Accelerated germination of maize seeds under chilling stress by osmotic priming and associated changes in embryo phospholipids

Basra, A.S.; Bedi, S.; Malik, C.P.

Accelerated germination of maize seeds under chilling stress by osmotic priming and associated changes in embryo phospholipids

1988

Basra, A.S. | Bedi, S. | Malik, C.P.

Osmotic priming of maize seeds (Zea mays L. cv. Partap) using polyethylene glycol or potassium salts (K2HPO4, KH2PO4, KNO3 and K2HPO4+KNO3) resulted in accelerated germination at a chilling temperature (10 °C). The response of seeds primed in solutions of either 2.5% K2HPO4 or 2.5% K2HPO4+ KNO3 was particularly marked compared with the untreated seeds, and the effect of priming was largely retained after seeds had been dried back. All embryo phospholipid fractions and sterols increased during salt-priming and the proportion of phospholipid which was diphosphotidylglycerol (DPG) also increased. It is suggested that the marked increase in the DPG content of primed embryos may be due to enhanced internal organization of their mitochondrial membranes, and that the benefit of osmotic priming may be at least partly due to an increased potential for ATP accumulation.

显示更多 [+]