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Seed development and maturation studies in Chinese medicinal plant babchi (Psoralea corylifolia)

Authors Sumathi, S.; Srimathi, P.

Journal SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY , 2015,1:43

DOI 10.15258/sst.2015.43.1.09

Abstract An investigation was carried out to study the physical, physiological, biochemical and histological changes that occur during seed development and maturation in the underutilised medicinal plant babchi (Psoralea corylifolia). The seeds attained physiological maturity at 18 days after anthesis (DAA) when the moisture content had decreased from 84.3% (3 DAA) to 30.1% and seeds had the maximum germination of 100%, along with a high vigour index and protein content (18.8%). The dry weight of the seeds increased from 0.02 g per 100 seeds at 3 DAA to 1.26 g per 100 seeds at 18 DAA. These changes coincided with morphological changes and the colour of the pod and seeds turning from green to yellow. Electrophoresis showed maximum accumulation of protein at 18 DAA, with a greater number of high intensity bands. Similarly, histological studies showed the maximum expansion of cells in the middle stage of maturation (12-18 DAA) and rapid accumulation of storage materials at this stage. The seeds from pods harvested at 18 DAA showed better seed quality in all observed parameters and the maximum proportion of seeds were extracted from the pods at this stage. Thus 18 DAA is the ideal initial stage for harvesting quality seed of this species.

Species covered 补骨脂 Psoralea corylifolia