Fig 3.

Changes in the reduced (AsA) and oxidized (DHA) form of ascorbate reported in germinated seeds (A, C, E) and 3-month-old seedlings derived from the seeds (B, D, F) of M. sylvestris (A, B), P. avium (C, D) and P. padus (E, F). In germinated seeds, the ratio of AsA and DHA between MC x storage temperature x storage time was compared. In 3-month seedlings, the ratio of ascorbate was measured in leaves and roots. Data are the means ± standard error obtained from three independent experiments with similar results. Statistically significant differences are indicated with different letters among the AsA and DHA (Tukey’s test for seeds and Dunn’s test for seedlings at p ≤ 0.05).