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Adenosine Phosphates in Germinating Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Seeds
D E Moreland1, G G Hussey, C R Shriner
1Southern Region, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Crop Science Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607.
Plant Physiology
|October 1, 1974
Summary
Radish seed germination involves a triphasic energy increase, with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels rapidly rising initially, followed by a lag, and then a sharp increase correlating with radicle emergence. Early metabolic changes occur even under anaerobic or inhibited conditions.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Seed Germination Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Quiescent radish seeds undergo significant metabolic shifts upon water imbibition.
- Adenosine phosphates (AMP, ADP, ATP) are crucial energy molecules in cellular processes.
- Understanding early seed metabolism is key to optimizing germination and crop yield.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic changes in adenosine phosphate concentrations and oxygen utilization during the initial 48 hours of radish seed germination.
- To correlate these metabolic changes with fresh weight gain and radicle emergence.
- To elucidate the role of oxidative phosphorylation in early seed development.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of AMP, ADP, and ATP concentrations in radish seeds at various time points post-imbibition.
- Monitoring oxygen utilization and fresh weight changes.
- Experimental conditions included anaerobic environments (argon) and metabolic inhibitors (fluoroacetate, iodoacetate).
Main Results:
- Seedling metabolism followed a triphasic course: rapid initial increase (0-1.5h), lag phase (1.5-16h), and linear increase (16-48h).
- Early ATP increases and ADP/AMP decreases occurred independently of oxygen or glycolysis/TCA cycle inhibition.
- Radicle emergence at 16h marked the end of the lag phase, with cell division initiating around 28h.
Conclusions:
- Early seed germination energy metabolism is robust and can proceed via non-oxidative pathways.
- Oxidative phosphorylation's contribution to ATP pool significantly increases throughout germination, reaching 65% by 48 hours.
- Metabolic inhibitors reveal distinct roles in ATP production and energy utilization during early seedling development.
