Effects of after-ripening and storage regimens on seed-germination behavior of seven species of Physaria

The after-ripening response has been well documented in many plant species but studies of this topic are lacking in many new oilseed crops such as Physaria. In a factorial experiment, we tested the effect of different after-ripening periods and germination conditions on freshly harvested seeds of seven Physaria species, Physaria argyraea, Physaria fendleri, Physaria gracilis, Physaria rectipes, Physaria recurvata, Physaria sessilis, and Physaria thamnophila. The seeds were stored for 4 and 12 weeks over two saturated salt solutions (LiCl and MgCl₂) to equilibrate seed moisture at three storage temperatures (5, 25, and 35 °C). We likewise tested a dormancy-breaking protocol on these species by using conditions previously recommended for use in genebanks for P. fendleri. The germination tests were conducted with light (1052 lux) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) (100 ppm) and without them. Results suggested that conditions previously set for P. fendleri are also adequate for P. gracilis, P. recurvata, and P. sessilis, but may still be not optimal for the perennial species, P. argyraea, P. thamnophila, and P. rectipes. Overall, higher germination percentages were obtained with light and GA₃ treatments. In all species, we observed slight differences between total germination results after 4 weeks and 12 weeks of storage, with higher values evident only in P. fendleri, P. recurvata, and P. thamnophila after their fresh seeds were subjected to 12 weeks of after-ripening at warm temperatures.     

The longevity of seeds of the common potato,Solanum tuberosum

One hundred true seeds of 101 genetically distinct varieties ofSolanum tuberosum which had been collected during the harvest years 1958–1978 were allowed to germinate on moist filter paper in sealed petri dishes stored at 12°C and provided with a 7 hour day. Little vigor is lost in seeds 10 years old and no varietal differences were evident. Germination in all populations commenced on the 5th or 6th day and was completed five days later. Seeds older than 10 years began germination more slowly and the populations took longer to achieve maximum germination. Varietal differences became evident in older seeds. True seed ofS. tuberosum can be stored without stringent conditions with the expectation of good germination for 15 years and some germination for 20 years.     

Cardinal temperatures for germination and early growth of two Lesquerella species

Lesquerella (Lesquerella fendleri) is a potential alternative crop that is being studied for commercial oilseed production. Understanding the minimum temperatures for germination and seedling growth is important for determining potential areas for lesquerella production. The objectives of this study were to determine the cardinal temperatures for germination and seedling growth, and to screen ecotypes for germination and growth characteristics. A temperature gradient table arrangement was used to observe seed germination over a range of temperatures, and time to germination and shoot appearance. Times to 5 mm root length and 5 mm shoot length were also measured to assess cardinal temperatures for seedling survival and growth. Two different species were examined, L. fendleri and a species we refer to as ‘L. pallida aff.’ because it differed from typical L. pallida plants in chromosome number and in oil quality. We concluded that both germination and growth of L. pallida aff. occurred fastest at 22 °C, whereas L. fendleri germinated earlier at 18 °C, but grew faster at 22 °C. L. pallida aff. also had lower germination than L. fendleri over the range studied. Non-dormant seeds of improved lines of L. fendleri had better performance at temperatures above 22 °C than did unimproved accessions. Lines of L. fendleri selected for high oil content and salt tolerance had similar temperature requirements for germination except for improved line WCL-LO3, the current line being used in production. This line had optimal temperatures 6 °C higher for germination and growth than the other improved lines. Accessions of L. fendleri collected from elevations above 2000 m performed better at warmer temperatures, whereas those collected from elevations below 2000 m tended to perform better at cooler temperatures. Dormant seeds of L. fendleri germinated more quickly at low temperatures and had lower base (<3 °C) and optimal (22 °C) temperatures than non-dormant seeds (>7 °C and 28 °C, respectively). We speculate that this partial dormancy trait allows populations of L. fendleri to exploit a wider range of temperature conditions in the wild in order to thrive in extreme environments.     

