SylbV01-00-00. pmd

Unit IV – Physiological and biochemical changes
Enzyme activation – mechanism – factors affecting enzyme activation – breakdown
of stored materials – starch, protein and fat – energy generation – mobilization of
storage reserves – changes in phenolic compounds.
Unit V – Molecular and genetic mechanisms
Molecular and genetic control of seed germination – auto tropism; factors affecting
germination – media – temperature – light – gases; 
in-situ
and viviparous germination
– causes and mechanism – pattern of seed germination – tri-phasic curve.
VII. Practical
• Seed dormancy – identification of dormancy;
• Estimation of ABA and GA in dormant and non-dormant seeds;
• Study on artificial induction of dormancy;
• Dormancy breaking methods – scarification and stratification;
• Dormancy breaking methods – hormonal and chemical treatments;
• Dormancy breaking methods – after ripening and leaching of inhibitors;
• Dormancy breaking methods – combined treatments;
• Assessing the period of natural release of seed dormancy;
• Seed germination – studying the pattern of imbibition;
• Studying the pattern of seed germination in different media;
• Study on influence of light and temperature on germination and seedling
development;
• Estimation of hydrolytic enzyme – 
D
amylase in different species;
• Estimation of hydrolytic enzyme – protease;
• Estimation of hydrolytic enzyme – lipase;
• Estimation of dehydrogenase enzyme and respiratory quotient in seeds;
• Estimation of food reserve composition during seed germination.
VIII. Teaching methods
• Classroom lectures
• Power point presentations
• Student assignments
• Laboratory experiments
• Group exercises on biochemical estimations
IX. Learning outcome
By learning this course, students will understand the fundamental theories and
mechanism underlying in seed dormancy and germination which will be useful for
both basic research and development.