Induction of maturation proteins in germinating seeds of groundnut by exogenous application of ABA and sodium chloride

The induction of maturation proteins in the germinating seeds by exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA) and sodium chloride (NaCl) was examined in groundnut. SDS-PAGE protein analyses revealed that proteins of 65, 31 and 22 kDa accumulated in abundance in embryos during late seed maturation. The expression ofthese proteins declined to undetectable level by fourth day during seed germination. The relative amounts of 65, 31 and 22 kDa proteins varied in the grotindnut seeds germinated in the presence of ABA and NaCl at different concentrations. Proteins of 65 and 31 kDa accumulated to a higher level in the presence of 75 μM ABA, while 22 kDa protein was present in relatively lower amounts at this concentration. There was a gradual decrease in the amount of 65 kDa protein with further increase in the concentration of ABA (100 and 125 μM). Application of higher concentrations of NaCl (100, 150 and 200 mM) inhibited seed germination and promoted the accumulation of 65, 31 and 22 kDa proteins.