Rapid biochemical test for seed germinability

Sugar and aminoacids were investigated in sterile distilled water after Pinus pinea seeds had been soaked in it during 24 hours at 37 degrees C. Germination viability decreased with the ageing of the seeds and was accompanied by sugar and aminoacids increase in the exudate. The sugar content from seeds with loss of germinability was about 50 to 80 times greater than that from seeds with good germinability. Paper chromatography showed that there was an increase in mono, di, oligosaccharides and amino-acids in seeds without germinability, but these substances were only found as trace quantities in viable seeds. The methods already described by TKAYANAGI and MURAKAMI to determine germinability could be applied with some modifications to Pinus pinea seeds. The presence of sugar in the exudate could be detected by urine sugar test after 24 hours at 37 degrees C. It was necessary to concentrate the exudate till a final volume of 2 ml.