Molecular Marker Analysis of Differentially Aged Seeds of Soybean and Safflower

Abstract

Storage of seeds for extended periods causes a number of degradative changes related to the aging process such as decreased seedling vigor and reduced germination. In this study, molecular markers were used to study the aging process in seeds of two different plants species. Seeds of three differentially aged seed groups, including control (un-aged), naturally aged, and accelerated aging, from soybean (Glycine max) and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) were evaluated for genetic variability using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. For both plant species, naturally aged and accelerated aged groups clustered together with RAPD markers, whereas control and naturally aged seeds showed similarity in both AFLP and SSR profiles. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that observed changes in DNA profiles of seeds from different aged groups did not contribute to accumulation of genetic variations of the same magnitude. Therefore, seed of similar viability must be selected for molecular marker analysis for plant variety protection, among other comparative studies.

Effect of Seed Storage Periods, Conditions and Materials on Seed Quality of Some Soybean Cultivars

“…Different periods of seed ageing, as well as storage conditions adversely affected the seed quality [30]. Similar inferences was reported by Sharma, et al [26], Simic, et al [29] and Vijay, et al [35]. Differences in oil affected by storage longevity were significant among tested crops and genotypes within crops.…”

Genomics: A Hallmark to Monitor Molecular and Biochemical Processes Leading Toward a Better Perceptive of Seed Aging and ex-situ Conservation

“…Seed testa play an important role in regulating water intake rate (Koizumi et al, 2008). In late stages of germination and during imbibition, water is transported and distributed within the seed tissue by membrane proteins that facilitate the passage of small nonpolar molecules and water or aquaporins (Vijay et al, 2009). …”

“…Seed vigor determines the strength and uniformity of the resulting seedlings. Recently, some PCR-based molecular markers, including RAPD, AFLP, and simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker shave been developed and are considered to be sensitive measures of seed vigor (Chwedorzewska et al, 2002;Vijay et al, 2009;Dona et al, 2013). However, in contrast to the rapid progress in understanding the molecular pathways and r e g u l a t o r y m e c h a n i s m s i n v o l v e d i n s e e d development, germination, and viability, the development of new technology for monitoring seed aging has progressed more slowly.…”

“…Both RAPD and AFLP analyses indicate that genomic DNA deterioration is associated with seed aging (Chwedorzewska et al, 2002;Kranner et al 2006;Vijay et al, 2009); RAPD is also a reliable technique for diagnosing DNA deterioration and mutational events, including point mutation, rearrangement, deletion, insertion, and structural distortion in bacteria, animals, and plants ( Atienzar and Jha, 2006;Vijay et al, 2009). …”

“…Quantitative trait loci associated with seed longevity have been thoroughly investigated, in order to elucidate the genetic basis of seed deterioration (Shatters et al, 1995;Arif et al, 2012). As a result of these efforts, genes that govern seed longevity have been identified and may facilitate the prediction of the longevity in plant germplasm repertoires (Nagel et al, 2009;Vijay et al, 2009). For example, four genomic regions associated with wheat seed longevity are known to include genes related to stress responses and spike traits (Arif et al, 2012).…”