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Respiratory enzyme activities during germination in Brassica seed lots of differing vigour

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

Mary Bettey*
Affiliation:
Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF, UK
W.E. Finch-Savage
Affiliation:
Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF, UK
*
* Correspondence

Abstract

The rate of oxygen consumption by cabbage seeds increased on imbibition and there was a further sharp increase on germination. This was delayed in artificially aged seeds of low vigour. The increases in oxygen consumption reflect the increased oxidation of carbohydrates via respiratory pathways. The activities of key regulatory enzymes of glycolysis and the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway were measured in aged and unaged seed lots of cabbage. Differences in the activities of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and pyrophosphate:fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase were correlated with the rate of germination (T50) in seed lots with large differences in seed vigour induced experimentally by artificial aging. However, the activities of these enzymes could not be used to distinguish between untreated seed lots which had smaller vigour differences apparent only under stress. The enzymes are presumably not controlling and determining seed vigour, but merely reflecting actual seed performance under the current conditions.

Type
Biochemistry and Physiology
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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