Oxygen-Dependent Aging of Seeds

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Abstract
When seeds of soybeans (G. max cv. Amosy) or safflower were stored under high O2 concentrations, their % germination declined rapidly. Soybean seeds stored under 7.7 atmospheres O2 pressure at 25.degree. C and 17% moisture lost all viability within 22 days, whereas under 7.7 atmospheres N2, the % germination remained > 80%. Germination decreased continually in O2 pressures ranging from 0-7.7 atmospheres. High levels of O2, moisture or temperature each acted independently to cause losses of germination, but when applied simultaneously, these factors acted synergistically. Soybean seeds were also aged under conditions of high temperature (44.degree. C) and humidity (100% RH [relative humidity]), which have been routinely used to accelerate aging. Under these conditions, no O2 dependence of seed death occurred. Increased lipid oxidation was not detected in seeds that had lost germination ability due to high O2 treatment. Seeds of 2 safflower varieties that contained either high oleic or high linoleic fatty acid compositions were subjected to high O2 treatment. Although the lipid of the high oleic variety is markedly more stable to oxidative degradation, no significant difference in the O2 tolerance of these seeds were detected.