CSS 612 Seed Physiology and Biotechnology   CROP AND SOIL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Welcome!

This course in seed biology describes the 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 Physiology-- Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Plant physiology. TR 8:30-9:55. 334 Emerson 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 on-farm problems to molecular mechanisms.

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 (March 17-19)
2) Stability and mobilization of seed reserves (May 13-15)

Exams: Two oral exams are to be given individually on March 17-19 before spring break and on May 13-15 during finals week. 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 April 13 and will count one-third of the course grade.

Contemporary topic in seed biology or review paper or research proposal due Tuesday, April 13.

• 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, 2^nd 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 --
  • 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.
  • 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.
• Mann Library Reserve Reading List - These books are on reserve at Mann Library.

OTHER USEFUL PAGES:

• Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
• Cornell University
• Mann Library Home Page
• CALS Home Page

Questions about this page should be addressed to Ralph L. Obendorf.

This page last updated: June 5, 2000
This page created: January 9, 1997