Endo-β-mannanase Activity and Seed Germination of Thermosensitive Lettuce Genotype in Response to Temperature and Seed Priming

Abstract

Under high temperatures (above 30 °C) in the greenhouse (transplant industry) or field, lettuce germination can be erratic or completely inhibited. Seed priming circumvents thermodormancy of lettuce seeds and allows germination at higher temperatures. Weakening of the endosperm layer of lettuce seeds is a prerequisite to radicle protrusion at high temperatures. Enzyme-mediated degradation of endosperm cell walls may be a crucial factor for lettuce seed germination at high temperatures. Softening of the endosperm could occur during seed priming and result in improved germination. A single-seed assay for endo-β-mannanase was used to follow the activity of this enzyme during priming in lettuce seeds. We also investigated the effects of seed priming on seed germination and mannanase activity at both inhibitory and non-inhibitory temperatures for seed germination in a thermosensitive lettuce cultivar Dark Green Boston. Seeds were primed for 3 days at 15 °C with constant light in aerated solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) at an osmotic potential of –1.2 MPa. Afterward, seeds were rinsed and redried at 10 °C and 45% RH for 3 days. Primed and nonprimed seeds germinated 100% at 20 °C. At 35 °C, primed seeds germinated 100%, whereas nonprimed seeds did not germinate. During priming, endo-β-mannanase activity increased between 24 and 72 h after the beginning of osmotic imbibition. Mannanase activity persisted in primed seeds, even following seed drying. Radicle protrusion did not occur under the priming conditions used in this study. Higher enzyme activity was observed in primed seeds compared with nonprimed seeds. The results suggest that priming overcomes the inhibitory effect of high temperature in thermosensitive lettuce seeds by weakening of endosperm due to increased endo-β-mannanase activity.