The influence of CO2, temperature and alpha-tocopherol on phospholipid changes in embryonic axes of field bean seeds during storage

The paper presents the results of investigations of viability and phospholi pids isolated from field bean seeds of different ages. Seeds were stored fo r seven years under controlled conditions in the Genes Bank in Radzikow. No significant changes were detected in content or composition of phospholipi ds in seeds stored either at 4 degrees C or in a CO2 atmosphere, which seem to have maintained high viability. In embryonic axes of seeds stored at 18 degrees C in air the levels of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylch oline declined, whereas those phosphatidic acid and unidentified fractions of the smallest polarity increased.