scholarly journals Alkaloid Distribution in Seeds of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lloyd JA Loza-Müller ◽  
José Ignacio Laines-Hidalgo ◽  
Miriam Monforte-González ◽  
Felipe Vázquez-Flota

Abstract. Seeds of Argemone mexicana L. accumulate significative amounts of sanguinarine. The analysis of the distribution of this alkaloid through the tissues of mature seeds revealed that up to 60 % of its contents was found tightly fixed to the different components of the seed external covers where it persisted during seedling germination. Contrastingly, sanguinarine contents in cotyledon accounted for the remaining 40 % and it could have been, at least partially, mobilized to the newly formed hypocotyls during emergence from seeds. Berberine was only detected in immature seeds and in seedlings once cotyledons were totally displayed. These results are discussed as a possible sanguinarine role in the chemical protection during seedlings germination.   Resumen. Semillas de Argemone mexicana L. acumulan cantidades elevadas de sanguinarina. Un análisis de la distribución de alcaloides en los diferentes tejidos que componen la semilla reveló que hasta un 60 % del contenido se encontraba fuertemente unido en las capas que forman la cubierta exterior, donde se retuvieron durante la emergencia del hipocótilo. En contraste, los cotiledones presentaron el 40 % restante y parte de ello pudo haber sido movilizado al hipocótilo al emerger. Berberina sólo se observó en semillas inmaduras y en plántulas en desarrollo con los cotiledones desplegados. Estos resultados se discuten en función del posible papel defensivo de la sanguinarina durante la germinación.  

2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih-Hsin Yeh ◽  
Kai-Yi Chen ◽  
Yung-I. Lee

Abstract Background Vanilla planifolia is an important tropical orchid for production of natural vanilla flavor. Traditionally, V. planifolia is propagated by stem cuttings, which produces identical genotype that are sensitive to virulent pathogens. However, propagation with seed germination of V. planifolia is intricate and unstable because the seed coat is extremely hard with strong hydrophobic nature. A better understanding of seed development, especially the formation of impermeable seed coat would provide insights into seed propagation and conservation of genetic resources of Vanilla. Results We found that soaking mature seeds in 4% sodium hypochlorite solution from 75 to 90 min significantly increased germination. For the culture of immature seeds, the seed collection at 45 days after pollination (DAP) had the highest germination percentage. We then investigated the anatomical features during seed development that associated with the effect of seed pretreatment on raising seed germination percentage. The 45-DAP immature seeds have developed globular embryos and the thickened non-lignified cell wall at the outermost layer of the outer seed coat. Seeds at 60 DAP and subsequent stages germinated poorly. As the seed approached maturity, the cell wall of the outermost layer of the outer seed coat became lignified and finally compressed into a thick envelope at maturity. On toluidine blue O staining, the wall of outer seed coat stained greenish blue, indicating the presence of phenolic compounds. As well, on Nile red staining, a cuticular substance was detected in the surface wall of the embryo proper and the innermost wall of the inner seed coat. Conclusion We report a reliable protocol for seed pretreatment of mature seeds and for immature seeds culture based on a defined time schedule of V. plantifolia seed development. The window for successful germination of culturing immature seed was short. The quick accumulation of lignin, phenolics and/or phytomelanins in the seed coat may seriously inhibit seed germination after 45 DAP. As seeds matured, the thickened and lignified seed coat formed an impermeable envelope surrounding the embryo, which may play an important role in inducing dormancy. Further studies covering different maturity of green capsules are required to understand the optimal seed maturity and germination of seeds.


