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Markers of seed quality: from present to future

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2012

Françoise Corbineau
Françoise Corbineau*
Affiliation:
Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, UR5, Germination et Dormance des Semences, Boîte courrier 156, Bât. C, 2ème étage, 4 place Jussieu, F-75005Paris, France
*
*Correspondence Fax: +33-1-44275927 Email: francoise.corbineau@upmc.fr
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Abstract

Methods of evaluation of seed quality providing accurate prediction of seed performance under field conditions are needed by the seed industry. Various physiological tests, i.e. germination tests in suboptimal conditions of temperature, oxygenation and water potential of the medium, or accelerated ageing and controlled deterioration allow sensitive differentiation between seed lots. A better understanding of the biochemical, cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the acquisition of seed vigour during seed development, in the germination process and in seed deterioration during ageing could suggest various markers of seed quality. Among these markers, electrolyte leakage and ethylene production during imbibition, cell-cycle markers (DNA replication, β-tubulin), soluble sugar metabolism (in particular, changes in the raffinose family of oligosaccharides), proteins (11S globulin B-subunit, late embryogenesis abundant protein, heat-shock protein) and the efficiency of reactive oxygen species scavenging through antioxidant defence systems (e.g. catalase activity) have potential for the evaluation of the state of seed maturity, seed performance and effectiveness of seed priming treatments. Use of global approaches such as transcriptomic, proteomic or metabolomic analysis could also result in the identification of new markers.

Keywords

antioxidant defence systemethylenemarkersprimingseed qualityspecific proteinssugars
Type
Review Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 22 , Supplement S1: Seed Science in the 21st Century , February 2012 , pp. S61 - S68
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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