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Seed development in relation to desiccation tolerance: A comparison between desiccation-sensitive (recalcitrant) seeds of Avicennia marina and desiccation-tolerant types

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

Jill M. Farrant ,
N. W. Pammenter  and
Patricia Berjak
Jill M. Farrant
Affiliation:
Plant Cell Biology Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Natal, King George V Ave., Durban, 4001South Africa
N. W. Pammenter
Affiliation:
Plant Cell Biology Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Natal, King George V Ave., Durban, 4001South Africa
Patricia Berjak*
Affiliation:
Plant Cell Biology Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Natal, King George V Ave., Durban, 4001South Africa
*
* Correspondence
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Abstract

Development of the highly desiccation-sensitive (recalcitrant) seeds of primarily one species, Avicennia marina, is reviewed and compared with the ontogeny of desiccation-tolerant (orthodox) seeds. A. marina seeds undergo no maturation drying and remain metabolically active throughout development, which grades almost imperceptibly into germination. While PGR control of histodifferentiation is essentially similar to that characterizing desiccation-tolerant seeds, the phase of growth and reserve deposition is characterized by exceedingly high cytokinin levels which, it is proposed, promote a sink for assimilate import. While some starch accumulation does occur, the predominant reserves are soluble sugars which are readily available for the immediate onset of seedling establishment upon shedding. ABA levels are negligible in the embryo tissues during seed maturation, but increase in the pericarp, which imposes a constraint upon germination until these outer coverings are sloughed or otherwise removed. The pattern of proteins synthesized remains qualitatively similar throughout seed development in A. marina, and no LEA proteins are produced. This suggests both that seedling establishment is independent of maturation proteins and that the absence of LEAs and desiccation sensitivity might be causally related. The study on A. marina reveals that for this recalcitrant seed-type, germination per se cannot be defined: rather, it is considered as the continuation of development temporarily constrained by the pericarp ABA levels. This leads to a reexamination of the role of rehydration as key event sensu stricto, in the germination processes in desiccation-tolerant (orthodox) seeds.

Keywords

developmentdesiccation sensitivitygerminabilityLEA proteinsPGR controlreserves
Type
Review Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 3 , Issue 1 , March 1993 , pp. 1 - 13
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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Footnotes

†

Present address: Department of Botany, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7700 South Africa

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