An alkaline α-galactosidase transcript is present in maize seeds and cultured embryo cells, and accumulates during stress

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian-Yong Zhao ◽  
J. Willis Corum III ◽  
Jeffrey Mullen ◽  
Robert B. Meeley ◽  
Timothy Helentjaris ◽  
...  

Raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO) accumulate in many developing seeds and are degraded during seed germination. However, acidic α-galactosidase (AGAL) activity and subcellular location do not correlate with raffinose depletion; alkaline α-galactosidases (AGA) may be responsible for RFO hydrolysis in germinating seeds. Three cDNA clones for AGA/SEED IMBIBITION PROTEIN were obtained from the Pioneer Hi-Bred maize expressed sequence database. Two of the clones were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant proteins, when incubated with naturally occurring galactosides or p-nitrophenyl α-d-galactose, exhibited AGA activity with maximum catalysis at pH 7.5 (ZmAGA1) or pH 8.5 (ZmAGA3). No raffinose biosynthetic capacity was observed with either enzyme. Maximal α-galactosidase activity in mature dehydrated, germinating and germinated maize (Zea mays) seeds occurred at pH 7.5. ZmAGA1 was the sole family member detected in seeds and maize Hi-II, embryo-derived, callus cells. Its transcript accumulated when seed germination was interrupted by heat, cold or dehydration stress, but not in response to NaCl. Tissue prints localized transcripts to the scutellum or the embryo axis, depending on the stress applied. In maize Hi-II callus cells, transcripts accumulated when callus was subjected to heat stress (42 °C), during which ZmAGA1 transcript accumulation was further induced by sucrose. Galactosides in a variety of forms, including raffinose, partially repressed the sucrose-induced accumulation of transcript in heat-stressed callus.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1647
Author(s):  
Gui-E Li ◽  
Wei-Liang Kong ◽  
Xiao-Qin Wu ◽  
Shi-Bo Ma

Phytase plays an important role in crop seed germination and plant growth. In order to fully understand the plant growth-promoting mechanism by Rahnella aquatilis JZ-GX1,the effect of this strain on germination of maize seeds was determined in vitro, and the colonization of maize root by R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 was observed by scanning electron microscope. Different inoculum concentrations and Phytate-related soil properties were applied to investigate the effect of R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 on the growth of maize seedlings. The results showed that R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 could effectively secrete indole acetic acid and had significantly promoted seed germination and root length of maize. A large number of R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 cells colonized on the root surface, root hair and the root interior of maize. When the inoculation concentration was 107 cfu/mL and the insoluble organophosphorus compound phytate existed in the soil, the net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, phytase activity secreted by roots, total phosphorus concentration and biomass accumulation of maize seedlings were the highest. In contrast, no significant effect of inoculation was found when the total P content was low or when inorganic P was sufficient in the soil. R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 promotes the growth of maize directly by secreting IAA and indirectly by secreting phytase. This work provides beneficial information for the development and application of R. aquatilis JZ-GX1 as a microbial fertilizer in the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Araceli Godínez-Garrido ◽  
Juan Gabriel Ramírez-Pimentel ◽  
Jorge Covarrubias-Prieto ◽  
Francisco Cervantes-Ortiz ◽  
Artemio Pérez-López ◽  
...  

Abstract: Chitosan is a biopolymer obtained from deacetylation of chitin; it has multiple applications in agriculture as an antifungal, soil conditioner, inducer of defense mechanisms, fruits postharvest coating, leaves and seeds, among others. The objective in this research was to evaluate the effect of chitosan coatings mixed with fungicide (dithiocarbamate) on the germination and germination speed of bean and maize seeds in storage and to determine the retention capacity of the fungicide in the coated seeds under different times of imbibition. Two coating treatments at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5% chitosan in water, two coatings treatments at 0.1 and 0.5% chitosan supplemented with 0.5% fungicide and a coating without chitosan using only 0.5% fungicide in water were used in bean and maize seed; and as control seeds imbibed in distilled water were used; after treatments, germination percentage and germination speed were determined, also fungicide release were determined at 0, 1, 2 and 6 h of imbibition, and the effect of storage time on germination and germination speed was determined at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days of storage at 4 °C and 45% relative humidity. The fungicide release effect was determined by inhibiting Fusarium oxysporum conidia germination. There were no negative effects of coatings on seed germination after storage. The treatment that provided both greater retention of the fungicidal agent and released it gradually, was 0.5% chitosan mixed with fungicide concentration. Chitosan coating seeds mixed with fungicide do not cause negative changes in seed germination or germination rate.


