Seed Biology

Presented by:
Diez, Phoebe
Mariano, Meril Kate
Sayco, Mary Jane
Tiu, Justine
WHAT IS A SEED?

A seed contains an embryo A fertilized ovule;

plant consisting of a relatively megasporangium that contains
simple axis (radicle/hypocotyl) an embryo enclosed in an
to which the cotyledons (seed integument.
leaves) are attached.

- Michael Black -Satyavir Singh

SEED MORPHOLOGY
TYPES OF SEED PLANTS

1. Gymnosperm (naked seed)

1. Angiosperm (vessel seed)

Sporangium
Cycas
POLLEN
EMBRYOGENESIS PART-
SEED GERMINATION
Factors affecting Germination
Water
Water triggers the process of germination
Activates enzymes for respiration
Responsible for translocation of soluble food to the
embryo
Oxygen
Necessary for respiration
Ploughing and hoeing aerate the soil
Substrate (soil)
Seeds require mineral elements

Temperature
Optimum temperature for crop plants is 25-30C
Germination stops at 0-45C
Light
Photoblastic- seeds that responds to light
-Positive Photoblastic
-Negative photoblastic
Phytochrome system
-intercovertible chromoprotein

Pfr-active form
Pr- inactive form
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SEED
GERMINATION
BREAKDOWN
OF STARCH

ENZYMES

DNA
SYNTHESIS
 Food is stored in the
cotyledons in the form of
starch

long chain of immobile

glucose

The starch needs to be

changed into a soluble
molecule with help of
enzymes for the seeds to
make use of.
 In the presence of H2O, Gibberellin
stimulates the production of amylase.

Amylase breaks down starch to

maltose, allowing for the formation of
ATP (via glucose).

The energy produced in the embryo is

used to facilitate germination.

The glucose produced may also be

used to synthesis cellulose - for cell
wall formation.

Warmth helps speed up the process.

 Oxidative stress is the result of an imbalance
between the balance of the prooxidants and
the antioxidants
The consequence is irreversible damage for
the cell
 ROS are a key factor of seed quality and performance

Comprehensive approach of ROS in seed

physiology:

1. Seed development

2. Seed germination

3. Seed dormancy
germination is associated w/ ROS production,w/c is
necessary but needs to be controlled
 ANTIOXIDANTS
Antioxidants are capable of slowing or
preventing the oxidation of other molecules
Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals,
which start chain reactions that damage cells.
Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions
by removing free radical intermediates, and
inhibit other oxidation reactions by being
oxidized themselves.
Antioxidants are often reducing agents such as
thiols or polyphenols.
 BORIC ACID
Boron (B) is a micronutrient required
by plants in a very small quantity (Abd
El-Wahab, 2008)
Its availability in soil and irrigation
water is an important determinant of
agricultural production (Tanaka and
Fujiwara, 2007).
 Boric acid (H3BO3) in soil, which
can be easily leached under high
rainfall conditions (Yan et al., 2006)
can lead to plant deficiencies.

Under low rainfall conditions,

boron cannot be sufficiently
removed from the soil and
therefore may accumulate to toxic
levels for plant growth (Reid,
2007).
 BORIC ACID
This occurs very often in arid
and semi-arid regions where
parent material and
groundwater may contain
high concentrations of boron.
- he accumulation of boron in
top soil due to evaporation of
groundwater reaches toxic
levels that can reduce crop
yields (Tanaka and Fujiwara,
2007).
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SEED GERMINATION

1.WATER
The most important factor in germination
An adequate continuous supply is necessary for
complete emergence of the seedling
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SEED GERMINATION

Water functions a triggering enzyme for starch

conversion into sugar
Responsible for turgor pressure for moving the
radicle root down and the cotelydons up
Transports nutrients and enzymes within the seed
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SEED GERMINATION

2. TEMPERATURE
A favorable temperature is necessary to allow for plant
growth
Temperature affects the germination percentage and
the rate of germination
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SEED GERMINATION
For
every species of seed, there is an optimal soil
temperature for germination

Atthe optimal temperature, the maximum number of

seeds will germinate and in less time than at any
other temperature.

