Seed deterioration: physiology, repair and assessment

Unpalatable food and unsatisfactory stand establishment are undesirable con sequences of seed and grain deterioration. Considerable research has been g enerated in the last 15 years focusing on the physiology, repair, and asses sment of seed deterioration, but this information has yet to be collated in to a comprehensive review. The objective of this report is to systematicall y summarize these findings from a physiological perspective. A model of see d deterioration is forwarded arguing that free radical assault on mitochond rial membranes may be a primary event of seed deterioration. The purpose of the review is to stimulate debate about the mechanism(s) of seed deteriora tion thereby improving our understanding and directing future study of this important event that compromises seed and grain quality.