple acquire desiccation tolerance at the end of August i.e. about 125 days after flowering (DAF). During seed development, the transition from intolerant to tolerant state in Norway maple seeds was accompanied by the accumulation in seed tissues of raffinose, stachyose and sucrose. The sucrose/raffinose ratio in Norway maple seeds was lower than in sycamore. In mature Norway maple seeds sucrose and raffinose contents were higher than in sycamore. It was concluded, that soluble sugars such as sucrose, raffinose and stachyose may play an important role in desiccation tolerance and/or intolerance of Norway maple and sycamore seeds. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was used to study the relationship between desiccation sensitivity and the state of water in seed tissues. The level of non-freezable water was the same in both analysed seed species, but the temperature of water crystallization during desiccation was lower in sycamore seeds.     

Carbohydrates and carbohydrate enzymes in developing cotton ovules

Patterns of carbohydrates and carbohydrate enzymes were investigated in developing cotton ovules to establish which of these might be related to sink strength in developing bolls. Enzymatic analysis of extracted tissue indicated that beginning 1 week following anthesis, immature cotton seeds (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Coker 100A glandless) accumulated starch in the tissues which surround the embryo. Starting at 15 days post anthesis (DPA), this starch was depleted and starch simultaneously appeared in the embryo. Sucrose entering the tissues surrounding the embryo was rapidly degraded, apparently by sucrose synthase; the free hexose content of these tissues reached a peak at about 20 DPA. During the first few weeks of development these tissues contained substantial amounts of hexose but little sucrose; the reverse was true for cotton embryos. Embryo sucrose content rose sharply from the end of the first week until about 20 DPA; it then remained roughly constant during seed maturation. Galactinol synthase (EC 2.4.1.x) appeared in the embryos approximately 25 days after flowering. Subsequently, starch disappeared and the galactosides raffinose and stachyose appeared in the embryo. Except near maturity, sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) activity in the embryos predominated over that of both sucrose phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.1.14) and acid invertase (EC 3.2.1.26). Activities of the latter enzymes increased during the final stages of embryo maturation. The ratio of sucrose synthase to sucrose phosphate synthase was found to be high in young cotton embryos but the ratio reversed about 45 DPA, when developing ovules cease being assimilate sinks. Insoluble acid invertase was present in developing cotton embryos, but at very low activities; soluble acid invertase was present at significant activities only in nearly mature embryos. From these data it appears that sucrose synthase plays an important role in young cotton ovule carbohydrate partitioning and that sucrose phosphate synthase and the galactoside synthesizing enzymes assume the dominant roles in carbohydrate partitioning in nearly mature cotton seeds. Starch was found to be an important carbohydrate intermediate during the middle stages of cotton ovule development and raffinose and stachyose were found to be important carbohydrate pools in mature cotton seeds.     

Sugar metabolism in developing lupin seeds is affected by a short-term water deficit

A short-term water deficit (WD) imposed during the pre-storage phase of lupin seed development [15-22 d after anthesis (DAA)] accelerated seed maturation and led to smaller and lighter seeds. During seed development, neutral invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) and sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) have a central role in carbohydrate metabolism. Neutral invertase is predominant during early seed development (up to 40 DAA) and sucrose synthase during the growing and storage phase (40-70 DAA). The contribution of acid invertase is marginal. WD decreased sucrose synthase activity by 2-fold and neutral invertase activity by 5-6-fold. These changes were linked to a large decrease in sucrose ( approximately 60%) and an increase of the hexose:sucrose ratio. Rewatering restored sucrose synthase activity to control levels while neutral invertase activity remained depressed (30-60%). A transient accumulation of starch observed in control seeds was abolished by WD. Despite the several metabolic changes the final seed composition was largely unaltered by WD except for approximately 60% increase in stachyose and raffinose (raffinose family oligosaccharides). This increase in raffinose family oligosaccharides appears as the WD imprinting on mature seeds.     

