Molecular, biochemical, physiological, environmental, and genetic regulation
of seed development, maturation, and germination events including the deposition
and mobilization of seed reserves with illustrations from the world's major
food and feed seeds. Illustrations extend the principles to practical situations
and uses. Selected topics to be presented by visiting lecturers.
COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Crop and Soil Sciences 612--Seed Biology-- Fall. 3 credits.
Prerequisite: Plant physiology. TR 8:30-9:55. 617 Bradfield Hall. Ralph
L. Obendorf.
Morphology, physiology, and biochemistry of cereal, legume, and oil-seed formation,
composition, storage and germination. Emphasis is on the deposition of seed
reserves during seed formation, stabilization of reserves during storage, and
mobilization of reserves during germination. Topics range from molecular mechanisms
to on-farm problems.
.
LECTURE TOPICS:
- SEED DEVELOPMENT AND MATURATION (6 weeks)
- Production of experimental seedstocks / Seed growth and maturation in
vitro
- Structure and composition of mature seeds; Pollination and fertilization
- Morphological and anatomical development
- Transport to seeds
- Mechanisms and regulation of starch (carbohydrates), protein, and oil
deposition
- Energy metabolism; Phytin, mineral, vitamin, cell wall deposition
- Environmental and genetic regulation of seed composition
- Hormones and seed development, vivipary and regulatory genes
- Seed maturation, water relations, desiccation tolerance, harvest
- Seeds for nutriceuticals, pharmaceuticals and industrial utilization
- STABILITY IN STORAGE (1 week)
- Physical and biological conditions for seed storage
- Ecology of storage microorganisms
- Maintenance of viability
- GERMINATION AND MOBILIZATION OF RESERVES (7 weeks)
- Imbibition and seed hydration
- Enzyme activation, respiration and energy metabolism
- Transcription and translation
- Cellular, morphological and physiological changes
- Regulation of protein, carbohydrate (starch, cell wall), & oil mobilization
- Environmental and genetic regulation of germination
- Regulation of seed dormancy
- Physical, chemical and biological stresses
- Preconditioning treatments
- Development of autotrophic seedlings
EXAMS:
ORAL EXAMS (2)
1) Structure, composition and deposition of seed reserves (October 2-4)
2) Stability and mobilization of seed reserves (Dec 12-14)
Exams: Two oral exams are to be given individually on October
2-4 before fall break and on December 12-14. Each covers one-half of the course
and each counts one-third of the course grade. Collaborative preparation for
the oral exams is encouraged. Concept maps and vee diagrams can be very useful
learning tools.
WRITTEN WORK:
TERM PAPER (1) or Class Project Review
Paper (1)
In addition to oral exams, a written paper on a contemporary topic in seed
biology is required. Written topics may be in the form of a term paper, a research
proposal, or a class project to write an in-depth review paper for publication.
Written work is to be complete by November 15 and will count one-third of the
course grade.
Contemporary topic in seed biology or review paper or research proposal due
November 15.
- Term paper: The term paper should be on a contemporary
topic in seed biology and be researched and written independently. A list
of potential topics is provided. The selected topic and brief outline of your
approach must be approved by Prof. Obendorf. An in depth review of at least
10 contemporary papers related to your topic should be included in 10 to 15
pages of double-spaced computer-typed text. The topic should be different
than your previous work experience and not the topic of your thesis at Cornell.
- Some style guides for scientific writing:
- Wilkinson, A. M. 1991. The scientists handbook for writing papers and
dissertations. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewoods Cliffs. 522 pages. ISBN
0-13-969411-0
- Dodd, J. S., editor. 1986. The ACS style guide - a manual for authors
and editors. American Chemical Society, Washington. 264 pages. ISBN 0-8412-0943-x
- CBE Style Manual Committee (Erwin Neter, chairman), editors. 1983. CBE
Style Manual - A guide for authors, editors, and publishers in the biological
sciences, fifth edition. Council of Biology Editors, Inc., Bethesda. 324
pages. ISBN 0-914340-04-2
- ASA Style Manual, any recent issue.
