Nucleoside/nucleotide content in Uromyces viciae-fabae uredospores and its correlation to germination efficiency

Nucleoside and nucleotide contents of Uromyces viciae-fabae uredospores were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography and were compared with the germination efficiencies of the spores. With one batch of spores germination efficiency was reduced by prolonged storage at 4 °C. There was only a poor correlation between parameters such as energy charge or ATP/ADP ratio with germination efficiency. However, positive correlation between nucleotide content and a negative correlation between nucleoside content and germination efficiency was observed indicating that processes leading to the transformation of nucleotides into nucleosides might interfere with germination.