Seed heteromorphism observed in many halophytes is an adaptive phenomenon toward high salinity. However, the relationship between heteromorphic seed germination and germination-related hormones under salt stress remains elusive. To gain an insight into this relationship, the roles of gibberellins (GAs) and abscisic acid (ABA) in regulating germination of Suaeda salsa dimorphic brown and black s...

We compared the physiological activities of sesame seeds rich in lignans from three varieties (Gomazou, Maruhime and Maruemon), and those from a conventional cultivar (Masekin) in rats. The sum of the values of fat-soluble lignans (sesamin and sesamolin) in seeds of Gomazou, Maruhime and Maruemon varieties was approximately double the value in Masekin. Seeds from Maruemon contained fat-soluble ...

The Florida harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex badius, is one of many ant species and genera that stores large numbers of seeds in damp, underground chambers for later consumption. A comparison of the sizes of seeds recovered from storage chambers with those of seed husks discarded following consumption revealed that the used seeds are far smaller than stored seeds. This difference in use-rate was con...

It is generally accepted that seedlings from large seeds are more tolerant to defoliation than those from small seeds due to the additional metabolic reserves present in the large seeds. However, information on the effects of amount of seed reserves (cotyledon removal) from seedlings resulting from large vs. small seeds on seedling growth and long-term survival in the field is limited. Five leg...

The effects of storage and deep desiccation on structural changes of DNA in orthodox seeds are poorly characterized. In this study we analyzed the 5-methylcytosine (m(5)C) global content of DNA isolated from seeds of common pear (Pyrus communis L.) that had been subjected to extreme desiccation, and the seedlings derived from these seeds. Germination and seedling emergence tests were applied to...

Intact wild-type tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Moneymaker) seeds do not complete germination to the same percentage or at the same speed as intact ABA-deficient sitiens (sit") mutant seeds when seeds of both genotypes are imbibed on polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions of -0 .3 to —1.5 MPa osmotic potential. However, if the thicker testas of wild-type seeds are removed (stripped) from the ...

Seed masting and production of empty seeds have often been considered independently as different strategies to reduce seed predation by animals. Here, we integrate both phenomena within the whole assemblage of seed predators (both pre and post-dispersal) and in two contrasting microsites (open vs. sheltered) to improve our understanding of the factors controlling seed predation in a wind-disper...

Dormancy breaking and germination requirements were determined for seeds of the eastern North American (eNA) species Sanicula canadensis, Sanicula gregaria and Sanicula trifoliata, and the data compared to those available for the European–Asian (EurA) congener Sanicula europaea. Seeds of the three eNA species had underdeveloped embryos that were physiologically dormant, i.e., morphophysiologica...

Seeds of Balanites aegyptiaca stored for one year were germinated using cold and boiling water pre-treatments and different sowing orientations. Whole fruits were soaked in cold water for (18, 24 and 48 hours, respectively), while extracted sun dried seeds were immersed in boiling water for 7 minutes. Seeds of each treatment were sown in three orientations (seeds laid vertically with stalk end ...

In this research, the uptake of Cu, Mo, Zn, As(III) and Cr(VI) by mesquite (Prosopis spp.) roots and shoots from two different sources was studied. The first source was seeds collected from plants grown in mine tailings in Arizona, USA (Seeds A) and the other source was seeds from a commercial vendor (Seeds B). In addition, the effects of above mentioned elements on plant growth and nutrient up...