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Seed Priming Approaches That Achieve Environmental Stress Tolerance

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A special issue of Seeds (ISSN 2674-1024).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 35878

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Dr. José Antonio Hernández Cortés

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Group of Fruit Biotechnology, Department of Fruit Breeding, CEBAS-CSIC, P.O. Box 164, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: antioxidant systems; ASC-GSH cycle; hormone profile; hydrogen peroxide; reactive oxygen species; redox signaling; proteomic; seed biology; seed dormancy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Gregorio Barba-Espín

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Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, CSIC, Grupo de Biotecnología de Frutales, Departamento de Mejora Vegetal, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: plant biotechnology and breeding; crop management; plant biotechnology; antioxidant metabolism, proteomics, molecular biology in numerous plant species
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Pedro Diaz-Vivancos

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CEBAS-CSIC, Department of Plant Breeding, P.O. Box 164, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: salt-stress response; abiotic and biotic stresses; growth regulator; antioxidant; antioxidative metabilism; environmental stresses; oxidative stress; cell proliferation; plant tissue culture; plant physiology; reactive oxygen species
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Seed dormancy has been defined as the inability of a viable seed to germinate under favorable conditions. In contrast, a non-dormant seed is a seed able to germinate under all the environmental conditions that are normally compatible with the germination process. Dormancy release is a term used to describe the process by which a dormant seed lost its dormancy.

Seed germination and seed vigor can be enhanced by different chemical or physical treatments and this process is called “seed priming”. Thus, seed priming can be defined as treatments for enhancing seed germination and vigor. Seed priming can be a costless, practical, and effective approach, leading to fast and uniform germination, and increasing seedling vigor and crop yield in numerous crops, especially under unfavorable environmental conditions, in both dormant and non-dormant seeds. Similarly, seed priming can lead to higher resistance to environmental stress conditions, including biotic and abiotic stressors.

Different seed priming aprroaches, including osmopriming, hydropriming, phytohormone-priming, chemical priming, nutrient priming, and redox priming, have been described. In the latter group, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) should also be included, as it is well known that, at low concentrations, H₂O₂ stimulates seed germination as well as the early seedling growth of plants. In addition, physical treatments can also stimulate seed germination and vigor. In this regard, specifically, the short treatments of seeds with red light also stimulates seed germination and vigor.

Seed priming induces a series of changes that improve the posterior performance of the seedlings and such improvements may include the increase in K⁺ content; prevention of chlorophyll degradation; increase of chlorophyll content; activation of antioxidant defenses; hormone metabolism modulation; proteome changes; and increases in yield and harvest quality. Moreover, different priming techniques have proved to be effective in improving the nutritional value of edible sprouts, resulting in greater health benefits.

The molecular mechanisms involved in seed germination stimulation as well as in seed dormancy breakdown are not known in depth. In this sense, the widespread application of the omics techniques shall help to shed light on these intrincate processes.

The aim and scope of this Special Issue is to encourage the publication of review and/or experimental research regarding physiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects related to the effect of seed priming on germination and seedling establishment in dormant and non-dormant seeds, and regarding their interaction with environmental stresses.

Dr. José Antonio Hernández Cortés
Dr. Gregorio Barba-Espín
Dr. Pedro Diaz-Vivancos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

antioxidants
environmental stress
carbohydrate metabolism
hormone profile
seed germination
seed priming
seed dormancy

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 5223 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Elongation of the Mesocotyl-Coleoptile and Biomass in Parents and Crosses of Corn Seedlings of the High Valleys of Mexico

by Antonio Villalobos González, Ignacio Benítez Riquelme, Fernando Castillo González, Ma. del Carmen Mendoza Castillo and Alejandro Espinosa Calderón

Seeds 2023, 2(4), 449-473; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2040034 - 22 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 777

