Quantitative Determination of the Effects of He–Ne Laser Irradiation on Seed Thermodynamics, Germination Attributes and Metabolites of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in Relation with the Activities of Germination Enzymes

Rashida Perveen,Muhammad Hamzah Saleem,Yasir Jamil,Xiukang Wang,Sajid Fiaz,Rehan Ahmed Kasana,Muhammad Qaisar Zakaria,Muhammad Afzaal,Shafaqat Ali,Qasim Ali

doi:10.3390/agronomy11071411

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the effects of different doses (100, 300, and 500 mJ) of low power He–Ne laser (632.8 nm) irradiation on seed germination and thermodynamics attributes and activities of potential germinating enzymes in relation with changes in seed metabolites. He–Ne laser seed irradiation increased the amylase (Amy), protease (Pro) and glucosidase (Gluco) activities, with a significant improvement in seed thermodynamics and seed germination attributes. A fast increase was found in free fatty acids (FFA), free amino acids (FAA), chlorophyll (Chl), carotenoids (Car), total soluble sugars (TSS) and reducing sugars (RS) in laser treated seeds in parallel with fast decline in seed oil contents and total soluble proteins (TSP). Significant positive correlations were recorded in laser-induced enhanced seed energy levels, germination, activities of germination enzymes with levels of FAA, FFA, Chl, TSS and RS, but a negative correlation with the levels of TSP and oil. In conclusion, the seed treatment with 100 and 300 mJ He–Ne laser was more effective to improve the seed germination potential associated with an improvement in seed energy levels due to increased activities of germination enzymes due to the speedy breakdown of seed reserves to simple metabolites as building blocks.

Highlights

Introduction distributed under the terms andAmong different factors responsible for better crop production, a good and uniform crop stand establishment is of prime importance [1]
The present findings revealed that seed laser treatment with different energies enhanced the activities of amylases, proteases and glucosidases and the 300 mJ treatment was found most effective
The present findings reveal a positive correlation of different seed germination attributes with thermodynamic attributes (∆H, (∆S)c and (∆S)c/∆t), but a negative correlation with Mean emergence time (MET) and E50 was found

Summary

Introduction

Among different factors responsible for better crop production, a good and uniform crop stand establishment is of prime importance [1] It depends on fast and speedy seed germination and seedling emergence [2]. Various methods and techniques are being currently used to increase/speed up the seed germination for uniform crop stand leading to better final crop yield [2]. These methods are categorized as biological, chemical and physical ones [3]. The interest in physical methods are increasing These include irradiation with low-power non-destructive laser, microwaves, ultrasound, as well as magnetic fields. It was found that germination of wet lettuce seeds increased when treated with low doses of red light [5], and it was depicted that it is due to the action of red light on membrane photoreceptors known as phytochromes present in seeds that are sensitive to light, which have a potential role in seed germination [6,7,8,9]

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Discussion

Conclusion