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Environmental Factors/Compounds and Hormones in Regulation of Seed Dormancy and...
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Environmental Factors/Compounds and Hormones in Regulation of Seed Dormancy and Germination

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 5612

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jan Kȩpczyński

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 71-411 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: seed dormancy and germination; plant hormones; karrikin
Prof. Dr. Ewa Kȩpczyńska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 71-411 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: somatic embryogenesis (SE); hormonal regulation of SE; seed priming; induction of plant systemic resistance against phytopathogens; plant growth promotion by bacteria

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Maintenance, releasing dormancy and seed germination are important components of pivotal events in most plant life cycles. Various environmental and non-environmental factors including bioactive  compounds, e.g., NO, HCN and some regulators such as plant hormones and smoke compounds (including karrikins), can affect the dormancy level and seed germination of several plant species. The content of ABA, GAs and ethylene and/or the sensitivity to these hormones can be responsible for the seed dormancy release mechanism and germination. Physical factors such as dry storage or stratification also cause the release of dormancy, which is accomplished through changes in hormone content and their signaling pathways.

Less data are available on the involvement of NO, HCN and smoke compounds including karrikins in the regulation of dormancy levels and germination.

This Special Issue will be focused on the following topics:

  1. Seed responses to stratification, dry storage and various compounds including plant hormones;
  2. The interaction between endogenous/ exogenous various compunds and plant hormones;
  3. Molecular mechanisms of the actions of bioactive compounds.

Prof. Dr. Jan Kȩpczyński
Prof. Dr. Ewa Kȩpczyńska
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • dormancy
  • ethylene
  • germination
  • hormones
  • hydrogen cyanide
  • karrikin
  • nitric oxide
  • smoke

