Carbohydrate changes of pea seedlings as affected by growth regulators and humid cold storage of pea seeds

ABSTRACT

The results of this investigation revealed that cold storage of pea seeds, under different moisture levels, slightly increased their carbohydrate content [in terms of mg per 1 g dry weight]. At the early stages of germination [3-day age] there was no significant effect on the total carbohydrate content of the cotyledons, though 30% moisture treatment tended to reduce starch content whereas, that of the radicle was remarkably low. After 7 days of germination, a drop in total carbohydrates of the whole seedlings of all treatments was obvious, compared with 3-day old stage. This may be due to continued metabolic activities leading to growth. After 15 days from sowing GA3 at 10% moisture seemed to cause a drop in the carbohydrate content of the plant organs and whole seedlings. At 50% moisture, GA3 increased the carbohydrate content of roots and leaves above the controls