Seed germination requires:

Seed Germination 1. Viable seed: Seed must be alive (embryo) 2. Correct environmental conditions including: a. Water b. Temperature c. Oxygen d. Light 3. Lack of dormancy or dormancy released

Vivipa ry seeds may not dry or becom e dorma nt

prec ocio us ger min atio n. Mat urat ion is not com plet e; ofte n ger min ate whil e still atta che d to plan t. Post harv est spro uting . Redu ced/li ttle dor manc y seed dries and matur es but seed (emb ryo) dorm

ancy is either absent or reduced and will readily geminate under proper conditions. Dormant seedrequires some type of after-ripening process before it can germinate. Dormancy imposes a restriction on ability to readily germinate.

resulting in

Germination begins with the imbibition or uptake of water. Can be viewed, as the change is fresh weight due mostly to the uptake of water. Occurs in three phases: Phase Iwater uptake by imbibition Phase IILag phase little if any increase in FW Phase IIIradicle emergence

P h a s e I W a t e r u p t a k

e is related to the low water potential

of dry seeds (-100mPa).

cell

+ = m

cell = cell water potential/ chemical potential of water and is related to the free energy, G, required for water to move from a high to low potential.

macromolecules of the seed and with surfaces (cell walls, macromolecules). Important because initial water uptake by seed is driven by this component.

m with

= matric potential and is related to the interaction of water

= osmotic potential and is related to the dissolved solutes in the

cytoplasm

(organic acids, amino acids, sugars, ions), expressed as a negative value and water

moves to a more negative. Thus as solute concentration increases becomes more negativegreater chemical potential with increased solute concentration.

= turgor pressure, force or pressure due to cell wall and membrane

How does this relate to seed germination? Phase I (imbibition) is mostly related to matric potential and is associated with the interaction of water will surfaces and macromolecules. Phase 1 occurs in two stages: 1st involves rapid uptake of water associated with surface interactions (cellulose hydration) and 2nd involve linear increase in water content associated with hydration of membranes and establishment of membrane function.

During this stage since membranes are not completely functional, metabolites can leak from the seedsenvironmental stress that extend this time interval (low temperature) can reduce seed germination and viability.

Reduced ambient water potential during phase 1 results in: --reduced seed water content --extends length of phase II --delays and/or blocks entry into phase III

C h a r a c t e r i z e d b y l i t

t l e o r n o w a t e r u p t

Phase IILag Phase

ake.therefore increase in FW lags. Highly active metabolically

Important Phase II events: --mitochondria become active and respiration and ATP synthesis increases --protein synthesis increases and new proteins are synthesized from new mRNAs --metabolism of storage reserves begins --specific enzymes are produced such as ATPase, hydrolases for storage reserves. Phase IIIradicle emergence 1st visible evidence of germination is emergence of the radicle embryonic root. This results from cell enlargement with little cell division. Once radicle emerges, cell division begins in the radicle tip/meristem Two types of germination/radicle emergence One step emergence

Usually occurs in seed without endosperm (Brassica, pea are examples) the testa (seed coat) ruptures and initial radicle elongation result in the completion of germination. Radicle does not rupture endosperm since it does not exist. ABA does not inhibit testa rupture, but inhibits subsequent radicle growth.

Two Step Emergence Rupture of testa (seed coat) and endosperm are two separate events. This is wide- spread in the plant kingdom. ABA appears to inhibit endosperm rupture but not testa rupture and appears to be counteracted by GA.

What is known about the regulation of seed germination and role of plant hormones?

GA promotes the induction of cell wall hydrolases necessary for endosperm weakening and rupture ABA inhibits the induction of cell wall hydrolases which inhibits endosperm weakening and endosperm rupture GA promotes and ABA inhibits embryo growth

Model for the regulation of seed germination

E t h y l e n e s t i m u l a t e d 1 -

Key points: Some factor releases seed dormancy (in above model, light and GA act to release dormancy) GA promotes -1-3 glucanase accumulation ABA inhibits endosperm rupture but not testa rupture

3 glucanase accumulation but does not affect dormancy Class I -1-3 glucanase accumulate prior to endosperm rupture and promote radicle emergence by weakening of endosperm.

Environmental Factors that Influence Seed Germination Main factors include: Water Temperature Oxygen Light Waterfundamental to seed germination Most species have a threshold water potential (water available in a given substrate) that results in optimum emergence.

Temperature Next to water is most important factor and low In dry state seeds are very resistant to temperatures, both high Temperature affects both germination rate and percentage

3 i m p o r t a n t t e m p e

rature points can be used to characterize seed germination 1. minimumlowest temp for germination to occur 2. maximumhighest temp above which injury of dormancy occurs 3. optimumhighest % or seed germinate and the highest rate

Classification of seeds based on temperature requirements 1. Cool-temperature tolerant; usually plants from temperate zones and can germinate over a wide temperature range. Optimum usually not cool (24- 30C) but can tolerate cool temperature (broccoli, carrot, cabbage) 2. Cool-temperature requiring; require low temperatures for germination and fail to germinate at warmer temperatures usually above 25C (celery, lettuce, onion). 3. Warm temperature requiring; fail to germinate below about 10- 15C and tend to be tropical or subtropical in origin; can be injured by low temperature and affect plant vigor (tomato, beans, pepper) 4. Alternating temperature; fluctuations in day/nigh temp can improve germination and is usually at 10C difference (many wild species).

Oxygen or aeration O2 is required for respiration, excess water limits diffusion of O2. Trade off between sufficient water and to much water. Light Both Quality (wavelength) and duration (photoperiod) can influence some specieslettuce and red/far-red light is classic example. Usually small seeded species will often germinate better with light exposure.