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2968 KiB  
Article
Unconventional Germination in Terrestrial Plants: A Counterintuitive Case in Desiccation-Sensitive Garcinia aristata (Clusiaceae) Seeds Showing Seedling Growth Without Roots
by Ganesh K. Jaganathan, Jorge A. Sánchez, Mayté Pernús and Baolin Liu
Plants 2024, 13(23), 3269; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13233269 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 258
Abstract
Unconventional germination, wherein shoots emerge and establish true leaves before the root emerges, is only found in Zosteraceae. In Garcinia, germination proceeds with the primary root emerging, followed by shoot emergence on the opposite side, but before leaf differentiation, adventitious roots emerge [...] Read more.
Unconventional germination, wherein shoots emerge and establish true leaves before the root emerges, is only found in Zosteraceae. In Garcinia, germination proceeds with the primary root emerging, followed by shoot emergence on the opposite side, but before leaf differentiation, adventitious roots emerge at the base of the shoots. However, germination and survival mechanisms in several Garcinia species are still unclear. We subjected freshly collected G. aristata seeds to an imbibition test, and germination was evaluated at various temperatures and light conditions. Desiccation sensitivity assessments were made at different stages of drying. The effect of natural drying (ambient storage) on germination was assessed by leaving the seeds outside in natural conditions. Seeds of G. aristata with a moisture content (MC) of 67% had more than 95% germination only at 25 and 25/30 °C both in light/dark and darkness, but at 25/40 °C only 10% germinated. In 4% of the seeds, germination incepted with primary shoot emergence, and a secondary (adventitious) root emerged just before leaf differentiation. More than 95% of the seeds germinated with only a secondary root and shoot emerging concurrently. Drying fresh seeds above silica gel to 30% MC resulted in complete viability loss. Seeds stored at ambient conditions germinated without external water, and had no primary or secondary root, and the emerging shoot continued to grow into seedlings. A root develops in these seeds only when water becomes available. G. aristata seeds are desiccation-sensitive and non-dormant. When no external water is available, G. aristata seeds can germinate with shoots and establish seedlings. This is the first report on germination and successful seedling establishment without roots in Garcinia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Factors/Compounds and Hormones in Regulation of Seed Dormancy and Germination)
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21 pages, 3401 KiB  
Article
Ethylene Is Crucial in Abscisic Acid-Mediated Modulation of Seed Vigor, Growth, and Photosynthesis of Salt-Treated Mustard
by Asim Masood, Sheen Khan, Iqbal R. Mir, Naser A. Anjum, Faisal Rasheed, Abdulrahman Al-Hashimi and Nafees A. Khan
Plants 2024, 13(16), 2307; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13162307 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 777
Abstract
The current study explored the differential interaction between ethylene (ET) and abscisic acid (ABA) in relation to salt stress in mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plants. Significant reductions in seed germination, growth, and photosynthesis were observed with 100 mmol NaCl. Among the cultivars [...] Read more.
The current study explored the differential interaction between ethylene (ET) and abscisic acid (ABA) in relation to salt stress in mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plants. Significant reductions in seed germination, growth, and photosynthesis were observed with 100 mmol NaCl. Among the cultivars tested, the Pusa Vijay cultivar was noted as ET-sensitive. Pusa Vijay responded maximally to an application of 2.0 mmol ethephon (Eth; 2-chloethyl phosphonic acid-ethylene source), and exhibited the greatest growth, photosynthesis, activity of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase (ACS), and ET evolution. Notably, Eth (2.0 mmol) more significantly improved the seed germination percentage, germination and vigor index, amylase activity, and reduced H2O2 content under salt stress, while ABA (25 µmol) had negative effects. Moreover, the individual application of Eth and ABA on Pusa Vijay under both optimal and salt-stressed conditions increased the growth and photosynthetic attributes, nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) assimilation, and antioxidant defense machinery. The addition of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (0.01 µmol AVG, ET biosynthesis inhibitor) to ABA + NaCl-treated plants further added to the effects of ABA on parameters related to seed germination and resulted in less effectiveness of growth and photosynthesis. In contrast, the effects of Eth were seen with the addition of fluoridone (25 µmol Flu, ABA biosynthesis inhibitor) to Eth + NaCl. Thus, it can be suggested that ET is crucial for alleviating salt-induced inhibition in seed germination, growth, and photosynthesis, while ABA collaborated with ET to offer protection by regulating nutrient assimilation and enhancing antioxidant metabolism. These findings provide insight into the complex regulatory processes involved in ET–ABA interaction, enhancing our understanding of plant growth and development and the mitigation of salt stress in mustard. It opens pathways for developing hormonal-based strategies to improve crop productivity and resilience, ultimately benefiting agricultural practices amidst a challenging environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Factors/Compounds and Hormones in Regulation of Seed Dormancy and Germination)
