scholarly journals Pineapple stem-derived bromelain based priming improves pepper seed protein reserve mobilization and germination

Author(s):  
Lianny Pérez ◽  
Yanier Acosta ◽  
Lelurlys Nápoles ◽  
Carol Carvajal ◽  
Claudia Linares ◽  
...  

Abstract Pepper fruit has a great agronomic, nutritional and commercial value given that it is rich in antioxidant compounds such as carotenes, and vitamins C and E. However, pepper seeds are slow to germinate and emergence is often non-uniform and incomplete. Seed priming and invigoration treatments have been explored for a number of pepper varieties but success has been variable and generally limited. The present report describes the effects of pineapple stem – derived protease (stem bromelain) based priming on pepper seed germination in relation to reserve mobilization (specifically, proteins and aminoacids). Germination capacity in bromelain treated seeds was significantly higher on days 7, 14 and 21 than in unsoaked (control) and deionized water-soaked seeds but comparable across the treatments and the control on day 28. Germination rate was significantly highest in bromelain treated seeds. Light microscopy revealed an abundance of protein bodies in the endosperm of the seeds investigated at before imbibition and when observed over a period of 96 h, these bodies were progressively degraded, with the rate of this degradation being fastest in bromelain treated seeds. Quantitative measurements of protein levels (and free amino content) confirmed this observation. The results motivate the use of bromelain extracts for priming pepper seeds based on their proteolytic activity, since germination is dependent on the availability of crude protein and essential amino acids.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Javier Carrillo-Reche ◽  
Adrian C. Newton ◽  
Richard S. Quilliam

Abstract A low-cost technique named ‘on-farm’ seed priming is increasingly being recognized as an effective approach to maximize crop establishment. It consists of anaerobically soaking seeds in water before sowing resulting in rapid and uniform germination, and enhanced seedling vigour. The extent of these benefits depends on the soaking time. The current determination of optimal soaking time by germination assays and mini-plot trials is resource-intensive, as it is species/genotype-specific. This study aimed to determine the potential of the seed respiration rate (an indicator of metabolic activity) and seed morphological changes during barley priming as predictors of the priming benefits and, thus, facilitate the determination of optimal soaking times. A series of germination tests revealed that the germination rate is mostly attributable to the rapid hydration of embryo tissues, as the highest gains in the germination rate occurred before the resumption of respiration. Germination uniformity, however, was not significantly improved until seeds were primed for at least 8 h, that is, after a first respiration burst was initiated. The maximum seedling vigour was attained when the priming was stopped just before the beginning of the differentiation of embryonic axes (20 h) after which vigour began to decrease (‘over-priming’). The onset of embryonic axis elongation was preceded by a second respiration burst, which can be used as a marker for priming optimization. Thus, monitoring of seed respiration provides a rapid and inexpensive alternative to the current practice. The method could be carried out by agricultural institutions to provide recommended optimal soaking times for the common barley varieties within a specific region.


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 271
Author(s):  
Muhammad Imran ◽  
Asim Mahmood ◽  
Günter Neumann ◽  
Birte Boelt

Low temperature during germination hinders germination speed and early seedling development. Zn seed priming is a useful and cost-effective tool to improve germination rate and resistance to low temperature stress during germination and early seedling development. Spinach was tested to improve germination and seedling development with Zn seed priming under low temperature stress conditions. Zn priming increased seed Zn concentration up to 48 times. The multispectral imaging technique with VideometerLab was used as a non-destructive method to differentiate unprimed, water- and Zn-primed spinach seeds successfully. Localization of Zn in the seeds was studied using the 1,5-diphenyl thiocarbazone (DTZ) dying technique. Active translocation of primed Zn in the roots of young seedlings was detected with laser confocal microscopy. Zn priming of spinach seeds at 6 mM Zn showed a significant increase in germination rate and total germination under low temperature at 8 °C.


Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Siaka Dembélé ◽  
Robert B. Zougmoré ◽  
Adama Coulibaly ◽  
John P. A. Lamers ◽  
Jonathan P. Tetteh

Agriculture in Mali, a country in Sahelian West Africa, strongly depends on rainfall and concurrently has a low adaptive capacity, making it consequently one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change worldwide. Since early-season drought limits crop germination, and hence growth, ultimately yield during rain-fed depending on production is commonly experienced nowadays in Mali. Germination and establishment of key crops such as the staple sorghum could be improved by seed priming. The effects of hydro-priming with different water sources (e.g., distilled, tap, rain, river, well water) were evaluated respectively for three priming time durations in tepid e.g., at 25 °C (4, 8, and 12 h) and by hot water at 70 °C (in contrast to 10, 20, and 30 min.) in 2014 and 2015. Seed germination and seedling development of nine sorghum genotypes were monitored. Compared to non-primed seed treatments, hydro-priming significantly [p = 0.01] improved final germination percentage, germination rate index, total seedling length, root length, root vigor index, shoot length, and seedling dry weight. The priming with water from wells and rivers resulted in significant higher seed germination (85%) and seedling development, compared to the three other sources of water. Seed germination rate, uniformity, and speed were enhanced by hydro-priming also. It is argued that hydro-priming is a safe and simple method that effectively improve seed germination and seedling development of sorghum. If used in crop fields, the above most promising genotypes may contribute to managing early season drought and avoid failure of seed germination and crop failure in high climate variability contexts.


2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warley Marcos Nascimento

Important factors affecting seed priming have not been extensively reported in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) studies. The optimization of the seed priming technique becomes very important at the commercial scale. Little information has been reported on seedling development of muskmelon subsequent to seed priming. Seeds of muskmelon were primed in darkness at 25°C in different solutions and three osmotic potentials. Seeds were also primed with and without aeration during different periods. In relation to osmotic solutions, an osmotic potential around -1.30 MPa is most adequate for muskmelon priming. Salt solutions gave better germination rate but were deleterious for seed germination, especially at higher osmotic potentials. Aeration of the soaking salt solution gave faster germination at 17°C, and because of the early germination, these treatments probably presented a better seedling development. Deleterious effect on total seed germination was observed for long soaking periods with aeration. Fungal growth increased on seeds primed in aerated solutions. Seeds from priming treatments had a better germination rate and seedling development under 17 and 25°C.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Erna Karalija ◽  
Fatima Pustahija ◽  
Adisa Parić

UDK: 582.661.51:631.53.027]:547.913 In order to investigate the effects of seed priming with silver fir and oregano essential oils on certain important seedling characteristic and seed vigour of interesting endemic and horticultural species Silene sendtneri, an experiment was conducted based on randomized completely design with three replications. Traits such as germination rate, water content, dry weight, vigour index and photosynthetic pigments were analysed. Results revealed that the seedlings obtained with priming seeds showed increased growth, water content, vigour and photosynthetic pigment contents but decreased germination rate and dry weight compared with that obtained with non-primed seeds. Analysis of seed priming effects had demonstrated even germination rate is smaller the seedling vigour is slightly higher especially with all oregano oil treatments. We suggest that oregano oil has a potential as a priming agent for improvement of seedling synchrony, although at lower rate of germination.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245505
Author(s):  
Xiaofei Chen ◽  
Ruidong Zhang ◽  
Yifan Xing ◽  
Bing Jiang ◽  
Bang Li ◽  
...  

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] seed germination is sensitive to salinity, and seed priming is an effective method for alleviating the negative effects of salt stress on seed germination. However, few studies have compared the effects of different priming agents on sorghum germination under salt stress. In this study, we quantified the effects of priming with distilled water (HP), sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on sorghum seed germination under 150 mM NaCl stress. The germination potential, germination rate, germination index, vigor index, root length, shoot length, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, and shoot dry weight were significantly reduced by salt stress. Different priming treatments alleviated the germination inhibition caused by salt stress to varying degrees, and 50 mM CaCl2 was the most effective treatment. In addition, the mitigation effect of priming was stronger on root traits than on shoot traits. Mitigation efficacy was closely related to both the type of agent and the concentration of the solution. Principal component analysis showed that all concentrations of CaCl2 had higher scores and were clearly distinguished from other treatments based on their positive effects on all germination traits. The effects of the other agents varied with concentration. The priming treatments were divided into three categories based on their priming efficacy, and the 50, 100, and 150 mM CaCl2 treatments were placed in the first category. The 150 mM KCl, 10% PEG, HP, 150 mM NaCl, 30% PEG, and 50 mM KCl treatments were placed in the second category, and the 100 mM NaCl, 100 mM KCl, 20% PEG, and 50 mM NaCl treatments were least effective and were placed in the third category. Choosing appropriate priming agents and methods for future research and applications can ensure that crop seeds germinate healthily under saline conditions.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257236
Author(s):  
Zong He Zhu ◽  
Abdul Sami ◽  
Qing Qing Xu ◽  
Ling Ling Wu ◽  
Wen Yin Zheng ◽  
...  