盐胁迫下电场处理对花葵种子发芽率的影响

用不同强度的电场处理0.5%盐浓度胁迫下花葵种子，测定电场对盐胁迫下种子发芽的影响。统计分析表明：在0～6.0kV/cm场强范围，不同电场强度对种子的发芽率影响不同。在0.5%盐浓度下，用1.0kV/cm 的电场处理花葵种子，种子发芽率可提高18.44% 。     

Effect of Azotobacter vinelandii and compatible solutes on germination wheat seeds and root concentrations of sodium and potassium under salt stress

The effect of plant growth-promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and exogenous application of compatible solutes on seed germination and root concentrations of sodium and potassium of two wheat varieties (Triticum durum L.) were evaluated under saline stress. In this experiment, Azotobacter vinelandii strain DSM85, glycine betaine and proline were used. Inoculated seeds for each variety were placed on Whatman paper in 9 cm Petri dishes containing 15 mL of distilled water or NaCl solutions at various concentrations (control, 100, 200, 300 mM) supplemented with or without glycine betaine (GB) or proline at 5 mM. The results indicated that addition of proline (5 mM) stimulated the production of indol acetic acid and the growth of A. vinelandii at 200 and 300 mM NaCl, respectively. The germination rate index and the germination final percentage decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing salinity level. The germination was significantly diminished at 300 mM with significant variation among varieties and Waha variety had higher germination percentage than Bousselam variety. Inoculation of seeds by A. vinelandii and exogenous application of proline had significantly positive effect on the germination at this concentration of NaCl. The rate of accumulation of Na+ in roots was important at 100 mM and increased at 200 mM. The concentration of K+ decreased when salinity increased. The effect of inoculation or inoculation with proline decreased the accumulation of Na' and reduced the loss of K+ under salt stress. From the present study we can conclude that the use of A. vinelandii strain DSM85 and external application of low concentrations of proline on seeds might be considered as a strategy for the protection of plants under saline stress.     

青蒿素对小麦种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

为了解青蒿素对小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响,运用室内培养皿法,分析了不同浓度的青蒿素溶液浸种后小麦种子发芽率及幼苗高度、根长、整株鲜重、根和茎鲜重及干重、根系活力等指标的变化。结果表明,青蒿素对小麦种子萌发及幼苗生长有抑制作用,且浓度越高,抑制作用越显著。与无菌水对照相比,青蒿素浸种处理显著降低了小麦的种子发芽率、苗高、根长、根鲜重和茎的鲜、干重,增加了根干重和根冠比。小麦的根系活力和可溶性蛋白含量随青蒿素浓度的增加而递减,可溶性糖含量则随之递增,叶绿素含量则呈先升高后降低的趋势,以20mg·L-1处理含量最高。此外,青蒿素浸种处理对小麦幼苗各项指标的影响与15mg·L-1多效唑相似。     

Anatomical Changes during in Vitro Direct Formation of Shoot Bud from Root Tips in Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Abstract

The germination and emergence of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] can be adversely affected by the presence of excessive water as a result of continuous rainfall. The pre-germination flooding-tolerant cultivars can be tolerant to hypoxia in the flooding field. The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship between germination under hypoxia at different temperatures and pre-germination flooding tolerance. Seeds of 6 soybean cultivars were subjected to 5 oxygen concentrations and 3 temperatures. Seeds of all 6 cultivars hardly germinated under an oxygen concentration of 20 mL L^–1, but germinated with increasing oxygen concentration regardless of temperature. The pre-germination flooding-tolerant cultivar ‘Peking’ exhibited poorer germination under hypoxia than the other cultivars. Seed coat of ‘Peking’ did not dehisce when seeds did not germinate under hypoxia regardless of temperature. The pre-germination flooding-susceptible cultivar ‘Nakasennari’ exhibited higher seed coat dehiscence, but the dehiscence mostly occurred on the seed surface rather than micropyle under hypoxia at 25°C and 30°C. Seven days after termination of 3-d hypoxia treatment at 30°C, the percentage of seedlings with root hairs and/or lateral roots relative to that after ambient oxygen treatment was maintained in ‘Peking’ but decreased in the other cultivars, especially in ‘Nakasennari’. Pre-germination flooding-tolerant cultivar, especially ‘Peking’, is characterized by a delay in germination processes under hypoxia, and exhibits vigorous germination after release from hypoxia.     

Functional properties of protein from Lesquerella fendleri seed and press cake from oil processing

This investigation determined the functional properties of protein in Lesquerella fendleri seed and press cake from oil processing. L. fendleri seeds were heat-treated at 82 °C (180 °F) during 120 min residence time in the seed conditioner, and then screw-pressed to extract the oil. Unprocessed ground, defatted lesquerella seeds and press cakes were analyzed for proximate composition and protein functional properties. Protein from unprocessed lesquerella seed showed the greatest solubility (≥60%) at pH 2 and 10 and was least soluble (25%) at pH 5.5–7. Unprocessed lesquerella protein also had high surface hydrophobicity index (S_o), as well as, excellent foaming capacity and stability, emulsifying properties, and water-holding capacity (WHC) at pH 7. Protein solubility profile of the press cake showed up to 50% reduction in soluble proteins at nearly all pH levels, indicating heat denaturation during cooking and screw-pressing. Foaming capacity of the press cake protein decreased slightly, but foam stability was completely lost. Press cake protein also had markedly reduced values for S_o, emulsifying properties and WHC, further confirming lesquerella protein’s sensitivity to heat treatment.     

