Showing papers on "Germination published in 2017"
TL;DR: Measurements of dormancy must always be accompanied by analysis of environmental contexts in which phenotypes or behaviours are described, because seeds whose dormancy-inducing pathways are activated to higher levels will germinate in an ever-narrower range of environments.
423 citations
TL;DR: Different mechanisms underlying nanopriming-induced seed germination were proposed, including creation of nanopores for enhanced water uptake, rebooting ROS/antioxidant systems in seeds, generation of hydroxyl radicals for cell wall loosening, and nanocatalyst for fastening starch hydrolysis.
Abstract: Application of nanomaterials for agriculture is relatively new as compared to their use in biomedical and industrial sectors. In order to promote sustainable nanoagriculture, biocompatible silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized through green route using kaffir lime leaf extract for use as nanopriming agent for enhancing seed germination of rice aged seeds. Results of various characterization techniques showed the successful formation of AgNPs which were capped with phytochemicals present in the plant extract. Rice aged seeds primed with phytosynthesized AgNPs at 5 and 10 ppm significantly improved germination performance and seedling vigor compared to unprimed control, AgNO3 priming, and conventional hydropriming. Nanopriming could enhance α-amylase activity, resulting in higher soluble sugar content for supporting seedlings growth. Furthermore, nanopriming stimulated the up-regulation of aquaporin genes in germinating seeds. Meanwhile, more ROS production was observed in germinating seeds of nanopriming treatment compared to unprimed control and other priming treatments, suggesting that both ROS and aquaporins play important roles in enhancing seed germination. Different mechanisms underlying nanopriming-induced seed germination were proposed, including creation of nanopores for enhanced water uptake, rebooting ROS/antioxidant systems in seeds, generation of hydroxyl radicals for cell wall loosening, and nanocatalyst for fastening starch hydrolysis.
320 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the combined effect of non-thermal plasma treatment of water and seeds on the rate of germination and plants growth of radish (Raphanus sativus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and sweet pepper (Capsicum annum) have been investigated using dielectric barrier discharges in air under atmospheric pressure and room temperature.
Abstract: The combined effect of non-thermal plasma treatment of water and seeds on the rate of germination and plants growth of radish (Raphanus sativus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and sweet pepper (Capsicum annum) have been investigated using dielectric barrier discharges in air under atmospheric pressure and room temperature. A cylindrical double dielectric barrier discharge reactor is used for water activation and a plate-to-plate double DBD reactor is employed for seed treatment. The activation of water, for 15 and 30 min, lead to acidic solutions (pH ≈ 3) with moderate concentrations of nitrate (NO3−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Plasma activated water (PAW) has shown a significant impact on germination as well as plant growth for the three types of seeds used. Interestingly, the positive effect, in seed germination and seedling growth, has been observed when the PAW and plasma-treated seeds (10 and 20 min) were combined. In one hand, when the seeds were (tomato and pepper) exposed to 10 min plasma and watered with PAW-15 for first 9 days followed by tap water for 51 days, the stem length is increased about 60% as compared to control sample. On the second hand, for longer exposures of seeds and water to plasma discharges, a negative effect is observed. For instance, plasma-treated seeds watered with PAW-30, the plant growth and vitality were decreased as compared to control sample. These results revealed that the developed cold plasma reactors could be used to significantly improve the seed germination as well as plant growth, nevertheless, the plasma treatment time has to be optimized for each seeds.
247 citations
TL;DR: This approach has provided new insight into the co‐ordination of mechanisms and signalling networks, and the multidimensional sensing that regulates dormancy cycling in a variable environment.
Abstract: Many molecular mechanisms that regulate dormancy have been identified individually in controlled laboratory studies. However, little is known about how the seed employs this complex suite of mechanisms during dormancy cycling in the variable environment of the soil seed bank. Nevertheless, this behaviour is essential to ensure germination takes place in a favourable habitat and climate space, and in the correct season for the resulting plant to complete its life cycle. During their time in the soil seed bank, seeds continually adjust their dormancy status by sensing a range of environmental signals. Those related to slow seasonal change (e.g. temperature) are used for temporal sensing to determine the time of year and depth of dormancy. This alters their sensitivity to signals related to their spatial environment (e.g. light, nitrate, and water potential) that indicate that conditions are suitable for germination, and so trigger the termination of dormancy. We review work on the physiological, molecular, and ecological aspects of seed dormancy in Arabidopsis and interpret it in the context of dormancy cycling in the soil seed bank. This approach has provided new insight into the co-ordination of mechanisms and signalling networks, and the multidimensional sensing that regulates dormancy cycling in a variable environment.
