Role of chlorophylls and carotenoids in seed tolerance to abiotic stressors

It is found that chlorophylls are not fully destructed during seed ripening and can be detected in appreciable quantities in physiologically mature seeds. The elevated content of residual chlorophylls reduces seed tolerance to abiotic stresses. The seed carotenoids were represented mainly by lutein...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Russian journal of plant physiology 2011-11, Vol.58 (6), p.965-973
Main Authors: Smolikova, G. N, Laman, N. A, Boriskevich, O. V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
abiotic stress
antioxidants
beta-carotene
Biomedical and Life Sciences
chlorophyll
Life Sciences
oxidative stress
Plant Physiology
Plant Sciences
Research Papers
ripening
seed germination
seeds
stress tolerance
temperature
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Summary:It is found that chlorophylls are not fully destructed during seed ripening and can be detected in appreciable quantities in physiologically mature seeds. The elevated content of residual chlorophylls reduces seed tolerance to abiotic stresses. The seed carotenoids were represented mainly by lutein and, in much smaller quantities, by β-carotene. Carotenoids were found to accumulate in seeds during accelerated aging and during seed germination at high temperatures. The ratio of carotenoid to chlorophyll content (Car/Chl) is proposed to be a measure of seed tolerance to stress factors. The seeds with elevated Car/Chl ratio were characterized by higher tolerance to stress treatments. It is supposed that the presence of chlorophylls in seeds enhances oxidative stress induced by abiotic stress factors. Carotenoids are considered as antioxidants protecting the seeds against oxidative stress.
ISSN:1021-4437
1608-3407
DOI:10.1134/S1021443711060161