丹东杂草稻种子的耐冻能力和低温发芽特性研究

为了解丹东杂草稻种子冬季在野外能存活的原因,将丹东杂草稻和对照品种越光的干种子在水中浸不同时间,后在-20℃下处理7 d,在25℃下发芽。对照品种越光在浸种1 h后冷冻处理,其种子的发芽率从98％降为4％,浸种时间延长到1.5 h已不能成苗,而丹东杂草稻种子在1 h浸种处理后,其发芽基本不受影响,甚至在3 h浸种处理后成苗率仍达2.3％。在不同低温下发芽试验中发现丹东杂草稻在11℃能发芽,杂草稻的发芽临界温度要比对照越光低。讨论了杂草稻种子抗冻的潜在价值。      

Storage factors control germination and seedling establishment of freshly harvested true potato seed

Freshly harvested true potato(Solanum tuberosum subsp.andigena, Juz. et Buk.) seeds of the ancient Peruvian cultivar Ccompis were dried to 3.4, 4.2,5.1,6.1, and 7.3% moisture content (Dwt basis) and hermetically stored for 6 months at 15, 30, and 45C. Seeds were humidified to uniform moisture (13%) prior to monthly evaluations of germination at 27 and 17C and seedling performance under variable soil temperature. The effects of treatments on percentage of germination after 8 days at 27C were highly correlated with percentage of emergence at 10 days after sowing and foliage dry weight at 17 days. Germination at 27C increased from negligible to <90% with progressive increases in moisture, temperature, and time in storage. However, germination decreased within the first month of storing seeds at 45C with >5.1% moisture, and after 3 months seeds failed to germinate even after 8 days of lowering the temperature in the germination environment to 17C. Otherwise, germination inhibition at 27C was attributed to dormancy since most seeds readily germinated at 17C. Dormancy was sufficiently released and optimum overall performance was obtained after 2 months of storing seeds at 45C and 4.2% moisture.     

Effect of salt stress on seed germination and seedling growth of three salinity plants

Seeds of three halophyte species included Limonium sinense Kuntze, Glycine soja sieb. and Sorghum sudanense Stapf. were used to investigate the effects of different salinity concentrations on their germination percentage, germination energy, germination index, relative germination rate, relative salt-injury rate, radicle length and hypocotyl length. Results showed that seeds of G. soja can germinate well and rapidly at lower level of salt (< 200 mmol L(-1)), 50 mmol L(-1) salt concentrations is better to S. sudanense, suitable salt concentrations was beneficial to germinate of S. sudanense seeds. Seeds of L. sinense and S. sudanense can germinate at higher level of salt (400 mmol L(-1)). Three plant seeds had different physiological mechanism for germination under salt stress, radicle hypocotyl ratio of L. sinense and S. sudanense increased with increasing salt suggested that they had the higher tolerance in shoot growth under NaCl stress, which is perhaps the reason for their wide utilisation for saline soil rehabilitation.     

Differential expression of defence-related proteins in Vigna unguiculata (L. Walp.) seedlings after infection with Fusarium oxysporum

This work aimed to study the induction of defence proteins in cowpea seedlings during the first days after infection with the fungi Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubenses and F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli. Cowpea seeds, after disinfection, were transferred to Petri dishes containing 0.5% agar and, after germination, were infected with a drop of a suspension containing 0.5 × 10⁴ spores ml⁻¹. Seedlings were collected at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after infection and were dissected into leaves, hypocotyls, roots, cotyledons and teguments, which were measured and weighed for morphometric analysis. The agar medium was also analyzed. Enzymatic assays of proteic extracts yielded antimicrobial peptides detected by Western blotting. The cowpea seedlings showed a complex pattern of induction and repression of defence proteins in response to infection by both pathogens. Furthermore, morphometric analysis showed differences between infected and control seedlings. Infected samples did not at any time exhibit chitinase activity, but did exhibit different β-1,3-glucanase and peroxidase activities. Western blotting for lipid transfer protein (LTP) demonstrated its presence in all parts of the infected seedlings. Exuded proteins, also obtained from cowpea seeds in the germination medium, were separated by SDS-PAGE and tricine gel electrophoresis. The analysis showed that some proteins were exuded from moistened cowpea seeds, particularly after F. oxysporum infection.     

