Volume 9, No. 1, 1984

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(pp. 1-19)
Horticultural Seed Pathology - An Introduction
Martin M. Kulik1 and Phillip C. Stanwood2
ABSTRACT:
Seed pathology, the area of plant pathology that deals with seedborne pathogenic microorganisms and viruses and the diseases that they cause, is one of the oldest areas of the parent science. However, it is only recently that its importance in agriculture has been fully appreciated. In this paper, several seedborne pathogens that cause important diseases of major horticultural crops with detection and control are discussed.
Additional index words: Seedborne diseases, fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, detection, control.
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(pp. 20-28)
Storage of Seed of Mojave Desert Shrubs1
Burgess L. Kay, Charles C. Pergler, and Walter L. Graves2
ABSTRACT:
Increased use of the California deserts has resulted in plant and soil degradation which can best be minimized by revegetation with shrubs. However, due to the erratic seed production of desert plants, seed may not be available for collection from the wild when needed. Therefore, native seed banks are necessary to assure availability. In this study seed from 22 species of Mojave desert shrubs were placed in four storage environments.

Dried seed were placed in glass jars that were hermetically sealed and then stored at -15°C., 4°C., or room temperature, and the results compared to typical warehouse storage conditions. For most species, germination of seeds from warehouse storage was significantly lower. After 9 years, the long term germination percentages for most of the species was unchanged or increased from the original values under one or more sealed storage conditions. Hard seededness was induced in Cassia armata when dried and sealed at all temperatures. Sealed storage of dry seed rather than storage temperature appeared to be the most important factor for increasing the storage life of the seed.
Additional index words: Shrub seed storage, desert shrub seed.
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(pp. 29-39)
The Development of a Systems Approach to Training Seed Analysts
Steven B. Glassman1
ABSTRACT:
A systems approach is described for developing and implementing training programs, The approach directs attention to the training needs of the laboratory and the individual. The system ensures that the design and implementation phases in the program are flexible, and adjust to experience through feedback mechanisms. This approach is being used by Agriculture Canada to redesign training programs for its analysts.
Additional index words: System, training requirements, job analysis, training design, training implementation, feedback.
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(pp. 40-53)
Automated Seedling Length Measurement for Germination/Vigor Estimation Using a CASAS (Computerized Automated Seed Analysis System)1
R. D. Keys, R. G. Margnpuram and G. A. Reusche2
ABSTRACT:
An automated seedling length measurement analysis has been developed for use with a CASAS (Computerized Automated Seed Analysis System), in which a seed germination test sample is scored for both germination and vigor (as indicated by seedling or seedling part length ). The methodology of the analysis is applicable to most major crop seeds.

Seedlings from paper towel or sand type germination tests, or cold tests may be analyzed. A microcomputer was interfaced to a hand potentiometric caliper via an analog/digital converter. The caliper measures the length of normal seedlings, and a hand button switch is used to log the measurement in the computer. Enumeration of the counts was used to determine standard germination values. Means of seedling numbers measured, percent seedlings per replicate and analysis, and mean seedling length in cm are computed. Use of the automated analysis, compared to a manual equivalent analysis, resulted in a 50% savings in analyst time. The computer program is in the BASIC language.
Additional index words: Seed-analyzer, seed vigor, seed computer, seed quality.
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(pp. 54-59)
Evaluating Seed Leachate Measurements Relative to Imbibition Time and Solute Volume
J. A. Vozzo1
ABSTRACT:
Leachate conductivity of sand, shortleaf, slash, Scotch, loblolly, and Virginia pine (Pinus clausa, P. echinuta, P. elliottii, P. sylvestris, P. taeda, and P. virginiana) seeds was measured using different imbibitions and rinse times. Conductivity levels, as measured in μA, were greatest for Virginia and Scotch pine seeds imbibed for 48-hours and for sand pine seeds imbibed for 24-hours.

