Amelioration of the effects of ageing in onion seeds by osmotic priming and associated changes in oxidative metabolism

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Osmotic priming of aged onion seeds with 25% polyethylene glycol-8000 for 5 d resulted in a marked increase in the rate of germination and early seedling growth. Priming reduced electrolyte leakage as well as lipid peroxidation in seeds implying the activation of membrane repair processes. Priming was also associated with increased levels of antioxidants,i.e. ascorbic acid and tocopherols particularly the latter and the activities of catalase and peroxidase involved in the mitigation of oxidative damage. In comparison with the priming of unaged seeds, the aged seeds experienced a diminution of response in terms of changes in the levels of antioxidants and scavenging enzymes.