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Physiological aspects of recalcitrance in embryonic axes of Quercus robur L.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

K. M. Poulsen  and
E. N. Eriksen
K. M. Poulsen*
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Section of Horticulture, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
E. N. Eriksen
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Section of Horticulture, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
*
* Correspondence and present address DANIDA Forest Seed Centre, Krogerupvej 3A, 3050 Humlebaek, Denmark
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Abstract

The sorption isotherm for excised embryonic axes of recalcitrant (i.e. desiccation-sensitive) Quercus robur L. acorns was determined to find the relation between moisture content and water potential. Subsequently, physiological studies on the effect of desiccating the axes to a range of water potentials were undertaken. The respiratory capacity declined steeply after short exposure to water potentials from −5 to −30 MPa. The leachate conductivity increased significantly after exposure to −5 MPa and rose steeply after exposure to between −12 and −40 MPa. Axes were equilibrated at different relative humidities and the proline content showed a 15-fold increase with a peak value at −10 MPa. It was concluded that the critical water potential for initiation of damage was −5 MPa, and that axes accumulated proline as a response to desiccation stress. The embryonic axes from Q. robur behave more like typical vegetative tissue of angiosperms than like orthodox seeds.

Keywords

desiccation sensitivityQuercus robur L. acornrecalcitranceseed conductivityseed respirationseed vigoursorption isotherm
Type
Research Papers
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , December 1992 , pp. 215 - 221
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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