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Abstract
Seed longevity (storability) is an important seed quality trait. High seed quality is important in agriculture, for the industry, and for safeguarding biodiversity as many species are stored as seeds in genebanks. To ensure ex-situ seed survival, seeds are mostly stored at low relative humidity and low temperature. Oxidation is the main cause of seed deterioration in these dry storage conditions. The molecular mechanisms underlying dry seed survival remain poorly understood. Research on seed longevity is hampered by the lack of an experimental ageing method that mimics dry ageing well. Here, we propose the Elevated Partial Pressure of Oxygen (EPPO) method as the best available method to mimic and accelerate dry seed ageing. We have tested seed germination in Arabidopsis thaliana after EPPO storage at two different relative humidity (RH) conditions and confirm the large effect of oxygen and the seed moisture content on ageing during dry storage. Comparative Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis shows that EPPO at 55 % RH mimics dry ageing better than the commonly used Artificial Ageing and Controlled Deterioration tests at higher moisture levels.
Highlights
Seeds can survive conditions that would be detrimental to plants in the vegetative stage, for example prolonged periods of heat and desic cation
Earlier we have reported that Elevated Partial Pressure of Oxygen (EPPO) storage (35 % relative humidity (RH), 8 MPa) can be used to accelerate and mimic dormancy release in the Landsberg erecta (Ler)/Cape Verde island (Cvi) recombinant inbred line (RIL) population
This identified the seed dormancy DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1), DOG2 and DOG6 Quantitative trait locus (QTL) that were previously identified by laboratory bench storage (LBS) [12]
Summary
Seeds can survive conditions that would be detrimental to plants in the vegetative stage, for example prolonged periods of heat and desic cation. We define seed lifespan as the period from shedding from the mother plant until the seed has lost the capability to germinate (radicle protrusion). The seed lifespan curve is shaped by two physiological processes that occur during seed dry storage, seed dormancy release and a reduction in seed viability (Fig. 1). Seed dormancy ensures the correct timing of germination (e.g. in the right season), while seed longevity allows the seed to overcome prolonged periods of unfavourable conditions. Both traits are established during seed maturation on the mother plant [6,7]. One of the first phenotypes of Abbreviations: AA, artificial ageing; AR, after-ripening; AUC, area Under the Curve; CDT, controlled deterioration test; DOG, delay of germination; EPPO, elevated partial pressure of oxygen; GAAS, germination ability after storage; LBS, laboratory bench storage; MC, moisture content; QTL, quantitative trait locus; RIL, re combinant inbred line
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