174 citations
TL;DR: All accumulated information will be processed in the seed during early seed imbibition and lead to the decision to germinate or not, thereby contributing to successful seedling establishment and plant fitness.
167 citations
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that DOG1 can interact with the type 2C protein phosphatases AHG1 and AHG3 and that this represents the convergence point of the DOG 1-regulated dormancy pathway and signalling by the plant hormone abscisic acid.
Abstract: The time of seed germination is a major decision point in the life of plants determining future growth and development. This timing is controlled by seed dormancy, which prevents germination under favourable conditions. The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) and the protein DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1) are essential regulators of dormancy. The function of ABA in dormancy is rather well understood, but the role of DOG1 is still unknown. Here, we describe four phosphatases that interact with DOG1 in seeds. Two of them belong to clade A of type 2C protein phosphatases: ABA-HYPERSENSITIVE GERMINATION 1 (AHG1) and AHG3. These phosphatases have redundant but essential roles in the release of seed dormancy epistatic to DOG1. We propose that the ABA and DOG1 dormancy pathways converge at clade A of type 2C protein phosphatases. The DOG1 protein is a major regulator of seed dormancy in Arabidopsis. Here, Nee et al. provide evidence that DOG1 can interact with the type 2C protein phosphatases AHG1 and AHG3 and that this represents the convergence point of the DOG1-regulated dormancy pathway and signalling by the plant hormone abscisic acid.
159 citations
TL;DR: The results suggested that Spd contributing to fast seed germination and high seed vigor of sweet corn might be closely related with the metabolism of hormones including gibberellins, ABA and ethylene, and with the increase of H2O2 in the radical produced partly from Spd oxidation.
Abstract: The low seed vigor and poor field emergence are main factors that restricting the extension of sweet corn in China. Spermidine (Spd) plays an important role in plant growth and development, but little is known about the effect of Spd on sweet corn seed germination. Therefore the effect of exogenous Spd on seed germination and physiological and biochemical changes during seed imbibition of Xiantian No.5 were investigated in this study. Spd soaking treatment not only improved seed germination percentage but also significantly enhanced seed vigor which was indicated by higher germination index, vigor index, shoot heights and dry weights of shoot and root compared with the control; while exogenous CHA, the biosynthesis inhibitor of Spd, significantly inhibited seed germination and declined seed vigor. Spd application significantly increased endogenous Spd, gibberellins and ethylene contents and simultaneously reduced ABA concentration in embryos during seed imbibition. In addition, the effects of exogenous Spd on H2O2 and MDA productions were also analyzed. Enhanced H2O2 concentration was observed in Spd-treated seed embryo, while no significant difference of MDA level in seed embryo was observed between Spd treatment and control. However, the lower H2O2 and significantly higher MDA contents than control were detected in CHA-treated seed embryos. The results suggested that Spd contributing to fast seed germination and high seed vigor of sweet corn might be closely related with the metabolism of hormones including gibberellins, ABA and ethylene, and with the increase of H2O2 in the radical produced partly from Spd oxidation. In addition, Spd might play an important role in cell membrane integrity maintaining.
156 citations
TL;DR: Germination is similar between Bacillales and Clostridiales, but some species differ in how germinants are sensed and how cortex hydrolysis and DPA release are triggered.
Abstract: Dormant Bacillales and Clostridiales spores begin to grow when small molecules (germinants) trigger germination, potentially leading to food spoilage or disease. Germination-specific proteins sense germinants, transport small molecules, and hydrolyze specific bonds in cortex peptidoglycan and specific proteins. Major events in germination include (a) germinant sensing; (b) commitment to germinate; (c) release of spores’ depot of dipicolinic acid (DPA); (d) hydrolysis of spores’ peptidoglycan cortex; and (e) spore core swelling and water uptake, cell wall peptidoglycan remodeling, and restoration of core protein and inner spore membrane lipid mobility. Germination is similar between Bacillales and Clostridiales, but some species differ in how germinants are sensed and how cortex hydrolysis and DPA release are triggered. Despite detailed knowledge of the proteins and signal transduction pathways involved in germination, precisely what some germination proteins do and how they do it remain unclear.
