Kinetics of seed reserve compounds during the maturation of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) seeds

Abstract

Seeds of many peony species contain a large amount of oil. However, the exploiting of its potential for oil production is hampered by a lack of basic information regarding the developmental biology of the seeds. Our aim was to obtain a detailed relationship between seed development and accumulation of various storage compounds of Paeonia lactiflora ‘Hangshao’ seed. Seeds were collected at five developmental stages including 30 days after flowering (DAF), 45 DAF, 60 DAF, 75 DAF and 90 DAF. Anatomical and histological analysis, seed weight and water content, proteins, starch, and fatty acids contents were determinated. The time span of seed development for P. lactiflora ‘Hangshao’ was 90 DAF. Seeds were physiologically mature by 75 DAF, with maximum dry matter content. During seed development, the starch and lipid content showed an increased and then decrease pattern, while they reached their maximum content differed with starch for 60 DAF and lipid for 75 DAF. Protein content showed a slight decreased and then increased pattern. Lipid was the main storage reserve of mature seeds. A total of 26 kinds of fatty acid were detected and among which, seven kinds was all more than 100 mg.Kg-1 in all developmental seeds. Those seven fatty acids were palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, trans-oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and erucic acid. Besides, the content of α-linolenic acid accounted for more than 40% of the total fatty acid content in each stage.

The Seed Traits Associated with Dormancy and Germination of Herbaceous Peonies, Focusing on Species Native in Serbia and China

“…To date, there is currently no data within the literature regarding the germination rate of seeds collected after maturation has peaked; however, it can only be assumed that it would decline, as was the case with the seeds of some tree peonies [55]. When the seeds are collected at the optimum time, the rate of germination can be as high as 90%, as already confirmed in the case of P. lactiflora [52].…”

“…They also differ in seed shape and in colour of testa, which is caused by the oxidation of various polyphenolic compounds in its palisade layers during maturation. The color of the seed testa in ripe seeds can range from brown to dark (Figure 2) and, in most cases, is smooth [46,52]. In addition, the seed size also depends on the locality, plant position at the locality, and year [43].…”

“…Thus, the seed coat is considered a major modulator of interactions between the internal seed structures and the surrounding environment, maintaining the viable status of embryos for a long period of time [36]. The mature seed of P. lactiflora is composed of the seed coat, endosperm, and embryo [52]. Its coat is made of tightly packed palisade cells with gaps between them [61].…”

Maturation indexes and physiological quality of seeds and fruits of Morinda citrifolia L.

“…Its development begins in ontogenic stages, which culminate in the maximum accumulation of nutrients, reduction in water content, dormancy, a series of morphophysiological changes, maximum accumulation of dry mass, germination, and vigor (DELOUCHE, 2002;NAKAGAWA, 2012;MARCOS FILHO, 2016), as observed in Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (MENG et al, 2021) and Crambe abyssinica Hochst (AMARO et al, 2021).…”