| dc.description.abstract | Pines constitute an important economic species for the lumber and paper
industries in the Boreal region (Galloway, 1986). Current seedling production,
dependent on the availability of high quality seed, may be considered adequate.
However, better understanding of seed biochemistry and physiology may result in the
development of better seed, and consequently healthier, more uniform, and perhaps
stress tolerant seedlings. Based on past efforts (Ackerman and Farrar, 1965; Santon,
1970, Fraser, 1974; Fleming and Lister, 1984), we have undertaken an investigation of
pine seed priming and its effect on several physiological and metabolic parameters of a
single seed-lot. The technique explored may provide a method to decrease germination
time and increase synchrony of those seeds germinating, resulting in more economical
seedling production.
The following is an overview of literature dealing with knowledge pertinent to
the study of seed priming physiology and germination. Pine seeds consist of a thin
seed coat encasing a thick haploid megagametophyte surrounding a small embryo
(Bewley and Black, 1978). Most gymnosperm storage seed cells contain lipid deposits
in addition to protein bodies. The high energy stores needed for initial seedling growth
are found, for the most part, in the parental megagametophyte tissue and the mechanisms involved in their depletion during seedling growth have been of interest to
many researchers, and is discussed below. | |
