Applications of synchrotron light in seed research: an array of x-ray and infrared imaging methodologies

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1395952
• Publication Date: 2025-02-17T06:49:08Z
• Authors: Paula Ashe; Kaiyang Tu; Jarvis A. Stobbs; James J. Dynes; Miranda Vu; Hamid Shaterian; Sateesh Kagale; Karen K. Tanino; Janitha P. D. Wan...; Sally Vail; Chithra Karunakaran; Teagen D. Quilichini
• Keywords: spectromicroscopy (SM); x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS); mid-infrared spectroscopy; synchrotron; x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF); micro-computed tomography (µCT); Plant culture; SB1-1110

Synchrotron radiation (SR) provides a wide spectrum of bright light that can be tailored to test myriad research questions. SR avenues illuminate structure and composition across scales, making it ideally suited the study plants seeds. Here, we present an array methodologies data outputs available at source facility. Datasets feature seed grain from range crop species including Citrullus sp. (watermelon), Brassica (canola), Pisum sativum (pea), Triticum durum (wheat), demonstrate power for advancing plant science. The application micro-computed tomography (SR-µCT) imaging revealed internal microstructures their three-dimensional morphologies in exquisite detail, without need destructive sectioning. Spectroscopy infrared probed sample biochemistry, detailing spatial distribution macronutrients such as lipid, protein carbohydrate embryo, endosperm coat. Methods using synchrotron X-rays, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) fluorescence (XRF) elemental distributions, spatially map micronutrients subcompartments determine speciation. spectromicroscopy (SM) allowed chemical resolved nano-scale level. Diverse datasets showcase structural insights provided by five beamlines Canadian Light Source, potential informing agricultural research.