- Research Proposal: An alternative to a term paper is to
write a research proposal on contemporary topic in seed biology on a topic
which you have not previously worked nor plan for your thesis topic. The style
of the proposal is to follow the guidelines for NSF. Text of the proposal
will be limited to a maximum of 15 pages plus the supporting documentation
as required by NSF.
- Class Project Review Paper: As an alternative to a term
paper or research proposal, the class may elect to collective research and
write a review article with the intention of submitting the manuscript for
publication in the international journal, Seed Science Research.
Please consult this journal for guidelines "Notes for Authors" on
pages i to iii in any issue of the journal. The manuscript would be an in-depth
review of seed development in a major cereal, legume, or oil-seed crop species;
be 10-15 pages in final published format; include 50-200 references; and provide
a comprehensive review of contemporary literature and interpretations organized
into a logical format.
READINGS:
- Required Text Book --
- Bewley, J.D. and Black, M. (1994) Seeds: Physiology of Development
and Germination, 2nd edition. Plenum Press, New York and
London. 445 pages.
- Current Literature --
- Current literature, including original papers and review papers, will
be emphasized and recommended for each topic.
- Reference Books and Proceedings --
- Adkins, S.W., Ashmore, S.E., and Navie, S.C. (2007) Seeds: Biology,
Development and Ecology. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, U.K. 496 pages.
ISBN: 9781845931971. Geneva Experiment Station Library Call Number: SB113.2
.I58 2005
- Bradford, K.J. and Nonogaki, H. (2007) Seed Development, Dormancy and
Germination. Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 27. Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISBN-10: 1-4051-3983-8. ISBN-13: 978-14051-3983-0.
- Nicolas, G., Bradford, K.J., Come, D., and Pritchard, H.W. (2003) The
Biology of Seeds: Recent Research Advances. CABI Publishing, Wallingford,
U.K. 472 pages. ISBN 0-85199-653-1
- Black, M. and Pritchard, H.W. (2002) Desiccation and Survival in
Plants: Drying without Dying. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, U.K. 416
pages.
- Baskin, C.C. and Baskin, J.M. (1998) Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography,
and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination. Academic Press, San Diego,
London, Boston, New York, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto. 666 pages.
- Black, M., Bradford, K.J. and Vazquez-Ramos, J., editors. (1999) Seed
Biology Advances and Applications: Proceedings of the Sixth International
Workshop on Seeds, Merida, Mexico, 1999. CABI Publishing, United
Kingdom, New York. 497 pages.
- Buchanan, B.B., Gruissem, W., Jones, R.L. (2000) Biochemistry &
Molecular Biology of Plants. American Society of Plant Physiologists,
Rockville, MD. 1367 pages.
- Chrispeels, M.J. and Sadava, D.E. (2002) Plants, Genes, and Crop Biotechnology,
2nd edition. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc., London. 562 pages. ISBN
0-7637-1586-7; call no. SB123.57 .C48 2002
- Dey, P.M. and Harborne, J.B., editors. (1997) Plant Biochemistry.
Academic Press, San Diego, London, Boston, New York, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto.
554 pages.
- Egli, D.B. (1998) Seed Biology and the Yield of Grain Crops.
CAB International, United Kingdom, New York. 178 pages.
- Ellis, R.H., Black, M., Murdoch, A.J. and Hong, T.D., editors. (1997)
Basic and Applied Aspects of Seed Biology: Proceedings of the Fifth
International Workshop on Seeds, Reading, 1995. Kluwer Academic Publishers,
Dordrecht, Boston, London. 823 pages.
- Kigel, J. and Galili, G., editors. (1995) Seed Development and Germination.
Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, Basel, Hong Kong. 853 pages.
- Lehninger, A.L. (2000) Lehninger principles of biochemistry, 3rd
ed. Worth Publishers, New York.
- Mann Library Reserve Reading List
- These books are on reserve at Mann Library.
- Mann Library Resources - Journals,
books, indexes.
