Developing Seeds of Ricinus communis L., When Detached and Maintained in an Atmosphere of High Relative Humidity, Switch to a Germinative Mode without the Requirement for Complete Desiccation

Abstract

Immature seeds of castor bean (Ricinus communis) removed from the capsule at 25 to 40 days after pollination (25-40 DAP) and placed in an atmosphere of high relative humidity undergo limited water loss, and germinate upon subsequent return to full hydration. This switch from a developmental to a germinative/growth mode at 40 DAP is reflected in a change in the types of proteins being synthesized in the endosperm; after partial drying, developmental protein synthesis ceases and germinative/growth-related proteins are produced. The nature and timing of these protein synthetic changes elicited upon imbibition are identical to those following premature desiccation/rehydration of 30 and 40 DAP seeds and upon imbibition of the mature dry seed. Enzymes involved in postgerminative reserve mobilization (l-leucyl-β-naphthylamidase and isocitrate lyase) are induced upon imbibition, following partial drying at 40 DAP, to levels attained in the endosperms of germinated mature, and prematurely dried/rehydrated, seeds. The changes in protein synthesis resulting from partial drying are effected at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. Upon return to full hydration some new (i.e. germination and growth-related) mRNAs are synthesized, while others (associated with development) present in the partially dried endosperm decline. Thus developing seeds of castor bean do not have to experience substantial (whole seed) water loss to acquire the ability to germinate and grow upon subsequent imbibition. Seed detachment from the mother plant alone is not sufficient to elicit a switch to germination and growth processes. However, the length of time of detachment from the mother plant, in combination with some water loss may interact to elicit the “switch” from development to germination.