1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Ketring ◽  
H. E. Pattee

Abstract Following harvest, peanuts are usually subjected to a period of storage. During storage biochemical changes are known to occur. The objectives of this study were to determine the changes and relationship in ethylene production, germination, and lipoxygenase (LG) activity during cold storage of dormant NC-13 peanut seeds. Two seed lots (SL) were used: one grown in Oklahoma (SL80) and the other grown in N. Carolina (SL81). SL80 and SL81 were stored at 2 to 5 C for 193 and 242 days, respectively. Samples were taken at about 28-day intervals for determination of germination, ethylene production, and LG activity. Seeds of two and three maturities were tested for SL80 and SL81, respectively. As afterripening of stored seeds proceeded, ethylene production gradually increased, with the maximum at 48 hours of germination. Germination showed a concomitant gradual increase. Lipoxygenase activity of both seedlots was less for mature than for immature seeds and showed a sharp increase during storage at 2 to 5 C, particularly for immature seeds. After heat-treatment to break dormancy of sublots from SL81, there was a progessive increase in ethylene production and germination, but most notably for mature seeds. In contrast to ethylene production and germination, after heat-treatment LG activity declined. Linear correlation coefficient (r) values between ethylene production and germination were highly significant for mature seeds from SL80 at 48 and 72 hours of germination, but only at 72 hours for immature seeds. For SL81 as for SL80, significant positive correlations were found between ethylene production and germination. However, correlations between LG activity and the other variables were not significant except for mature seeds from SL81. Significant positive correlations for both ethylene production and germination with LG activity also existed for these seeds. But after heat-treatment these correlations no longer occurred. The data indicate that the metabolic processes related to ethylene production and germination are occurring simultaneously with those of LG activity. The possibility that metabolites from LG activity serve as substrates for ethylene production can not be precluded.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih-Hsin Yeh ◽  
Kai-Yi Chen ◽  
Yung-I Lee

Abstract Background: Vanilla planifolia is an important tropical orchid for production of natural vanilla flavor. Traditionally, V. planifolia is propagated by stem cuttings, which produces identical genotype that are sensitive to virulent pathogens. However, sexual propagation with seed germination of V. planifolia is intricate and unstable because of the extremely hard seed coat. A better understanding of seed development, especially the formation of impermeable seed coat would provide insights into seed propagation and conservation of genetic resources of Vanilla.Results: We found that soaking mature seeds in 4 % sodium hypochlorite solution from 75 to 90 min significantly increased germination and that immature seeds collected at 45 days after pollination (DAP) had the highest germination percentage. We then investigated the anatomical features during seed development that associated with the effect of seed pretreatment on raising seed germination percentage. The 45-DAP immature seeds have developed globular embryos and the thickened non-lignified cell wall at the outermost layer of the outer seed coat. After 60 DAP, the cell wall of the outermost layer of the outer seed coat became lignified and finally compressed into a thick envelope. These features matches the significant decreases of immature seed germination percentage after 60 DAP. Conclusion: We report a reliable protocol for seed pretreatment of mature seeds and for immature seeds culture based on a defined time schedule of V. plantifolia seed development. The thickened and lignified seed coat formed an impermeable envelope surrounding the embryo, and might play an important role in seed dormancy of V. plantifolia.


Weed Science ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 535-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Egley

Common purslane (Portulaca oleraceaL.) seeds, produced by the same plants, had different degrees of dormancy. The dormancy variations were caused neither by low seed viability nor by location on the plant where seeds were produced. Seed water content and seed age at time of collection contributed to, but were not solely responsible for, the dormancy variations. Immature, brown seeds of high water content were less dormant than the more mature, black seeds of low water content. The immature seeds germinated better in the dark than did the more mature seeds. A puncture in the seed, over the radicle, broke purslane dormancy. Dormancy was not caused by blockage of water imbibition by seeds. Purslane dormancy developed during later stages of seed maturation on the mother plant.


