HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Abdul-Baki, A. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Abdul-Baki, A. A. Agricola Articles by Abdul-Baki, A. A.

Relationship of Glucose Metabolism to Germinability and Vigor in Barley and Wheat Seeds¹

Changes in glucose metabolism of germinating barley (Hordeum vulgate, L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.) were determined by following the rate of utilization of uniformly labeled glucose for respiration, and synthesis of proteins and polysaccharides (watersoluble sugars, starch-hemicelluloses, and cellulose). Small changes in seed germinability or vigor induced by aging, led to a great reduction in glucose utilization as expressed by a reduction in protein and polysaccharide synthesis. The reduction in synthetic capacity greatly preceded any reduction in germination, shoot growth, or respiration.

Besides its ability to detect very early changes in seed germinability or vigor, the glucose-utilization approach offers a powerful tool for distinguishing dormant from dead seeds on the basis of the great difference in glucose metabolism in the two types of seed.

Key Words: Seed vigor • Aging • Glucose utilization • Polysaccharide synthesis • Protein synthesis • Respiration • Seedling growth

² Plant Physiologist, Field Crops and Animal Products Research Branch, Market Quality Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Md. 20705.

Received for publication April 11, 1969.