Register      Login
Functional Plant Biology Functional Plant Biology Society
Plant function and evolutionary biology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Seed coating reduces respiration losses and affects sugar metabolism during germination and early seedling growth in cereals

Linda Gorim A and Folkard Asch A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A University of Hohenheim, Institute of Pant Production and Agroecology in the Tropics and Subtropics, Garbenstr. 13, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.

B Corresponding author. Email: fa@uni-hohenheim.de

Functional Plant Biology 42(2) 209-218 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP14142
Submitted: 18 May 2014  Accepted: 15 August 2014   Published: 18 September 2014

Abstract

Seed germination and the successful establishment of young seedlings is an important aspect of plant life. Seed coats are used to improve stand establishment and early seedling vigour. Seedlings growing from hydro-absorber coated barley, rye and wheat with coat-shares greater than 75% of the average seed have been shown to promote better seedling growth compared with those seedlings growing from uncoated seeds. We investigated how and why these seedlings performed better by analysing the proportion of grain reserves mobilised for growth and respiration as well as how both sucrose and glucose available in the embryo translated into seedling growth in the presence or absence of seed coats containing hydro-absorber gel. We found that mobilisation efficiency was higher, resulting in higher biomass in these cereals when they were coated. The relationship between sucrose and glucose available to the seedling as well as its correlation with early seedling growth indicate a switch in the enzymatic cleavage of embryonic sucrose from invertase to sucrose synthase. This in turn indicates that in coated seeds, embryonic tissue must be hypoxic leading to a more efficient use of glucose and thus reduced respiration losses during germination.

Additional keywords: barley, mobilisation efficiency, sucrose metabolism, rye, wheat.


References

Andersen NM, Asch F, Wu Y, Jensen RC, Naested H, Mogensen OV, Koch EK (2002) Soluble invertase expression is an early target of drought stress during the critical, abortion-sensitive phase of young ovary development in maize. Plant Physiology 130, 591–604.
Soluble invertase expression is an early target of drought stress during the critical, abortion-sensitive phase of young ovary development in maize.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XotVKnt74%3D&md5=11579574bdcb100c6b4d68198bc1e5bbCAS |

Aoki N, Scofield GN, Wang X-D, Offler CE, Patrick JW, Furbank RT (2006) Pathway of sugar transport in germinating wheat seeds. Plant Physiology 141, 1255–1263.
Pathway of sugar transport in germinating wheat seeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XosVKitr4%3D&md5=01c945d9ffa2fe99c25cabe331c1e6f3CAS | 16766668PubMed |

Asch F, Sow A, Dingkuhn M (1999) Reserve mobilization, dry matter partitioning and specific leaf area in seedlings of African rice cultivars differing in early vigour. Field Crops Research 62, 191–202.
Reserve mobilization, dry matter partitioning and specific leaf area in seedlings of African rice cultivars differing in early vigour.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Chrispeels MJ, Tenner AJ, Johnson KD (1973) Synthesis and release of sucrose by the aleurone layer of barley: Regulation by gibberelic acid. Planta 113, 35–46.
Synthesis and release of sucrose by the aleurone layer of barley: Regulation by gibberelic acid.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE2cXhtFWjsA%3D%3D&md5=38b8bb17c70b5f680cbc07c847c45a95CAS | 24468844PubMed |

Ehsanfar S, Modarres-Sanavy SA (2005) Crop protection by seed coating. Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences 70, 225–229.

Fincher GB (1989) Molecular and cellular biology associated with endosperm mobilization in germinating cereal grains. Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology 40, 305–346.
Molecular and cellular biology associated with endosperm mobilization in germinating cereal grains.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXktlKmurc%3D&md5=0debb8c45e5886c1a436938fc129daa0CAS |

Gesch WR, Archer WD, Spokas K (2012) Can using polymer-coated seed reduce the risk of poor soybean emergence in no-tilage soil? Field Crops Research 125, 109–116.
Can using polymer-coated seed reduce the risk of poor soybean emergence in no-tilage soil?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gorim L, Asch F (2012) Effects of composition and share of seed coatings on the mobilization efficiency of cereal seeds during germination. Journal Agronomy & Crop Science 198, 81–91.
Effects of composition and share of seed coatings on the mobilization efficiency of cereal seeds during germination.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Guglielminetti L, Loreti L, Perata P, Alpi A (1999) Sucrose synthesis in cereal grains under oxygen deprivation. Journal of Plant Research 112, 353–359.
Sucrose synthesis in cereal grains under oxygen deprivation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXnvVGltrY%3D&md5=7d2311d71acbfc0d552f5d7fb9cfe567CAS |

Halford NG, Curtis TY, Muttucumaru N, Postles J, Mottram DS (2011) Review article: sugars in crop plants. Annals of Applied Biology 158, 1–25.
Review article: sugars in crop plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhtlOnsbo%3D&md5=eb6e059f7eaf84707044c6cb2e08833eCAS |

Hasan MA, Ahmed JU, Hossain T, Hossain MM, Ullah MA (2004) Germination characters and seed reserve mobilization during germination of different wheat genotypes under variable temperature regimes. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka 32, 97–107.

