Indices of carbohydrate metabolism and antioxidant system state during germination of aged wheat and triticale seeds treated with H(2)S donor

Hydrogen sulfide is a gasotransmitter molecule involved in the realization of many functions of the plant organism, including seed germination. Aging of seeds is shown to be accompanied by oxidative stress and reduced germination. The effect of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on the germination of aged cereal seeds has not been studied. The aim of the work was to estimate the effect of priming with NaHS as an H2S donor on wheat and triticale seeds previously subjected to natural aging. Seeds of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and winter ×Triticosecale were stored indoors for 4 years at fluctuating temperature and humidity. Aged seeds were treated with 0.2-5 mM NaHS solution for 3 h and germinated in Petri dishes for 3 days. The hydropriming­ treatment was used as a control. Amylase activity in grains, the biomass of shoots and roots, the content of total sugars, H2O2, lipid peroxidation products and anthocyanin, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in seedlings were determined. It was shown that after the treatment with H2S donor, the activities of catalase and guaiacol peroxidase, as well as the content of anthocyanins were increased only in triticale seedlings. Nevertheless, treatment of seeds of both cereal species was followed by enhanced growth of shoots and roots, increase in amylase and superoxide dismutase activities, decrease in H2O2 and MDA contents, and elevated accumulation of sugars in shoots. It is concluded that the increase in germination of aged cereal seeds under the influence of H2S donor is caused by increased mobilization of reserve carbohydrates and modulation of antioxidant system activity. Such treatment can be considered as an effective tool to improve seedling growth. Keywords: amylase, antioxidant system, hydrogen sulfide, oxidative stress, seeds aging, total sugar, Triticosecale, Triticum aestivum