The natural aging-related biochemical changes in the seeds of two legume varieties stored for 40 years

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of long-term natural aging on germinability and several biochemical characteristics regarding antioxidative response of both dry and germinating two different clover (Trifolium repens and Trifolium pratense) seeds stored for 40 years. The percent germination of the seeds was monitored for 7 days. The activities of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, H2O2 levels, and phenolic matter content were tested on 0, 1st, 3rd, and 7th days of germination. On the 7th day of germination, the germination ratios of the old T. repens and T. pratense seeds were 32 and 17%, while freshly harvested seeds showed 99 and 96% germination on the 4th day, respectively. The long-term aging caused an important increase in lipid peroxidation levels of the old dry seeds. Total phenolic content was high in the old dry seeds of T. repens compared with those of T. pratense. Remarkably, the long-term aging caused an important decrease in H2O2 content and the activities of catalase and peroxidase enzymes, but an increase in activity of superoxide dismutase in both the old dry seeds. The decreases in germinability of the old legume seeds were well correlated with the increasing level of lipid peroxidation and the decreasing activities of peroxidase and catalase. During the germination of the legume seeds, a noticeable increase was determined only in peroxidase activity in two types of the old seeds, while catalase activity decreased. However, the other biochemical parameters studied did not significantly change between the germinating old seeds and their freshly harvested controls.