Study on Desiccation Tolerance and Biochemical Changes of <i>Sassafras tzumu</i> (Hemsl.) Hemsl. Seeds
The deciduous tree species <i>Sassafras tzumu</i> (Hemsl.) Hemsl., unique to China, holds significant economic and ecological value. However, its seeds exhibit poor storage tolerance and rapid decline in seed vigor. This study primarily investigates the desiccation tolerance of <i>...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2183 |
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| author | Chenyin Peng Mingzhu Wang Yu Wu Qilong Hua Yongbao Shen |
| author_facet | Chenyin Peng Mingzhu Wang Yu Wu Qilong Hua Yongbao Shen |
| author_sort | Chenyin Peng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The deciduous tree species <i>Sassafras tzumu</i> (Hemsl.) Hemsl., unique to China, holds significant economic and ecological value. However, its seeds exhibit poor storage tolerance and rapid decline in seed vigor. This study primarily investigates the desiccation tolerance of <i>S. tzumu</i> seeds. The results show that <i>S. tzumu</i> seeds have recalcitrant seed characteristics, with a semi-inactivation water content (at which point half of the seeds lose viability) of 20.7%. As desiccation progresses, seed viability decreases significantly; at a reduced water content of 11.93%, only 18.3% of the seeds remain viable, while most lose their viability completely. Relative electrolytic leakage (REC) and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> content gradually increase during this process, while MDA content initially decreases before increasing again, exhibiting distinct trends compared to antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). SOD and POD activities exhibit an initial increase followed by a rapid decrease, whereas CAT activity shows a decline followed by a rapid increase. Dehydration to 15% water content in seeds is a key turning point in the process of seed desiccation in <i>S. tzumu</i>, and CAT is an enzyme key to maintaining seed viability. Both the accumulation of toxins and the decline in the activity of the antioxidant system contribute to the susceptibility of <i>S. tzumu</i> seeds to drought stress, a characteristic common to all recalcitrant seeds. To maintain high seed viability above 70% during storage, it is crucial to ensure water content above 23.58%. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:49:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7a5cbc664c834811ae4f652deeccc419 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:49:56Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-7a5cbc664c834811ae4f652deeccc4192023-11-24T14:42:36ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072023-11-011411218310.3390/f14112183Study on Desiccation Tolerance and Biochemical Changes of <i>Sassafras tzumu</i> (Hemsl.) Hemsl. SeedsChenyin Peng0Mingzhu Wang1Yu Wu2Qilong Hua3Yongbao Shen4College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210037, ChinaSchool of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, UKCollege of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210037, ChinaThe deciduous tree species <i>Sassafras tzumu</i> (Hemsl.) Hemsl., unique to China, holds significant economic and ecological value. However, its seeds exhibit poor storage tolerance and rapid decline in seed vigor. This study primarily investigates the desiccation tolerance of <i>S. tzumu</i> seeds. The results show that <i>S. tzumu</i> seeds have recalcitrant seed characteristics, with a semi-inactivation water content (at which point half of the seeds lose viability) of 20.7%. As desiccation progresses, seed viability decreases significantly; at a reduced water content of 11.93%, only 18.3% of the seeds remain viable, while most lose their viability completely. Relative electrolytic leakage (REC) and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> content gradually increase during this process, while MDA content initially decreases before increasing again, exhibiting distinct trends compared to antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). SOD and POD activities exhibit an initial increase followed by a rapid decrease, whereas CAT activity shows a decline followed by a rapid increase. Dehydration to 15% water content in seeds is a key turning point in the process of seed desiccation in <i>S. tzumu</i>, and CAT is an enzyme key to maintaining seed viability. Both the accumulation of toxins and the decline in the activity of the antioxidant system contribute to the susceptibility of <i>S. tzumu</i> seeds to drought stress, a characteristic common to all recalcitrant seeds. To maintain high seed viability above 70% during storage, it is crucial to ensure water content above 23.58%.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2183antioxidant systemrecalcitrant seedROSseeds viabilitytreewater content |
| spellingShingle | Chenyin Peng Mingzhu Wang Yu Wu Qilong Hua Yongbao Shen Study on Desiccation Tolerance and Biochemical Changes of <i>Sassafras tzumu</i> (Hemsl.) Hemsl. Seeds Forests antioxidant system recalcitrant seed ROS seeds viability tree water content |
| title | Study on Desiccation Tolerance and Biochemical Changes of <i>Sassafras tzumu</i> (Hemsl.) Hemsl. Seeds |
| title_full | Study on Desiccation Tolerance and Biochemical Changes of <i>Sassafras tzumu</i> (Hemsl.) Hemsl. Seeds |
| title_fullStr | Study on Desiccation Tolerance and Biochemical Changes of <i>Sassafras tzumu</i> (Hemsl.) Hemsl. Seeds |
| title_full_unstemmed | Study on Desiccation Tolerance and Biochemical Changes of <i>Sassafras tzumu</i> (Hemsl.) Hemsl. Seeds |
| title_short | Study on Desiccation Tolerance and Biochemical Changes of <i>Sassafras tzumu</i> (Hemsl.) Hemsl. Seeds |
| title_sort | study on desiccation tolerance and biochemical changes of i sassafras tzumu i hemsl hemsl seeds |
| topic | antioxidant system recalcitrant seed ROS seeds viability tree water content |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2183 |
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