Article,
Diffusion of cell-associated water in ripening barley seeds
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 13 (5): 745--751 (1995)
Abstract
Diffusion rate and restricted diffusion of cell-associated water in
ripening barley seeds were examined by NMR microscopy using the pulse
gradient spin-echo and the pulse gradient stimulated-echo methods.
Changes in the mobility of cell-associated water and properties of
cell membranes during ontogeny seed were assessed. Diffusion coefficients
for balk water transfer were high (greater than 0.9 x 10-5 cm2/s)
throughout the growth stages. The highest diffusion coefficient observed
was comparable to the self- diffusion coefficient of pure water.
Water compartment sizes and the permeability of the cell membranes
in the seed were determined by Meerwall and Ferguson's modification
of the model of Tanner or by the method of Callaghan et al. The endosperm
consisted of large cells and vascular bundle small cells with permeable
membranes.
