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Selenomethionine as a dormancy-breaking agent in seeds of Stylosanthes humilis

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Abstract

Physiological dormancy of scarified seeds of Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis H.B.K.) was released by seleno-L-methionine (SeM), but not by L-methionine. This regulating effect was impaired by inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis and action; in the first case SeM action was restored by 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). The Se-aminoacid proved to be toxic in a time-dependent manner to seedling growth, inhibiting primarily the hypocotyl expansion. This toxicity is suggested to trigger ethylene biosynthesis, which would promote germination of dormant seeds.

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  1. Departmento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36571-000, Viçosa, MG, Brasil

    R. S. Barros & A. W. de Paula Freitas

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  1. R. S. Barros
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  2. A. W. de Paula Freitas
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Barros, R.S., de Paula Freitas, A.W. Selenomethionine as a dormancy-breaking agent in seeds of Stylosanthes humilis . Acta Physiol Plant 23, 279–284 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-001-0034-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-001-0034-9

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