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14 pages, 2156 KiB  
Article
Karrikinolide1 (KAR1), a Bioactive Compound from Smoke, Improves the Germination of Morphologically Dormant Apium graveolens L. Seeds by Reducing Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) Levels
by Shubhpriya Gupta, Jakub Hrdlička, Manoj Kulkarni, Ivana Doležalova, Aleš Pěnčík, Johannes Van Staden, Ondřej Novák and Karel Doležal
Plants 2024, 13(15), 2096; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13152096 - 29 Jul 2024
Viewed by 823
Abstract
Smoke-water (SW) and Karrikinolide1 (KAR1) release dormancy and improve seed germination in many plant species. Therefore, we tested SW (1:2500 v/v) and KAR1 (10−7 M) to break the morphological dormancy of celery cultivar (Apium graveolens [...] Read more.
Smoke-water (SW) and Karrikinolide1 (KAR1) release dormancy and improve seed germination in many plant species. Therefore, we tested SW (1:2500 v/v) and KAR1 (10−7 M) to break the morphological dormancy of celery cultivar (Apium graveolens L.). In the first trial, seeds were subjected to a 21-day incubation period at 20 °C with SW and KAR1 applied as single treatments. KAR1 showed significantly improved germination (30.7%) as compared to SW (17.2%) and a water control (14.7%). In seed soaking experiments, SW, KAR1, and gibberellic acid (GA3) treatments showed higher germination percentages than the water control after 3 and 6 h of soaking. However, prolonged soaking (12 h) reduced germination percentages for all treatments, indicating a detrimental effect. Analysis of KAR1 content dynamics in 7-day- and 21-day-old celery seeds indicated its prolonged effects on germination and dormancy alleviation. Phytohormones, including auxins in 7-day-old and cytokinins in 7-day- and 21-day-old celery seedlings, along with their precursors and metabolites, were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) after treatment with KAR1 and SW. The analysis of auxin levels in 7-day-old seeds revealed a negative correlation between seed germination and auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) content. Notably, it was found that KAR1-treated seeds significantly reduced IAA levels in all treatments. SW and KAR1 did not significantly affect cytokinin levels during celery germination except for N6-Isopentenyladenine. Hence, further research is needed to understand their precise role in celery seed germination. This work will improve our understanding of the role of bioactive compounds from plant-derived smoke and how they regulate hormonal responses and improve germination efficiency in celery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Factors/Compounds and Hormones in Regulation of Seed Dormancy and Germination)
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17 pages, 2479 KiB  
Article
Methodological and Physiological Study during Seed Dormancy Release of Symplocos paniculata
by Luhong Zhang, Qiaoyu Tang, Peiwang Li, Changzhu Li, Lijuan Jiang, Jingzhen Chen, Yunzhu Chen, Qiang Liu and Yan Yang
Plants 2024, 13(11), 1459; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13111459 - 24 May 2024
Viewed by 887
Abstract
Symplocos paniculata are reported to exhibit seed dormancy, which impedes its cultivation and widespread adoption. In this study, a comprehensive method was established to overcome seed dormancy by subjecting seeds to scarification in 98% H2SO4 for 10 min, followed by [...] Read more.
Symplocos paniculata are reported to exhibit seed dormancy, which impedes its cultivation and widespread adoption. In this study, a comprehensive method was established to overcome seed dormancy by subjecting seeds to scarification in 98% H2SO4 for 10 min, followed by 1000 mg·L−1 GA3 soaking for 48 h and stratification at 4 °C for 100 days. The seed germination percentage has increased significantly, to a peak of 42.67%, though the seeds could not germinate timely by NaOH scarification. Additionally, the dynamic changes of key stored substances (proteins, soluble sugars, starches, and fats), associated enzyme activities (amylases, peroxidase, and catalase), and endogenous hormones (abscisic acid, gibberellic acid, and indole-3-acetic acid) in seeds were investigated. The results demonstrated a continuous degradation of starch and fat in S. paniculata seeds, while the levels of protein and soluble sugar exhibited fluctuations, which probably facilitated seed dormancy breaking through energy supply and transformation. The enzymatic activities underwent rapid changes, accompanied by a gradual decrease in ABA content within the seeds with increasing stratification time. Notably, GA3, GA3/ABA, and (GA3 + IAA)/ABA showed significant increases, indicating their positive regulatory roles in seed germination. This study clarified the dormancy mechanism and established an effective method for the release dormancy of S. paniculata seeds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Factors/Compounds and Hormones in Regulation of Seed Dormancy and Germination)
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Review

