%0 Research note
%T Changes in total protein and protease activity in dehydrating recalcitrant sal (Shorea robusta) seeds
%A Chaitanya, K. S. Krishna
%A Keshavkant, S.
%A Naithani, S. C.
%D 2000
%J Silva Fennica
%V 34
%N 1
%R doi:10.14214/sf.646
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/646
%X A rapid loss of viability was recorded in sal seeds when dehydrated  below 36.7% moisture content, at ambient conditions. Seed becomes  non-viable at 6 days after harvest (dah). Gradual decline in total  protein content due to corresponding increase in protease activity  preceded loss of viability. Almost 43.7% and 52.6% loss in total protein  content was observed on 3 dah in embryonic axis and cotyledon  respectively of seeds showing 100% viability. No protease activity was  detected in the embryonic axis and cotyledon of freshly harvested viable  seeds (0 dah). The protease activity was detected after 12 hrs of  storage and increased sharply with peak levels on 6 dah (0.71 ± 0.04 /  min/mg protein) and 4 dah (0.16 ± 0.01 / min/mg protein) in embryonic  axis and cotyledon respectively. Later on the enzyme activity declined  sharply in both the tissues. Enhanced protease activity in embryonic  axes and cotyledons has been discussed with corresponding decline in  total protein during desiccation induced loss of viability in sal seeds.