The relationships between fatty acids and heterotrophic seedling growth in winter canola cultivars during accelerated seed aging process

Oil content and fatty acid composition are important traits for assessing and modeling germination in oilseeds. On the other hand, seed germination and seedling growth are affected by the weight of mobilized seed reserves and the conversion efficiency of mobilized seed reserve to seedlings tissues. In order to examine seeds physiological aspects and heterotrophic seedlings growth of 12 winter canola cultivars (Fomax, Karaj 1, Karaj 2, Karaj 3, L73,L201, Licord, Modena, Okapi, Opera, SLM046, and Zarfam) as related to seed reserves, series of laboratory experiments were conducted in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. At the first and the second stages (before and after the performing accelerated aging test), significant differences were found among cultivars in terms of oil percentage. From the results, N, P and crude protein contents in seeds were decreased due to accelerated aging. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between electrical conductivity (EC) of seed soaking solution and mean germination time (MGT). By contrast, the correlation between weight of mobilized seed reserve (WMSR) and seed reserve utilization efficiency (SRUE) with MGT were significantly negative. Accelerated aging in canola seeds increased saturated fatty acids percentage and reduced unsaturated fatty acids percentage. There was a positive and significant relationship between oleic acid and SRUE. By contrast, the relationship between linolenic or linoleic acid and SRUE was found to be negative. According to the results, it seems that seed vigor and heterotrophic seedlings growth in canola highly depends on fatty acids composition. (C) 2018 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.