INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE
OF BIOPHYSICS
Conference
on Biophotons 1999
Abstracts of the Conference Reports in
alphabetic Order
PHOTON EMISSION AND GERMINATION CAPACITY OF TOMATO SEEDS
J.E.M. Souren, E. K. Boon-Niermeijer, R.Van Wijk
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan
8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands; International Institute of Biophysics,
Ehem. Raketenstation, Kapellener Strasse, D-41472 Neuss, Germany.
Long-term weak delayed luminescence (LWDL) is applied for characterizing
the germination capacity of tomato seeds. According to this method the
luminescence of tomato seeds is measured after excitation of these seeds
by white-light irradiation. For the measurement of the (very) weak luminescence
after a long term delay highly-cooled and sensitive photo-multipliers in
combination with the electronic discriminators and special software is
used for analysis of characteristic parameters of this LWDL. By means of
the special characteristics of the LWDL a relevant discrimination between
seeds of different germination capacity can be made within minutes. LWDL
reflects a biological state specific for the seed's capacity to germinate.
Dry seeds are in a condition of deep quiescence and are characterized by
low metabolism and low respiration. It is speculated that the biological
significance of LWDL deals with the interconnectedness between subunits
of the seeds. This organization has been laid down during their acquisition
of desiccation stress tolerance and maturation drying. There is substantial
evidence that these stress events are important for the capacity to form
normal seedlings upon rehydration will be discussed. In this contribution
we will speculate on the relationship between intracellular water structuring,
the quality of the living state, and long-term weak delayed luminescence.
© International
Institute of Biophysics 2001 E-mail: iib@lifescientists.de
Previous