Therate of deterioration depends mainly on moisture

content and temperature.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SEED GERMINATION
3. FIRE
- Can have both a
positive and
negative effect
depending on
the severity and
frequency of the
fire; should have
a mid ground
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SEED GERMINATION
Sequoias is a genus of
redwood coniferous tree that
highly rely on forest fires

Largest trees in the world, can

live upto 3,000 years, almost
300 feet tall, dates back to the
Jurassic period
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SEED GERMINATION
Giant sequoia trees depend on fire to reproduce.

Sequoias remain unscathed, because they are

highly fire resistant, their bark are among the
thickest in the world
 Seed Dormancy

Photo from IRRI

 Seed Dormancy
Seed Dormancy refers to the state in which
viable seeds fail to germinate even under
conditions normally favourable for
germination
-genetically and environmentally determined
 Advantages of Seed Dormancy
Prevents the adverse
environmental conditions
Maximizes the competitive
advantages
Ensures the establishment
of the mother plant

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/beginner/seed_dormancy.asp
 Types of Seed Dormancy
Primary Dormancy part of the genetic
program of seed development and
maturation
Secondary Dormancy occurs in non
dormant seeds with primary dormancy
- induced by environment
Seed Dormancy
 Comparison of Dormant and Non-dormant Seeds

Dormant seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana Non-Dormant seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana

Photos from: Molecular Mechanism of Seed Dormancy (2012) Graebber et al.
 Types of Dormancy
Seed Coat Dormancy -physical,
chemical or mechanical
conditions prevent uptake of
water and air
Example: Anacardiaceae,
Burseraceae, Cistaceae,
Fabaceae, Geraniaceae,
Malvaceae, and Rhamnaceae
Photo from https://www.sciencebuddies.org
Seed Coat Dormancy
 Breaking Seed Coat Dormancy
Scarification-removing the
seed coat

Manual Scarification
Photo from: Manual Scarification. Photos from Manual of Seed Handling (Handbooks for Gene Bank No. 8 pp 71 , 2006)
 Breaking Seed Coat Dormancy
Acid Scarification - using
concentrated sulphuric acid
for 245 minutes
depending on the species
of seed (ISTA)
Heat Treatment
Placing the seed under
running water for several
hours

Phoytos fromhttps://www.google.com.ph/search?biw=1352&bih=618&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=sulfuric+acid&oq=sulfuric+acid&gs_l=psy-
ab.3..0i67k1j0j0i67k1j0.2151.6618.0.6900.41.19.1.0.0.0.209.2114.0j13j1.14.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..28.12.1663....0.NH7wVxV9nkk#imgrc=9oFqV0ghQ6iWXM:
Effects of Mechanical and Chemical Scarification Treatment on Olive
Seedlings
 Embryo Dormancy
seed embryos are underdeveloped or not fully formed at
seed dispersal
Example : Annonaceae, Apiaceae, Orchidaceae,
Orobachaceae and Ranunculaceae
 Embryo Dormancy
Inhibiting substances usually within the embryo or surrounding
tissues prevent germination
Example : Abscisic Acid
 Seed Dormancy

Cell Cycle Molecular Water Content

Dependence Decreases
Ceases
from Mother
Plant Disappears

Abscisic Acid is Storage

accumulated Products are
Synthesized
 Hormones
Abscisic acid role in
seed dormancy
ABA/ GA antagonism
Embryo sensitivity to
ABA and GA3

Photos from: The Plant Cell, Vol. 9, 1055-1 066, July 1997 Seed Germination and Dormancy J. Derek Bewleyl
 Seed Dormancy
FUS3/LEC type genes
regulate embryo growth
arrest
ABI3 and abscisic acid
regulate embryo dormancy
Mutations affecting both
developmental stages result
in an additive phenotype
and double mutants are
highly viviparous.
Photos from : Development 128, 243-252 (2001) 243 Printed in Great Britain Sequential steps for developmental arrest in
Arabidopsis seeds Vered et al.
 Viviparous plants
Viviparous plants-
produce seeds or
embryos that begin to
develop before they
detach from the
parent

Photos from: Two faces of One Seed: Hormonal Regulation of Dormancy and Regulation, 2015, Shu et al
 Breaking Embryo Dormancy
Germination test paper is moistened with a 0.05% solution of gibberellic acid (Manual
of Seed Handling in Genebanks, 2006)