2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
pp. 755-763
Author(s):  
Iwona Stawoska ◽  
Aleksandra M. Staszak ◽  
Iwona Ciereszko ◽  
Jakub Oliwa ◽  
Andrzej Skoczowski

Abstract Thermoanalytical methods are widely used to study seed germination processes. Our research aimed to use them in order to monitor the germination of maize seeds. To this end, we employed—for the first time—the isothermal calorimetric method with full oxygen access. Dry seeds were placed in ampoules with threaded caps, filled with distilled water. Heat flow was recorded in microwatts at 20 °C for 72 h in order to determine changes in thermal power associated with germination. In parallel with these measurements, in the same time regime, we measured FT-Raman spectra, which allowed us to analyze how endosperm and embryo changed their chemical compositions during imbibition and germination. Spectra obtained for endosperm reflected chemical changes resulting from catabolic processes. We also analyzed variations in the secondary structure of proteins in the embryo accompanying germination. Decomposition of amide I bands proved that during germination and protein hydrolysis, the content of helical and β-sheet structures decreased. Furthermore, in the embryos of dry seeds, S-S linkages were in both gauche–gauche-trans and trans-gauche-trans conformations, but after imbibition, only gauche–gauche-trans conformation can be identified.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Bertolosi Bombo ◽  
Tuane Santos de Oliveira ◽  
Beatriz Appezzato-da-Glória ◽  
Ana Dionísia da Luz Coelho Novembre

Brazilian samples from the Aldama genus (Asteraceae) could not propagate vegetatively despite their thickened underground system; thus, this study on sexual propagation is critical given the lack of data on reproductive strategies for such species. The aim for this research was to assess the optimal temperature for Aldama arenaria, A. filifolia, A. linearifolia, A. robustaand A. trichophylla seed germination. Seed germination was evaluated at the constant temperatures 20, 25 and 30 °C and the alternating temperatures 15-35, 20-30 and 20-35 °C with an 8-h daily photoperiod, using fluorescent-lamp. The ungerminated seeds were evaluated for embryo viability. The A. filifolia seed health was also evaluated. The optimal temperatures for germination are 20 and 25 °C for Aldama arenaria, A. filifolia, A. robusta and A. trichophylla seeds and 20 °C for A. linearifoliaseeds. The alternating temperature 15-35 °C is not recommended for germinating seeds from these species. The six fungi taxa studied herein did not affect A. filifolia seed germination.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
Mei Zhao ◽  
Ron Walcott

Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), caused by Acidovorax citrulli, is a seed-transmitted disease of cucurbit crop species. During seed-to-seedling transmission of BFB, A. citrulli initially grows as a saprophyte on germinating seeds and subsequently switches to a pathogenic mode. We investigated the effect of temperature on A. citrulli colonisation of germinating watermelon seeds. Seeds were vacuum-infiltrated with 106 CFU/ml A. citrulli, germinated at 28°C and 100% relative humidity, and transferred to 40°C at different times. Mean BFB incidence was significantly lower for seeds that were sown at 28°C and transferred to 40°C three days after sowing (DAS), compared with seeds incubated constantly at 28°C. Seeds showed reduced mean BFB transmission percentages when transferred from 28 to 40°C at 3 DAS, regardless of initial A. citrulli concentration. The effect of increased temperature on BFB seedling transmission was reversible regardless of the initial A. citrulli inoculum concentration. Furthermore, the A. citrulli population on germinating watermelon seedlings that were transferred from 28 to 40°C at 3 DAS was significantly lower than seedlings maintained at 28°C. We conclude that A. citrulli cells associated with germinating watermelon seeds are more sensitive to elevated temperature during the first 3 DAS relative to the later days.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicja Tymoszuk ◽  
Jacek Wojnarowicz