Abstract

The elongation of the mesocotyl and the coleoptile and other seedling traits were analyzed from 16 hybrids of two seed sizes, five varieties and a control. Sowing was conducted in sand beds during the S-F 2020 cycle, where nine genotypes were identified that differed in the elongation of the mesocotyl: long (H-48, HS-2 and Promesa); medium (H-44-H-52 and H-70); and short (H-49 AE, H-40 and H-32). A total of 36 possible crosses were obtained between these nine parents, which were established in the S-S 2021 cycle, and on sand beds. Results show that seed size affected (p< 0.05) the speed and percentage of emergence, the elongation of mesocotyl–coleoptile, the biomass and the heterosis in parents and their crosses. The H-48 hybrid presented greater speed and percentage of emergence and elongation of the mesocotyl and the coleoptile with both seed sizes. The highest dry weight of mesocotyl, coleoptile, roots, and leaves was found in the hybrids Promesa and H-48. The crosses between parents with contrasting mesocotyl presented superior elongation and dry weight (p ≤ 0.05) compared to their parents, with the long × long (1 × 2, 1 × 3 and 2 × 3) crosses standing out for all the traits measured. A strong positive association was obtained (p ≤ 0.01) between the elongation of the mesocotyl–coleoptile, the percentage of emergence, and the production of total dry matter in parents and their crosses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Priming Approaches That Achieve Environmental Stress Tolerance)

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12 pages, 1741 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Osmopriming Induce Cross-Tolerance for Abiotic Stresses in Solanum paniculatum L. Seeds? A Transcriptome Analysis Point of View

by Pedro Bento da Silva, Tatiana Arantes Afonso Vaz, Marcio Luis Acencio, Luiz Augusto Bovolenta, Henk W. M. Hilhorst and Edvaldo A. Amaral da Silva

Seeds 2023, 2(4), 382-393; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2040029 - 28 Sep 2023

Viewed by 882

Abstract

Solanum paniculatum L. belongs to the Solanaceae family and has the ability to grow and develop under unfavorable environmental conditions such as drought and salt stress, acid soils and soils poor in nutrients. The present work aimed to analyze S. paniculatum seed transcriptome associated with induced tolerance to drought stress by osmopriming. Seeds subjected to osmopriming (−1.0 MPa) displayed a higher germination and normal seedling percentage under drought stress when compared with unprimed seeds. RNA-seq transcriptome profiles of osmoprimed and unprimed seeds were determined and the potential proteins involved in the drought tolerance of S. paniculatum were identified. From the 34,640 assembled transcripts for both osmoprimed and unprimed seeds, only 235 were differentially expressed and, among these, 23 (10%) transcripts were predicted to code for proteins potentially involved in response to stress, response to abiotic stimulus and response to chemical. The possible mechanisms by which these stress-associated genes may confer tolerance to osmoprimed Solanum paniculatum seeds to germinate under water deficit was discussed and may help to find markers for the selection of new materials belonging to the Solanaceae family that are more tolerant to stress during and following germination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Priming Approaches That Achieve Environmental Stress Tolerance)

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14 pages, 1311 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stimulating Role of Calcium and Cyclic GMP in Mediating the Effect of Magnetopriming for Alleviation of Salt Stress in Soybean Seedlings

by Sunita Kataria, Shruti Shukla, Kanchan Jumrani, Meeta Jain and Rekha Gadre

Seeds 2023, 2(2), 232-245; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2020018 - 16 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1214

Abstract

This current study examined the role of calcium (Ca) and Cyclic GMP (cGMP) in mitigating the adverse effect of salt stress through magnetopriming of soybean cultivar JS-335 seeds with a static magnetic field (SMF, 200 mT for 1 h). The salt stress (50 mMNaCl) extensively reduced the early seedling growth (64%), vigour Index-I (71%), vigour Index-II (39%), total amylase (59%), protease (63%), and nitrate reductase (NR, 19%) activities in un-primed soybean seedlings. However, magnetopriming and Ca treatment enhanced all of these measured parameters along with remarkable increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) content. The exogenous application of Ca²⁺, cGMP and ROS regulators such as nifedipine (Ca²⁺ channel blocker), EGTA, ethylene glycol-β-amino ethyl ether tetra acetic acid (Ca²⁺chelators), genistein (cGMP blocker), and dimethyl thiourea (DMTU, H₂O₂ inhibitor) negatively affects the SMF-induced seedling length, seedling vigour, ROS, NO, and enzyme activities such as protease, total amylase, and NR in soybean seedlings. Results presented by using specific various biochemical inhibitors of Ca, cGMP, or ROS signalling in vivo indicated that Ca and cGMP are also involved with ROS and NO in the signal transduction of magnetic field enthused soybean seed germination and seedling growth under salt stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Priming Approaches That Achieve Environmental Stress Tolerance)