Desiccation Tolerance and Potential Longevity of Developing Seeds of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The longevity and desiccation tolerance of samples of seedsof a japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) harvested serially duringdevelopment from plants grown in two temperature regimes, viz28/20 °C and 32/24 °C (12/12 h) were determined. Massmaturity (defined as the end of the seed-filling phase) occurred19·7 and 18·3 d after 50% anthesis, respectively.Longevity (determined at 40 °C with 15% moisture contentand quantified by the value of the constant K_i of the seed viabilityequation) improved during seed development and maturation until17 and 14 d after mass maturity in the cooler and warmer regimes,respectively, but declined thereafter. Changes in K_i with timewere similar in the two environments until mass maturity, butthe increase in K_i values after mass maturity was much greaterin the cooler regime. Tolerance of desiccation to low (4%) moisturecontents improved until 22 and 14 d after mass maturity in thecooler and warmer regimes, respectively, when maturation dryinghad reduced seed moisture contents naturally to 24 and 32% moisturecontent, respectively. Further delays to seed harvest reduceddesiccation tolerance, particularly in the warmer environment.Comparison among 15 samples of seeds harvested at differenttimes in the two environments showed a strong correlation (r= 0·947, P < 0·01) between longevity (K_i) anddesiccation tolerance (to 4% moisture content). Hence, it issuggested that the regulation of desiccation tolerance to lowmoisture contents and potential air-dry longevity during seeddevelopment and maturation determined here may have a commoncause.Copyright 1994, 1999 Academic Press Oryza sativa L., rice, desiccation tolerance, genebanks, seed development, seed longevity, temperature     

Occurrence of a Novel Galactopinitol and its Changes with Other Non-Reducing Sugars during Development of Leucaena leucocephala Seeds

A new cyclitol which is abudant in the late developmental stagesof leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit) seeds wasidentified by HPLC, NMR, and GC-MS as O--D-galactopyranosyl-(1 1)-3-O-methyl-D-chiro-inositol, a new galactopinitol. Thisgalactopinitol was initially detected midway through seed developmentand increased to 10.2 mg (g DW)^-1, but decreased in mature seedsto its about a half. Stachyose content increased greatly andremained the most abundant of the soluble sugars in mature seeds(25.6 mg (g DW)^-1). Artifical drying at 73% relative humidityof 70 DPA immature seeds induced the accumulation of raffinose,stachyose, galactopinitol and galactinol, but the total amountsof these sugars were only about half of those found in matureseeds. Seed germination decreased following an initial increaseafter 8 d artitifical drying to a moisture content of 24%, andthis dehydration damage probably is because of underdevelopmentof seed tissue. Galactopinitol changes in a similar fashionto the oligosaccharides during the late developmental stageand dehydration experiment, implying that galactopinitol mayplay a role in desiccation tolerance of leucaena seeds. ¹Contribution no. 79 of Taiwan Forestry Research Institute.     

Induction of tolerance to fast desiccation in black spruce (Picea mariana) somatic embryos: relationship between partial water loss,sugars, and dehydrins

Events associated with the induction of tolerance to fast desiccation in black spruce ( Picea mariana ) somatic embryos were investigated. An experimental approach using an initial period of partial water loss was developed to induce either no, partial, or complete tolerance to fast desiccation. Tolerance to subsequent fast desiccation was not promoted by decreasing embryo water content from 1.5 to 1.1 g H₂O g⁻¹ DW (g g⁻¹) throughout the first 24 h of slow desiccation. However, tolerance increased from 10 to 95% germination during the second 24-h period of slow desiccation after partial water loss from 1 to 0.55 g g⁻¹. Emphasis was also placed on the relationship between observed tolerance, and sugar and dehydrin contents. Compared to controls, sucrose content in embryos doubled after 24 h of slow desiccation and more than tripled after 48 h. Conversely, starch content was decreased by one half after 24 h and by three quarters after 48 h. Sucrose abundance and raffinose occurrence after 48 h of slow desiccation were congruent with complete tolerance to fast desiccation. The period of slow desiccation between 24 and 48 h also increased the content of a 24-kDa dehydrin and the appearance of a 42-kDa dehydrin. The relationship between partial water loss, sugars and dehydrins is discussed with respect to tolerance to fast desiccation in black spruce somatic embryos.     

