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Mechanisms of Seed Dormancy and Germination

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Physiology and Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2024 | Viewed by 10842

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Dr. Javier F. Botto

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Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomía, IFEVA, CONICET., Av. San Martín 4453, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
Interests: molecular mechanisms that control light responses in seeds and plants

Dr. Ezequiel Petrillo

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Departamento de Fisiología, Biología, Molecular, y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Interests: gene expression regulation; alternative splicing; light; signal transduction; retrograde signaling; TOR kinase; seed dormancy and germination

Dr. Rocío Soledad Tognacca

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Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), CONICET- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina
Interests: seed biology; alternative splicing; molecular mechanisms underlying light- and temperature-mediated seed germination; epigenetics; ecology; maternal effects on seed dormancy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To ensure appropriate environmental conditions for plant survival, the molecular networks that underlie the regulation of seed maturation, dormancy, and germination must be precisely timed. Our knowledge of the mechanisms that coordinate seeds´ responses to environmental cues has improved in model and non-model species; however, to develop more efficient strategies for the selection of superior genotypes with better germination performance under suboptimal field conditions, we must expand our knowledge to agronomically relevant species.

The aim of this Special Issue of Plants is to expand our knowledge of the networks regulating seeds’ traits and their crosstalk with environmental inputs, with a special focus on the mechanisms controlling seed dormancy and germination. To this end, this Issue emphasizes the hormonal and genetic regulation of seed germination, the epigenetic control of seed dormancy, ecophysiology, natural genetic variation and maternal effects on seed dormancy, predictive modeling, and breeding programs.

Dr. Javier F. Botto
Dr. Ezequiel Petrillo
Dr. Rocío Soledad Tognacca
Guest Editors

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Keywords

seed biology
dormancy
germination
epigenetic control of seed dormancy
crop improvement

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2882 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methods for Improving the Germination of Rhodotypos scandens (Thunb.) Makino Seeds through Endocarp Removal

by Hyeon Min Kim, Jun Hyeok Kim, Mi Hyun Lee, Gun Mo Kim, Chung Youl Park, Da Hyun Lee and Chae Sun Na

Plants 2024, 13(5), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13050648 - 26 Feb 2024

Viewed by 584

Abstract

Rhodotypos scandens (Thunb.) Makino is known to have a seed dispersal that is thick and stony (endocarp + seeds) and has potential as a landscaping tree seed. In several Rosaceae species, seeds are covered with a hard endocarp, making the internal seeds water-impermeable and germination difficult. Here, we analyzed the morphoanatomical traits and germination properties of R. scandens seeds. To identify ideal seed propagation conditions, we immersed R. scandens seeds in sulfuric acid for varying durations and subjected them to phytohormone (gibberellic acid A3 and fluridone) and a cold stratification (CS) (5 °C) treatment after endocarp removal (ER). The R. scandens stony seeds did not increase in mass by ≥25.0%. Following ER, the seed mass increased by ≥50.0% with water absorption when compared to the initial dry mass. Seed surfaces showed damage and cracks through scarification after 1 h of immersion in sulfuric acid, failing to germinate. A combination of ER, phytohormone treatment, and CS improved seed germination compared to ER alone (26.0 ± 5.3%). Overall, R. scandens seeds showed a dispersal with a hard endocarp from the parent plant, and a pre-treatment with ER, phytohormones, and CS was required for effective seed propagation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms of Seed Dormancy and Germination)

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13 pages, 3046 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seed Dormancy Class and Germination Characteristics of Prunus spachiana (Lavallée ex Ed.Otto) Kitam. f. ascendens (Makino) Kitam Native to the Korean Peninsula

by Gun Mo Kim, Chung Ho Ko, Jae Min Chung, Hak Cheol Kwon, Yong Ha Rhie and Seung Youn Lee

Plants 2024, 13(4), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13040502 - 11 Feb 2024

