Changes in the yield of genetic effects and DNA single-strand breaks during storage of barley seeds after treatment with diethyl sulphate

Abstract

Barley seeds were presoaked in water for 10 hr, treated with 20–30 mM diethyl sulphate (DES), washed for 2–10 hr, re-dried to 30 or 20% water content and stored at 25°C for 0–4 weeks. Storage of DES-treated seeds at 20% water content led to an enhancement of the amount of induced genetic injury (seedling height reduction, sterility, chlorophyll mutations, etc.) and in an increased number of single-strand breaks in DNA. Storage of DES-treated seeds at 30% water content resulted both in a recovery from the induced genetic injury and in a repair of DNA single-strand breaks. The possible explanation of the enhancement of DES effects due to storage of seeds at 20% water content is discussed.