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19 pages, 1853 KiB  
Review
Ethylene, a Signaling Compound Involved in Seed Germination and Dormancy
by Françoise Corbineau
Plants 2024, 13(19), 2674; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13192674 - 24 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1168
Abstract
The present review is focused on current findings on the involvement of ethylene in seed biology. The responsiveness of seeds to ethylene depends on the species and the dormancy status, improving concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 200 μL L−1. The signaling [...] Read more.
The present review is focused on current findings on the involvement of ethylene in seed biology. The responsiveness of seeds to ethylene depends on the species and the dormancy status, improving concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 200 μL L−1. The signaling pathway of ethylene starts with its binding to five membrane-anchored receptors, which results in the deactivation of Constitutive Triple Response 1 (CTR1, a protein kinase) that does not exert its inhibitory effect on Ethylene Insensitive 2 (EIN2) by phosphorylating its cytosolic C-terminal domain. An analysis of germination in the presence of inhibitors of ethylene synthesis or action, and using seeds from mutant lines altered in terms of the genes involved in ethylene synthesis (acs) and the signaling pathway (etr1, ein2, ein4, ctr1 and erf1), demonstrates the involvement of ethylene in the regulation of seed dormancy. The promoting effect of ethylene is also regulated through crosstalk with abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GAs), essential hormones involved in seed germination and dormancy, and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Using a mutant of the proteolytic N-degron pathway, Proteolysis (PRT6), the Ethylene Response Factors (ERFs) from group VII (HRE1, HRE2, RAP 2.2, RAP2.3 and RAP 2.12) have also been identified as being involved in seed insensitivity to ethylene. This review highlights the key roles of EIN2 and EIN3 in the ethylene signaling pathway and in interactions with different hormones and discusses the responsiveness of seeds to ethylene, depending on the species and the dormancy status. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Factors/Compounds and Hormones in Regulation of Seed Dormancy and Germination)
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23 pages, 4097 KiB  
Review
Current Insights into Weak Seed Dormancy and Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Crop Species
by Angel J. Matilla
Plants 2024, 13(18), 2559; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13182559 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1121
Abstract
During the domestication of crops, seed dormancy has been reduced or eliminated to encourage faster and more consistent germination. This alteration makes cultivated crops particularly vulnerable to pre-harvest sprouting, which occurs when mature crops are subjected to adverse environmental conditions, such as excessive [...] Read more.
During the domestication of crops, seed dormancy has been reduced or eliminated to encourage faster and more consistent germination. This alteration makes cultivated crops particularly vulnerable to pre-harvest sprouting, which occurs when mature crops are subjected to adverse environmental conditions, such as excessive rainfall or high humidity. Consequently, some seeds may bypass the normal dormancy period and begin to germinate while still attached to the mother plant before harvest. Grains affected by pre-harvest sprouting are characterized by increased levels of α-amylase activity, resulting in poor processing quality and immediate grain downgrading. In the agriculture industry, pre-harvest sprouting causes annual economic losses exceeding USD 1 billion worldwide. This premature germination is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, biochemical, and molecular factors closely linked to environmental conditions like rainfall. However, the exact mechanism behind this process is still unclear. Unlike pre-harvest sprouting, vivipary refers to the germination process and the activation of α-amylase during the soft dough stage, when the grains are still immature. Mature seeds with reduced levels of ABA or impaired ABA signaling (weak dormancy) are more susceptible to pre-harvest sprouting. While high seed dormancy can enhance resistance to pre-harvest sprouting, it can lead to undesirable outcomes for most crops, such as non-uniform seedling establishment after sowing. Thus, resistance to pre-harvest sprouting is crucial to ensuring productivity and sustainability and is an agronomically important trait affecting yield and grain quality. On the other hand, seed color is linked to sprouting resistance; however, the genetic relationship between both characteristics remains unresolved. The identification of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-3 (MKK3) as the gene responsible for pre-harvest sprouting-1 (Phs-1) represents a significant advancement in our understanding of how sprouting in wheat is controlled at the molecular and genetic levels. In seed maturation, Viviparous-1 (Vp-1) plays a crucial role in managing pre-harvest sprouting by regulating seed maturation and inhibiting germination through the suppression of α-amylase and proteases. Vp-1 is a key player in ABA signaling and is essential for the activation of the seed maturation program. Mutants of Vp-1 exhibit an unpigmented aleurone cell layer and exhibit precocious germination due to decreased sensitivity to ABA. Recent research has also revealed that TaSRO-1 interacts with TaVp-1, contributing to the regulation of seed dormancy and resistance to pre-harvest sprouting in wheat. The goal of this review is to emphasize the latest research on pre-harvest sprouting in crops and to suggest possible directions for future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Factors/Compounds and Hormones in Regulation of Seed Dormancy and Germination)
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