Viewed by 613

Abstract

Prunus spachiana (Lavallée ex Ed.Otto) Kitam. f. ascendens (Makino) Kitam leaves exert natural anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide formation. P. spachiana flowers bloom earlier than other Prunus spp. and thus could serve as a valuable resource for the horticulture and pharmaceutical industries. However, its seed dormancy class and germination traits remain uncharacterized. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the seed dormancy and germination of P. spachiana. Imbibition, phenological, and move-along experiments were performed, and the effects of H₂SO₄ treatment, hormone soaking, warm/cold stratification, and endocarp removal on germination were explored. Observation revealed that ripe seeds of P. spachiana contain developed embryos and are water permeable. Radicle and shoot emergence began in March and April, respectively, under natural conditions in the year following production. No seed germination was observed after 30 days of incubation at 4, 15/6, 20/10, or 25/15 °C under light/dark conditions, indicating the physiological dormancy of the seeds. Germination increased with prolonged stratification and was affected by incubation temperature. Seed scarification by H₂SO₄ and soaking with gibberellic acid (GA₃) and fluridone were ineffective in breaking dormancy. However, GA₃ soaking of the seeds after endocarp removal effectively induced germination (100%). These results indicate that P. spachiana seeds exhibit intermediate physiological dormancy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms of Seed Dormancy and Germination)

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12 pages, 2513 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling Molecular Signatures in Light-Induced Seed Germination: Insights from PIN3, PIN7, and AUX1 in Arabidopsis thaliana

by Rocío Soledad Tognacca, Karin Ljung and Javier Francisco Botto

Plants 2024, 13(3), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13030408 - 30 Jan 2024

Viewed by 744

Abstract

Light provides seeds with information that is essential for the adjustment of their germination to the conditions that are most favorable for the successful establishment of the future seedling. The promotion of germination depends mainly on environmental factors, like temperature and light, as well as internal factors associated with the hormonal balance between gibberellins (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA), although other hormones such as auxins may act secondarily. While transcriptomic studies of light-germinating Arabidopsis thaliana seeds suggest that auxins and auxin transporters are necessary, there are still no functional studies connecting the activity of the auxin transporters in light-induced seed germination. In this study, we investigated the roles of two auxin efflux carrier (PIN3 and PIN7) proteins and one auxin influx (AUX1) carrier protein during Arabidopsis thaliana seed germination. By using next-generation sequencing (RNAseq), gene expression analyses, hormonal sensitivity assays, and the quantification of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels, we assessed the functional roles of PIN3, PIN7, and AUX1 during light-induced seed germination. We showed that auxin levels are increased 24 h after a red-pulse (Rp). Additionally, we evaluated the germination responses of pin3, pin7, and aux1 mutant seeds and showed that PIN3, PIN7, and AUX1 auxin carriers are important players in the regulation of seed germination. By using gene expression analysis in water, fluridone (F), and ABA+F treated seeds, we confirmed that Rp-induced seed germination is associated with auxin transport, and ABA controls the function of PIN3, PIN7, and AUX1 during this process. Overall, our results highlight the relevant and positive role of auxin transporters in germinating the seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms of Seed Dormancy and Germination)

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17 pages, 6407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Exogenous 2,4-Epibrassinolide on the Germination of Cucumber Seeds under NaHCO₃ Stress

by Wenjing Nie, Biao Gong, Bing Geng, Dan Wen, Peng Qiao, Hongen Guo and Qinghua Shi

Plants 2024, 13(3), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13030394 - 29 Jan 2024

Viewed by 742

Abstract

This investigation focused on the suppressive impact of varying NaHCO₃ concentrations on cucumber seed germination and the ameliorative effects of 2,4-Epibrassinolide (EBR). The findings revealed a negative correlation between NaHCO₃ concentration and cucumber seed germination, with increased NaHCO₃ concentrations leading to a notable decline in germination. Crucially, the application of exogenous EBR significantly counteracted this inhibition, effectively enhancing germination rates and seed vigor. Exogenous EBR was observed to substantially elevate the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), thereby mitigating oxidative damage triggered under NaHCO₃ stress conditions. Additionally, EBR improved enzyme activity under alkaline stress conditions and reduced starch content in the seeds. Pertinently, EBR upregulated genes that were associated with gibberellin (GA) synthesis (GA20ox and GA3ox), and downregulated genes that were linked to abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis (NCED1 and NCED2). This led to an elevation in GA3 concentration and a reduction in ABA concentration within the cucumber seeds. Therefore, this study elucidates that alleviating oxidative stress, promoting starch catabolism, and regulating the GA and ABA balance are key mechanisms through which exogenous EBR mitigates the suppression of cucumber seed germination resulting from alkaline stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms of Seed Dormancy and Germination)