Use of activated charcoal to enhance the germination of botanical seeds of potato

The effect of activated charcoal (AC) on the germination of botanical potato seeds was tested by applying AC to seeds in petri dishes which had been pretreated with gibberellic acid (GA). A diverse sample of accessions including cultivar and cultivated species germplasm, cultivated species hybrids, wild species, and wild species known for their slow germination was tested. The time required from hydration to75% germination was significantly less for all types of seeds tested when AC was present. Cultivated species hybrids reached75% germination an average of four days sooner, wild species two days sooner, and slow germinating wild species 18 days sooner when AC was present. Only slow germinating wild species’ seeds germinated with significantly more uniformity in the presence of AC.     

A novel concept for the control of parasitic weeds by decomposing germination stimulants prior to action

A new concept for controlling parasitic weeds is described. By decomposing germination stimulants prior to action no germination of seeds can take place anymore. Ethanol fractions of the strigolactone (SL) analogues viz., the standard synthetic analogues GR 24 and Nijmegen-1, and analogues derived from tetralone and coumarine, were added to an aqueous buffer with a pH ranging from 6 to 8 and the half lifes (t_1/2) of the hydrolysis were measured. Nijmegen-1 hydrolysed faster than GR 24 and the analogue from tetralone was the most stable one at all pH's. It was found that the aqueous solutions of either borax or thiourea rapidly decompose typical SL analogues, including GR 24 and Nijmegen-1, within an hour. The hydrolysis of SLs by borax was monitored with UV spectroscopy and for thiourea gas chromatography was used. This decomposition of SLs by either borax or thiourea in natural conditions would deprive the seeds of the parasitic weeds of the essential germination stimulants and as a consequence not allow them to germinate. Hence, conditions for an effective weed control are fulfilled.     

Influence of rate of development of water deficit on the expression of maximum osmotic adjustment and desiccation tolerance in three grain sorghum lines

An experiment was conducted to quantify the effect of rate of development of water deficit (R_ψ) on the expression of maximum osmotic adjustment (OA) and desiccation tolerance (DT) in three grain sorghum lines, TAM422, Tx2813 and QL27. DT was determined as the lethal relative water content (RWC^L) and lethal leaf water potential (ψ^L) of leaves, i.e. the value of these traits just prior to tissue death. Five rates of development of water deficit were generated by using different soil volumes in which the decrease in leaf water potential ranged from 0.093 MPa day⁻¹ to 0.153 MPa day⁻¹. The expression of maximum OA increased markedly with a reduced R_ψ, for all three lines. In contrast, DT decreased only slightly with a reduced R_ψ. The three lines differed for expression of maximum OA and DT. Both TAM422 and Tx2813 had higher maximum OA, higher RWC^L and lower ψ^L than QL27. There was a significant line-by-R_ψ interaction for the expression of OA and DT. The interaction was much smaller than the effect of lines for the expression of maximum OA. Therefore, the absolute level of OA for the three sorghum lines and the magnitude of the difference between them changed with the R_ψ without affecting their ranking. As with maximum OA, the interaction for RWC^L was smaller than the line effect. The RWC^L of TAM422 and QL27 was stable across rates of development of water deficit. The results indicated that low R_ψ increased the expression of OA and decreased ψ^L but had little effect on RWC^L. While line-by-soil-volume interactions were observed, these were largely explained by the increase in magnitude of the variation for the traits as R_ψ decreased and were not the result of changes in rank of the lines among soil volumes. Therefore, the current screening strategy is considered to be appropriate for examining genetic variation for OA and DT in grain sorghum. Opportunities exist for using smaller pots and soil volumes where large numbers of genotypes are examined.     

Comparative efficacy of surface drying and re-drying seed priming in rice: changes in emergence, seedling growth and associated metabolic events

