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Light effects on α-amylase activity and carbohydrate content in relation to lipid mobilization during the seedling growth of sunflower

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Abstract

The changes in α-amylase activity and in starch and free sugar content were investigated in correlation with lipid mobilization inHelianthus annuus during the first 15 days of seedling growth in discontinuous light and in darkness. Throughout the seedling development α-amylase activity increased more significantly in light than in darkness. It was always lower in cotyledons than in other tissues of the embryo axis. In both culture conditions, most of the transitory carbohydrates accumulated in germinating cotyledons were very likely synthesized by gluconeogenesis from the stored lipid breakdown. Nevertheless, in light-grown cotyledons, photosynthesis contributes to increase the carbohydrate levels. The study of several soluble sugars indicates that 1) sucrose stored in cotyledons of mature seeds was used at the onset of seedling growth, more rapidly in light than in darkness, 2) galactose and xylose, both involved as precursors of some cell-wall polysaccharides, remained at a very low level throughout the 15 days and 3) glucose, fructose and maltose accumulated in old etiolated cotyledons in contrast to what occurred in the light.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Biologie Végétale Expérimentale, Université d'Avignon et des Pays de Vaucluse, France

    Nicole Darbelley

  2. Laboratoire de Chimie Bio-organique, Université d'Avignon et des Pays de Vaucluse, France

    Njara Razafindramboa

  3. Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, CNRS, Marseille, France

    Jean-Pierre Chambost

  4. Laboratoire de Chimie Biomoléculaire et des Intéractions Biologiques UPRESA 5074, Université de Montpellier 2, France

    Andr'e Pavia

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  1. Nicole Darbelley
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  2. Njara Razafindramboa
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  3. Jean-Pierre Chambost
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  4. Andr'e Pavia
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Darbelley, N., Razafindramboa, N., Chambost, JP. et al. Light effects on α-amylase activity and carbohydrate content in relation to lipid mobilization during the seedling growth of sunflower. J. Plant Res. 110, 347–356 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02524933

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