Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Artificially Aged Rapeseeds

Using seeds of Zhenyou No.6,we studied the germination characteristics,relative electric conductivity,MDA content,soluble protein and soluble sugar,as well as the antioxidant-related indexes of the seeds in response to the artificial aging at 50℃ and RH 100%.The results showed that(a)the seed′s moisture content increased considerably in the course of the aging;(b)the rate,energy,index and vigor of the seed germination decreased with aging;(c)the relative electrolyte leakage and soluble sugar content in the seeds increased,while the soluble protein decreased;(d)the seed′s MDA content increased initially and followed by a decline;and(e)upon aging,SOD,POD and CAT activities in the seeds decreased significantly.In conclusion,during aging,the relative electrolyte leakage,soluble protein and soluble sugar contents of the seeds positively correlated with the its vigor index.It was speculated that the deterioration of the rapeseeds as they aged was induced by the increased peroxidation of the membrance lipids.