In seed priming, seeds are soaked in a solution of low water potential and dried back to their original weight. This study was conducted to evaluate the comparative performance of different seed priming treatments and to investigate whether re-drying is essential or not? Seeds of fine grain aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Super-Basmati were subjected to hardening, osmohardening with CaCl₂ and KCl (ψ _s ?1.25 MPa) each for 24 h (one cycle), and hydropriming and ascorbate priming (10 mg L^?1) for 48 h. Seeds were primed in two sets. In one set after each treatment, seeds were given three surface washings with distilled water and dried back near to original moisture contents with forced air. In the other case, after surface washings with distilled water, seeds were surface dried using blotting paper and sown immediately. All the priming treatments improved the emergence, seedling growth and reserve metabolism. Use of surface drying was more effective for rice seed invigoration, as evident from earlier and synchronized seedling emergence. Moreover, shoot and root length, seedling dry weight, root score, α-amylase activity, soluble sugars and dehydrogenase activity were also improved, although germination percentage and leaf score were similar from both strategies. Results suggested that surface drying, rather than re-drying close to original weight, was more effective, while among the treatments, osmohardening with CaCl₂ was the most effective. Increasing rice production with judicious use of water is need of the day, and aerobic rice cultivation is an attractive alternative for this purpose. However, poor and erratic stand establishment is one of the major hindrances in its wide scale adoption. In this regard, seed priming techniques are pragmatic approaches to achieve proper stand establishment in the new rice culture. They help in improving seedling density per unit area under optimal and adverse soil conditions and may be opted to improve the performance of aerobic rice.     

Effects of saline and alkaline stresses in varying temperature regimes on seed germination of Leymus chinensis from the Songnen Grassland of China

Leymus chinensis is a dominant and most promising grass species in the Songnen Grassland of Northern China. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of temperature, salinity, alkalinity and their interactions on seed germination. Seeds were germinated at four alternating temperatures (10–20, 15–25, 20–30 and 25–35°C), with saline stress (9:1 molar ratio of NaCl:Na₂SO₄) and alkaline stress (9:1 molar ratio of Na₂CO₃:NaHCO₃). Germination percentage and rate were inhibited by either an increase or decrease in temperature from the optimal temperature range of 20–30°C, and were also inhibited by an increase in salinity and alkalinity at all temperatures. The inhibitory effects of high salinity on germination were greater at 25–35°C, but seeds were subjected to more stress even though the alkalinity was low under this temperature. Recovery percentage was highest at 400 mm salinity at 20–30°C, but only at 100 mm alkalinity, and 25–35°C also resulted in lower recovery percentage under both stresses. Results suggest that saline stress and alkaline stress have different impacts on seed germination and that saline‐alkaline tolerance of L. chinensis seeds is affected by the interactions of temperature and salinity‐alkalinity. Early July sowing in the field is recommended when temperature is optimal and salinity‐alkalinity concentrations are reduced by the high rainfall.     

低温胁迫下外源CaCl2对玉米种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

以杂C-546为试材,采用10、20、40、80、160 mmol/L外源CaCl_2浸种和叶面喷施不同浓度处理种子,比较分析低温胁迫下玉米种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数和幼苗叶片相对电导率、可溶性蛋白、Pn、Fv/Fm、POD和SOD活性等生理生化指标的变化。结果表明,在低温抑制玉米幼苗生长条件下,一定浓度CaCl_2(10~80 mmol/L)处理可降低玉米幼苗生长伤害程度。80 mmol/L CaCl_2浸种处理对玉米低温胁迫的缓解效果最佳,与对照比较,发芽率提高8%,发芽势提高24.6%,发芽指数提高33.2,相对电导率降低51.8%,可溶性蛋白含量增加76.3%,SOD活性增加35.7%。适宜浓度的CaCl_2在低温条件下可促进玉米种子的萌发,降低低温对玉米幼苗造成的伤害。     

三种浸种剂对Na2SO4胁迫下小麦种子萌发期耐盐性的影响

为了解黄腐酸、褪黑素、水杨酸三种浸种剂对硫酸盐胁迫下小麦种子萌发期耐盐性的调节效应,分别采用不同浓度的黄腐酸(0.5、1.0和1.5 g·L^-1)、褪黑素(0.01、0.05和0.10 mmol·L^-1)、水杨酸(0.1、0.5和1.0 mmol·L^-1)对小麦进行浸种处理,随后与未处理的小麦种子一并采用100 mmol·L^-1 Na₂SO₄溶液培养,测定各处理下小麦种子萌发期的生长生理指标,并通过主成分分析综合评价其耐盐性。结果表明,0.5～1.5 g·L^-1的黄腐酸、0.01～0.10 mmol·L^-1褪黑素、0.1～0.5 mmol·L^-1水杨酸浸种均提升了小麦根系活力、体内抗氧化酶活性,降低了小麦体内超氧阴离子自由基■产生速率及丙二醛(MDA)含量,缓解了盐分对小麦种子萌发的胁迫程度,增强了小麦种子萌发期的耐盐性,促进了小麦的萌发生长。其中,1.5 g·L^-1的...