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are ones of the most commonly manufactured nanomaterials worldwide. They can be used as a zinc fertilizer in agriculture to enhance yielding and to control the occurrence of diseases thanks to its broad antifungal and antibacterial action. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of ZnO submicron particles (ZnO SMPs) and ZnO NPs on the process of in vitro seed germination and seedling growth in onion (Allium cepa L. ‘Sochaczewska’), and to indicate the potential use of these compounds in onion production. In the experiment, disinfected seeds were inoculated on the modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and poured with ZnO SMP or ZnO NP water suspension, at the concentrations of 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 mg∙L−1. During three successive weeks, the germinating seeds were counted. Germination started most often on the second or third day of in vitro culture. The highest share of germination was recorded for seeds treated with 800 mg∙L−1 ZnO SMPs and ZnO NPs (52% and 56%, respectively). After the application of ZnO SMPs and ZnO NPs at the highest tested concentration (3200 mg∙L−1), the share of germinating seeds was only 19% and 11%, respectively. Interestingly, seedlings obtained from control seeds and seeds treated with ZnO SMPs and ZnO NPs did not differ statistically in terms of length, fresh weight, and dry weight of leaves, and roots. Both ZnO SMPs and ZnO NPs, in the concentration range from 50 to 1600 mg∙L−1, can be used to stimulate the germination process of onion seeds, without negative effects on the further growth and development of seedlings. There were no differences found between the action of ZnO NPs and ZnO SMPs, which suggested that the most important factor influencing seed germination was in fact the concentration of zinc ions, not the particle size.


1995 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Cruz García ◽  
Luis F. Jiménez ◽  
Jorge M. Vázquez-Ramos

AbstractThe conditions of osmopriming of maize seeds have been established. At an osmotic potential of–1.7 MPa, seed germination is inhibited and seeds osmoprimed for up to 3 weeks show an improved germinability when the osmotic agent is removed. This improvement also applies to seeds that lost vigour because of improper storage conditions. At the biochemical level, embryo axes from osmoprimed seeds can incorporate precursors into DNA, RNA and proteins although at a low level; after removing the osmotic agent, all 3 types of macromolecules are synthesized at much higher levels. No evidence of DNA replication or cell division was found during osmopriming; however, mitotic figures appear several hours earlier in germinated, osmoprimed root tissues compared with the time at which they appear in non-osmoprimed tissues. The behaviour of osmoprimed maize is compared with that of osmoprimed seeds from other plant species.


1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 1550-1555 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. V. Gusta ◽  
B. Ewan ◽  
M. J. T. Reaney ◽  
S. R. Abrams

Optical isomers of abscisic acid (ABA) and racemic mixtures of both abscisic acid and abscisic acid metabolites were studied to determine their effects on the emergence of root primordia and cotyledons from cress seed. The relative emergence sensitivity of cress seed to the racemic compounds was (±)-ABA aldehyde ≥ (±)-ABA alcohol > (±)-ABA > (±)7′-hydroxy ABA > (±)-phaseic acid. Thus ABA and ABA precursors were effective inhibitors whereas the ABA catabolites, phaseic acid, and 7′-hydroxy ABA had little or no effect on germination. The naturally occurring optically pure enantiomer (+)ABA was a more potent germination inhibitor than synthetic (−)-ABA. An ABA analog, 2′,3′-cis dihydro ABA (DHABA), that is not metabolized to phaseic acid was also studied for inhibitory activity. Although optically pure DHABA has the same configuration at C-1 as (+)-ABA, it was less inhibitory than (+)-ABA and its (−) enantiomer was inactive. The pattern of activity observed in treatments with the enantiomers of DHABA indicates that the configuration at C-1′ is important for maximum inhibition of cress seed germination. It also suggests that in contrast to monocot seeds, the formation of phaseic acid is not required for the inhibition of cress seed germination. Key words: abscisic acid, phaseic acid, ABA alcohol, ABA aldehyde, 7′OHABA, germination, ABA analogs.


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