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The effect of the seed coat, embryonic axis and aeration conditions on starch degradation hi cotyledons of Lens culinaris
Author(s) -
Revilla M. Angeles,
FernándezTárrago Jorge
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1986.tb05750.x
Subject(s) - starch , aeration , amylase , seedling , germination , degradation (telecommunications) , coat , chemistry , food science , biology , agronomy , botany , horticulture , enzyme , biochemistry , ecology , telecommunications , organic chemistry , computer science
The influence exerted by the seed coat, the embryonic axis and aeration conditions on starch degradation and a‐amylase activity (EC 3.2.1.1) in lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik cv. Castellana) cotyledons was studied over twelve days of seedling growth. The presence of the seed coat influenced starch degradation and amylase activity negatively. The starch content in attached cotyledons decreased with time; however, in detached cotyledons starch degradation was very slow. These differences were in accordance with the variations in dry weight. The axis exerted a promotive effect on amylase development during the first days of growth if aeration conditions were restricted. Moreover, in the last days, similar levels in attached and detached cotyledons were reached. When the detached cotyledons were placed under improved aeration conditions, the amylase levels reached were greater than under any other conditions. The low rates of starch degradation in detached cotyledons in spite of high amylase activity was not due to feed‐back inhibition of the enzyme system, but may have been due to osmotic stress.