ISSN:
1432-2048
Keywords:
Energy metabolism
;
Germination (seeds)
;
Protein synthesis
;
Temperature and seed germination
;
Zea
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Poor emergence of maize seedlings, due to high soil temperatures, is a major limitation of crop potential in the lowland tropics. Ability to germinate at high temperature (〉c. 37° C) is related to the temperature sensitivity of the embryo, and there is considerable genotypic variation for this character. Respiration and mitochondrial phosphorylation proceed normally in seeds imbibing at 41° C, and ATP levels are adequate for germination. However, the specific activities of several important enzymes are lower, and the rate of protein synthesis is severely reduced compared with seeds imbibing at 28° C. The depression of the rate of protein synthesis in the embryos of several tropical hybrids imbibing at high temperature correlated with their known temperature sensitivity. It is concluded that protein synthesis is an especially temperature sensitive process in germinating maize embryos, and that this is the principal reason for the sensitivity of germinating maize seeds to high temperature.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00384239
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