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11 pages, 1558 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Chemical Priming on the Germination of the Ornamental Halophyte Lobularia maritima under NaCl Salinity

by Iman Zammali, Amira Dabbous, Seria Youssef and Karim Ben Hamed

Seeds 2022, 1(2), 99-109; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds1020009 - 25 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2316

Abstract

Lobularia maritima or sweet alyssum (Brassicaceae) is an annual littoral halophyte, naturally thriving on sandy beaches. In addition to its obvious interest as a naturally salt-tolerant plant, this species is mainly cultivated as an ornamental plant in many countries. Laboratory experiments were carried out to assess the effects of salinity on seed germination and on germination recovery from the effects of saline conditions after transfer to distilled water. Seed germination responses were determined at 0, 50, 100, 200 and 300 mM NaCl. Salt (NaCl) does not affect the germination of L. maritima if applied at a moderate dose of 50 mM. For higher concentrations of NaCl, there is a decrease in the germination rate at 100 and 200 mM NaCl or even a total inhibition of germination at 300 mM. Salt lowers or inhibits germination only through osmotic effects. To improve the germination of L. maritima under high salinity, seeds were pretreated with KNO₃, thiourea, proline and salicylic acid. The germination of seeds is improved by KNO₃ in the presence or absence of salt, while thiourea increases the final germination without affecting the germination rate. Salicylic acid amplifies the effect of salt, while proline delays germination without stopping it completely. These findings indicate that the application of KNO₃ and thiourea may be used to improve seed germination of L. maritima, which is of great interest for cultivating this plant for landscaping purposes in saline soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Priming Approaches That Achieve Environmental Stress Tolerance)

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12 pages, 2143 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Alleviation of Salt-Inhibited Germination and Seedling Growth of Kidney Bean by Seed Priming and Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid (SA) and Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)

by Shaila Shermin Tania, Mohammad Saidur Rhaman, Farjana Rauf, Md. Moklasur Rahaman, Muhammad Humayun Kabir, Md. Anamul Hoque and Yoshiyuki Murata

Seeds 2022, 1(2), 87-98; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds1020008 - 08 Apr 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4018

Abstract

Salinity is a dominant obstacle to the proper germination of seeds, growth of seedlings, and, consequently, the production of crops. The priming of seeds with different treating agents can efficiently impart salinity tolerance. Kidney bean is a nutritious and popular vegetable crop in the world. Literature shows that salt stress negatively disturbs the germination and growth of kidney beans. In the present research, we investigated the potentiality of salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as priming and exogenous agents to alleviate the salinity-inhibited germination and growth of kidney beans. The seeds were pretreated with SA (1 mM and 2 mM) and H₂O₂ (0.1 mM and 0.15 mM) and soaked in normal tap water (hydro-priming) for 60 min. In addition, for the control experiment, untreated seeds were used. Finally, primed seeds were subjected to salt stress (150 mM NaCl). Our results exhibited that salt stress considerably lowered the percentage of germination (GP), germination index (GI), seed vigor index (SVI), shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot–root fresh and dry biomass, and plant growth. The results also exhibited that salt stress significantly decreased the relative water content (RWC) and photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll, carotenoids, lycopene, and beta-carotene contents. The SA- and H₂O₂- and hydro-priming stimulated the GP, GI, SL, RL, SVI, and seedling growth. Data also revealed that the supplementation of SA and H₂O₂ enhanced RWC and photosynthetic pigments. When compared to other treatments, pretreatment with 1 mM SA was determined to be comparatively more effective at imparting the salt tolerance of kidney beans. Overall, these results, via a heatmap and principal component analysis, uncovered that priming and exogenous applications of SA and H₂O₂ can improve salt tolerance and enhance germination and seedling characteristics of kidney beans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Priming Approaches That Achieve Environmental Stress Tolerance)

