Optimization of surface sterilization for legume seed. [Medicago sativa L. , Trifolium repens L. ; Glycine max (L. ) Merr; Rhizobium meliloti]

Journal Article · · Crop Science; (USA)

OSTI ID:6521303

Caetano-Anolles, G ^[1]; Favelukes, G ^[2]; Bauer, W D ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville (USA)
2. Universidad Nacional de La Plata (Argentina)
3. Ohio State Univ., Columbus (USA)

Roots of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seedlings are frequently contaminated with bacteria even after surface sterilization of the seeds and germination under aspetic conditions. Several seed-sterilization procedures were compared for their ability to minimize or eliminate such contamination without damaging the plant. Mercuric chloride proved the best seed disinfectant for alfalfa and white clover. Calcium hypochlorite was the best for soybean. For alfalfa seeds, treatment with 95% ethanol (v/v) for 60 min followed by 0.2% HgCl{sub 2} (v/v) for 15 min prior to rinsing and imbibition resulted in a low frequency (< 5%) of seed and root contamination. This treatment resulted in no measurable damage to alfalfa seedlings with respect to root growth, nodulation efficiency, or rate of nodule emergence following inoculation with Rhizobium meliloti. Longer exposures to HgCl{sub 2} further reduced bacterial contamination, but also caused modest reductions in seed germination. None of the surface-sterilization techniques tested completely eliminated bacterial contaminants. It appears that these sterilization-resistant contaminants are borne within the seed and proliferate on plant surfaces after germination, with possible effects on plant health.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-86ER13522
• OSTI ID: 6521303
• Journal Information: Crop Science; (USA), Vol. 30:3; ISSN 0011-183X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CALCIUM CHLORIDES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ETHANOL
MERCURY CHLORIDES
SEEDS
STERILIZATION
ALFALFA
CLOVER
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
GERMINATION
GLYCINE HISPIDA
RHIZOBIUM
ROOTS
ALCOHOLS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BACTERIA
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM HALIDES
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LEGUMINOSAE
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
MERCURY HALIDES
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
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