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OSMOTIC STRESS-INDUCED CHANGES IN GERMINATION, GROWTH AND SOLUBLE SUGAR CONTENT OF SORGHUM BICOLOR (L.) MOENCH SEEDS

Summary. The effect of osmotic stress on germination, growth and soluble sugar content in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv. CSH 9 seeds and seedling components (endosperm and embryos) during early germination was investigated. Under stress conditions germination decreased markedly, whereas the control at the same time reached its maximum germination (99%). A high percentage (67%) of ungerminated seeds from mannitol treatment germinated after washing with distilled water. Both water potential and tissue water content of both embryo and endosperm showed a slight recovery after re-watering. As compared to the control, fresh weight was reduced by osmotic stress both in germinated embryos and endosperm after 14 h of development. On the contrary, a substantial increase in dry weight was observed in both embryo and endosperm. Furthermore, a considerable increase in the sugar levels in both embryo and endosperm were detected under stress conditions. Total sugar and reducing sugar content increased markedly after 14 h of stress imposition. These parameters were maintained principally in endosperm after stress was released. The fructose level was always higher than glucose and sucrose in response to mannitol treatment. However, the level of glucose and sucrose was higher in the embryos and endosperm after stress treatments than in the controls. Based upon these results a possible physiological role of sugars in germination of sorghum seeds was suggested.