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13 pages, 1502 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seed Priming Enhances Seed Germination and Morphological Traits of Lactuca sativa L. under Salt Stress

by Bikash Adhikari, Omolayo J. Olorunwa and T. Casey Barickman

Seeds 2022, 1(2), 74-86; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds1020007 - 01 Apr 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6062

Abstract

Seed germination is the stage in which plants are most sensitive to abiotic stress, including salt stress (SS). SS affects plant growth and performance through ion toxicity, decreasing seed germination percentage and increasing the germination time. Several priming treatments were used to enhance germination under SS. The objectives of this study were (1) to identify priming treatments to shorten the emergence period, (2) to evaluate priming treatments against the SS, and (3) to induce synchronized seed germination. Salt-sensitive ‘Burpee Bibb’ lettuce seeds were treated with 0.05% potassium nitrate, 3 mM gibberellic acid, and distilled water. All the primed and non-primed seeds were subjected to 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) or 0 mM NaCl (control). The seven-day experiment, arranged in a complete randomized block design with four replications, was conducted in a growth chamber maintained with 16/8 h photoperiod (light/dark), 60% relative humidity, and a day/night temperature of 22/18 °C. The result indicated that hydro-primed (HP) seeds were better synchronized under SS. Similarly, fresh mass (FM) and dry mass (DM) of cotyledon, hypocotyl, and radicle were the highest in HP lettuce regardless of SS. Electrolyte leakage was the lowest in the HP lettuce, while other priming methods under SS increased membrane permeability, leading to osmotic stress and tissue damage. Overall, hydro-priming can be a good priming method for synchronizing germination and increasing FM and DM by creating the least osmotic stress and ion toxicity in lettuce under SS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Priming Approaches That Achieve Environmental Stress Tolerance)

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8 pages, 768 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Hydrogen Peroxide Imbibition Following Cold Stratification Promotes Seed Germination Rate and Uniformity in Peach cv. GF305

by Gregorio Barba-Espín, José A. Hernández, Cristina Martínez-Andújar and Pedro Díaz-Vivancos

Seeds 2022, 1(1), 28-35; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds1010004 - 05 Jan 2022

Viewed by 3019

Abstract

(1) Background: Peach cv. GF305 is commonly used in breeding programs due to its susceptibility to numerous viruses. In this study, we aimed to achieve a methodology for rapid and uniform seed germination of peach cv. GF305 in order to obtain vigorous seedlings; (2) Methods: A combination of cold stratification and H₂O₂ imbibition was tested on peach seeds with or without endocarp. In addition, the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione as well as the hormone profile in seedling roots and shoots were determined; (3) Results: We found that H₂O₂ imbibition of peach seeds without endocarp after 8 weeks of stratification increased germination rate and resulted in seedlings displaying good vegetative growth. The H₂O₂ imbibition also affected the levels of ascorbate, glutathione, and the phytohormones abscisic acid and jasmonic acid in peach seedlings; (4) Conclusions: Although stratification periods of 12 weeks have been previously established as being appropriate for this cultivar, we have been able to reduce this stratification time by up to 4 weeks, which may have practical implication in peach nurseries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Priming Approaches That Achieve Environmental Stress Tolerance)

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11 pages, 1253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potassium Nitrate Treatment Is Associated with Modulation of Seed Water Uptake, Antioxidative Metabolism and Phytohormone Levels of Pea Seedlings

by José A. Hernández, Pedro Díaz-Vivancos, José Ramón Acosta-Motos and Gregorio Barba-Espín

