Telomeres and seed banks

We have found that a progressive loss of telomeric sequences occurs from high molecular weight DNA with an increasing appearance at low molecular weight as the periods of storage in the dry state were extended in time to provide seed germination loss from 98 to 0%. Telomere distribution would appear to follow the general pattern of DNA random fragmentation that occurs in the embryos of seeds stored in the dry state, but there are also indications of an overall telomere loss from DNA as a consequence of storage. There is a need for a convenient "equality marker" for the seeds that can be monitored over time. Reviewing the implications of our results very carefully we believe that there is considerable potential in the use of telomere sequences to mark embryo ageing of seeds held in Seed Banks.