Agrotechnology

Physiological, biochemical and molecular changes associated with seed priming in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

International Conference on Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences

September 14-15, 2012 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

1Sowmya K. J, 1Rame Gowda, 2Bhanuprakash K, 2Yogeesha H S, 3Puttaraju T.B and 4Channakeshava B. C

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

It is a known fact that priming results in improved germination but, our fundamental understanding of physiology and bio - chemistry of seed priming remains obscure. Therefore, an attempt has been made to know the physiological, biochemical and molecular changes that may contribute for seed enhancement through priming. The physiological parameters such as first and final count germination, bartlett rate index (BRI) as an indicative of speed of germination, coefficient of velocity (CV) of ger - mination, germination energy (GE), mean seedling length (MSL), mean seedling dry weight (MSDW), SVI-I (seedling vigour index) and SVI- II were significantly higher (89.90 %, 94.14 %, 0.542, 70.41%, 83.76 %, 28.95cm, 20.78 cm, 10.56 mg, 2734 and 998, respectively) in high vigour seeds compared to low vigour seeds. However, the low vigour seeds have recorded 33.85 per cent higher final count germination in contrast to 8.84 per cent increase in high vigour seeds due to priming when compared to unprimed seeds. The total dehydrogenase (TDH) activity and total soluble protein (TSP) was higher (2.535 & 320.30μg/g) in high vigour seeds as well as in seeds primed with KNO3 (2.556 & 349.97μg/g). Total soluble sugars (TSS) of seed leachate was sig - nificantly lower (117.50μg/ml) in high vigour seeds and also in KNO3 (119.51μg/ml) treated seeds. The amylase, catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) activities were significantly higher in high vigour seeds as well as in KNO 3 primed seeds. Further, the seed DNA content was significantly superior (35.29 μg/g of seed) in high vigour seeds and it was on par with KNO 3 (35.07 μg/g of seed). Therefore, the study clearly proved that the initial stimulus in terms of increased biochemical activities might have resulted in enhanced germination and establishment of vigarous seedlings upon priming in cucumber.

Biography :

Sowmya, K.J has completed her Ph.D in Seed Science and Technology from University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, in 2011. She has awarded INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) Fellowship for Ph.D research by Government of India, Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi. She has received UAS, Bangalore General Merit Gold Medal for highest merit in Ph.D. She is working as Research Associate in NSP, UAS, Bangalore, under Mega Seed Project of ICAR, New Delhi.