Induction Of Secondary Dormancy Research Articles

Resurrecting a locally extinct species from Jordan: Pre-germination treatments affect seed dormancy, germination dynamics and seedling survival in Rosa pulverulenta.

Habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change present significant threats to global plant biodiversity. Small and isolated populations residing in threatened habitats at the edge of their natural distribution are particularly vulnerable to local extinction. Rosa pulverulenta M.Bieb., had its southernmost distribution in the Mediterranean basin in Jordan, but this remnant population recently extinct in the wild. Our goal to resurrect this species is hindered by the limited availability of seeds from the extinct population and a high degree of combinational dormancy in R. pulverulenta. To preserve as many genotypes as possible for eventual reintroduction, we aimed to identify the most effective seed treatment for breaking seed dormancy, and enhancing germination, and seedling establishment. Seeds were collected one season before extinction. We applied seven pre-germination treatments. The pre-treated seeds were then germinated at three temperature regimes (4/4 °C, 20/15 °C, and 25/20 °C), simulating winter and spring germination conditions. Warm-cold stratification, integral to all pre-treatments, proved effective in dormancy release, significantly enhancing germination. The highest germination (68 %) occurred at 4 °C, particularly in seeds treated with warm-cold stratification alone. Conversely, minimal germination was observed at higher temperatures (20/15 °C and 25/20 °C), suggesting potential induction of secondary dormancy. Furthermore, warm-cold stratification, especially when followed by microbial fertilizer, positively impacted seedling survival. Our study provides insights into effectively resurrecting the southernmost boundary of R. pulverulenta distribution in the Mediterranean basin, thereby preventing the global decline in the species' extent of occurrence. Strategically releasing seed dormancy and enhancing germination has important implications on scientific efforts reversing the declining trend of biodiversity in the Anthropocene. Additionally, seed collection from populations on the brink of extinction for resurrection is crucially required as the best method to preserve their genetic diversity. Therefore, this work offers a valuable framework that can be adapted to similar conservation efforts for other endangered plant species facing comparable threats. We emphasize the importance of further investigating how climate change can negatively affect seed dormancy, germination, and plant regeneration, ultimately leading to the local extinction of threatened populations.

Limiting temperatures of embryo growth and seed germination of Fraxinus excelsior L. (Oleaceae): a threshold model approach

Key messageWe have examined thermal control for embryo growth and seed germination in European ash. Using historical data (span of 36 years) of embryo index in matured seeds, we showed that maturation is not influenced by the annual average temperature. Secondary dormancy in ash’s seeds is easily induced, and the thermal window for both embryo growth and seed germination was between 10 and 20 °C.ContextSeed germination plays a crucial role in establishing plant communities. Ash seeds are characterized by deep morphophysiological dormancy, usually overcome by 32 weeks of stratification. Observed climate changes might disrupt ash’s thermal window for embryo growth and seed germination. Thus, proper examination of seed adaptability can be important for forest management.AimsWe investigated the effect of temperature on the embryo index (ratio between embryo and seed length) as well as embryo growth and germination of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) seeds under different thermal conditions.MethodsWe used seeds collected at the same site in Poland between 1985 and 2021 to first analyze the influence of the growing season on the initial embryo index in mature seeds. Subsequently, we examined embryo growth and germination of seeds at constant temperatures of 3°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, and 30 °C from seeds collected in 2021. Using the modeled rate of embryo growth and germination, we predicted the cardinal temperatures for those processes in ash seeds.ResultsThe embryo index of ash seeds varied; however, there was no relationship between the index and year of seed collection. The base temperature for embryo growth was 1.4 ± 1.1 °C, with a ceiling temperature of 29.9 ± 2.0 °C and an optimal temperature of 15.7 ± 0.3 °C. The base temperature for germination was at − 1.8 ± 0.3 °C. Due to the induction of secondary dormancy, the ceiling temperature of germination was impossible to establish.ConclusionsThe initial embryo index of mature ash seeds seems to be an individual trait and was not affected by local average annual temperatures. The most effective temperature ranges for embryo growth and germination were similar, however narrow (between 10 and 15 °C). Temperatures above 20 °C inducted secondary dormancy, hampering embryo growth as well as germination. Such a narrow thermal window for embryo growth can potentially act as a limiting factor for the natural regeneration of ash seeds.

Single seeds exhibit transcriptional heterogeneity during secondary dormancy induction.

Seeds are highly resilient to the external environment, which allows plants to persist in unpredictable and unfavorable conditions. Some plant species have adopted a bet-hedging strategy to germinate a variable fraction of seeds in any given condition, and this could be explained by population-based threshold models. Here, in the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), we induced secondary dormancy (SD) to address the transcriptional heterogeneity among seeds that leads to binary germination/nongermination outcomes. We developed a single-seed RNA-seq strategy that allowed us to observe a reduction in seed transcriptional heterogeneity as seeds enter stress conditions, followed by an increase during recovery. We identified groups of genes whose expression showed a specific pattern through a time course and used these groups to position the individual seeds along the transcriptional gradient of germination competence. In agreement, transcriptomes of dormancy-deficient seeds (mutant of DELAY OF GERMINATION 1) showed a shift toward higher values of the germination competence index. Interestingly, a significant fraction of genes with variable expression encoded translation-related factors. In summary, interrogating hundreds of single-seed transcriptomes during SD-inducing treatment revealed variability among the transcriptomes that could result from the distribution of population-based sensitivity thresholds. Our results also showed that single-seed RNA-seq is the method of choice for analyzing seed bet-hedging-related phenomena.