The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of seed priming. This was done by soaking the seeds of two rapeseed cultivars, namely, ZY15 (tolerant to low temperature and drought) and HY49 (sensitive to low temperature and drought), for 12 h in varying solutions: distilled water, 138 mg/L salicylic acid (SA), 300 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA), 89.4 mg/L sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 3000 mg/L calcium chloride (CaCl2), and 30 mg/L abscisic acid (ABA). Primed and non-primed seeds were left to germinate at 15°C and -0.15 MPa (T15W15) and at 25°C and 0 MPa (T25W0), respectively. The results showed that SA, GA, SNP, CaCl2, and ABA significantly improved the germination potential (GP), germination rate (GR), germination index (GI), stem fresh weight (SFW), stem dry weight (SDW), root length (RL), stem length (SL), and seed vigor index (SVI) under T15W15. For ZY15 seeds under T25W0, GA, SNP, CaCl2, and ABA priming reduced the average germination time (96% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (88% after 5 days). For ZY15 seeds under T15W15, SA, SNP, CaCl2, and ABA priming, with respect to the control and water-treated groups, shortened the average germination time (92% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (80% after 5 days). For HY49 seeds under T25W0, GA, SNP, CaCl2, and ABA priming reduced the average germination time (92% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (85% after 5 days). Similarly, for HY49 seeds under T15W15, GA priming shortened the average germination time (89% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (83% after 5 days). These priming agents increased the net photosynthesis, stomatal conductivity, and transpiration rate of rape seedlings under conditions of low temperature and drought stress, while also decreasing intercellular carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Additionally, SA, GA, SNP, CaCl2, and ABA increased superoxide dismutase concentrations (SOD) and ascorbic peroxidase (APX) activities of rape seedlings under stress conditions, while decreasing catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities in ZY15 seedlings. In HY49, which is sensitive to low temperature and drought, all priming solutions, except for SNP, led to an increase in SOD activity levels and a decrease in CAT activity levels. Overall, SA, GA, SNP, and CaCl2 increased the concentrations of indoleacetic acid (IAA), GA, ABA, and cytokinin (CTK) in seedlings under stress conditions. Moreover, compared to SA, CaCl2, and ABA, GA (300 mg/L) and SNP (300 mol/L) showed improved priming effects for ZY15 and HY49 under stress conditions.


2013 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingchen Fu ◽  
Michael S. Kilberg

Mammalian cells respond to amino acid deprivation through multiple signaling pathways referred to as the amino acid response (AAR). Transcription factors mediate the AAR after their activation by several mechanisms; examples include translational control (activating transcription factor 4, ATF4), phosphorylation (p-cJUN), and transcriptional control (ATF3). ATF4 induces ATF3 transcription through a promoter-localized C/EBP-ATF response element (CARE). The present report characterizes an ATF/CRE site upstream of the CARE that also contributes to AAR-induced ATF3 transcription. ATF4 binds to the ATF/CRE and CARE sequences and both are required for a maximal response to ATF4 induction. ATF3, which antagonizes ATF4 and represses its own gene, also exhibited binding activity to the ATF/CRE and CARE sequences. The AAR resulted in elevated total cJUN and p-cJUN protein levels and both forms exhibited binding activity to the ATF/CRE and CARE ATF3 sequences. Knockdown of AAR-enhanced cJUN expression blocked induction of the ATF3 gene and mutation of either the ATF/CRE or the CARE site prevented the cJUN-dependent increase in ATF3-driven luciferase activity. The results indicate that both increased cJUN and the cis-acting ATF/CRE sequence within the ATF3 promoter contribute to the transcriptional activation of the gene during the AAR.


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