Desiccation Tolerance of Papaver dubium L. Pollen during Its Development in the Anther: Possible Role of Phospholipid Composition and Sucrose Content

Developing pollen of Papaver dubium L. becomes functional and desiccation tolerant at approximately 2 to 1 days prior to anthesis, coincident with degradation of starch and a doubling of the amount of sucrose, the primary soluble carbohydrate present. When anthers were taken from flower buds at 3 days before anthesis, pollen dehisced upon exposure to the ambient air. This dried pollen did not fluoresce with the vital stain fluorescein diacetate, had increased leakage of K⁺, and did not swell properly in a germination medium. In contrast, pollen became functional and desiccation resistant when these young anthers were first incubated in a water-saturated atmosphere for 30 hours. Phospholipid composition revealed no major differences over the last 3 days of development. When this immature pollen was liberated mechanically and allowed to mature in humid air, starch degraded and sucrose content nearly doubled, and the grains became largely functional and dehydration tolerant. Large unilamellar vesicles were prepared from isolated phospholipids to study dehydration-induced fusion and leakage. When dried in the presence of increasing concentrations of sucrose, vesicle integrity was progressively retained. These data indicate that pollen maturation during the last 3 days of development occurred independently from the parent plant. Sucrose may play an essential role in the acquired tolerance to severe dehydration.     

The role of sugar, vitrification and membrane phase transition in seed desiccation tolerance

In a search for the mechanism of desiccation tolerance, a comparison was made between orthodox (desiccation-tolerant) soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merrill) and recalcitrant (desiccation-intolerant) red oak ( Quercus rubra L.) seeds. During the maturation of soybean seeds, desiccation tolerance of seed axes is correlated with increases in sucrose, raffinose and stachyose. In cotyledons of mature oak seeds, sucrose levels are equal to those in mature soybeans, but oligosaccharides are absent. By using the thermally stimulated current method, we observed the glassy state in dry soybean seeds during maturation. Oak cotyledons showed the same phase diagram for the glass transition as did mature soybeans. By using X-ray diffraction, we found the maturation of soybeans to be associated with an increased ability of membranes to retain the liquid crystalline phase upon drying, whereas the mature oak cotyledonary tissue existed in the gel phase under similar dry conditions. These findings lead to the conclusion that the glassy state is not sufficient for desiccation tolerance, whereas the ability of membranes to retain the liquid crystalline phase does correlate with desiccation tolerance. An important role for soluble sugars in desiccation tolerance is confirmed, as well as their relevance to membrane phase changes. However, the presence of soluble sugars does not adequately explain the nature of desiccation tolerance in these seeds.     

Cold-induced accumulation of raffinose family oligosaccharides in somatic embryos of Norway spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis>)

Summary Exposure of mature cotyledonary somatic embryos of Picea abies to low temperature (4°C) resulted in the accumulation of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs)—raffinose and stachyose. The RFO content represented approximately 20% of the total soluble saccharides with the RFO: sucrose ratio being almost 1∶3 (molar basis) after 3 wk of cold exposure. This treatment, like desiccation, brings the endogenous saccharide spectrum nearer to that of mature zygotic embryos of the same species (zygotic embryos, RFO: sucrose ratio 1∶1.5 on a molar basis). Based on indications that RFOs are at least partly responsible for the positive effects of desiccation, we propose cold treatment as an alternative to slow desiccation for conifer somatic embryogenesis protocols.     

