• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.427-434
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• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the effects of pre-harvest sprouting (PHS)-damaged grains of rice on seed viability, germination percentage and seedling emergence rate. As comparing the seed lots of same cultivar 'Hopum' with different PHS percentages, seed lot with 8% PHS (high PHS percentage) showed 30% lower germination than that with 1% PHS (low PHS percentage). The difference of seedling emergence rate and seed viability percentages between the two seed lots was consistent with that of germination percentage. PHS-damaged brown rice was observed protruded embryo, discolored endosperm and fungi infected grains. PHS grains were classified into two groups, PHS-I showing endosperm discoloration in one third of a grain and PHS-II in more than half of a grain. The seed lot with high PHS percentage had much more PHS-II grains than that of low PHS percentage. PHS-II grains showed remarkably lower germination percentage than PHS-I grains and got severely moldy during germination test. In laboratory experiment, morphological changes and re-germination ability of seeds which dried after germination by soaking were tested. Sprouted seeds of 3mm shoot length showed half discolored endosperm and had a strong resemblance with PHS-II grains. Re-germination percentage of 3mm sprouted seeds sharply decreased than 2 mm sprouted seeds. Sprouted seeds which were treated for accelerated-aging (AA) for 24hr at $45^{\circ}C$ were significantly reduced in re-germination percentage compared to that of non-AA-treated sprouted seeds. These results indicate that PHS with over 3mm shoot length can severely damage not only grain appearance but also seed viability, germination percentage and seedling emergence rate. Therefore, we conclude that larger difference of germination percentage or seedling emergence rate between seed lots having smaller difference of PHS percentage might be caused by accelerated seed deterioration in PHS-damaged rice grains.

• Forest Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.160-168
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• 2018

The seeds of Elaeocarpus serratus, a tropical underutilized fruit tree are characterized by hard seed coat and consequent poor water uptake and low germination. To improve the regeneration through seeds, various parameters such as viability of seeds, water uptake, and effect of seed mass on germination and pretreatments were performed using a completely randomized design (CRD). Tetrazolium (TZ) test was conducted using fresh, mature seeds revealed $50{\pm}2.56%$ mean viability. Seeds of different weight classes showed similar pattern of water uptake and the saturation level was achieved at 60 hrs of soaking. Seeds belong to weight class 2.6-3.5g were germinated ($12.5{\pm}1.26%$) with $175{\pm}1.75days$ (d) of mean time taken for germination (MTG). Germination capacity of seeds varied significantly among different populations and Varkala population gave $12.5{\pm}1.1%$ germination with $174.6{\pm}2.5d$ MTG. Among various seed treatments, mechanical scarification was superior in germination and significant reduction in MTG ($p{\leq}0.05$). The mechanical scarification by complete removal of seed coat resulted in $49.2{\pm}1.52%$ germination within a short period of time ($9.52{\pm}0.89d$ MTG). However, the complete removal of seed coat without damaging to embryo is a difficult task. An alternate treatment (Mechanical scarification II) by making cracks on nut faces vertically followed by soaking in distilled water for 24 hrs gave $48.4{\pm}1.73%$ germination with significantly reduced MTG ($12.14{\pm}0.56d$) over unsoaked, untreated control ($6.5{\pm}1.84%$ germination and $197.18{\pm}1.79d$ MTG; $p{\leq}0.05$). This treatment (Mechanical scarification II) is therefore recommended for E. serratus seeds as it can adopt easily and can achieve 7 fold increases in germination over control. The recorded germination through mechanical scarification is in tune with realized viability percentage of the seeds.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.390-395
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• 2009

