The Genetic and Biochemical Mechanisms Underlying Cereal Seed Dormancy

Abstract

The crop seeds have been a staple food for humans, and seed yield is important for sustaining agriculture development and enhancing human adaptability to food risks. The phenomenon of pre-harvest sprouting (PHS), caused by seed dormancy deficiency, and the phenomenon of low seedling emergence caused by seed deep dormancy, will lead to a reduction in agricultural production. Therefore, it is particularly important to understand the regulation mechanisms of seed dormancy. There are many studies on the regulation of seed dormancy in rice, but there are few studies on the regulation of seed dormancy in other crops, and the research on its mechanism is not thorough enough. In this paper, we comprehensively summarize the regulation mechanisms of cereal seed dormancy, including rice, barley and wheat, discussing the integral mechanism of seed dormancy. This information should provide new insights for developing versatile cultivated lines to improve crop yield and economic benefits.