Measurement of running-water rinses indicated that leachates for all species except slash pine are diluted and lost but are retained in the standing-water imbibition. Two-seeds-per-cell for shortleaf and loblolly pines and three-seeds-per-cell for Virginia pine seeds showed significant increases in conductivity readings when compared to the one-seed-per-cell values.
The movement of solvent which affects solute  concentration and its net movement through the seed coat are discussed. This discussion includes speculation on selective membrane permeability.
Additional index words: seed testing, leachate, sand pine, shortleaf pine, slash pine, Scotch pine, loblolly pine and Virginia pine.
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(pp. 60-67)
Moisture Stress and Soybean Seed Quality
R. W. Yaklich1
ABSTRACT:
The effect on seed yield and quality of 2-week periods of moisture treatment during seed development and maturation were investigated. Seeds of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cv. Elf were sown 3.5 cm deep at a rate of 9 seeds/m of row in rows 0.17 m apart in 1980. Plots three m2 were formed when plants had 3 nodes on the main stem. Moisture treatments began when plants bore a flower at the node immediately below the uppermost node having a completely unrolled leaf. Plot treatments were of 2 weeks duration and consisted of 2.5 cm of irrigation per week or covering with a portable plastic house to withhold moisture.

There were four, 2-week treatment periods during flowering and seed development and two replicates of each treatment. At maturity, plots were sampled to estimate pods per plant, seeds per pod, abortions within the pods, yield and seed size. Seed germination was estimated by sandbench emergence and seed vigor was estimated by the accelerated aging test. Field emergence of seeds was determined during June, 1981.
The growing season of 1980 was the hottest on record because of the number of days that the temperature attained or exceeded 32.2oC. Seed quality was good as measured by sandbench emergence and field emergence, but the accelerated aging test showed that seed from plots where moisture was withheld during pod fill were low in vigor. The last two treatment periods occurred during pod fill and the plots covered by plastic houses had significantly less yield than the corresponding irrigated plots. The covered plots at the end of pod fill were the only plots with a significantly smaller seed size. The basal seed most frequently aborted. It was concluded that reduced moisture during seed development reduced yield by reducing seed number and size.
Additional index words: Glycine max, vigor, accelerated aging.
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(pp. 68-78)
Cell Wall Composition and Enzymatic Degradation of Atriplex gardneri (Moq) Dietr. Seed Bracteole1
P. W. Burton, W. F. Campbell, A. S. Bittner, and A. J . Johnson2
ABSTRACT:
Chemical clarification of composition of the bracteole restraint on Atriplex gardneri ( Moq) Dietr. seed germination, and development of a pre-treatment to enhance germination were the objectives of this study. Following acid hydrolysis of bracteole cell walls, analyses revealed 17% lignin, 33% glucose, 29% xylose, 7% arabinose, 1% galactose and less than 1% mannose. Delignified and lignified cell walls were incubated with cellulase supplemented with B-D-glucosidase, crude-hemicellulase and polygalacturonase separately and in combination. Sequential treatment of lignified cell walls by cellulase followed by polygalacturonase induced 14% degradation. All other treatments produced less than 10% degradation.

Dramatic improvement in enzymatic degradation was noted after delignification of the walls. Cellulase hydrolyzed 35%, hemicellulase 25%, and polygalacturonase 36% of delignified walls. Intact seeds delignified at 70°C in acidic sodium chlorite, however, failed to germinate. Germination percentages of intact seeds exposed to delignified or delignified/enzyme pretreatment at 35oC were less than other common germination pre-treatment. Standardization of concentration, time, and temperature of incubation solutions, however, should improve seed germination responses.
Additional index words: Lignin, glucose, xylose, arabinose, galactose, mannose, cellulose, impermeable seed coats.
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(pp. 79-86)
Soaking and Other Seed Pretreatment Effects on Germination and Emergence of Sugarbeets at High Temperature1
J. M. Nelson2, A. Jenkins3, and G. C. Sharples2
ABSTRACT:
Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) seeds soaked in 50 times their weight of water for 1/2 to 8 days and air dried had faster rates of germination than washed or control seeds in laboratory tests at 38°C. Water temperatures of 15 or 25°C were superior to temperatures of 5 and 35°C during soaking treatment.

The beneficial effects of soaking were retained in storage for at least 60 days after treatment. Soaking or washing treatments resulted in higher germination than control seeds at all concentrations of salt tested. Seeds soaked in fusicoccin germinated at a faster rate than seeds soaked in water. Under high temperature conditions in the field, soaking treatments increased the rate of emergence, but not total emergence.
Additional index words: Beta vulgaris L., fusicoccin, gibberellic acid, kinetin, salinity.
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