Use of cellular antioxidant enzymes as markers of seed vigour in oil crops

Oilseed germination success and seed storage management hinge on seed vigour, which declines primarily through oxidative lipid peroxidation. Comparing seed lots of contrasting quality in winter oilseed rape and sunflower, the authors demonstrate that catalase activity serves as a reliable indicator of oilseed rape seed longevity during storage. They further show that malondialdehyde content, a byproduct of lipid peroxidation, predicts sunflower seed tolerance to cold stress in early sowings or novel northern production areas. These biochemical markers could streamline seed lot sorting and improve crop establishment under varying climatic conditions.