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The role of seed coats in seed viability

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Abstract

The seed coat is the seed’s primary defense against adverse environmental conditions. A hard seed coat protects the seed not only from mechanical stress but also from microorganism invasion and from temperature and humidity fluctuations during storage. Phenolic compounds in the seed coat contribute to seed hardness and inhibition of microorganism growth. During germination, the seed coat protects the seed from hydration stress and electrolyte leakage.

Resumen

La cubierta de la semilla es la defensa primaria contra el medio ambiente adversa. Una cubierta dura proteja la semilla no solo de tensión mecanica sino también de ana invasion de microorganismos y de cambios en temperatura y humedad durante almacenaje. Los phenolics en la cubierta de la semilla contribuyan a la dureza de la semilla y la inhibitión de crecimiento de microorganismos. Durante la germinatión, la cubierta proteja la semilla de la tension de hidratación y del escape de electrolytes.

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  1. Department of Horticulture, University of Illinois, S-406 Turner Hall 1102 South Goodwin Avenue, 61801, Urbana, Illinois, USA

    Yasseen Mohamed-Yasseen & Walter E. Splittstoesser

  2. Department of Food Sciences & Technology, Ohio State University, 122 Vivian Hall 2121 Fyffe Road, 43210-1097, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Sheryl A. Barringer

  3. Department of Natural Science, St. John’s University, 300 Howard Avenue, 10301, Staten Island, New York, USA

    Suzanne Costanza

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  1. Yasseen Mohamed-Yasseen
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Mohamed-Yasseen, Y., Barringer, S.A., Splittstoesser, W.E. et al. The role of seed coats in seed viability. Bot. Rev 60, 426–439 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02857926

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