Artificial Ageing Induced Metabolic Changes in Cicer arietinum Seeds

Seed deterioration under storage is a complex phenomenon leading loss of viability. The pace of deterioration depends on the ability of seed to resist degenerative changes and protection mechanisms, typical for each species. The chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seeds were subjected to controlled deterioration test (CDT, 40oC and 100% RH) for varied timings. The contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidation of lipid-protein, and loss of nucleic acid were detected, along with nuclease and antioxidants activities, in relation to germination. Experiments witnessed that seed germination declined significantly with treatment hours, and was adversely linked with electrolyte leakage rate. Additionally, the ROS and malondialdehyde were synthesized rapidly and reaches to toxic levels within 28 hrs. Similarly, remarkable fall in protein and nucleic acids were investigated with concomitant rise in their oxidized products and nuclease activities. Other side, progressive fall in antioxidants was estimated with loss of viability. Findings suggest that ROS linked oxidative injury and failure of free radical processing system, contributes loss of viability in chickpea seeds, undergone CDT.