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Relationship of Glucose Metabolism to Germinability and Vigor in Barley and Wheat Seeds 1
Author(s) -
AbdulBaki Aref A.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1969.0011183x000900060017x
Subject(s) - germination , biology , starch , respiration , shoot , metabolism , hordeum vulgare , polysaccharide , carbohydrate metabolism , cellulose , carbohydrate , agronomy , botany , poaceae , biochemistry
Changes in glucose metabolism of germinating barley ( Hordeum vulgate , L.) and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.) were determined by following the rate of utilization of uniformly labeled glucose for respiration, and synthesis of proteins and polysaccharides (watersoluble sugars, starch‐hemicelluloses, and cellulose). Small changes in seed germinability or vigor induced by aging, led to a great reduction in glucose utilization as expressed by a reduction in protein and polysaccharide synthesis. The reduction in synthetic capacity greatly preceded any reduction in germination, shoot growth, or respiration. Besides its ability to detect very early changes in seed germinability or vigor, the glucose‐utilization approach offers a powerful tool for distinguishing dormant from dead seeds on the basis of the great difference in glucose metabolism in the two types of seed.