scholarly journals Seed research for improved technologies

1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (spe) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Bino ◽  
H. Jalink ◽  
M.O. Oluoch ◽  
S.P.C. Groot

The production of high-quality seed is the basis for a durable a profitable agriculture. After production, seed is processed, conditioned, stored, shipped and germinated. For quality assurance, seed quality has to be controlled at all steps of the production chain. Seed functioning is accompanied by programmed transitions from cell proliferation to quiescence upon maturation and from quiescence to reinitiation of cellular metabolism upon imbibition. Despite the obvious importance of these control mechanisms, very little information is available at the molecular level concerning those elements that regulate seed germination. In the present study, the induction of cell cycle activity and the regulation of ß-tubulin expression is related to the water content and other physical properties of the seed.

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Katrin Kuhlmann ◽  
Bhramar Dey

Seed rules and regulations determine who can produce and sell seeds, which varieties will be available in the market, the quality of seed for sale, and where seed can be bought and sold. The legal and regulatory environment for seed impacts all stakeholders, including those in the informal sector, through shaping who can participate in the market and the quality and diversity of seed available. This paper addresses a gap in the current literature regarding the role of law and regulation in linking the informal and formal seed sectors and creating more inclusive and better governed seed systems. Drawing upon insights from the literature, global case studies, key expert consultations, and a methodology on the design and implementation of law and regulation, we present a framework that evaluates how regulatory flexibility can be built into seed systems to address farmers’ needs and engage stakeholders of all sizes. Our study focuses on two key dimensions: extending market frontiers and liberalizing seed quality control mechanisms. We find that flexible regulatory approaches and practices play a central role in building bridges between formal and informal seed systems, guaranteeing quality seed in the market, and encouraging market entry for high-quality traditional and farmer-preferred varieties.


Author(s):  
S.N. Volkova S.N. ◽  
◽  
E.E. Sivak E.E.

Compliance with agronomic regulations in farms that ensure high quality seeds (conducting grade and species weeds on seed crops, compliance with harvesting, part-time, seed storage, etc.) must be constantly monitored in order to improve production on the way to the cultivation of high-quality seed material.


2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge M. Vázquez-Ramos ◽  
María de la Paz Sánchez

AbstractThe cell cycle is the series of molecular events that allows cells to duplicate and segregate their chromosomes to form new cells. The finding that a protein kinase, the product of the yeastcdc2gene, was fundamental in the regulation of the G2/M and G1/S transitions, associated with unstable proteins named cyclins, opened a very exciting and dynamic research area. The number of gene products that participate in the development and regulation of the cell cycle may be in the hundreds, and there is a high degree of conservation in protein sequences and regulatory pathways among eukaryotes. Although there are clear differences between plants and animals in cell structure, organization, growth, development and differentiation, the same types of proteins and very similar regulatory pathways seem to exist. Seed germination appears to be an excellent model system for studying the cell cycle in plants. Imbibition will reactivate meristematic cells – most initially with a G1DNA content – into the cell cycle in preparation for seedling establishment. Early events include a thorough survey of DNA status, since the drying process and seed storage conditions reduce chromosomal integrity. The initiation of cell cycle events leading to G1and S phases, and of the germination process itself, may depend on a G1checkpoint control. Most, if not all, cell cycle proteins appear to be already present in unimbibed embryos, although there is evidence of protein turnover in the early hours, suggesting the need forde novoprotein synthesis. Regulation also may occur at the level of protein modification, because existing G1, S and G2cell cycle proteins appear to be activated at precise times during germination. Thus, cell cycle control during seed germination may be exerted at multiple levels; however, knowledge of cell cycle events and their importance for germination is still scarce and fragmentary, and different species may have developed unique control mechanisms, more suited to specific germination characteristics and habitat.


