In vitro supplementation with date seed oil (DSO) can protect spermatozoa against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated damage and can improve sperm function, possibly owing to antioxidant properties. We tested the antioxidant effects of DSO on human sperm motility, sperm viability, reacted acrosome and lipid peroxidation assessed in vitro after H2O2-mediated oxidative damage in spermatozoa. Sixtee...

The non-enzymatic modifications of proteins through Amadori and Maillard reactions play an important role in the loss of seed viability during storage. In the present study, the contribution of sugar hydrolysis and lipid peroxidation to Amadori and Maillard reactions, and to seed deterioration was investigated in mung-bean (Vigna radiata Wilczek). The contents of glucose and lipid peroxidation ...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Seed survival in the soil contributes to population persistence and community diversity, creating a need for reliable measures of soil seed bank persistence. Several methods estimate soil seed bank persistence, most of which count seedlings emerging from soil samples. Seasonality, depth distribution and presence (or absence) in vegetation are then used to classify a species'...

Changes in the nature of the seed coat caused by gut passage are considered to be the proximate causes of changes in germination patterns. Modifications of seed coat permeability may be decisive in saline environments (e.g. Mediterranean wetlands), in which the response of the seed to osmotic stress, or its resistance to toxicity caused by some ions may be affected. We analysed how passage thro...

The mechanism of inhibition of coffee (Coffea arabica cv. Rubi) seed germination by exogenous gibberellins (GAs) and the requirement of germination for endogenous GA were studied. Exogenous GA(4+7) inhibited coffee seed germination. The response to GA(4+7) showed two sensitivity thresholds: a lower one between 0 and 1 microM and a higher one between 10 and 100 microM. However, radicle protrusio...

Black gram plants subjected to varying levels of Zn supply (0.01 to 10 microM Zn) showed optimum growth and dry matter yield in plants receiving 1 microM Zn. The dry matter yield of plants decreased in plants receiving 0.01 and 0.1 microM Zn (deficient) and excess levels of Zn (2 and 10 microM Zn). The plants grown with Zn deficient supply showed delayed flowering, premature bud abscission, red...

Seed deterioration is loss of seed quality, viability and vigor due to effect of adverse environmental factors. Many of our crops are reproduced through seeds, and throughout the world large quantities are produced, stored and transported. Seed ageing during storage may cause retardation of field establishment, and may eventually result in seedling abnormalities or even failure of emergence. Du...

Objective: In recent years, farmers have shown great interest to using native drill planter rather than complex planters to grow vegetables. Methods: In this study, we tested a native planter Independent variables were the two types of substrate surface (asphalt and plowed field), three ground speed (3, 5 and 7 kph) and four types of seeds (tomatoes, onions, radishes and lettuce). Dependent var...

objective: in recent years, farmers have shown great interest to using native drill planter rather than complex planters to grow vegetables. methods: in this study, we tested a native planter independent variables were the two types of substrate surface (asphalt and plowed field), three ground speed (3, 5 and 7 kph) and four types of seeds (tomatoes, onions, radishes and lettuce). dependent var...

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Mammalian herbivores, particularly white-tailed deer, can have a major impact on plant abundance and distribution. However, plants can tolerate herbivory by increasing seed production or seed quality. We used the monocarpic perennial Prenanthes roanensis to examine tolerance to mammalian herbivory through seed quality and modeled the effects of tolerance on population growt...