The effect of exogenous methyl jasmonate on the fatty acid composition of germinating triticale kernels (x Triticosecale Wittmack, cv. Ugo)

Abstract

The influence of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the fatty acid composition of germinating kernels of triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack, cv. Ugo) was analyzed in this study. The effect of different concentrations of MeJA (0, 1, 20, 100 and 1000 µM) on the viability and vigor of kernels and the fatty acid composition of seedlings after 24–96 h of kernel germination was evaluated. At high concentrations, MeJA inhibited the germination of triticale kernels with emergence of poorly developed seedlings of low number of roots. The content of saturated fatty acids decreased significantly after the first two days of germination under exposure to MeJA. Methyl jasmonate treatment increased the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids after the first two days of germination. The nutritional value of triticale kernels creates prospects for food production and human consumption. Methyl jasmonate can be used to increase the content of health-promoting components, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, during germination of triticale kernels.