Weed Science ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin C. Hill ◽  
Karen A. Renner ◽  
Mark J. VanGessel ◽  
Robin R. Bellinder ◽  
Barbara A. Scott

Integrated weed management (IWM) for agronomic and vegetable production systems utilizes all available options to effectively manage weeds. Late-season weed control measures are often needed to improve crop harvest and stop additions to the weed seed bank. Eliminating the production of viable weed seeds is one of the key IWM practices. The objective of this research was to determine how termination method and timing influence viable weed seed production of late-season weed infestations. Research was conducted in Delaware, Michigan, and New York over a 2-yr period. The weeds studied included: common lambsquarters, common ragweed, giant foxtail, jimsonweed, and velvetleaf. Three termination methods were imposed: cutting at the plant base (simulating hand hoeing), chopping (simulating mowing), and applying glyphosate. The three termination timings were flowering, immature seeds present, and mature seeds present. Following termination, plants were stored in the field in mesh bags until mid-Fall when seeds were counted and tested for viability. Termination timing influenced viable seed development; however, termination method did not. Common ragweed and giant foxtail produced viable seeds when terminated at the time of flowering. All species produced some viable seed when immature seeds were present at the time of termination. The time of viable seed formation varied based on species and site-year, ranging from plants terminated the day of flowering to 1,337 growing degree d after flowering (base 10, 0 to 57 calendar d). Viable seed production was reduced by 64 to 100% when common lambsquarters, giant foxtail, jimsonweed, and velvetleaf were terminated with immature seeds present, compared to when plants were terminated with some mature seeds present. Our results suggest that terminating common lambsquarters, common ragweed, and giant foxtail prior to flowering, and velvetleaf and jimsonweed less than 2 and 3 wk after flowering, respectively, greatly reduces weed seed bank inputs.


1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 343 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Manning ◽  
Staden J Van

The development, final appearance and digestion (during germination) of seed reserves in a number of genera of the Orchidaceae (tribe Orchideae) has been studied comprehensively, using ultrastructural and histochemical techniques complemented by gas chromatographic analysis of free sugars. Mature seeds of Disa, Disperis and Huttonaea contain substantial reserves of lipid and protein in the embryo. The protodermal cells of Disperis also contain protein-carbohydrate bodies. Free sugars are present but starch occurs only in immature seeds. Glyoxysomes are absent and lipolysis does not occur in seeds incubated without an external source of sucrose, and although a little starch is formed it is apparently synthesised from endogenous sucrose reserves. In the presence of exogenous sucrose, however, proteins are hydrolysed and glyoxysomes appear. Substantial quantities of starch are formed in such seeds. From these observations it is apparent that orchid seeds are unable to utilise endogenous reserves of lipid unless simple sugars are supplied to the medium but can utilise the free sugars present in the embryo. Resultant conclusions on the role of mycorrhizae in the germination of orchid seeds are discussed.


HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 1495-1498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca C.-C. Hsu ◽  
Yung-I Lee

The histological and histochemical changes in developing seeds of Cypripedium debile Rchb. f., a native slipper orchid species with horticultural potential, were investigated. The effects of timing for seed collection, culture media, and cultural conditions were also examined. The optimum germination percentage occurred when mature seeds were collected and sowed on 1/4 Murashige and Skoog basal medium. Besides, the liquid culture promoted germination of mature seeds. This finding is contrary to most other Cypripedium species, which are relatively easy to germinate with immature seeds. Moreover, two notable cytological changes of C. debile were observed. First, the suspensor cell protruded beyond the micropyle opening of the inner seedcoat, making the inner seedcoat not substantial. Second, Nile red staining indicated that the deposition of cuticular material on the seedcoat was fragmentary. It is proposed that the less hydrophobic nature of the seedcoat makes mature seeds of C. debile easier to obtain water and nutrients for germination.


Author(s):  
S.V. Zelentsov ◽  
◽  
G.М. Saenko ◽  
E.V. Moshnenko ◽  
E.N. Budnikov ◽  
...  