152 citations
TL;DR: This study reveals the complex dynamics and interactions of the transcriptome and epigenome during seed germination, including the extensive remodelling of the seed DNA methylome from an embryo-like to vegetative-like state during the seed-to-seedling transition.
Abstract: Seed germination involves progression from complete metabolic dormancy to a highly active, growing seedling. Many factors regulate germination and these interact extensively, forming a complex network of inputs that control the seed-to-seedling transition. Our understanding of the direct regulation of gene expression and the dynamic changes in the epigenome and small RNAs during germination is limited. The interactions between genome, transcriptome and epigenome must be revealed in order to identify the regulatory mechanisms that control seed germination. We present an integrated analysis of high-resolution RNA sequencing, small RNA sequencing and MethylC sequencing over ten developmental time points in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds, finding extensive transcriptomic and epigenomic transformations associated with seed germination. We identify previously unannotated loci from which messenger RNAs are expressed transiently during germination and find widespread alternative splicing and divergent isoform abundance of genes involved in RNA processing and splicing. We generate the first dynamic transcription factor network model of germination, identifying known and novel regulatory factors. Expression of both microRNA and short interfering RNA loci changes significantly during germination, particularly between the seed and the post-germinative seedling. These are associated with changes in gene expression and large-scale demethylation observed towards the end of germination, as the epigenome transitions from an embryo-like to a vegetative seedling state. This study reveals the complex dynamics and interactions of the transcriptome and epigenome during seed germination, including the extensive remodelling of the seed DNA methylome from an embryo-like to vegetative-like state during the seed-to-seedling transition. Data are available for exploration in a user-friendly browser at https://jbrowse.latrobe.edu.au/germination_epigenome
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130 citations
TL;DR: Investigation of exogenous fertigation by sodium nitroprusside to induce salt tolerance in four high yielding wheat cultivars indicated that SNP-priming induced salt tolerance by up-regulating the antioxidative defense mechanisms resulting in better biomass production and grain yield.
TL;DR: This study is the first to provide insights at the proteomic level into the molecular mechanism of melatonin in response to salt stress in cucumber seeds and provides new evidence that melatonin alleviates the inhibitory effects of NaCl stress on seed germination by promoting energy production.
Abstract: Seed germination is a critical and complex process in the plant life cycle. Although previous studies have found that melatonin can promote seed germination under salt stress, the involvement of melatonin in the regulation of proteomic changes remains poorly understood. In this study, a total of 157 proteins were significantly influenced (ratio ≥ 2 or ≤ −2) by melatonin during seed germination under salt stress using a label-free quantitative technique. Our GO analysis revealed that several pathways were obviously regulated by melatonin, including ribosome biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and storage protein degradation. Not only stress-tolerant proteins but also proteins that produce ATP as part of glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the glyoxylate cycle were upregulated by melatonin. Overall, this study provides new evidence that melatonin alleviates the inhibitory effects of NaCl stress on seed germination by promoting energy production. This study is the first to provide insights at the proteomic level into the molecular mechanism of melatonin in response to salt stress in cucumber seeds. This may be helpful to further understand the role of melatonin in cucumber seed germination under stress conditions.
TL;DR: Findings indicate that differences in the germination behavior of alien and native species contribute to the invasiveness of many species, although evidence under natural conditions is needed.
