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Dynamics of imbibition by soybean embryos
1Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, New York 14853.
Plant Physiology
|May 1, 1983
Summary
Soybean imbibition rates slow in cold, dry conditions. Water
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Imbibition is crucial for seed germination and survival.
- Environmental factors like temperature and moisture content significantly influence imbibition rates in soybeans (Glycine max).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of temperature, water viscosity, and surface tension on soybean cotyledon imbibition.
- To differentiate the components of water entry during soybean imbibition.
Main Methods:
- Measuring imbibition rates in isolated soybean cotyledons under varying temperature and moisture conditions.
- Analyzing the influence of water viscosity and surface tension on water uptake.
- Examining the relationship between imbibition rate and the reciprocal of water viscosity.
Main Results:
- Low temperatures and low initial moisture content reduced soybean water uptake rates.
- A linear relationship between imbibition rate and reciprocal viscosity was observed only in high-moisture soybean seeds.
- Solutes that decreased surface tension increased imbibition rates, particularly in low-moisture tissue.
Conclusions:
- Soybean water uptake involves a two-component process: an initial wetting reaction influenced by surface tension and a subsequent flow influenced by viscosity.
- Chilling injury in soybeans may be linked to the initial wetting phase of imbibition rather than the overall rate.