Enhancement of low-temperature tolerance in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seedlings by cool-hardening germination
Feng-Xia Guo A B , Yuan Chen C E , Xin-Rong Li A , Shi-Jian Xu A D , Li-Zhe An A D F and Dong-Shun Liu CA Shapotou Desert Research Experimental Station, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.
B College of Life Sciences & Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
C College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
D Key Laboratory of Arid and Grassland Agroecology of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
E Corresponding author. Email: guofxgau@yahoo.com.cn
F Corresponding author. Email: lizhean@lzu.edu.cn
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47(6) 749-754 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA05130
Submitted: 20 April 2005 Accepted: 6 July 2006 Published: 17 May 2007
Abstract
To determine and elucidate the role of cool-hardening germination in the subsequent development of low-temperature tolerance in tropical and subtropical plants, 10-day-old watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seedlings of two hybrids, Jingxin No.1 and Longfengzaochen, germinated at 18 and 30°C, respectively, were removed from growth conditions of 25°C and exposed directly to growth conditions of –2°C for 24 h. The results showed that the seedlings germinated at 18°C, improved the subsequent seedling emergence rate at 25°C and developed tolerance to conditions of –2°C. Low-temperature injury-associated changes of electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation in cotyledons and lower radicle vigour, measured as 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride reduction, were observed in the seedlings germinated at 30°C but not in those germinated at 18°C, presumably due to the accumulation of soluble proteins. Radicle vigour showed a significantly negative correlation with cotyledon lipid peroxidation. Seed germination at less than the optimal temperature may be a feasible way to improve the cold tolerance of watermelon plants.
Acknowledgements
This study has been supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (90302010, 40671011), Gansu Key Technologies R&D Program (2GS042-A43-013-06, GS022-A41-045), Gansu Agricultural Bio-technology Research & Development Project, the Western Communication & Construction Project of Ministry of Communication and other grants (3zs041a25001, 9560433–033044 and China Postdoctor Foundation). We are very grateful to Leslie Nechrille of St. Olaf College for her English proofreading assistance and Ni Li of G.A.U. Agronomy College for her hard work.
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