One of the significant reasons for the decrease in the sowing quality of seeds in leguminous crops all over the world is bacterial blight of seeds in the form of necrotic decaying spots on the outer or inner side of the cotyledons. A hypothesis was put forward about the presence of a common primary non-bacterial cause of the development of necrosis on cotyledons, regardless of the species, variety and growing zone. The studies were carried out in 2016– 2020 in V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops, Krasnodar, on seeds of soybeans, common bean, chickpea, white and narrow-leaved lupines. On immature seeds of healthy soybean plants in the phases of full filling and the beginning of physiological maturation, bacterial blight of seeds are never observed. Secondary (rain) moistening of mature seeds leads to the development of cotyledon necrosis and a decrease in their germination in soybeans, common beans, chickpeas, white lupine and narrow-leaved lupine. The physiological reason for the formation of cotyledon necrosis during the secondary moistening of mature seeds is the death of the tissues of the cotyledons, moistened before the stage of nucleic acid synthesis, and unable to return to the dormant stage upon repeated drying. Symptoms of the development of cotyledon necrosis after secondary moistening of mature seeds, and bacterial blight of seeds, are practically identical in all leguminous crops. The common primary cause of the formation of necrotic spots on the surface of the cotyledons, identified as bacterial blight of seeds, regardless of the species of legumes, variety and ecological-geographical zone of cultivation, is the secondary (rain) moisture of seeds that have not yet been harvested in the field of mature plants. Isolation of bacterial pathogens of various species and families in necrotic areas of the cotyledons can be explained by secondary infection of already dead tissues. Therefore, the species composition of bacterial microflora in each case will be determined by its presence in the environment.


Weed Science ◽  
1976 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Egley

Freshly-produced, mature prickly sida (Sida spinosaL.) seeds (18 to 21 days after anthesis, < 20% water content) were dormant and neither imbibed water nor germinated when incubated for up to 4 weeks under several light and temperature conditions. Over 80% of the freshly-produced, immature seeds (12 to 16 days after anthesis, > 20% water content) germinated when removed from the mother-plant before dehydration and incubated in alternating 20 to 30 C for 4 weeks. The onset of dormancy coincided with the later stages of seed dehydration and coat-hardening. Over 90% of the mature seeds imbibed water and germinated when incubated at 35 C after 4 months dry storage at 25 C. A puncture through the seed coat, either over the radicle or cotyledons, permitted water imbibition by all mature seeds, but the puncture over the radicle was significantly more effective in inducing germination. Seed coat impermeability was important, but was not the only factor responsible for prickly sida dormancy.


1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elwira Ś;liwiń;ska ◽  
Hai-Chun Jing ◽  
Claudette Job ◽  
Dominique Job ◽  
Jan H.W. Bergervoet ◽  
...  

AbstractCell cycle activity in dry and germinating untreated and treated (soaked in water and subsequently in fungicide) seeds of two sugarbeet cultivars, collected at commercial harvest time (late mature seeds) and about 2 weeks before this (immature seeds), was investigated by flow cytometry, and by immuno-detection of β-tubulin and the B-subunit of the 11 S globulin. Germination capacity and field emergence were tested. With dry seeds of both cultivars, higher G2 / G1 ratios were observed in the radicle tips of late mature seeds, as compared with those from immature seeds. The late mature seeds contained more partly degraded (soluble) B-subunit of 11 S globulin, typical of germinating or primed sugarbeet seeds. Thus events associated with the onset of germination had occurred in the seed lots collected at commercial harvest time. The cytoskeleton protein β-tubulin was not detectable in dry seeds from either harvest. Western blotting revealed an accumulation of β-tubulin during germination and this was faster in the late mature harvested seeds which was correlated with the onset of DNA replication. Soaking enhanced the rate of cell cycle activation during germination as well as vigour, germination capacity, and field emergence. There was positive correlation between the G2 / G1 ratio and the traits examined in laboratory and field tests. It is concluded that a combined analysis of proteins and cell-cycle-related events can be used in understanding and predicting sugarbeet seed quality.


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