Accumulation of sugars during the onset and development of desiccation tolerance in immature seeds of Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) stored moist

Citation
Td. Hong et al., Accumulation of sugars during the onset and development of desiccation tolerance in immature seeds of Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) stored moist, SEED SCI R, 10(2), 2000, pp. 147-152
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Plant Sciences
Journal title
SEED SCIENCE RESEARCH
ISSN journal
09602585 → ACNP
Volume
10
Issue
2
Year of publication
2000
Pages
147 - 152
Database
ISI
SICI code
0960-2585(200006)10:2<147:AOSDTO>2.0.ZU;2-U
Abstract
The viability of Norway maple seeds collected 21 d before mass maturity (68 % moisture content, wet basis) and at mass maturity (56% moisture content) was reduced from 52-85% to 0-7% if dried rapidly (at 10-12% r.h. and 15-17 degrees C for 3 d, then 3 d over silica gel) to 4-5% moisture content. Mois t storage of the fruits at 15 degrees C improved the ability of the seeds t o tolerate rapid desiccation considerably: 10 and 21 d of moist storage ena bled seeds collected at mass maturity or 21 d earlier, respectively, to att ain maximum desiccation tolerance to 4-5% moisture content. Moist storage a nd/or subsequent desiccation affected stachyose, sucrose, and to a lesser e xtent raffinose, concentrations. The oligosaccharide :total sugar ratio sho wed a similar pattern in relation to ability to germinate after desiccation to 4-5% moisture content among seeds collected on both dates: desiccation tolerance developed from nil to maximal in these seed populations between t hreshold oligosaccharide:total sugar values of just less than 0.3 and about 0.4.