Effects of exogenous application of five antioxidants on vigour, viability, oxidative metabolism and germination enzymes in aged cabbage and lettuce seeds

Abstract

Ageing induces modifications capable of compromising seed vigour and viability. This study investigated the effects of exogenous application of five antioxidants: ascorbic acid (AA), gallic acid (GA), reduced glutathione (GSH), trolox and glycerol, on physical and biochemical lesions induced by controlled deterioration (CD) in Brassica oleracea (cabbage) and Lactuca sativa (lettuce) seeds. The antioxidants were applied at 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mM to fresh seeds and seeds subjected to CD: 75% viability (P75), 50% viability (P50) and 25% viability (P25); deionised water (DW) served as control. Controlled deterioration resulted in more abnormal seedlings production in cabbage than in lettuce seeds. Additionally, CD increased electrical conductivity (EC) and protein carbonylation (PC), lowered antioxidant and germination enzymes activities in both species but increased lipid peroxidation in lettuce seeds only. Exogenous application of antioxidants enhanced seed viability of cabbage at P25 and lettuce at P50 and P25; seedling vigour of fresh, P75 and P25 cabbage; P50 and P25 lettuce seeds. Electrolyte conductivity and lipid peroxidation were reduced by AA, GA, glycerol, GSH and trolox in lettuce seeds, while PC was reduced by GA, glycerol and GSH in both species. Antioxidant and germination enzymes activities were heightened by GA, glycerol, GSH, and trolox in cabbage seeds; AA, GA, glycerol, GSH and trolox in lettuce seeds. While DW reduced PC in cabbage seeds, it reduced lipid peroxidation and heightened antioxidant and germination enzymes activities in lettuce seeds. The study resolved that CDinduced lesions differ in both species, and the exogenously applied antioxidants are beneficial in quelling injurious spin-offs of oxidative reactions.

Assessment of seed quality of different cabbage lots during aging

“…Seed ageing is a consequence of the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are toxic oxidants that bring about physical and biochemical lesions (Adetunji, et al, 2020). The ROS attack major biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids during oxidative stress, resulting in physiological injuries like the loss of membrane integrity, degradation and inactivation of enzymes and reduced respiration, thereby affecting seed quality, vigor and early seedling growth (Adetunji, et al, 2021).…”

Allelopathic effect of aqueous extract of Polygonum bistorta and Terminalia chebula on germination and seedling growth of Daucus carota and Medicago polymorpha

“…This variation in germination response of two targeted species is attributed to their genetic variation (Bolton & Simon, 2019a;Colque-Little et al, 2021), quantity of stored food material in seed (A. Bhatt et al, 2021;Mokotjomela et al, 2021), and endogenous production of various enzymes like amylase that affect the germination process (Adetunji et al, 2021;Aguieiras et al, 2021). Furthermore, an aqueous extract of T. chebula did not affected the time taken for 50% seed germination of both targeted species at every tested dose level as compared to control but no seed germination was observed at application of 80% pure extract.…”

Advances in the Understanding of Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent Regulation on Seed Dormancy, Germination, and Deterioration in Crops

“…Excessive ROS induces protein oxidation that is associated with seed deterioration in many crops ( Figure 3 ). For instance, increased protein carbonylation has been observed in aged lettuce seeds ( Adetunji et al, 2021 ) and Vigna unguiculata seeds ( Boucelha et al, 2021 ). Several amino acids such as arginine, lysine, proline, and threonine residues with nucleophilic centers react with the reactive carbonyl species (RCS) derived from HNE and MDA ( Smakowska et al, 2014 ; Satour et al, 2018 ; Biswas et al, 2020 ).…”