Howell KA, Narsai R, Carroll A, Ivanova A, Lohse M, Usadel B, Millar AH, Whelan J (2009) Mapping metabolic and transcript temporal switches during germination in rice highlights specific transcription factors and the role of RNA instability in the germination process. Plant Physiology 149, 961–980.
Mapping metabolic and transcript temporal switches during germination in rice highlights specific transcription factors and the role of RNA instability in the germination process.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXjt1ajsro%3D&md5=8379f89c127ad072becb83907da5211eCAS | 19074628PubMed |

Karanam VP, Vadez V (2010) Phosphorus coating on pearl millet seed in low P alfisol improves plant establishment and increases stover more than seed yield. Experimental Agriculture 46, 457–469.
Phosphorus coating on pearl millet seed in low P alfisol improves plant establishment and increases stover more than seed yield.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kennedy RA, Rumpho ME, Fox TC (1992) Anaerobic metabolism in plants. Plant Physiology 100, 1–6.
Anaerobic metabolism in plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38XmtlSjtbs%3D&md5=d4e5d3fb16661c69c886ce25004af086CAS | 16652929PubMed |

Koch K (2004) Sucrose metabolism: regulatory mechanisms and pivotal roles in sugar sensing and plant development. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 7, 235–246.
Sucrose metabolism: regulatory mechanisms and pivotal roles in sugar sensing and plant development.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXjvVams7s%3D&md5=6be1b89985c16720b0fbc20130ef947aCAS | 15134743PubMed |

Labusch U, Schnyder H, Kuhbauch W (1989) Use and partitioning of grain reserves and products of current synthesis during the transition from heterotrophic to autotrophic assimilate supply in wheat seedlings. Mitteilungen der Gesellschaft für Pflanzenbauwissenschaften 2, 77–80.

Leinauer B, Serena M, Singh D (2010) Seed coating and seeding rate effects on turfgrass germination and establishment. HortTechnology 20, 179–185.

Mašauskas SV, Mašauskienɹ A, Repšienɹ R, Skuodienɹ R, Brazienɹ Z, Peltonen J (2008) Phosphorus seed coating as starter fertilization for spring barley. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B — Soil & Plant Science 58, 124–131.
Phosphorus seed coating as starter fertilization for spring barley.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Matsukura C, Saitoh T, Hirose T, Ohsugi R, Perata P, Yamaguchi J (2000) Sugar uptake and transport in rice embryo: expression of companion cell-specific sucrose transporter (OsSUT1) induced by sugar and light. Plant Physiology 124, 85–94.
Sugar uptake and transport in rice embryo: expression of companion cell-specific sucrose transporter (OsSUT1) induced by sugar and light.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXmvVGhtrs%3D&md5=33eab430a3b05c99c220bce1f123f083CAS | 10982424PubMed |

Nonogaki H, Bassel GW, Bewley JD (2010) Germination-still a mystery. Plant Science 179, 574–581.
Germination-still a mystery.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtlKht7jP&md5=c5ffb5f88aebdc4567e68cb3f2327913CAS |

Perata P, Pozueta-Romero J, Akazawa T, Yamaguchi J (1992) Effect of anoxia on starch breakdown in rice and wheat seeds. Planta 188, 611–618.
Effect of anoxia on starch breakdown in rice and wheat seeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXhvFensw%3D%3D&md5=8271a5c56e52680ad47bd6c853041e4aCAS | 24178396PubMed |

Perata P, Guglielminetti L, Alpi A (1997) Mobilization of endosperm reserves in cereal seeds under anoxia. Annals of Botany 79, 49–56.
Mobilization of endosperm reserves in cereal seeds under anoxia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXhtlWrs7s%3D&md5=1bdf6e9bc21ebe4c71410046f093c8a2CAS |

Powell AA, Matthew S (1988) Seed treatment: development and prospect. Outlook on Agriculture 17, 93–103.

