Abstract
Seeds stored in controlled conditions in gene banks, faster or slower lose their viability. The effects of seed moisture content levels (ca. 5, 8, 11%) combined with storage temperatures (-3°, -18°, -196°C) were investigated in terms of the description of seeds defined as orthodox under oxidative stress after seed storage, during germination, and initial seedling growth. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ascorbate (Asc) were analyzed in relation to seed germinability and seedlings emergence in three species: Malus sylvestris L., Prunus avium L. and Prunus padus L. The effect of seed storage conditions on H2O2 levels appeared in germinated seeds after the third year of storage in each species. The H2O2 levels were negatively correlated with the germination and seedling emergence of P. avium seeds after three years of storage under all examined combinations. The emergence of P. padus seedlings was not linked to any of the stress markers tested. The P. padus seed biochemical traits were least altered by storage conditions, and the seeds produced tolerant seedlings of relatively high levels of H2O2 and TBARS. To cope with different H2O2 levels, TBARS levels, and Asc levels in seeds of three species varying storage conditions different molecular responses, i.e. repairing mechanisms, were applied during stratification to compensate for the storage conditions and, as a result, seeds remained viable and seedlings were successfully established.
Highlights
Ex situ seed banking is an efficient and cost-effective method for preserving the genetic diversity of plants in the fast-changing world [1]
The highest H2O2 level, which was reported in M. sylvestris seeds stored with 8.5% MC at a temperature of -3 ̊C for three years, was two times greater than the H2O2 level of seeds stored under identical conditions for two years
The H2O2 level doubled from year two to year three in germinated seeds stored with 4.9% and 10.7% MC at -18 ̊C
Summary
Ex situ seed banking is an efficient and cost-effective method for preserving the genetic diversity of plants in the fast-changing world [1]. For seeds that tolerate desiccation and storage at sub-zero temperatures (i.e. orthodox seeds) the longevity of stored seeds depends on species biology and storage conditions such as moisture content and temperature [2]. Some seeds can remain viable even over a thousand years in natural conditions [3,4], other species deteriorate relatively quickly even under optimal and controlled conditions [1,5]. Knowledge about unique species-related seed characteristics is valuable for long-term and effective storage in seed banks.
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