Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Poaceae
Example:
Triticum aestivum
- medium-sized cereal grain
1. Moistening: Soak in water 6-18 hr.
2. Preparation after moistening:
a. Cut the seeds longitudinally almost full depth through the midsection of the embryonic axis
and into the nutritive tissue within the basal half. Spread the cut surfaces of large seeds to
expose the embryonic structures.
b. Remove the intact embryonic axis and the scutellum by thrusting the narrow tip of a blade or
a lance needle through the seed coat and into the endosperm immediately above the germ. The
basal end of the seed is split while the embryo is being lifted out.
3. Staining time: 6-24 hr.
4. Preparation for evaluation: Expose the embryo and the adjoining nutritive tissue by spreading the
cut surfaces suficiently to expose the desired tissue.
5. Evaluation of viable seeds: Embryo completely stained except for the primary root initial and/or
surrounding tissues of the root initial area, provided that at least one root initial is stained and is
adjacent to a stained plumule.
Poaceae
Triticum aestivum
(Wheat)
(1)
(2)
(1)
(2)
Viable Seed
Non-Viable Seed
(1) Embryo entirely stained, and (2) small
area of the scutellum unstained. Endo-
sperm (non-living cells) does not stain.
(1) Radicle is completely unstained, and
(2) the plumule or more than 1/3 of scutel-
lum unstained.
