Chapter 1
Structure and Composition
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Seed structure
1.2.1. Embryo
1.2.2. Non-embryonic storage tissues
1.2.3. Testa - seed coat
1.3. Seed storage reserves
1.3.1. Carbohydrates
1.3.2. Oils (Neutral lipids)
1.3.3. Proteins
1.3.4. Phytin
1.3.5. Other constituents
Chapter 2
Development and Maturation
2.1. Fertilization
2.2. Embryogeny and storage tissue formation
2.2.1. Embryonic tissues
2.2.2. Endosperm
2.2.3. Testa (seed coat)
2.3. Regulation of seed development
2.3.1. Plant hormones
2.3.2. Embryo polarity and patterning
2.3.3. ABA content and sensitivity to ABA during development
2.3.4. Regulation of the seed maturation program
2.3.5. Epigenetic control of endosperm development
2.3.6. Testa development and its interaction with the endosperm and embryo
2.3.7. Somatic embryogenesis and apomixis
2.4. Germinability during development
2.4.1. Ability to germinate during development
2.4.2. Precocious germination: Vivipary and preharvest sprouting
2.4.3. Role of preharvest drying in development of germinability
2.5. Maturation drying and the 'switch' to germination
2.5.1. The acquisition of desiccation tolerance
2.5.2. Protective mechanisms associated with drying
2.5.2.1. Membranes, proteins and water replacement
2.5.2.2. Gene expression and protein synthesis
2.5.2.3. Other changes in metabolism associated with drying
2.5.3. Gene expression changes upon rehydration
2.6. Late maturation events and seed drying
2.6.1. Physiological maturity versus harvest maturity
2.6.2. Seed development and seed quality
2.6.3. Maturation drying and biophysical aspects of dry seeds
Chapter 3
Synthesis of Storage Reserves
3.1. Assimilates for grain and seed filling 3.1.1. Source of nutrients for storage reserve synthesis
3.1.2. Import of nutrients into the developing seed
3.1.3. Factors affecting seed production and quality
3.2. Deposition of reserves within storage tissues
3.2.1. Starch synthesis
3.2.1.1. Uses and modifications of starch
3.2.2. Synthesis of polymeric carbohydrates other than starch
3.2.3. Oil (triacylglycerol) synthesis
3.2.3.1. Uses and modifications of fatty acids
3.2.4. Storage protein synthesis
3.2.4.1. Synthesis, processing and deposition of storage proteins
3.2.4.2. Uses and modifications of storage proteins
3.2.4.3. Regulation of storage protein synthesis
3.2.5. Phytin synthesis
3.2.6. Modifications of non-storage compounds to improve nutritional quality
Chapter 4
Germination
4.1. Seed germination - definition and general features
4.2. Measurement of germination
4.3. Imbibition
4.3.1. Uptake of water from the soil
4.3.2. Phase I, imbibition and imbibitional damage
4.3.3. Phase II, the lag phase
4.3.4. Phase III, completion of germination
4.3.5. Kinetics of imbibition
4.4. Respiration - oxygen consumption and mitochondrial development
4.4.1. Pathways and products
4.4.2. Respiration during imbibition and germination
4.4.3. Mitochondrial development and oxidative phosphorylation
4.4.4. Respiration under low oxygen conditions
4.5. RNA and protein synthesis
4.5.1. Transcriptomes of dry and germinating seeds
4.5.2. Proteomes of germinating seeds
4.6. The completion of germination
4.6.1. Embryo growth potential verses enclosing tissue constraints in radicle emergence
4.6.2. DNA synthesis and cell division (cell cycle)
4.7. Priming and the enhancement of germination
Chapter 5
Mobilization of Stored Reserves
5.1. Seedling growth patterns
5.2. Mobilization of stored reserves
5.3. Stored oligosaccharide catabolism
5.4. Pathways of starch catabolism
5.4.1. Synthesis of sucrose
5.5. Mobilization of stored starch in cereal grains
5.5.1. Synthesis and releas
