Seeds: Physiology of Development and GerminationJ. Bewley Since the publication of our monograph on seed physiology and biochemistry (The Physiology and Biochemistry of Seeds in Relation to Germination, Sprin ger-Verlag, 1978, 1982), it has been suggested to us that a text covering the same subject area would be appropriate. This book is our response. Unlike the previous volumes, however, this text is not intended to be either a critical or a comprehensive account. Instead it is a more generalized consideration of the essential aspects of seed physiology and biochemistry as we see them. It also includes a substantial amount of new and different material. In a work of this sort it is inevitable that some simplifications must be made, but we hope, never theless, that we have presented the most reasonable conspectus of areas of con troversy and uncertainty. In this respect, literature citations have been kept to a minimum and do not interrupt the text; they are placed at the end of each chapter and are intended to be used as a source for further references. We hope that this book will be of value to students and teachers in uni versities, colleges, and other institutes of higher learning whose courses include plant biology. Although it is particularly appropriate for studies of seed biol ogy, it should also find broader applications in general plant physiology, agri culture, and horticulture. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
a-amylase activity afterripening aleurone aleurone layer amino acids axis barley castor bean cell walls cereals chilling components cotyledons cultivars cytochrome cytokinins dehydrogenase dormancy dormant seeds dry seed effect elongation embryo endosperm enzymes example factors far-red light fatty acids Figure germination gibberellin glucose glyoxysome grains Hence hormones hydration hydrolysis hydrolyzed imbibed seed imbibition increase inhibited inhibitors legumes lettuce levels lipid maize malate membrane metabolism mination mitochondria mobilization moisture content mRNA NADH nondormant nonviable occurs organelles oxidation oxygen pathway phase phosphate phosphorylation phytin phytochrome Plant Physiol polysomes production protein bodies protein synthesis proteinase radicle released respiration ribosomes RNA synthesis scutellum secondary dormancy Section seed coat seed development soil soybean species sprouting starch starchy endosperm storage proteins storage tissues substrate subunits sucrose Table temperature testa Vicia faba vicilin water content water potential water uptake wheat embryos