Characterisation of germinating and non-germinating wheat seeds by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Experiments were conducted to characterise the changes, especially of water status in germinating and non-germinating wheat seeds by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. NMR relaxation time ( T(2)) measurements showed tri-phasic or bi-phasic characteristics during different stages of hydration, depending on the seed's ability to germinate. Component analysis of T(2) data revealed the existence of only two components, bound and bulk water, in dry seeds. In contrast, both the germinating and non-germinating wheat seeds had a three-component water proton system (bound, bulk and free water) in phase I of hydration. During the lag phase (phase II) of hydration, bulk water component of non-germinating seeds disappeared completely, resulting in a two component water proton system. Nevertheless, the three component water proton system was observed in the germinating seeds in phase II. Following phase II, rapid hydration (phase III) was observed in germinating seeds only. Water protons were re-organised and there were increases in bulk and free water but decreases in bound water concomitantly. Comparison of the physical state of water in these seeds by NMR spectroscopy with that of tissue leachate conductivity measurement suggests that the seed membrane system was affected more evidently in non-germinating seeds, leading to the disorganised cell structure. The present study provides evidence that the reorganisation of physical state of water in germinating wheat seeds during hydration is essential for its subsequent event of germination.