Red radish seeds were irradiated at doses up to 8 kGy using electron beam (e-beam) and gamma ray ($\gamma$-ray). The seed viability and functional properties (carotenoid, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, and total phenol) of sprouts grown from these irradiated seeds were evaluated. High germination percentage ($\geq$97%) was observed in seeds irradiated at $\leq$5 kGy, but the yield ratio and sprout length significantly decreased with increased irradiation dose. Irradiation at $\geq$6 kGy resulted in curling of the sprout roots. Sprouting enhanced the functional properties of red radish seeds as indicated by the increased carotenoid, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, and total phenol contents during germination. However, radiation treatment hampered the growth of seeds resulting in underdeveloped sprouts with decreased carotenoid, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, and total phenol contents. In general, e-beam and $\gamma$-ray irradiation of red radish seeds showed similar effects on the seed viability and functional properties of sprouts. Postharvest storage reduced the functional quality of sprouts.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2017

Background: Dehisced ginseng seeds need to be stored at cold temperatures for around 3 months to break their physiological dormancy, and thus, to aid in gemination. In the presence of high moisture in such an environment, seed spoilage and pre-germination may lower seed quality and productivity. To improve seed quality during cold-stratification, the effects of seed dehydration and temperature were tested. Methods and Results: In early December, dehisced ginseng seeds were dehydrated at 4 different levels and stored at $2^{\circ}C$ $-2^{\circ}C$, and $-20^{\circ}C$ for 3 months. Germination was carried out on the filter papers moistened with distilled water; emergence of root, shoot, and seed spoilage were assessed. Seed viability was examined by the tetrazolium test. More than 90% of the seeds stored at $2^{\circ}C$ and $-2^{\circ}C$ without drying or endocarp dehydration germinated, but seeds that were dehydrated to have a moisture content (MC) below 31% showed poor germination and lost their viability. In addition, the seeds stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ failed to show effective germination. Conclusions: Seed storage after endocarp dehydration might help to improve seed quality and increase seedling's ability to stand during the spring-sowing of ginseng.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.334-338
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• 2003

The objective of this study was to demonstrate whether or not the deleterious effects of accelerated aging on seed vigour and viability are alleviated by interaction with gamma irradiation. Seeds of soybean (Glycine max L.) were artificially aged and subsequently irradiated with 4 and 8 Gy of gamma irradiation. Germination rate was negatively affected by accelerated aging and positively by gamma irradiation, with a positive interaction of a 3day-seed aging treatment occurring with 4 Gy, possibly suggesting that 4 Gy of gamma irradiation partially offset the adverse effects of seed aging on germination. However, 5-day aged seeds did not gain any benefits from the gamma irradiation. Electrolyte leakage from the seeds increased with the duration in days aged. Irradiation, however, did not impose any effects on the leakage. Respiration rate of the seed with hypocotyl and primary root was significantly low for the aged seeds, but not for the seeds with both irradiation and aging treatments. Accelerated aging decreased the dry weight of the hypocotyl and primary root of the seeds without any measurable effects of irradiation. $\alpha$-Amylase activity decreased with seed aging and positively responded to gamma irradiation. The data is discussed with regard to the possible roles of gamma irradiation for improving the seed vigour and viability of aged seeds.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1829-1832
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• 2013

In the present study, investigations were carried out to screen the anticancer activities of fenugreek seed oil against cancer cell lines (HEp-2, MCF-7, WISH cells), and a normal cell line (Vero cells). Cytotoxicity was assessed with MTT and NRU assays, and cellular morphological alterations were studied using phase contrast light microscopy. All cells were exposed toi 10-1000 ${\mu}g/ml$ of fenugreek seed oil for 24 h. The results show that fenugreek seed oil significantly reduced the cell viability, and altered the cellular morphology in a dose dependent manner. Among the cell lines, HEp-2 cells showed the highest decrease in cell viability, followed by MCF-7, WISH, and Vero cells by MTT and NRU assays. Cell viability at 1000 ${\mu}g/ml$ was recorded as 55% in HEp-2 cells, 67% in MCF-7 cells, 75% in WISH cells, and 86% in Vero cells. The present study provides preliminary screening data for fenugreek seed oil pointing to potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.3
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• pp.418-427
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• 2022

