The effect of priming treatments on the viability and accumulation of chromosomal damage in aged pea seeds

Abstract

A range of post-storage priming treatments were evaluated to develop a protocol for priming pea seeds. Post-storage priming treatments at 16 °C with PEG-8000 −0·5, −1·0 and −1·2 MPa), ABA (10−1M) and distilled water for 3, 5 and 7 d ameliorated some of the damage which resulted from ageing. Most of the benefits occurred during the first 3 d with PEG or ABA and during the first 5 d distilled water. Priming treatments increased the final germination and decreased the mean germination time (MGT) and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations, possibly due to the repair of some age-induced damage. The results of the priming experiment suggest that the critical moisture content that facilitates repair of chromosomal damage in pea seeds is likely to be between 32 and 46%. ABA has been identified as a possible chemical which arrests germination and facilitates repair of age-induced genetic damage. © 1995 Annals of Botany Company.