Changes in Metabolites and Embryo Growth during Seeds Priming in Tobacco

Some metabolites and embryo growth of primed tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. ‘KFI09’) seeds were observed during priming. The seeds were primed at 15 and $25^{\circ}C$ for 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 and 15 days in a -0.8 MPa polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) solution. The time to 50% seed germination (T$_{50}$) was greatly reduced when the seeds were primed at $25^{\circ}C$ when compared with 15$^{\circ}C$. The $\alpha$-amylase activity and sugars and amino acid contents in the seeds primed at $25^{\circ}C$ greatly increased, while $\alpha$-amylase activity was similar, and sugar and amino acid contents increased slightly in the seeds primed at 15$^{\circ}C$. When the seeds were primed at $25^{\circ}C$, growth of the embryo which was enclosed by endosperm was detected, while the endosperm became thinner as the priming duration was extended.d.