Changes in germination, growth and soluble sugar contents of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench seeds under various abiotic stresses

• Published in: Plant growth regulation Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 157 - 162
• Main Authors: Gill, P.K, Sharma, A.D, Singh, P, Bhullar, S.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.06.2003; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; cold stress; dry matter accumulation; Economic plant physiology; embryo (plant); Embryo development. Germination; Embryos; endosperm; fructose; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Germination and dormancy; glucose; grain sorghum; Growth and development; heat stress; osmotic pressure; plant growth; Plant physiology and development; polyethylene glycol; salt stress; seed germination; Seeds; Sorghum bicolor; stress tolerance; sucrose; sugar content; water content; Monocotyledones; Seeds; Abiotic stresses; Growth; Germination; Glucose; Fructose; Stress; Sorghum bicolor; Gramineae; Water regime; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Carbohydrate; Biological accumulation; Sugars
• ISSN: 0167-6903; 1573-5087
• DOI: 10.1023/a:1024252222376

The effect of various abiotic stresses on germination rate, growth and soluble sugar content in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv. CSH 6 seed embryos and endosperm during early germination was investigated. Under stress conditions germination, water potential and tissue water content decreased markedly. Subsequently, this reduction resulted in marked decreases in fresh weight both in embryos and endosperm. Conversely, a substantial increase in dry weight was observed. Furthermore, a considerable increase in the sugar contents in both embryo and endosperm was detected. The fructose level was always higher than glucose and sucrose in response to various stresses. However, as compared to the control the level of glucose and sucrose was higher in embryos and endosperm after stress treatments. Based upon these results a possible physiological role of sugars in the germination of sorghum seeds is discussed.