RESERVE UTILIZATION IN SEEDS OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA GERMINATING IN MICROGRAVITY

Seed reserve lipid utilization in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., ecotype Landsberg erecta, is delayed when germination takes place in microgravity; the cotyledon symplast lipid volume fraction is less than 7% in controls, whereas in microgravity samples over 15% of the symplast volume is lipid. Growth rate in the root is reduced in microgravity. These effects are interpreted as probably being the result of localized anoxia in the absence of atmospheric convection and mixing in the sealed growth chambers used.