Abstract
Seed priming, a pre-sowing technique that enhances the antioxidant/DNA repair activities during the pre-germinative metabolism, still retains empirical features. We explore for the first time the molecular dynamics of pre-germinative metabolism in primed eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) seeds in order to identify hallmarks (expression patterns of antioxidant/DNA repair genes combined with free radical profiles) useful to discriminate between high- and low-quality lots. The hydropriming protocol hereby developed anticipated (or even rescued) germination, when applied to lots with variable quality. ROS (reactive oxygen species) raised during hydropriming and dropped after dry-back. Upregulation of antioxidant/DNA repair genes was observed during hydropriming and the subsequent imbibition. Upregulation of SmOGG1 (8-oxoguanine glycosylase/lyase) gene detected in primed seeds at 2 h of imbibition appeared as a promising hallmark. On the basis of these results, the investigation was restricted within the first 2 h of imbibition, to verify whether the molecular landscape was reproducible in different lots. A complex pattern of antioxidant/DNA repair gene expression emerged, reflecting the preponderance of seed lot-specific profiles. Only the low-quality eggplant seeds subjected to hydropriming showed enhanced ROS levels, both in the dry and imbibed state, and this might be a useful signature to discriminate among lots. The plasticity of eggplant pre-germinative metabolism stimulated by priming imposes a plethora of heterogeneous molecular responses that might delay the search for quality hallmarks. However, the information hereby gained could be translated to eggplant wild relatives to speed-up their use in breeding programs or other agronomical applications.
Highlights
Seed priming is a low-cost, pre-sowing technique in which imbibition is carried out under controlled conditions in order to induce the antioxidant response and the DNA repair processes associated with the pre-germinative metabolism, but avoiding radicle protrusion and loss of desiccation tolerance[1,2,3,4]
In this work, we provide for the first time a molecular landscape of the pre-germinative metabolism in primed eggplant seeds, by integrating the expression patterns of antioxidant/DNA repair genes that play pivotal roles during imbibition with free radical profiles
The eggplant seeds revealed a boost in ROS levels at 24 h of hydropriming, followed by a progressive decrease throughout the treatment and the levels detected after dry-back were even lower compared to the dry seed
Summary
Seed priming is a low-cost, pre-sowing technique in which imbibition is carried out under controlled conditions in order to induce the antioxidant response and the DNA repair processes associated with the pre-germinative metabolism, but avoiding radicle protrusion and loss of desiccation tolerance[1,2,3,4]. Hydropriming and osmopriming (based on the use of osmotic solutions at low water potential that facilitate the control of water uptake) are widely used[4]. Enhanced crop yields resulting from primed seeds are generally due to increased tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses that improves population density and individual plant performance. Owing to these benefits, the priming technology is gaining relevance as a strategy to address the current and future issues of sustainable crop production on degraded soils[5,6,7]. Despite the wide use of these treatments to
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