Manipulating the desiccation tolerance and vigor of dry somatic embryos of Medicago sativa L. with sucrose,heat shock and abscisic acid

Summary The effects of sucrose concentration in the maturation medium in combination with a heat shock treatment at 36°C were investigated in an attempt to improve the vigor of seedlings grown from dry somatic embryos of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Callus was formed from petiole expiants and dispersed in liquid suspension medium in the presence of 5 M 2,4-D. The cell suspension was sieved to synchronize embryo development. The 200 – 500 m fraction was plated on embryo development medium without 2,4-D, grown for 14 days, and transferred to maturation medium. With 3% sucrose in the maturation medium, the somatic embryos germinated precociously and were unable to survive desiccation. At higher sucrose concentrations, germination was delayed and the embryos continued to accumulate dry matter. After 13 days on 6% sucrose medium (27 days after sieving), the somatic embryos were tolerant of drying to 12% moisture without exposure to exogenous ABA. Heat shock, which presumably stimulates endogenous ABA synthesis, improved the desiccation tolerance of somatic embryos if applied prior to day 27 after sieving, but its effects were minimal after day 27. High sucrose concentrations up to 9% in the maturation medium were optimal during the first 8 days on maturation medium (days 14 to 22 after sieving), but a lower concentration (6%) was optimal during the later stages of embryo maturation (days 22 to 30 after sieving). The inclusion of 10^–5 M ABA in the maturation medium with 6% sucrose further improved embryo quality if applied approximately 20 days after sieving.     

Disappearance of desiccation tolerance of imbibed crop seeds is not associated with the decline of oligosaccharides

The relationship between sugar content and loss of desiccation tolerance of hydrated crop seeds (tomato, okra, snow pea, mung bean, and cucumber) was evaluated by imbibing seeds with or without ABA, followed by dehydration and germination. During the process of hydration, but before the seeds lost desiccation tolerance, monosaccharide content increased only slightly, sucrose increased in snow peas, mung bean and cucumber, but maintained its original level in other species and the oligosaccharides declined dramatically. At the time of losing desiccation tolerance, the sucrose content of imbibed seeds was 2-3 times higher than the original level in most species. Positive significant correlation coefficients (r) were found in many, but not all crop seeds between desiccation tolerance and the oligosaccharide mass, or oligo/sucrose ratio. The ratio of oligo/sucrose in intact seeds at the time of losing desiccation tolerance, however, was not a fixed value and varied among species. Oligosaccharides declined significantly in different seed parts of imbibed cucumber seeds while sucrose increased to a higher level in the radicle than in the hypocotyl. Radicles were far more sensitive to desiccation than hypocotyls. The same observation was found for cucumber seeds imbibed in 100 M ABA, yet desiccation tolerance was largely maintained in hypocotyls and cotyledons. It is concluded that sucrose and oligosaccharides are not the determinants of the loss of desiccation tolerance in hydrated seeds.Imbibed seeds did not show any differences between seed parts in their ability to resynthesize sugars during the process of slow dehydration. Differences in sensitivity to desiccation among seed parts were not due to differences in the initial water content or to the rate of water content increase among seed parts. Physiological regulation of the loss of desiccation tolerance in crop seeds during hydration is discussed.     

Seasonal Variations in the Carbohydrates in the Xylem of Antiaris africana

The xylem of Antiaris africana contains sucrose, starch, glucose,fructose, maltose, and raffinose. Sucrose and starch are themost abundant carbohydrates. Glucose and fructose occur in relativelyequal amounts while maltose and raffinose are the least abundant.Raffinose disappears from the xylem during the dry season, justbefore leaf fall. The pattern of seasonal variation in the individualsugars and starch is similar. There is generally a peak at leaffall and a depletion of these reserves at new flush. Accumulationof carbohydrates during leaf fall occurs first in the youngestxylem (i.e. the 0–2-cm segment). The youngest xylem alsoaccumulates the greatest amount of reserve sugars and starch.The concentrations of the sugars decrease inwards until theybegin to rise after the 4–6-cm segment. There is, however,no such rise in the concentration of starch. The dry-mattercontents increase inwards from the youngest xylem until theylevel out after the 4–6-cm segment. There is a rapid fallin the sucrose and starch contents of felled A. africana. Sucrosedropped by about 65 per cent and starch by about 73 per centin the first 10 days after felling. The levels of other sugarsdecreased gradually except for glucose and fructose which initiallyrose and then fell. Glucose and maltose could still be detectedon the 68th day after felling.