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Interrelation of Carbohydrate Metabolism, Seedling Development, and Seedling Growth Rate of Several Species of Phalaris 1
Author(s) -
Derwyn R.,
Whalley B.,
McKell Cyrus M.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1967.00021962005900030005x
Subject(s) - seedling , radicle , biology , germination , endosperm , sugar , agronomy , starch , botany , horticulture , food science
Phalaris tuberosa var. stenoptera , P. tuberosa var. hirtiglumis , and P. coerulescens are reported to differ significantly in their degree of seedling vigor during plant establishment. To determine the relationship of carbohydrate metabolism to seedling growth and development, seeds of each species and variety were analyzed for starch, total sugars, reducing sugars, and nonreducing sugars during the first 15 days after initiation of germination in the dark. Seedling growth during the same period was also observed. Seedling growth in P. coerulescens was greater and more rapid than in the other two species. Radicle emergence in all species was closely associated with a rapid rise in sugar content. Seedling growth in the dark continued after starch exhaustion, but declined as the sugar levels in the seedlings decreased. Seedling growth rate is an important part of seedling vigor. Evidence is presented which suggests that the growth rate of hardinggrass seedlings is limited by the ability of the seedlings to use the sugars supplied by the endosperm. With perlagrass and Phalaris coerulescens , the limit appears to be in the ability of the endosperm to supply sugars.