Our aim was to evaluate the quality of pine seeds after long-term storage and to analyze the correlation between germination and physiological characteristics. Therefore, we investigated the germination and physiological characteristics of seeds stored for different periods and storage temperatures. Pine seeds lost little viability and vigor after 12 years of storage at 4℃; it is even possible to prolong the storage period at -18℃. The deterioration process operating through long-term storage was characterized by a loss of seed vigor before a loss in seed viability. Electrical conductivity of the seed leachate was significantly higher in seeds that completely lost their viability, and was also found to be significantly correlated with the germination percentage, T50, mean germination time, and germination speed. Among the minerals leaked to the leachate, K had the highest concentration, followed by Na, Ca, Cu, Mg, and Fe, while Mn and Zn were not detected. Concentrations of K, Ca, Cu, Mg, and Fe in the leachate differed significantly by treatment, and in the cases of K, Ca, Cu, Na, and Mg, we observed large differences in the leachate between the seeds that were collected in 2003 and those collected in other years.. Germination percentage was significantly negatively correlated to the concentrations of Ca, Cu, K, Mg, and Na. The coefficient of uniformity of germination was significantly negatively correlated to Cu concentration. The other germination characteristics were not significantly correlated with the mineral concentration. Therefore, the mineral concentrations of pine seed leachate were not reliable indicators of seed deterioration when the differences in quality between seed lots were small. However, electrical conductivity could be an indicator of seed viability and vigor of pine seeds under long-term storage.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1681-1689
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate days after anthesis (DAA) and fruit after-ripening period (FAP) for seed-harvesting of high quality watermelon seeds. Fruit weight and number of seed per fruit increased according to DAA, while those did not significant about FAP. Ratio of cotyledon at whole seed was higher about 2 to 4% compared to seed coat irrespective of DAA and FAP. Germinability of watermelon was not a significant effect by DAA, however, it had differences by FAP. Percent of germination (PB) was below 50%, when 30 days maturated fruits after anthesis was omitted ripening, while PB was increased to 92% by ripening. In addition, seeds at DAA 40 and FAP 20 were higher general seedling vigors (hypocotyl length, diameter etc.) in BP test. Results indicated that considering seed productivity, it had maximized seed viability at DAA 40 and FAP 20.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 2006

We tested the seed viability of Pinus rigida using accelerated aging to discover optimum times and temperatures far artificially accelerated aging. Seeds were artificially aged at different temperatures and during different tines. The seed viability was affected by the accelerated aging and by temperature with a decline in germination and seed vigor. The aging index of P. rigida seed was 0.31 at $35^{\circ}C$ and seed viability was nearly lost after aging treatment at $40^{\circ}C$ for 15 days. The optimum temperature of P. rigida far the aging test was decided to be approximately $37^{\circ}C$ on the basis of the aging index. Inorganic materials and conductivity of leaching solution from aging seeds increased with the increase of aging period. The accelerated aging test was considered to be a suitable method to evaluate the seed viability of tree species. Because seed characters are much different among tree species, however, more studies need to be done to discover the optimum conditions for aging by tree species.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.256-262
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• 2022

The timing of seed harvesting is an important decision in the management of seed orchards because it affects seed quality and yield. To investigate the effect of cone harvest time on seed quality and determine the optimal harvesting time, cones were regularly collected in seven times and germination tests were performed at each harvest time in two clonal seed orchards of Chamaecyparis obtusa. As cones developed, the percentage of seed germination increased before cone moisture content began to decrease significantly. The moisture contents of cones were highest at the first collection as 68.3% and 67.3% in Jeju and Gochang seed orchards respectively. At this time, germination speed was slowest, indicating poor seed vigour. The highest germination was found at the second stage in Jeju (36.5%) and at the seventh stage in Gochang (28.6%) seed orchard. The germination speed increased as cone moisture content decreased. Additionally, changes of seed vigour differed among the developmental stages in both seed orchards. Consequently, the optimal cone harvest time of C. obtusa seed orchards in Jeju was early September when high germination percentage was obtained. In Gochang seed orchards, late October was optimal cone harvest time when the germination speed was fast and the cone moisture content decreased.