Abstract: The germination behavior of a plant influences its fitness, persistence, and evolutionary potential, as well as its biotic environment. This can have major effects on the invasive potential of a species. We review the findings of four types of experimental studies comparing basic germination characteristics of invasive versus non-invasive congeners, in their non-native or native distribution range; invasive alien versus native species; and invasive species in their native versus non-native distribution range. Early and/or rapid germination is typical of invasive species rather than their non-invasive congeners, and represents a pre-adaptation from which many invasive and naturalized species benefit. It also occurs more often in invasive than native species, suggesting that competition mitigation or avoidance in the early stages of a plant’s life, via the exploitation of vacant germination niches, might be more useful than a superior competitive ability in novel environments. This is further supported by a tendency of invasive species to germinate earlier and/or faster and have broader germination cues in their non-native than in their native range. It is also supported by broader germination requirements being reported for invasive species than their non-invasive or native congeners. In contrast, high percentage germination is not a consistent predictor of invasiveness, suggesting that the incorporation of a larger fraction of seed production into the soil seed bank rather than high germination is a better (or safer) strategy in novel environments. These patterns indicate that differences in the germination behavior of alien and native species contribute to the invasiveness of many species, although evidence under natural conditions is needed. The role of such differences in the establishment and spread of invasive species in novel environments and their long-term impact on community dynamics requires further study.
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of non-thermal discharge plasma treatment on wheat seed germination and seedling growth was investigated using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma system at atmospheric pressure and room temperature.
Abstract: The influences of non-thermal discharge plasma treatment on wheat seed germination and seedling growth were investigated using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma system at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. DBD plasma with various gas sources (oxygen, air, argon, and nitrogen) was employed in this study. Germination characteristics, seedling growth parameters, surface changes of the seed coat, permeability, and soluble protein of the seedlings were measured after the DBD plasma treatments. The experimental results showed that moderate-intensity DBD plasma had active impacts on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. Germination potential significantly increased by 24.0, 28.0, and 35.5% after 4 min of the air plasma, nitrogen plasma, and argon plasma treatments, respectively, compared with the control; and the shoot and root length also increased; however, no enhancement was observed after the oxygen plasma treatment. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed that etching effects on the seed coat occurred after the air plasma, nitrogen plasma, and argon plasma treatments, which affected the hygroscopicity and permeability of the wheat seed. In addition, moderate-intensity DBD plasma could also activate several physiological reactions in wheat seed, resulting in the increase of soluble protein production in wheat seedlings.
TL;DR: Experimental results showed that the DBD plasma treatment could alleviate the adverse effects of drought stress on wheat seed germination and seedling growth; the germination potential and germination rate increased, and the root length and shoot length of the wheat seedlings also increased.
Abstract: Atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was attempted to improve the resistance of wheat seed to drought stress. Effects of DBD plasma on wheat seed germination, seedling growth, osmotic-adjustment products, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzyme activity, abscisic acid, and drought resistant related genes expression under drought stress were investigated. The changes of the wheat seed coat before and after the DBD plasma treatment were explored. Experimental results showed that the DBD plasma treatment could alleviate the adverse effects of drought stress on wheat seed germination and seedling growth; the germination potential and germination rate increased by 27.2% and 27.6%, and the root length and shoot length of the wheat seedlings also increased. Proline and soluble sugar levels under drought stress were improved after the DBD plasma treatment, whereas the malondialdehyde content decreased. ROS contents under drought stress were reduced after the DBD plasma treatment, whereas the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase were promoted. DBD plasma treatment promoted abscisic acid generation in wheat seedlings, and it also regulated functional gene LEA1 and stimulated regulation genes SnRK2 and P5CS to resist drought stress. Etching effect and surface modification occurred on the seed coat after the DBD plasma treatment.
TL;DR: The study demonstrated that aerobic cultivation is suitable to decrease the As uptake and in rice exogenous Si supply is beneficial to decrease As uptake under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions.
TL;DR: Results showed that Si supplementation of lentil was effective in alleviating the detrimental effects of drought stress on seed germination and increased seedling vigour.
TL;DR: From the comparison, it is clear that a differential sensitivity scale occurs among not just species but cultivars, and the four lettuce cultivars showed significantly different responses when watered with the same and different metal-loaded industrial discharge water.
TL;DR: It is predicted that, within a given lineage, taxa producing larger, nondormant seeds will necessarily predominate in aseasonal environments, while plants bearing small, dormant seeds will be dominant under short growing seasons.
