Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-qsmjn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T14:19:46.776Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Isothermal micro-calorimetry: a tool to predict seed longevity?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Fiona R. Hay ,
Michael A.A. O'Neill ,
Anthony E. Beezer  and
Simon Gaisford
Fiona R. Hay*
Affiliation:
Seed Conservation Department, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
Michael A.A. O'Neill
Affiliation:
University of London, School of Pharmacy, 29–39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
Anthony E. Beezer
Affiliation:
University of London, School of Pharmacy, 29–39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
Simon Gaisford
Affiliation:
University of London, School of Pharmacy, 29–39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
*
*Correspondence: Email: f.hay@rbgkew.org.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper describes the exploratory use of isothermal micro-calorimetry (IMC) to measure directly the heat flow produced as seeds age. Heat flow was recorded in primed and non-primed (control) seeds of Ranunculus sceleratus L., aged in a micro-calorimeter at 35°C at three different seed water contents [c. 0.12, 0.075 and 0.045 g H2O (g dw)−1]. The rate of heat flow and total heat generated (an indicator of extent of reaction) were generally greater in control seeds, which aged at a faster rate, than in primed seeds. Total heat generated over a given period also increased with increasing water content. The power–time curves did not indicate first- or second-order rate kinetics, consistent with the probability that seed ageing is complex and involves a number of reactions. Even after the capacity to germinate had ceased, there was a residual power signal. As a method, IMC gave consistent results using independent samples at different times. Therefore, short-term experiments at relatively high water contents and/or temperatures may have the potential to predict the relative longevity of seed-lots, at least within a species.

Keywords

isothermal micro-calorimetryprimingyRanunculus sceleratusseed longevity
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , June 2006 , pp. 89 - 96
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Beezer, A.E., Gaisford, S., Hills, A.K., Willson, R.J. and Mitchell, J.C. (1999) Pharmaceutical microcalorimetry: applications to long-term stability studies. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 179, 159–165.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bernal-Lugo, I. and Leopold, A.C. (1998) The dynamics of seed mortality. Journal of Experimental Botany 49, 1455–1461.Google Scholar
Dearman, J., Brocklehurst, P.A. and Drew, R.L.K (1987) Effects of osmotic priming and aging on the germination and emergence of carrot and leek seed. Annals of Applied Biology 111, 717–722.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellis, R.H. and Roberts, E.H. (1980) Improved equations for the prediction of seed longevity. Annals of Botany 45, 13–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hay, F.R., Probert, R.J. and Smith, R.D. (1997) The effect of maturity on the moisture relations of seed longevity in foxglove (Digitialis purpurea L.). Seed Science Research 7, 341–349.Google Scholar
Kraak, H.L. and Vos, J. (1987) Seed viability constants for lettuce. Annals of Botany 59, 343–349.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lanteri, S., Belletti, P., Marzach, C., Nada, E., Quagliotti, L. and Bino, R.J. (1997) Priming-induced nuclear replication activity in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds: effect on germination and storability. pp. 451–460. in Ellis, R.H.;, Black, M.;, Murdoch, A.J.;, Hong, T.D.Basic and applied aspects of seed biology. Dordrecht, Kluwer Academic.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mourik, J. and Bakri, A. (1991) Application of microcalorimetry to plant technology: germination and initial growth.Thermometric AB,Sweden.Google Scholar
Prat, H. (1952) Microcalorimetric studies on germinations of cereals. Canadian Journal of Botany 30, 379–394.Google Scholar
Priestley, D.A. (1986) Seed aging. Ithaca, New York, Comstock Publishing.Google Scholar
Probert, R.J., Bogh, S.V., Smith, A.J. and Wechsberg, G.E. (1991) The effect of priming on seed longevity in Ranunculus sceleratus L. Seed Science Research 1, 243–249.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roberts, E.H. (1972) Storage environment and the control of viability. pp. 14–58. in Roberts, E.H. (Ed.) Viability of seeds. London, Chapman & Hall.Google Scholar
Sigstad, E.E., García, C.I. (2001) A microcalorimetric analysis of quinoa seeds with different initial water content during germination at 25°C. Thermochimica Acta 366, 149–155.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sinniah, U.R., Ellis, R.H. and John, P. (1998) Irrigation and seed quality development in rapid-cycling Brassica: seed germination and longevity. Annals of Botany 82, 309–314.Google Scholar
Sun, W.Q., Koh, D.C.Y., Ong, C.-M. (1997) Correlation of modified water sorption properties with the decline of storage stability of osmotically-primed seeds of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek. Seed Science Research 7, 391–397.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tarquis, A.M. and Bradford, K.J. (1992) Prehydration and priming treatments that advance germination also increase the rate of deterioration of lettuce seed. Journal of Experimental Botany 43, 307–317.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Walters, C. (1998) Understanding the mechanisms and kinetics of seed aging. Seed Science Research 8, 223–244.Google Scholar
Walters, C., Wheeler, L.M. and Grotenhuis, J.M. (2005) Longevity of seeds stored in a genebank: species characteristics. Seed Science Research 15, 1–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yamaguchi, T., Wakizuka, T. and Takahashi, K. (1996) Application of calorimetry to investigate viability of crops seeds. Netsu Sokutei 23, 2–4.Google Scholar