Metabolism of polyadenylic acid RNA during seed maturation, ageing and germination in carrot (Daucus carota L.)

Abstract

AbstractPolyadenylic acid (poly(A)) content of carrot seeds reached a peak at 40 days after anthesis and then declined as desiccation occurred. A further decline occurred in the early stages of germination and was more extensive in seeds harvested whilst still immature. Accelerated ageing of seed led to significant losses of poly(A) and the content declined still further when aged seeds were set to germinate. In seeds harvested whilst immature and then subjected to ageing, the resumption of net accumulation of poly(A), a feature of normal germination, was barely detectable or did not occur.