Abstract: Seed dormancy is expected to provide ecological advantages by adjusting germination to the favorable growth period. However, many species produce nondormant seeds, particularly in wet tropical forests, a biogeographic pattern that is not well accounted for in current models. We hypothesized that the global distribution of dormant seeds derives from their adaptive value in predictably fluctuating (i.e. seasonal) environments. However, the advantage conferred by dormancy might ultimately depend on other seed attributes, particularly size. This general model was tested within a phylogenetically informed framework using a data set comprising > 216 000 world-wide observations of Fabaceae, spanning three orders of magnitude in seed size and including both dormant and nondormant seeds. Our results confirmed our hypothesis: nondormant seeds can only evolve in climates with long growing seasons and/or in lineages that produce larger seeds. Conversely, dormancy should be evolutionarily stable in temperate lineages with small seeds. When the favorable season is fleeting, seed dormancy is the only adaptive strategy. Based on these results, we predict that, within a given lineage, taxa producing larger, nondormant seeds will necessarily predominate in aseasonal environments, while plants bearing small, dormant seeds will be dominant under short growing seasons.
TL;DR: Results strongly suggested that priming with SA and H2O2 synergistically promoted hormones metabolism and signal transduction, and enhanced energy supply and antioxidant enzymes activities under chilling stress, which were closely relevant with chilling injury alleviation and chilling-tolerance improvement in maize seed.
Abstract: Chilling stress is an important constraint for maize seedling establishment in the field. To examine the role of salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in response to chilling stress, we investigated the effects of seed priming with SA, H2O2 and SA+H2O2 combination on maize resistance under chilling stress (13°C). Priming with SA, H2O2 and especially SA+H2O2 shortened seed germination time and enhanced seed vigor and seedling growth as compared with hydropriming and non-priming treatments under low temperature. Meanwhile, SA+H2O2 priming notably increased the endogenous H2O2 and SA content, antioxidant enzymes activities and their corresponding genes ZmPAL, ZmSOD4, ZmAPX2, ZmCAT2 and ZmGR expression levels. The α-amylase activity was enhanced to mobilize starch to supply metabolites such as soluble sugar and energy for seed germination under chilling stress. In addition, the SA+H2O2 combination positively up-regulated expressions of gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis genes ZmGA20ox1 and ZmGA3ox2, and down-regulated GA catabolism gene ZmGA2ox1 expression; while it promoted GA signaling transduction genes expressions of ZmGID1 and ZmGID2 and decreased the level of seed germination inhibitor gene ZmRGL2. The abscisic acid (ABA) catabolism gene ZmCYP707A2 and the expressions of ZmCPK11 and ZmSnRK2.1 encoding response receptors in ABA signaling pathway were all up-regulated. These results strongly suggested that priming with SA and H2O2 synergistically promoted hormones metabolism and signal transduction, and enhanced energy supply and antioxidant enzymes activities under chilling stress, which were closely relevant with chilling injury alleviation and chilling-tolerance improvement in maize seed.
TL;DR: The results suggest that MeJA could be used for improving plant growth under water stress as a potential growth regulator and the soybean genotypes Giza 22 was found to be more resistant to water stress than Giza 35.
Abstract: Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a naturally occurring plant growth regulator and play vital roles in plant defense and many developmental processes such as root growth and seed germination This study was undertaken to study the possible role of using methyl jasmonate to alleviate the adverse effect of water stress on soybean genotypes (Giza 22 and 35) The results showed that water stress reduced shoot length, fresh and dry weights of shoot and root, photosynthetic pigments, relative water content and oil content in the shoots of all soybean genotypes On the other hand, there was a considerable increase in cell wall fractionation, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic acid and sugar fraction content in the shoots of the soybean genotypes in response to the water stress Foliar spray with methyl jasmonate increased all the above parameters as compared to stressed plants The results investigate the important role of MeJA in alleviation of water stress in soybean plants and suggest that MeJA could be used for improving plant growth under water stress as a potential growth regulator The soybean genotypes Giza 22 was found to be more resistant to water stress than Giza 35
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of cold plasma in the enhancement of mung bean seeds germination was studied and two plasma power levels and three exposure time intervals were applied to investigate changes in the seeds.