Seeds 2022, 1(1), 5-15; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds1010002 - 02 Dec 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 9176

Abstract

(1) Background: Seed treatment with potassium nitrate (KNO₃) has been associated with dormancy breaking, improved germination and enhanced seedling growth and uniformity in a variety of plant species. However, the KNO₃ effect seems to be dependent on plant species and treatment conditions. (2) Methods: We describe the effect of incubation of dry pea seeds with different KNO₃ concentration on water uptake kinetic, early seedling growth, antioxidant metabolism and hormone profile in pea seedlings. (3) Results: Low (0.25 mM) KNO₃ levels increased seedling water uptake and growth, whereas high (40 mM) levels decreased seedling growth. KNO₃ treatment differentially affected the antioxidant defences. Low KNO₃ levels maintained the activity of antioxidant enzymes, while high levels reduced the activity of H₂O₂-scavenging enzymes. KNO₃ induced a progressive decline in ascorbate levels and reduced (GSH) and oxidised (GSSG) glutathione. Low KNO₃ levels strongly increased GA₁ and decreased ABA in both seedlings and cotyledons, resulting in a decline in the ABA/GAs ratio. (4) Conclusions: Pea seed treatment with a low KNO₃ level promoted early seedling growth. In this process, an interaction among KNO₃, antioxidant defences and ABA/GAs ratio is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Priming Approaches That Achieve Environmental Stress Tolerance)

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15 pages, 2482 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Ascorbic Acid in Seeds, Priming and Beyond

by Mattia Terzaghi and Mario C. De Tullio

Seeds 2023, 2(4), 421-435; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2040032 - 01 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1240

Abstract

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is mainly known as an antioxidant. However, if the peculiar features of the AsA system in the different stages of seed development and germinationare taken into consideration, it can be concluded that the function of AsA goes far beyond its antioxidant properties. The possible involvement of AsA in the regulation of hormone synthesis and in the epigenetic control of gene expression opens new directions to further research. In recent years, seed priming with AsA has been successfully used as a strategy to improve germination and plant productivity. Beneficial effects of seed AsA priming could be observed in several crop species, but the underlying molecular mechanism(s) are still unclear. The available evidence suggests that AsA priming induces a wide range of coordinated responses allowing primed seeds to overcome adverse environmental conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Priming Approaches That Achieve Environmental Stress Tolerance)

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15 pages, 2041 KiB

Open AccessReview

Improvement of Seed Quality by Priming: Concept and Biological Basis

by Françoise Corbineau, Nesrin Taskiran-Özbingöl and Hayat El-Maarouf-Bouteau

Seeds 2023, 2(1), 101-115; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2010008 - 20 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4590

Abstract

Presoaking seeds in water (hydropriming) or in a solution, usually of polyethylene glycol (PEG) or various salts at low water potential (osmopriming), has been demonstrated to improve the germination of seeds of numerous species including vegetables (carrot, celery, leek, lettuce, tomato), floral plants (cyclamen, primrose, pansy) and others (sugar beet, rape, soybean, sunflower). This treatment allows the germination stricto sensu to occur but prevents the radicle protrusion. Germination of primed seeds is more rapid and uniform than that of unprimed ones. Primed seeds germinate in a wider range of temperatures and are less sensitive to oxygen deprivation. Interestingly, priming also improves the germination of aged seeds. The stimulatory effect of priming persists after redrying and often during storage; however, primed seeds often deteriorate faster during storage or accelerated aging than unprimed ones. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved during priming allows us to suggest markers of the effectiveness of priming. Among these markers, ethylene production during imbibition, cell-cycle processes (DNA replication, ß-tubulin), soluble sugar metabolism (raffinose family oligosaccharides, in particular), reactive oxygen species scavenging through antioxidant systems and energy metabolism are correlated to seed vigor. Global approaches (proteomic, metabolomic or transcriptomic) could also result in the identification of new markers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Priming Approaches That Achieve Environmental Stress Tolerance)

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