Scott JM (1998) Delivering fertilizers through seed coatings. Journal of Crop Production 1, 197–220.
Delivering fertilizers through seed coatings.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Serena M, Leinauer B, Sallenave R, Schiavon M, Maier B (2012) Turfgrass establishment from polymer-coated seed under saline irrigation. HortScience 47, 1789–1794.

Silcock R, Smith F (1982) Seed coating and localized application of phosphate for improving seedling growth of grasses on acid, sandy red earth. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 33, 785–802.
Seed coating and localized application of phosphate for improving seedling growth of grasses on acid, sandy red earth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Soltani A, Gholipoor M, Zeinali E (2006) Seed reserve utilization and seedling growth of wheat as affected by drought and salinity. Environmental and Experimental Botany 55, 195–200.
Seed reserve utilization and seedling growth of wheat as affected by drought and salinity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sreenivasulu N, Usadel B, Winter A, Radchuk V, Scholz U, Stein N, Weschke W, Strickert M, Close TJ, Stitt M, Graner A, Wobus U (2008) Barley grain maturation and germination: Metabolic pathway and regulatory network commonalities and differences highlighted by new MapMan/PageMan profiling tools. Plant Physiology 146, 1738–1758.
Barley grain maturation and germination: Metabolic pathway and regulatory network commonalities and differences highlighted by new MapMan/PageMan profiling tools.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXkvVWisrs%3D&md5=758f3acdda1d550ad6bd03c140c4bbcaCAS | 18281415PubMed |

Sung SS, Xu D, Black CC (1989) Identification of actively filling sucrose sinks. Plant Physiology 89, 1117–1121.
Identification of actively filling sucrose sinks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXitV2ns7g%3D&md5=6776447b2c2d8468d0c93590216d810eCAS |

Taylor AG, Allen PS, Bennett MA, Bradford KJ, Burris JS, Misra MK (1998) Seed enhancements. Seed Science Research 8, 245–256.
Seed enhancements.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

TeKrony DM (2006) Seeds: The delivery system for crop science. Crop Science 46, 2263–2269.
Seeds: The delivery system for crop science.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vyn TJ, Marua M (2001) Polymer seed coatings: sufficient risk reduction for early plant corn. Traditional risks of early planting of uncoated seeds. In ‘proceedings of the 56th Annual Corn and Sorghum Research Conference, December 5-7, 2001 (Chicago, IIinois, USA)’. pp. 71–81. (Purdue University: West Lafayette, IN.)

Weitbrecht K, Müller K, Leubner-Metzger G (2011) First off the mark: early seed germination. Journal of Experimental Botany 62, 3289–3309.
First off the mark: early seed germination.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXoslOmsrc%3D&md5=8fadf1713287659c214d1432a3824b38CAS | 21430292PubMed |

Willenborg CJ, Gulden RH, Johnson EN, Shirtliffe SJ (2004) Germination characteristics of polymer-coated canola (Brassica napus L.) seeds subjected to moisture stress at different temperatures. Agronomy Journal 96, 786–791.
Germination characteristics of polymer-coated canola (Brassica napus L.) seeds subjected to moisture stress at different temperatures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zeeman SC, Kossmann J, Smith AM (2010) Starch: its metabolism, evolution, and biotechnological modification in plants. Annual Review of Plant Biology 61, 209–234.
Starch: its metabolism, evolution, and biotechnological modification in plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXnslSjsL4%3D&md5=edad50c52b1e0b99366713fcd9455aa0CAS | 20192737PubMed |

Zeng Y, Wu Y, Avigne TW, Koch EK (1998) Differential regulation of sugar-sensitive sucrose synthases by hypoxia and anoxia indicate complementary transcriptional and posttranscriptional responses. Plant Physiology 116, 1573–1583.
Differential regulation of sugar-sensitive sucrose synthases by hypoxia and anoxia indicate complementary transcriptional and posttranscriptional responses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXisFyqtL4%3D&md5=5b7cedda7a3955e8f0ebbb085d605365CAS | 9536076PubMed |

Zeng Y, Wu Y, Avigne WT, Koch KE (1999) Rapid repression of maize invertases by low oxygen. Invertase/sucrose synthase balance, sugar signaling potential, and seedling survival. Plant Physiology 121, 599–608.
Rapid repression of maize invertases by low oxygen. Invertase/sucrose synthase balance, sugar signaling potential, and seedling survival.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXmslKjtrY%3D&md5=462e738ed5b5c4c76f33129bbe398c09CAS | 10517852PubMed |