What is it about?
Seed quality is important for subsequent crop establishment - and for survival in storage prior to that, especially in seed genebanks for plant genetic resources conservation. When should seeds be harvested to maximise their subsequent survival? Seed longevity is a more sensitive indicator of differences in seed quality than ability to germinate amongst good quality seed lots.
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Why is it important?
The opinion article shows that the long-standing hypothesis that seed quality improves during seed filling, is greatest at the end of seed filling, and declines thereafter (because seed deterioration is assumed to begin then) is not correct. A variety of different temporal patterns of seed quality development, decline, and timing of maximum quality during seed development and maturation are presented and compared. It is concluded that there is no one single point of maximum seed quality across all species and environments: rather (a) seed improvement and deterioration may cycle (sequentially if not simultaneously) during seed development and maturation; (b) the relative sensitivity of the rates of improvement and deterioration to environment may differ; (c) the period of maximum quality may be brief or extended. Hence, when maximum quality is first attained, and for how long it is maintained, during seed development and maturation varies with genotype and environment.
Perspectives
The open access article is intended to aid teachers of seed science and technology - and so future seedsmen/women and seed scientists - with regard to quality seed production in current and future climates. This work also reminds readers that all the above will be affected by climate change. In particular, there is a likelihood of more frequent coincidence of brief periods of extreme temperatures with highly sensitive phases of seed development and maturation for seed quality. This is a possible tipping point for food security and for ecological diversity.
Richard Ellis
University of Reading
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Temporal patterns of seed quality development, decline, and timing of maximum quality during seed development and maturation, Seed Science Research, June 2019, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/s0960258519000102.
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