Biochemical Changes in Seeds of Taiwan Red Pine and Chinese Fir during Germination

Fats, nitrogenous and phosphorus compounds decrease in gametophytes, while total sugars, reducing sugars, total nitrogenous and phosphorus compounds and α amino nitrogen increase in embryos of seeds of the Taiwan red pine ( Pinus taiwanensis Hayata) and the Chinese fir ( Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb) Hook.) during germination. Lipase activity first increases during the early stages of germination and then decreases, while invertase activity increases continuously during germination. Qualitative changes in sugars, α-keto organic acids and amino acids in the seeds of both species were observed during germination. Forest Sci. 19:297-302.