Seeds are important materials for the restoration of globally-threatened marine angiosperm (seagrass) populations. In this study, we investigated the differences between different Ruppia sinensis seed types and developed two feasible long-term R. sinensis seed storage methods. The ability of R. sinensis seeds to tolerate the short-term desiccation and extreme cold had been investigated. The tol...

THE ECOLOGICAL RELEVANCE OF MATURATION DRYING DETERMINES DEHYDRIN EXPRESSION IN SEEDS In areas exhibiting typical seasonal changes, the seeds of most plants are getting mature in summer and fall, respectively. In order to prevent the destruction of the young and sensitive seedlings by the frosty winter conditions, any germination in fall has to be hindered. Accordingly, efficient outlasting mec...

Seed priming is a successful practice to improve crop establishment under adverse environment. However, reduced longevity of primed rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeds during storage limited the adoption of this technique. Present study investigated the effect of temperature, relative air humidity (RH) and oxygen on the longevity of primed rice seeds in a range of 60 days storage. In addition, the bio...

We describe an outbreak of sudden health problems in workers at a Danish grass seed plant after exposure to a particularly dusty lot of grass seeds. The seeds are called problematic seeds. The association between development of organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) and the handling of grass seeds causing exposure was assessed in a four-step model: (i) identification of exposure source, (ii) charac...

The purpose of the experiment was to determine cosmic rays long-term effects on living tissue. A batch of tomato seeds were flown in orbit aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) for almost 6 y. During this time, the seeds received an abundant exposure to cosmic radiation. Upon the return of the LDEF to Earth, the seeds were distributed throughout the United States and 30 foreign coun...

Studying seed dormancy and its consequent effect can provide important information for vegetation restoration and management. The present study investigated seed dormancy, seedling emergence and seed survival in the soil seed bank of Stipa bungeana, a grass species used in restoration of degraded land on the Loess Plateau in northwest China. Dormancy of fresh seeds was determined by incubation ...

Tamarix ramosissima has bi-seasonal flowering and fruit-setting characteristics. This study compared the morphology and germination characteristics of seeds from Tamarix ramosissima plants during the spring flowering period and the summer flowering period. The results are as follows: there is no significant difference in morphology, such as size and thousand-seed weight, between seeds from diff...

This study evaluated the effect of storage and sowing conditions on seed germination of Styrax japonicus Sieb. et. Zucc, an ornamental tree with seeds that exhibit double dormancy. The germination of freshly harvested seeds was compared with seeds that had been stored dry at 20 C for a year before sowing. After sowing, potted seeds were placed in an air-refrigerated greenhouse maintained 18.5/1...

Seeds of Aster kantoensis Kitamura (Compositae) were experimentally exposed to different cycles of hydration and dehydration: 3H1D (cycles of 3-d hydration and 1-d dehydration periods), 2H3D, 2H1D, 1H3D, 1H2D, and 1H1D. Under continuous hydration (control), all viable seeds germinated within 9 d. However, all viable seeds exposed to the 3H1D, 2H3D, and 2H1D cycles germinated within 36, 50, and ...

Oat seeds of cultivars susceptible and resistant to Helminthosporium victoriae were held for various times in pathogen-produced, host-specific toxin solutions; control seeds were in water. Seeds were then washed thoroughly and incubated on moist paper, or dried and stored for 2-3 weeks before germination was attempted. In both cases, germination of susceptible seeds was prevented by previous ex...