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The role of abscisic acid in germination of light-sensitive and light-insensitive lettuce seeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Nurit Roth-Bejerano ,
Norbert J.A. Sedee ,
Rene M. van der Meulen  and
Mei Wang
Nurit Roth-Bejerano*
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, PO Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
Norbert J.A. Sedee
Affiliation:
Center for Phytotechnology RUL/TNO, Department of Plant Molecular Biotechnology, 2333 AL Leiden, The Netherlands
Rene M. van der Meulen
Affiliation:
Center for Phytotechnology RUL/TNO, Department of Plant Molecular Biotechnology, 2333 AL Leiden, The Netherlands
Mei Wang
Affiliation:
Center for Phytotechnology RUL/TNO, Department of Plant Molecular Biotechnology, 2333 AL Leiden, The Netherlands
*
*Correspondence Fax: 972 7 6472 992 Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The role of abscisic acid (ABA) in seed germination of two cultivars of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.; light-sensitive Ritsa and light-insensitive Strada) was investigated. The inhibition of Ritsa seed germination by exogenous ABA was higher than that of Strada seeds, the extent of inhibition of both cultivars being reduced by a short light break. At 25°C the sensitivity of both cultivars to exogenous ABA was higher than at 15°C. The endogenous level of ABA was similar in dry seeds of both cultivars, increasing temporarily in Ritsa seeds during the first 4 h of imbibition in darkness but not in Strada seeds, nor in Ritsa seeds exposed to a short light break. The transitory increase of ABA content in Ritsa seeds imbibed in darkness was accompanied by increased expression of the gene responsive to ABA (Rab) under these conditions. Zorial (Norflurazone), an ABA-biosynthesis inhibitor, decreased ABA content and allowed dark germination of the light-requiring Ritsa seeds. A short light break induced germination of Ritsa seeds when applied at 24 and 48 h after imbibition onset, i.e. after the transitory increase of ABA. GA3, on the other hand was effective when applied at the beginning of imbibition. It seems that light induces germination of the photoblastic Ritsa seeds by both inhibiting ABA synthesis and decreasing seed sensitivity to ABA and inhibitory processes induced by it.

Keywords

ABAgerminationgibberellic acidLactuca sativa LlightZorialNorflurazoneRab-gene expression
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , February 1999 , pp. 129 - 134
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

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