Abstract: The aim of this work is to study the effect of the cold plasma in the enhancement of mung bean seeds germination. To investigate changes in the seeds we have applied two plasma power levels and three exposure time intervals. Results showed that, cold plasma significantly increased the germination rate by 36.2%, radical root length by 20% and conductivity of seeds by 102% when compared to the control samples. The surface etching caused by the plasma species increased the seeds coat conductivity and apparently reduced the contact angle making surface more hydrophilic. There is increase in soluble sugars and proteins after the treatment. We also observed increase in hydrolytic enzymes activity like amylase, protease and phytase after the treatment. The decrease in anti-nutritional properties like trypsin inhibition activity and phytic acid showed a positive effect of cold plasma treatment. Thus, cold plasma application can significantly benefit the seed germination during drought conditions.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that NaCl stress inhibits soybean seed germination by decreasing the GA/ABA ratio, and that fluridone (FLUN), an ABA biogenesis inhibitor, might be a potential plant growth regulator that could promote soybean seeds germination under salinity stress.
Abstract: Soybean is an important and staple oilseed crop worldwide. Salinity stress has adverse effects on soybean development periods, especially on seed germination and post-germinative growth. Improving seed germination and emergence will have positive effects under salt stress conditions on agricultural production. Here we report that NaCl delays soybean seed germination by negatively regulating gibberellin (GA) while positively mediating abscisic acid (ABA) biogenesis, which leads to a decrease in the GA/ABA ratio. This study suggest that fluridone (FLUN), an ABA biogenesis inhibitor, might be a potential plant growth regulator that can promote soybean seed germination under saline stress. Different soybean cultivars, which possessed distinct genetic backgrounds, showed a similar repressed phenotype during seed germination under exogenous NaCl application. Biochemical analysis revealed that NaCl treatment led to high MDA (malondialdehyde) level during germination and the post-germinative growth stages. Furthermore, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) activities also changed after NaCl treatment. Subsequent quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the transcription levels of ABA and GA biogenesis and signaling genes were altered after NaCl treatment. In line with this, phytohormone measurement also revealed that NaCl considerably down-regulated active GA1, GA3, and GA4 levels, whereas the ABA content was up-regulated; and therefore ratios, such as GA1/ABA, GA3/ABA, and GA4/ABA, are decreased. Consistent with the hormonal quantification, FLUN partially rescued the delayed-germination phenotype caused by NaCl-treatment. Altogether, these results demonstrate that NaCl stress inhibits soybean seed germination by decreasing the GA/ABA ratio, and that FLUN might be a potential plant growth regulator that could promote soybean seed germination under salinity stress.
TL;DR: Sorghum was germinated for different time (12, 24, 36 and 48h) at different temperatures (25, 30 and 35°C) and the changes in their nutritional and functional properties of Germinated sorghum flour were assessed as mentioned in this paper.
TL;DR: It is proposed that mycelia may stimulate bacterial activity and thus contribute to sustaining ecosystem functioning in stressed habitats and provide direct experimental evidence for the stimulation of bacterial activity by mycelial supply of scarce resources in dry and nutrient-free environments.
Abstract: Fungal-bacterial interactions are highly diverse and contribute to many ecosystem processes. Their emergence under common environmental stress scenarios however, remains elusive. Here we use a synthetic microbial ecosystem based on the germination of Bacillus subtilis spores to examine whether fungal and fungal-like (oomycete) mycelia reduce bacterial water and nutrient stress in an otherwise dry and nutrient-poor microhabitat. We find that the presence of mycelia enables the germination and subsequent growth of bacterial spores near the hyphae. Using a combination of time of flight- and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF- and nanoSIMS) coupled with stable isotope labelling, we link spore germination to hyphal transfer of water, carbon and nitrogen. Our study provides direct experimental evidence for the stimulation of bacterial activity by mycelial supply of scarce resources in dry and nutrient-free environments. We propose that mycelia may stimulate bacterial activity and thus contribute to sustaining ecosystem functioning in stressed habitats.
TL;DR: It is reported that exogenous auxin treatment represses soybean seed germination by enhancing ABA biosynthesis, while impairing GA biogenesis, and finally decreasing GA1/ABA and GA4/A BA ratios.