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14 pages, 1863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Postharvest Application of Carvone, Abscisic Acid, Gibberellin, and Variable Temperature for Regulating the Dormancy Release and Sprouting Commencement of Mini-Tuber Potato Seeds Produced under Aeroponics

by Tiandi Zhu, Huaidi Pei, Zhongwang Li, Minmin Zhang, Chen Chen and Shouqiang Li

Plants 2023, 12(23), 3952; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12233952 - 24 Nov 2023

Viewed by 891

Abstract

This study investigated the efficacy of carvone, abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin (GA3), and variable temperature in managing dormancy and sprouting in aeroponically grown mini-tuber potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) seeds. The results showed that carvone treatment effectively reduced the weight loss rate by 12.25% and decay rate by 3.33% at day 25 compared to control. ABA treatment significantly enhanced the germination rate, increasing it to 97.33%. GA3 treatment resulted in the longest sprouts of 14.24 mm and reduced the MDA content by 23.08% at day 30, indicating its potential in shortening dormancy and maintaining membrane integrity. The variable-temperature treatment demonstrated a balanced performance in reducing weight loss and maintaining a lower relative conductivity, indicating less cellular damage. The enzymatic activities of α-amylase, CAT, and SOD were modulated by the treatments, ensuring a balanced enzymatic environment for seed vitality. These results establish a solid basis for improving postharvest management strategies to optimize germination uniformity and preserve the quality of aeroponic potato seeds during extended dormancy, promising enhanced yield and productivity in potato cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms of Seed Dormancy and Germination)

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13 pages, 16617 KiB

Open AccessArticle

BBX24 Increases Saline and Osmotic Tolerance through ABA Signaling in Arabidopsis Seeds

by Tai S. Chiriotto, Maite Saura-Sánchez, Carla Barraza and Javier F. Botto

Plants 2023, 12(13), 2392; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132392 - 21 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1042

Abstract

Seed germination is a critical stage for survival during the life cycle of an individual plant. Genetic and environmental cues are integrated by individual seeds to determine germination, mainly achieved through regulation of the metabolism and signaling of gibberellins (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA), two phytohormones with antagonistic roles. Saline and drought conditions can arrest the germination of seeds and limit the seedling emergence and homogeneity of crops. This work aimed to study the function of BBX24, a B-Box transcription factor, in the control of germination of Arabidopsis thaliana seeds imbibed in saline and osmotic conditions. Seeds of mutant and reporter GUS lines of BBX24 were incubated at different doses of NaCl and polyethylene-glycol (PEG) solutions and with ABA, GA and their inhibitors to evaluate the rate of germination. We found that BBX24 promotes seed germination under moderated stresses. The expression of BBX24 is inhibited by NaCl and PEG. In addition, ABA suppresses BBX24-induced seed germination. Additional experiments suggest that BBX24 reduces ABA sensitivity, improving NaCl tolerance, and increases GA sensitivity in seeds imbibed in ABA. In addition, BBX24 inhibits the expression of ABI3 and ABI5 and genetically interacts upstream of HY5 and ABI5. This study demonstrates the relevance of BBX24 to induce drought and salinity tolerance in seed germination to ensure seedling emergence in sub-optimal environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms of Seed Dormancy and Germination)

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17 pages, 1551 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of High Intensity Ultrasound Stimulation on the Germination Performance of Caper Seeds

by María Laura Foschi, Mariano Juan, Bernardo Pascual and Nuria Pascual-Seva

Plants 2023, 12(12), 2379; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12122379 - 19 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1191