Photos from : http://botany-lab.blogspot.com/2014/03/gibberellic-acid-and-starch-hydrolysis.html

 Breaking Seed Dormancy
Seed imbibition leads to
increases in H2O2 and NO.
H2O2 up-regulates ABA
catabolism through NO, and
also GA biosynthesis. A high
concentration of ABA also
inhibits GA biosynthesis, but
a balance of these two
hormones jointly controls the
dormancy and germination of
Arabidopsis seeds

Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol. 61, No. 11, pp. 29792990, 2010 H2O2 mediates the regulation of ABA catabolism and GA biosynthesis in
Arabidopsis seed dormancy and germination, Yinggao et al.,
Other factors that affect seed dormancy
Temperature
Light
 Light
Pfr- allows germination

Pr- inhibits germination

 Breaking Embryo Dormancy
Light
Exposure to white light
Illuminate for 8 hrs/24hrs
(Constant temperature) When
alternating
High-Temperature Cycle
 Temperature
Temperature
enhances expression of
specific ABA
biosynthesis genes and

GA negative regulator gene

(SPY)
Regulation of ABA Synthesis, GA Synthesis and GA signalling by high
temperatures in Arabidopsis seeds

Photos from : High Temperature-Induced Abscisic Acid Biosynthesis and Its Role in the Inhibition of Gibberellin Action in Arabidopsis Seeds, 2008, Toh et al
 Breaking Embryo Dormancy
Pre-chilling (cold stratification) - for temperate and high-
altitude species from the tropics;
Seeds are placed in containers on a moistened germination
substrate and kept at 3 to 5C in a refrigerator for seven
days.
For more dormant seeds, the treatment may be extended to
14 days.
 Breaking Embryo Dormancy
A 0.2% solution of
potassium nitrate
(KNO3)prepared by
dissolving 2 g KNO3 in 1 l
wateris used to moisten
the germination paper at
the beginning of the test.
Germination is continued
in recommended
 Seed Gene Bank

Storehouses of seeds as plant genetic

resources
More than 1, 000 known seed banks (AGPRO,
2013)

Seed Bank
In Vitro Collections
 Purpose of Seed Bank
Conservation Restoration of Plant
Communities
Maintenance of genetic integrity and gene
viability
Secure Good Quality of Seeds for Planting
Program
 Global Seed Banks

Kews Millennium Seed Bank Project, Wakehurst,

England Navdanya Seed Bank , Uttrakhand,
India
Source: WorldWatch Institute
 Global Seed Banks

Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Svalbard, National Center for Genetic

Vavilov Research Institute,
Norway Resources, Fort Collins, Colorado
Russia
Source: WorldWatch Institute
 Seed Banks in Philippines
International Rice Genebank (IRRI)
Rice Seed Bank (PhilRice Philippine Rice
Research Institute)
Organic Seed Bank (Tublay, Benguet)
Arakan Community Seed Bank Organization
(:ACSBO)
 Storage of Seeds (IRRI)
-20 degrees Celsius, long-term
storage)

2-4 degrees Celsius, for

distribution)

Photos from
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=IRRI+rice+storage+for+seed+bank&rlz=1C1GGRV_enPH752PH752&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwia0vCG_dDW
AhXFf7wKHVjDCwMQ_AUICigB&biw=1352&bih=618#imgrc=p-RjEEoYqcQmKM:
RECALCITRANCE
RECALCITRANCE
-Also called unorthodox seeds

-Seeds that cannot withstand significant water loss

 RECALCITRANT VS.
ORTHODOX
RECALCITRANT SEEDS ORTHRODOX SEEDS

1. Desiccation-sensitive 1. Desiccation-tolerant
seeds seeds.
2. Many come from tropical 2. Many come from
trees and herbs. temperate trees.

3. Larger 3. Smaller

4. Sensitive to chilling 4. Less sensitive to chilling

 TROPICAL TREES

Hevea brasiliensis
Theobroma cacao L.
 TEMPERATE TREES

Quercus alba L.

Castanea dentata
 RECALCITRANT SEED
Ratio of seed mass to seed volume

Large size and mass

relative thickness of covering structures

Fully developed embryonic axis

Rapid seed germination

 DESICCATION
SENSITIVITY
Dehydration causes metabolic alterations

The critical water content is not a constant value for

individual seed species.

