Integrative Seed Biology is a NSF-funded seed biology program in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University. The program consists of research and learning activities on plant seeds. This website introduces you to our research projects and useful information on seeds.     Home   Comments or Questions   National Science Foundation

Reading & Discussion for Seed Biology!

Advanced Seed Biology (HORT564), Fall 2007

Instructor: Hiro Nonogaki, Associate Professor, Oregon State University, Ruth Martin, Plant Molecular Biologist, USDA-ARS

This graduate course focuses on the biology of plant seeds. The objective of this class is to comprehend the existing knowledge on seed development, dormancy and germination and to apply the knowledge in analyzing current literature on seed biology research. The class consists of lectures by the instructors and journal article reading and presentation by graduate students. Initial lectures will focus on reproductive biology such as flowering, pollination and fertilization, which is important for the initiation of seed development and for applications in seed production. Then the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of seed development, dormancy and germination will be introduced in lectures. Graduate students will present journal articles related to the lecture themes. Class discussions will allow students to integrate prior lecture knowledge with cutting-edge seed literature to obtain a current perspective of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of seed survival strategy.

Course Contents

            Lecture 1.   Flowering and Flower Development

                                    Reading and Discussion

            Lecture 2.   Pollination and Fertilization

                                    Reading and Discussion

            Lecture 3.   Embryogenesis and Endosperm Development

                                    Reading and Discussion

            Lecture 4.   Seed Reserves

                                    Reading and Discussion

            Lecture 5.   Seed Maturation

                                    Reading and Discussion

            Lecture 6.   Seed Dispersal

                                    Reading and Discussion

            Lecture 7.    Seed Dormancy

                                    Reading and Discussion

            Lecture 8.    Seed Germination

                                    Reading and Discussion

            Lecture 9.    Post-Germinative Events

                                    Reading and Discussion

 Class Schedule

(T, R: 2:00-3:20 pm)

Learning Opportunity for Seed Biology!

Seed Biology (HORT363/CSS363), Fall 2006

Instructor: Hiro Nonogaki, Associate Professor, Oregon State University; Jack Peters, Seed Physiologist, USDA-ARS

This undergraduate course focuses on the biology of plant seeds. The intent of this course is to learn the phenomena and the principles of seed formation and development, dormancy, germination, and early seedling establishment. It is important to understand these mechanisms and the strategies of seed survival and plant propagation from a multidisciplinary scientific viewpoint. To achieve these objectives, the course covers ecological, physiological, biochemical and molecular biological, and genetic aspects of seeds. The application of seed biology principles in hybrid seed production will be also introduced in this class. Some lectures will include demonstrations of experimental techniques.

The course begins by introducing the mechanisms of flower development, flowering and fertilization that are indispensable steps to initiate seed formation and development. Seed development is divided into three different stages, early, mid and late embryogenesis. The specific events in each stage will be explained. Recent advances in research on the mechanisms of seed dormancy and germination will be introduced. Lectures will also cover some of the basic concepts in plant biology, such as wounding, signal transduction, cell wall, cell membranes and symbiosis.

Course Contents

I. SEED DEVELOPMENT

1. FLOWERING

i) Control of Flowering

ii) Flower Development

2.FERTILIZATION

i) Pollination

ii) Double Fertilization

iii) Male Sterility

iv) Self-Incompatibility

3. EARLY EMBRYOGENESIS

i) Embryogenesis

ii) Endosperm Development

4. MID EMBRYOGENESIS

i) Seed Reserves - Carbohydrates

ii) Seed Reserves - Lipids

iii) Seed Reserves - Proteins

5. LATE EMBRYOGENESIS

Desiccation Tolerance

6. MATURE SEEDS

i) Seed Morphology

ii) Seed Dispersal

II. SEED DORMANCY

1.TYPES OF DORMANCY

Types of Dormancy

2. CONTROL OF DORMANCY

i) Plant Hormones

ii) Phytochrome

III. SEED GERMINATION

1. IMBIBITION

i) Water Uptake

ii) Oxygen Uptake

2. GERMINATIVE EVENTS

i) Embryo Growth

ii) Endosperm Weakening

3. POST-GERMINATIVE EVENTS

i) Reserve Mobilization

ii) Seedling Establishment

IV. SEED VIABILITY

1. LONGEVITY

Longevity

2. DETERIORATION MECHANISMS

Deterioration Mechanisms

Class Schedule  

(T, R: 2:00-3:20 pm)

	Undergraduate Seed Biology - hands-on seed anatomy class