Coadaptation of seed dormancy and hormonal dependence of α-amylase production in endosperm segments of Avena fatua

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 1142-1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahesh K. Upadhyaya ◽  
James M. Naylor ◽  
Graham M. Simpson

Autonomous (independent of the germinating embryo) α-amylase production was compared in the endosperm segments of some genetically pure lines of Avena fatua L. (wild oats) differing in the duration of their seed dormancy. Endosperm segments from six randomly taken dormant lines showed no α-amylase production unless gibberellic acid (GA3) was supplied. In contrast, endosperm segments from four out of six nondormant lines produced and released substantial amounts of α -amylase and reducing sugars. Thus, natural selection has resulted in coadaptation of seed dormancy and a rigorous dependence of endosperm hydrolysis on gibberellins produced by the germinating embryo. The variability in the degree of autonomy amongst nondormant lines indicates that the observed coupling of these two traits in dormant lines is not due to simple pleiotropy, but probably reflects the action of multiple genetic loci or multiple alleles. These results also indicate that long-term endosperm stability confers little advantage in wild oat seeds predisposed to brief periods of residence in soil.

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (15) ◽  
pp. 1663-1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jana ◽  
S. N. Acharya ◽  
J. M. Naylor

Breeding experiments were performed with pure lines of Avena fatua differing characteristically in duration of primary seed dormancy. The results indicate that the parental lines differ for at least three genes controlling rate of afterripening. It is evident that at least two of these genes influence the rate of afterripening at different periods after seed maturation.


1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 635-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jana ◽  
M. K. Upadhyaya ◽  
S. N. Acharya

Seven crosses, involving either nondormant × dormant or dormant × dormant pure lines of wild oats (Avena fatua L.), were made. Selfing of the hybrid and further hybridization were carried out to produce the F2 and reciprocal backcross generations. The seed germination time-course curves of the parents, their F1, and segregating generations over a 20-week period were studied. Differences in time course of germination in these generations were interpreted in terms of a minimum of three interacting loci. Two pure lines, AN51 and MO73, differed in their response to sodium azide, a respiratory inhibitor, with the former being more responsive. In crosses between these lines, the F1 seeds were also more responsive when AN51 was used as the maternal parent. This differential response of two dormant pure lines and their reciprocal F1s suggests maternal influence in germination response to sodium azide.


1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 306-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Naylor ◽  
S. Jana

Genetic variability affecting duration of primary dormancy is demonstrated in natural populations of wild oats. Marked differences were found among local populations in germination behavior. The evidence suggests that these differences result in part from genetic adaptation to agronomic practices.


1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 667-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. P. Fuerst ◽  
M. K. Upadhyaya ◽  
G. M. Simpson ◽  
J. M. Naylor ◽  
S. W. Adkins

The hypothesis that loss of seed dormancy is associated with an increased activity of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) relative to glycolysis and the Krebs cycle was tested. The PPP activity was monitored by measuring the C6/C1 ratio in embryos excised from incubated caryopses of two genetically pure nondormant (ND) lines and in three dormant (D) lines of Avena fatua L., the wild oat. The C6/C1 ratios of all lines were similar at the commencement of incubation. In the two ND lines the ratio increased steadily prior to and during emergence of the radicle. In the three D lines the ratio increased during the first 24 h and then remained almost constant; there was no germination. When gibberellin treatment was used to overcome dormancy in the D lines, the C6/C1 ratio increased during the first 24 h in two of the lines and continued to increase parallel to germination in a manner similar to normal germination in ND lines. In the third D line, despite loss of dormancy from gibberellin treatment, the ratio did not increase after 24 h. Loss of dormancy during dry storage of seeds of a D-type pure line was accompanied by an increase in the C6/C1 ratio, as measured in freshly imbibed seeds. This indicates a decreased activity of the PPP relative to glycolysis and the Krebs cycle. These findings are contrary to Roberts's hypothesis that loss of dormancy in wild oats is associated with a relative decrease in the C6/C1 ratio.


Weed Science ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen W. Adkins ◽  
Mary Loewen ◽  
Stephen J. Symons

Plants of dormant and nondormant wild oat (Avena fatuaL. # AVEFA) lines were grown under temperatures of 15, 20, and 25 C. A number of physiological and morphological characters in the plants and seed of both lines were influenced by temperature. Duration of dormancy in the progeny seed increased in both lines that had experienced low temperatures (15 C) during development, and decreased in seed of both lines that had experienced high temperatures (25 C) during development. High, compared to low, temperatures of development decreased plant height, vegetative and seed development time, seed numbers per plant, seed dry weight, and seed water content.


1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (16) ◽  
pp. 1729-1734 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. I. Hsiao

The seed coverings, including the pericarp and testa of the caryopsis and the hull, arc the main barriers to the exchange of gases and the penetration of exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) for germination of wild oats (Avena fatua L.). Dormancy was induced in seeds by immersing them in water for 15 minor longer. Dormancy induction was greater in those seeds immersed for up to 1 h in 6% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and then 1 h in water than in those seeds immersed only in water for 1 h. The addition of GA3, to seeds subjected to NaOCl treatment for 15 min or less did not break dormancy, indicating a slow rate of entry, or the exclusion, of GA3, by the seeds. In the presence of GA3, germination increased with increasing exposure to NaOCl. Maximum germination was obtained by immersing dry seeds in NaOCl for 2 h, in water for 1 h, and then incubating the seeds in GA3. Gibberellic acid was not required for complete germination of imbibed, dehulled seeds immersed in NaOCl for 1 h then in water for 1 h, but it was necessary to use 10−4 M GA3 for complete germination of intact seeds that were treated with NaOCl or 2 h then with water for 1 h. Imbibed, dormant seeds that were dehulled and pierced required 10−7 M GA3, to give complete germination in this study. Piercing of the seed coverings enhances GA3, penetration and thus increases the availability of GA3, for germination. NaOCl treatment to the seeds mimics the effects of piercing. NaOCl may also have caused loss of germination inhibitors or rendered these inhibitors susceptible to oxidation. However, prolonged NaOCl treatment resulted in either poor germination or seed disintegration.


1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1016-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramma Sawhney ◽  
J. M. Naylor

Plants of genetically dormant (D) and nondormant (ND) pure lines of Avena fatua were exposed to water stress during seed development. In comparison with normally well-watered controls, seeds produced by water-stressed plants exhibited shorter duration of primary dormancy. The magnitude of the effect varied among D families, but was consistently greater than in ND families.It is concluded that the dormancy phenotype of D lines is highly plastic and that the responses to high temperature and water stress are similar in a given pure line.


Weed Science ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 859-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen W. Adkins ◽  
Mary Loewen ◽  
Stephen J. Symons

The germination of caryopses on water or GA3 solutions was used to characterize the degree of primary dormancy present in the seed progeny of 10 genetically pure lines of wild oats (Avena fatua L. # AVEFA). These 10 lines represented a range of types from lines exhibiting no dormancy to those with a high degree of dormancy. Repeated propagation of these pure lines under constant environmental conditions identified several genetically inherited characters that were associated with the inherited differences in degree of primary dormancy. Correlation of the seed development period, number of primary caryopses produced, and caryopsis moisture content to the degree of primary dormancy shows: a) Lines characterized by low degrees of primary dormancy were, in general, those that had a short seed development time and produced few heavy seed low in percent water; and b) lines characterized by high degrees of primary dormancy were, in general, those that had a long seed development time and produced many light seed high in percent water. The adaptive advantage of the coupling of physiological and morphological characters with degree of dormancy is discussed and the possibility that some characters are determined by others is indicated.


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