Effect of ultradrying on germination and physiological and biochemical characteristics of Haloxylon persicum

Abstract

This study was to determine whether the vigor of the Haloxylon persicum seeds can be maintained at a higher level and their storage characteristics can be improved by ultra-dry storage. Moisture content of H. persicum seeds was dried to 7.62, 6.73, 5.23, 4.24, 3.24 and 1.02% in a desiccating container with silica gel, and stored at 25, 4 and -20°C for 12 months. The results showed that the H. persicum seeds became more tolerant to aging condition if they could be dried to below 3.24% of moisture content. Under the same aging condition, the germination of seeds with 3.24% of moisture content decreased
greatly, while that of ultra-dry seeds still kept a high level. The dehydrogenase activity of ultra-dry seeds was higher than that of the control (moisture content 3.24%, aging treatment). The results indicated that dehydrogenase, guaiacol peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities of the ultra-dry seeds were higher than those of the control seeds. The results demonstrated that an appropriate ultradried H. persicum seeds could persist and ultradrying treatment was an ideal method of seed storage.