Abstract

The caper bush has developed different mechanisms to survive in Mediterranean conditions, such as drought tolerance and seed dormancy. Many studies have been carried out to improve the germination of caper seeds, but ultrasound is one of the least studied methodologies in this species. This study aimed to analyze the effects of treatments with an ultrasonic probe processor on the imbibition and germination of caper seeds. After applying the ultrasound treatment using three output powers and three holding times, the seed coat’s disruption level was determined, and the imbibition, viability and germination tests were carried out. Ultrasonication fastens the initial imbibition, but after 48 h of soaking, seed moisture does not present differences compared to non-sonicated seeds. It produces the scarification of the testa but does not affect the tegmen, so moistening occurs through the hilar region, as in control seeds. There is a significant linear and negative correlation between the germination of the seeds and the temperature reached during the sonication treatment, so that temperatures above 40 °C practically annulled the germination. The combination of 20 W and 60 s provided the greatest germination percentage, being the only treatment that statistically improves germination in relation to the control seeds. When the output power and/or holding time were higher, the temperature increased, and the germination percentage statistically decreased. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms of Seed Dormancy and Germination)

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26 pages, 2153 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Abiotic Stresses from Drought, Temperature, and Density on Germination and Seedling Growth of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

by Ákos Tarnawa, Zoltán Kende, Asma Haj Sghaier, Gergő Péter Kovács, Csaba Gyuricza and Hussein Khaeim

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1792; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091792 - 27 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2179

Abstract

Seed germination and seedling growth are highly sensitive to deficit moisture and temperature stress. This study was designed to investigate barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds’ germination and seedling growth under conditions of abiotic stresses. Constant temperature levels of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C were used for the germination test. Drought and waterlogging stresses using 30 different water levels were examined using two methods: either based at 1 milliliter intervals or, on the other hand, as percentages of thousand kernel weight (TKW). Seedling density in a petri dish and antifungal application techniques were also investigated. Temperature significantly impacted germination time and seedling development with an ideal range of 15–20 °C, with a more comprehensive range to 10 °C. Higher temperatures reversely affected germination percentage, and the lower ones affected the germination and seedling growth rate. Germination commenced at 130% water of the TKW, and the ideal water range for seedling development was greater and more extensive than the range for germination, which means there is a difference between the starting point for germination and the seedling development. Seed size define germination water requirements and provides an objective and more precise basis suggesting an optimal range supply of 720% and 1080% of TKW for barley seedling development. A total of 10 seeds per 9 cm petri dish may be preferable over greater densities. The techniques of priming seeds with an antifungal solution (Bordóilé or Hypo) or antifungal application at even 5 ppm in the media significantly prevented fungal growth. This study is novel regarding the levels and types of abiotic stresses, the crop, the experimental and measurement techniques, and in comparison to the previous studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms of Seed Dormancy and Germination)

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17 pages, 6064 KiB

Open AccessReview

Trends in Seed Priming Research in the Past 30 Years Based on Bibliometric Analysis

by Yu Tian, Nalin Suranjith Gama-Arachchige and Ming Zhao

Plants 2023, 12(19), 3483; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12193483 - 05 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1813

Abstract

Seed priming (SP) treatments are widely used in agriculture and restoration to improve seed germination and seedling vigor. Although there exists a considerable amount of scientific literature on SP, it has seldom undergone visual and quantitative analyses. To gain insights into the patterns observed in SP research over the last three decades, we conducted a bibliometric analysis using the Science Citation Index-Expanded (SCI-E) database, aiming to minimize the similarity score in plagiarism detection. This analysis offers a thorough examination of yearly publications, temporal patterns in keyword usage, the top-performing journals, authors, institutions, and countries within the field of SP. Our research findings suggest a steady annual increase of 10.59% in the volume of SP publications, accompanied by a significant upward trajectory in the average citations received per paper annually. According to the analysis of keywords, it was found that “priming” and “germination” emerged as the most frequently used terms in the field of SP research. Seed Science and Technology ranked first among the top journals, and Plant Physiology had greater influence in the field of SP in terms of number of citations. The majority of the top 10 productive institutions were situated in developing countries. In addition, these nations exhibited the highest volume of published works and citations. Our analysis revealed a shift in research focus within the field of SP over the past three decades, transitioning from agricultural science to encompass plant science and environmental science. With the growing recognition of SP’s research across different disciplines, there exist abundant prospects for international and interdisciplinary partnerships, collaborative organizations, and progress in this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms of Seed Dormancy and Germination)

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