Adaptive mechanisms of xerophytic cereals seeds germination in Eastern Transbaikalia

The paper deals with the study of adaptation mechanisms of Eastern Transbaikalia wild cereals to environmental conditions at the initial ontogenesis stages. The authors have determined the germination of three species xerophytic cereals seeds ( Agropyron cristatum (L.) Beauv, Stipa krylovii Roshev, Tripogon chinensis (Franch.) Hack.). The authors have noted differences in rates of seed germination of these cereals depending on the relation to moisture deficiency. More mesophilic species ( A. cristatum ) had the highest rates of germination. A large contribution to the process of germination is made by storage nutrients, proteins in particular. The total amount of protein is related to the rate of germination. Seeds with more protein sprout faster, which may be due to the appearance of osmotically active substances as a result of hydrolysis, which makes it possible to effectively use soil moisture. Seeds of one type of cereal collected in different populations may differ in the content of storage proteins. The ratio of different fractions of storage proteins can characterize the origin of the species. A higher content of glutelin fraction was found in the seeds of S. krylovii . There is also a more effective use of glutelins in the seeds of A. cristatum , which can also provide intensive germination. In general, the studied species have a difference in the rates of mobilization of various fractions of storage proteins.