Drying rate is determined by the humidity of the

surrounding air under natural conditions.

Electrolyte leakage indicating membrane damage

 The critical water content is not a constant
value for individual seed species.

Antiaris toxicaria

1.25 g g-1 0.87 g g-1 Still Viable

0.15 g g-1 Viability is lost

Drying rate is determined by the humidity of
the surrounding air under natural conditions.

Theobroma cacao

Critical water content

0.9 g g-1 1.2 g g-1

Relative air humidity

80% 10%
 ACTIVE METABOLISM
Recalcitrant seeds are metabolically active

TISSUE HYDRATION

Seed Respiration = over 45%

Amino acid metabolism = over 20-25%
Protein Synthesis = over 50%
DNA Transcription = over 50-55%
Enzymes maintain active form = between 65 and 35%
H. F. Chin and B. Krishnapillay, P. C. Stanwood (Seed Moisture: Recalcitrant vs. Orthodox Seeds)
H. F. Chin and B. Krishnapillay, P. C. Stanwood (Seed Moisture: Recalcitrant vs. Orthodox Seeds)
 SHORT TERM STORAGE

Because of their desiccation sensitivity, recalcitrant

seeds must be stored at their shedding water content,
since even mild dehydration adversely affects viability
(Eggers et al., 2007) --- hydrated storage

Microbial (particularly fungal) contamination on or

in the seeds.
 RATE OF DRYING
Recalcitrant seeds or seed parts that are dried rapidly
survive to lower water contents than material dried slowly.

Metabolism linked-damage

Rapid drying does not in any way induce desiccation

tolerance.
 3 Types of Damage

1. Physical damage that occurs at high water contents and is associated with a reduction
in cellular volume

1. Metabolism-linked damage, which is aqueous-based oxidative degradation (probably

ROS mediated) and occurs at intermediate water contents as a consequence of
dehydration of metabolically active tissue.

1. Desiccation damage sensu stricto, which is biophysical and occurs at low water
content when structure-associated water is removed from macromolecules and
surfaces such as membranes
 RECALCITRANT SEED STORAGE

Vanessa Sutcliffe and John Adams, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2014
 RECALCITRAN SEED STORAGE

Vanessa Sutcliffe and John Adams, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2014
 RECALCITRAN SEED STORAGE

Vanessa Sutcliffe and John Adams, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2014
REACTIVE OXYGEN
SPECIES
 REACTIVE OXYGEN
SPECIES
highly reactive
has a high standard reduction potential

ROS are normal components of aerobic metabolism, but

their production is enhanced under conditions of stress.

Stressful condition = tightly controlled metabolism becomes

uncoupled

Non-stressful condition = the production and activity of ROS

is controlled by anti-oxidants
 REACTIVE OXYGEN
SPECIES
Stress

ROS or efficacy of the antioxidant

Degradative oxidative process

 Moisture Content for Safe Storage

Source :http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/step-by-step-production/postharvest/storage/moisture-content-for-safe-storage
Plant Biotechnol J. 2017 May;15(5):648-657. doi: 10.1111/pbi.12663. Epub 2017 Jan 12.

Significant enhancement of fatty acid composition in seeds of the

allohexaploid, Camelina sativa, using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.
Jiang WZ1, Henry IM2, Lynagh PG2, Comai L2, Cahoon EB1, Weeks DP1.
 REFERENCES
http://academicjournals.org/journal/AJPS/article-full-text-pdf/A17217143566
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC406512/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3077854
http://academicjournals.org/journal/AJPS/article-full-text-pdf/A17217143566
http://world-food.net/effects-of-boric-acid-pretreatment-on-the-seed-germination-seedling-growth-and-leaf-
anatomy-of-barley-under-saline-conditions/
http://www.projects.juliantrubin.com/science_fair_project/botany/seed_germination_3.html
http://www.huntington.org/uploadedFiles/Files/PDFs/GIB-EnzymeActioninGerminatingSeeds.pdf
https://youtu.be/1pp5k9tbM_Q
http://igbiologyy.blogspot.com/2012/12/23-role-of-enzymes-in-germinating-seeds.html
http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/symposium/2007/presentations/bailly-tsb.pdf
Thanks!