Abstract: Auxin is an important phytohormone which mediates diverse development processes in plants Published research has demonstrated that auxin induces seed dormancy However, the precise mechanisms underlying the effect of auxin on seed germination need further investigation, especially the relationship between auxins and both abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GAs), the latter two phytohormones being the key regulators of seed germination Here we report that exogenous auxin treatment represses soybean seed germination by enhancing ABA biosynthesis, while impairing GA biogenesis, and finally decreasing GA1/ABA and GA4/ABA ratios Microscope observation showed that auxin treatment delayed rupture of the soybean seed coat and radicle protrusion qPCR assay revealed that transcription of the genes involved in ABA biosynthetic pathway was up-regulated by application of auxin, while expression of genes involved in GA biosynthetic pathway was down-regulated Accordingly, further phytohormone quantification shows that auxin significantly increased ABA content, whereas the active GA1 and GA4 levels were decreased, resulting insignificant decreases in the ratiosGA1/ABA and GA4/ABAConsistent with this, ABA biosynthesis inhibitor fluridone reversed the delayed-germination phenotype associated with auxin treatment, while paclobutrazol, a GA biosynthesis inhibitor, inhibited soybean seed germination Altogether, exogenous auxin represses soybean seed germination by mediating ABA and GA biosynthesis
TL;DR: It is shown that communities of seed-associated fungi are structured more by plant species than by soil type, forest characteristics, or time in soil, which implicates them directly in the processes that have emerged as critical for diversity maintenance in species-rich tropical forests.
Abstract: The Janzen–Connell (JC) hypothesis provides a conceptual framework for explaining the maintenance of tree diversity in tropical forests. Its central tenet—that recruits experience high mortality near conspecifics and at high densities—assumes a degree of host specialization in interactions between plants and natural enemies. Studies confirming JC effects have focused primarily on spatial distributions of seedlings and saplings, leaving major knowledge gaps regarding the fate of seeds in soil and the specificity of the soilborne fungi that are their most important antagonists. Here we use a common garden experiment in a lowland tropical forest in Panama to show that communities of seed-infecting fungi are structured predominantly by plant species, with only minor influences of factors such as local soil type, forest characteristics, or time in soil (1–12 months). Inoculation experiments confirmed that fungi affected seed viability and germination in a host-specific manner and that effects on seed viability preceded seedling emergence. Seeds are critical components of reproduction for tropical trees, and the factors influencing their persistence, survival, and germination shape the populations of seedlings and saplings on which current perspectives regarding forest dynamics are based. Together these findings bring seed dynamics to light in the context of the JC hypothesis, implicating them directly in the processes that have emerged as critical for diversity maintenance in species-rich tropical forests.
TL;DR: The CDPJ treatment of rapeseed seeds has not only reduced the seed microbial load, but also contributed to the enhancement of their germination rate and seedling growth, without adversely affecting the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of their corresponding sprouts.
TL;DR: Optimize protocols have been developed for two different sterilization methods: bleach (liquid-phase) and chlorine (Cl2) gas (vapor-phase), both resulting in high seed germination rates and minimal microbial contamination, and show that seeds can be effectively sterilized using either method without excessive seed mortality.
Abstract: Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) seedlings often need to be grown on sterile media. This requires prior seed sterilization to prevent the growth of microbial contaminants present on the seed surface. Currently, Arabidopsis seeds are sterilized using two distinct sterilization techniques in conditions that differ slightly between labs and have not been standardized, often resulting in only partially effective sterilization or in excessive seed mortality. Most of these methods are also not easily scalable to a large number of seed lines of diverse genotypes. As technologies for high-throughput analysis of Arabidopsis continue to proliferate, standardized techniques for sterilizing large numbers of seeds of different genotypes are becoming essential for conducting these types of experiments. The response of a number of Arabidopsis lines to two different sterilization techniques was evaluated based on seed germination rate and the level of seed contamination with microbes and other pathogens. The treatments included different concentrations of sterilizing agents and times of exposure, combined to determine optimal conditions for Arabidopsis seed sterilization. Optimized protocols have been developed for two different sterilization methods: bleach (liquid-phase) and chlorine (Cl2) gas (vapor-phase), both resulting in high seed germination rates and minimal microbial contamination. The utility of these protocols was illustrated through the testing of both wild type and mutant seeds with a range of germination potentials. Our results show that seeds can be effectively sterilized using either method without excessive seed mortality, although detrimental effects of sterilization were observed for seeds with lower than optimal germination potential. In addition, an equation was developed to enable researchers to apply the standardized chlorine gas sterilization conditions to airtight containers of different sizes. The protocols described here allow easy, efficient, and inexpensive seed sterilization for a large number of Arabidopsis lines.