Abstract:
The effect of Methyl Jasmonate (M
J, jasmonic acid methyl ether) at 10
-
6
-
10
-
3
M
concentrations on triticale kernels germination, seedling growth, changes in soluble
carbohydrates content and composition, and activity of
α
-
amylase was studied. MJ
inhibited the germination of triticale kernel
s, possibly due to decreasing activity of
α
-
amylase, leading to the depletion of soluble carbohydrates in both embryonic and
endosperm tissues. In this way, MJ reduced starch degradation. A lower amount of
soluble carbohydrates in germinating seeds decreas
ed water uptake (between 24 and 72
hours of germination) and delayed seedling development. The above effect can be
attributed to high concentrations of MJ in the incubation mixture (10
-
3
M, 10
-
4
M). MJ
reduced the number of embryonic roots in 5
-
days
-
old seed
lings in all examined
concentration ranges.
Keywords
: Alpha
-
amylase, Carbohydrates, Germination, Methyl jasmonate, Triticale.
