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Presence of dehydrin-like proteins and levels of abscisic acid in recalcitrant (desiccation sensitive) seeds may be related to habitat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

Jill M. Farrant*
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa
Norman W. Pammenter
Affiliation:
Plant Cell Biology Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Natal, Private Bag X10, Dalbridge, 4014, South Africa
Patricia Berjak
Affiliation:
Plant Cell Biology Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Natal, Private Bag X10, Dalbridge, 4014, South Africa
Elizabeth J. Farnsworth
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa
Christina W. Vertucci
Affiliation:
USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Seed Storage Laboratory, 1111 S. Mason St., Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
*
*Correspondence

Abstract

The presence of dehydrins could not be demonstrated in axes of mature, undried recalcitrant seeds of the tropical wetland species Avicennia marina, Barringtonia racemosa, Bruguiera exaristata, Bruguiera cylindrica, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata and Rhizophora stylosa, but were present in the temperate species Acer saccharinum, Aesculus hippocastanum, Araucaria angustifolia, Camellia sinensis, Castanea sativa, Poncirus trifoliata and Zizania palustris. They were also present in axes of Castanospermum australe (of tropical origin) seeds which underwent development in a temperate climate, and were produced in response to drying in axes of Barringtonia racemosa but not Avicennia marina. The presence of dehydrins was associated with high abscisic acid contents. These proteins may provide protection against low temperatures in temperate seeds and against water loss to which the seeds may be naturally exposed. The presence of dehydrins was unrelated to the evolutionary status of the families studied.

Type
Biochemistry and Physiology
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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