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Is oxidative stress involved in the loss of neem (Azadirachta indica) seed viability?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Moctar Sacandé ,
Folkert A. Hoekstra ,
Adriaan C. van Aelst  and
C.H. Ric De Vos
Moctar Sacandé*
Affiliation:
Centre National de Semences Forestieres, BP 2682, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Arboretumlaan 4, 6703BD Wageningen, The Netherlands. Centre for Plant Breeding and Reproduction Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
Folkert A. Hoekstra
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Arboretumlaan 4, 6703BD Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Adriaan C. van Aelst
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Experimental Plant Morphology and Cell Biology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Arboretumlaan 4, 6703BD Wageningen, The Netherlands.
C.H. Ric De Vos
Affiliation:
Centre for Plant Breeding and Reproduction Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
*
*Correspondence: Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University, Arboretumlaan 4, 6703 BD Wageningen, The Netherlands Fax: +31-317-484740 Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a valuable multipurpose tree of tropical arid and semi-arid regions. The use of its seeds is hindered by their short storage longevity. The possible causes of rapid loss of viability were investigated on different seed lots during exposure to 32% and 75% RH at 20°C. Within 6 months the seeds almost lost germinability at 75% RH, whereas at 32% RH viability decreased only slightly. On rehydration, the axis cells from nongerminable seeds had lost turgor, whereas those from viable seeds were turgescent as visualized by low temperature scanning electron microscopy images of fractured axes. Glutathione oxidation status was used to estimate oxidative stress during storage. Oxidative stress was much higher at 75% RH storage than at 32% RH, mainly caused by the rapid loss of reduced glutathione at 75% RH. Oligosaccharides and phospholipids decreased, and free fatty acids increased during storage at the high RH but remained at a constant level at the low RH. However, the degree of fatty acid unsaturation between viable and nonviable seed lots was similar. During the (slow) dehydration of fresh seeds, total glutathione, oligosaccharides and phospholipids accumulated, particularly in the initially more hydrated seeds. We interpret this accumulation as a post-maturation process associated with acquisition of the capability for long-term survival in the dry state. The mass ratio of oligosaccharides to sucrose was 0.19 on average in dehydrated neem seeds. The data suggest that the storage behaviour of neem seeds has features that characterize it as orthodox.

Keywords

Azadirachta indicaglutathioneoxidative stressphospholipidsseed viabilitystoragesugars
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 10 , Issue 3 , September 2000 , pp. 381 - 392
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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