2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1638) ◽  
pp. 20130094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Urrego ◽  
Adam P. Tomczak ◽  
Farrah Zahed ◽  
Walter Stühmer ◽  
Luis A. Pardo

Normal cell-cycle progression is a crucial task for every multicellular organism, as it determines body size and shape, tissue renewal and senescence, and is also crucial for reproduction. On the other hand, dysregulation of the cell-cycle progression leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation is the hallmark of cancer. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is a tightly regulated process, with multifaceted and very complex control mechanisms. It is now well established that one of those mechanisms relies on ion channels, and in many cases specifically on potassium channels. Here, we summarize the possible mechanisms underlying the importance of potassium channels in cell-cycle control and briefly review some of the identified channels that illustrate the multiple ways in which this group of proteins can influence cell proliferation and modulate cell-cycle progression.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Masilamani ◽  
S. Venkatesan ◽  
P. Janaki ◽  
T. Eevera ◽  
S. Sundareswaran ◽  
...  

The use of high-quality seeds is one of the most important elements for increasing agricultural production in any farming system. This element has become more crucial than ever for providing enough food security for the rising population, which is expected to exceed nine billion by year 2050. Selecting high yielding varieties of disease, insect, lodging and shattering resistance, along with other desirable characteristics are the basic keys for satisfactory crop performance and yield. The production of high-quality seed is the cornerstone of any successful agriculture program. It is also a good marketing tool for increasing the potential sale of crops, especially in today’s competitive market. Therefore, adopting an efficient method to evaluate the seed quality non-destructively is the need of hour. One such technique or method is the use of NIR which helps to assess seed quality non-destructively and sort out seeds based on seed health, seed deterioration, viability, vigour including protein, starch and fatty acid composition as well as abiotic and biotic seed damage. It is a non-destructive analytical technique requires little sample preparation time and high-throughput, which makes it as a seed analysis tool.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-514
Author(s):  
Sharon M. Tusiime ◽  
Gail R. Nonnecke ◽  
Helen H. Jensen

Tomatoes increase nutritional food security and income among Ugandan smallholder farmers who have limited access to high quality seed. The objective of this study was to analyze the current tomato seed value chain for Uganda. Survey responses determined roles of key participants, including Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) for regulation and certification; National Agricultural Research Organization for breeding cultivars and seed multiplication; Makerere University for education and research; commercial seed companies for seed importation and conditioning; seed distributors for sales; and smallholder farmers as savers and end users of seed. Challenges included an inefficient domestic seed distribution system, technical constraints in seed production and conditioning by seed companies, inadequate networks and communication among the seed industry’s key participants, and partial regulation of the seed industry. Seed companies played a key role in seed conditioning processes. Companies imported all tomato seeds into Uganda and stated germination as their primary goal for quality. Challenges for seed companies included assistance from MAAIF to regulate and certify seed and access to improved technologies. Attaining high quality seed by commercial Uganda-parent companies will require additional investment and training of seed technologists for domestic testing and seed quality assurance.


1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 1694-1697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Cooper ◽  
Daniel K. Struve ◽  
Mark A. Bennett

Two studies were conducted to determine if pericarp splitting following an aerated water soak treatment can be used as an indicator of red oak (Quercusrubra L.) seed quality in seeds subjected or not subjected to cold stratification. In the first study, stratified red oak acorns from three open-pollinated half-sib families were treated with a 10-day aerated soak in tap water (aerated water soak treatment) and grouped into acorns with split and unsplit pericarps before conducting germination tests. Acorns stored at 2 °C during the aerated water soak treatment served as a control. Treated acorns with split pericarps had significantly greater germination capacity and uniformity than treated acorns without split pericarps. In the second study, acorns from four half-sib families were either given the aerated water soak treatment or not in October (unstratified) and in February (stratified), and a germination test was conducted. Pericarp splitting and germination were poor in unstratified seeds and high in stratified seeds. Correlations between percentage of pericarp splitting after an October aerated water soak treatment and germination completeness and uniformity in a February test were not significant. For stratified red oak seed, the aerated water soak treatment offers a fast (results can be obtained in 10 days rather than 14 to 28 days) and simple alternative to present germination tests. Also, the presence of a split pericarp following an aerated water soak treatment is a nondestructive method for identifying high-quality seed before sowing. The aerated water soak treatment is unsatisfactory for determining seed quality in unstratified red oak seed.


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