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The Inhibitory Effects of Coumarin on the Germination of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum, cv. Simeto) Seeds

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Abstract

The event chain leading to germination blockage in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum Desf.) seeds exposed to the allelochemical coumarin (2H-chromen-2-one) was studied. The physiological and biochemical aspects thought to be critical for a successful seed germination were measured. At concentrations above 200 μm, coumarin inhibited seed germination in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition occurred early during seed imbibition (phase I), was rapid, and irreversible. During phase I, coumarin inhibited water uptake, electrolyte retention capacity, and O2 consumption. Later on, coumarin delayed the reactivation of peroxidases, enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase, decreased the activities of selected marker enzymes for metabolic resumption, and repressed the transcription of molecular chaperons involved in secretory pathways. Insufficient and/or late seed rehydration caused by coumarin could have delayed membrane stabilization or decreased respiratory O2 consumption, both of which are conducive to an overproduction of reactive O2 species. Being unbalanced by an adequate upsurge of antioxidant defense systems, the resulting oxidative stress might have ultimately interfered with the germination program.

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Abbreviations

α-AMY:

α-amylase

β-AMY:

β-amylase

APX:

ascorbate peroxidase

AsA:

ascorbic acid

BiP:

lumenal binding protein

CAT:

catalase

DHAR:

dehydroascorbate reductase

DHAsA:

dehydroascorbic acid

ER:

endoplastic reticulum

G6PDH:

glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

GluK:

glucokinase

GPX:

hydrogen-donor aspecific (guaiacol) peroxidase

GSH:

reduced glutathione

GS-SG:

glutathione disulfide

MDH:

malate dehydrogenase

MDHAR:

monodehydroascorbate reductase

OPPP:

oxidative pentose phosphate pathway

PCR:

polymerase chain reaction

PDI:

protein disulfide isomerase

PyrK:

pyruvate kinase

ROS:

reactive oxygen species

RT:

reverse transcription

SOD:

superoxide dismutase

TRX:

thioredoxin h

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Acknowledgment

The Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria is acknowledged for financial support (Intramural Research Grants 2000 and 2001 to MRA and MB).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Biotecnologie per il Monitoraggio Agro-Alimentare ed Ambientale (BIOMAA), Facoltà di Agraria, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito, I-89124, Reggio Calabria, RC, Italy

    M. R. Abenavoli, G. Cacco, A. Sorgonà & M. Badiani

  2. Dipartimento di Agrobiologia e Agrochimica, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Via S.C. De Lellis, I-01100, Viterbo, VT, Italy

    R. Marabottini, A. R. Paolacci & M. Ciaffi

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  1. M. R. Abenavoli
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  2. G. Cacco
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  3. A. Sorgonà
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  4. R. Marabottini
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  5. A. R. Paolacci
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  6. M. Ciaffi
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  7. M. Badiani
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Correspondence to M. R. Abenavoli.

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Abenavoli, M.R., Cacco, G., Sorgonà, A. et al. The Inhibitory Effects of Coumarin on the Germination of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum, cv. Simeto) Seeds. J Chem Ecol 32, 489–506 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-005-9011-x

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