Modelling changing sensitivity to alternating temperatures during induction of secondary dormancy in buried Polygonum aviculare L. seeds to aid in managing seedbank behaviour

AbstractSeed dormancy is a common attribute of many weed species in temperate habitats that controls the seasonality of weed emergence from soil seedbanks. For some weed species, it is not enough to reduce seed dormancy, as germination can only proceed after exposure to dormancy termination factors (i.e. light and alternating temperatures). Sensitivity to alternating temperatures in Polygonum aviculare seeds increases during dormancy release. However, it is not known whether this sensitivity is lost during dormancy induction. The aim of this study was to investigate and quantify the changes in dormancy level of P. aviculare seeds during secondary dormancy induction, as measured by changes in sensitivity to alternating temperatures driven by the soil temperature. To achieve these objectives, seeds were stratified at 5°C until obtaining a minimum dormancy level. The seeds were then buried in pots and induced into secondary dormancy by storing them at 10, 15, 20 and 25°C for different time periods. During storage, seeds were exhumed periodically and exposed to different cycle‐doses of 10/24°C (12 h/12 h) (0, 1, 3, 5 and 15 cycles) to test germination. Our results showed that the high sensitivity to alternating temperatures achieved during primary dormancy release, decreased during secondary dormancy induction with a rate that is temperature dependent. These changes in sensitivity to alternating temperatures were quantified as a function of the accumulation of thermal time, which was calculated over a base temperature of 7.9°C. Coupling the present model with a previous one to assess changes in sensitivity to alternating temperatures during dormancy release, allowed us to develop a model for the prediction of cyclic changes in sensitivity to alternating temperature in relation to the thermal environment experienced by the seeds during burial. We present this model as a valuable tool for managing the weed seedbank through different agronomic practices.

In-Depth Proteomic Analysis of the Secondary Dormancy Induction by Hypoxia or High Temperature in Barley Grains.

In barley, incubation of primary dormant (D1) grains on water under conditions that do not allow germination, i.e. 30°C in air and 15°C or 30°C in 5% O2, induces a secondary dormancy (D2) expressed as a loss of the ability to germinate at 15°C in air. The aim of this study was to compare the proteome of barley embryos isolated from D1 grains and D2 ones after induction of D2 at 30°C or in hypoxia at 15°C or 30°C. Total soluble proteins were analyzed by 2DE gel-based proteomics, allowing the selection of 130 differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) among 1,575 detected spots. According to the protein abundance profiles, the DAPs were grouped into six abundance-based similarity clusters. Induction of D2 is mainly characterized by a down-accumulation of proteins belonging to cluster 3 (storage proteins, proteases, alpha-amylase inhibitors and histone deacetylase HD2) and an up-accumulation of proteins belonging to cluster 4 (1-Cys peroxiredoxin, lipoxygenase2 and caleosin). The correlation-based network analysis for each cluster highlighted central protein hub. In addition, most of genes encoding DAPs display high co-expression degree with 19 transcription factors. Finally, this work points out that similar molecular events accompany the modulation of dormancy cycling by both temperature and oxygen, including post-translational, transcriptional and epigenetic regulation.

Cold-induced secondary dormancy and its regulatory mechanisms in Beta vulgaris.

The dynamic behaviour of seeds in soil seed banks depends on their ability to act as sophisticated environmental sensors to adjust their sensitivity thresholds for germination by dormancy mechanisms. Here we show that prolonged incubation of sugar beet fruits at low temperature (chilling at 5°C, generally known to release seed dormancy of many species) can induce secondary nondeep physiological dormancy of an apparently nondormant crop species. The physiological and biophysical mechanisms underpinning this cold‐induced secondary dormancy include the chilling‐induced accumulation of abscisic acid in the seeds, a reduction in the embryo growth potential and a block in weakening of the endosperm covering the embryonic root. Transcriptome analysis revealed distinct gene expression patterns in the different temperature regimes and upon secondary dormancy induction and maintenance. The chilling caused reduced expression of cell wall remodelling protein genes required for embryo cell elongation growth and endosperm weakening, as well as increased expression of seed maturation genes, such as for late embryogenesis abundant proteins. A model integrating the hormonal signalling and master regulator expression with the temperature‐control of seed dormancy and maturation programmes is proposed. The revealed mechanisms of the cold‐induced secondary dormancy are important for climate‐smart agriculture and food security.

Dynamics of seed dormancy and germination at high temperature stress is affected by priming and phytohormones in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

High temperature stress (HTS) imposes secondary dormancy (SD) also known as thermo-dormancy in many seeds. Priming by soil moisture however, may improve germination though under HTS it may compromise seed longevity. Knowledge of how HTS and priming affect dormancy status/viability loss of a particular crop seed species is essential in agriculture. Accordingly, control non-primed and hydro-primed seeds from Dk-xpower and Traper rapeseed cultivars with low and high potential for SD induction, respectively, were compared for germination behavior, response to GA and some phytohormone effectors under HTS. HTS reduced germination in non-primed Dk-xpower and Traper seeds mainly through the induction of thermo-inhibition/death and thermo-dormancy, respectively. Under HTS, GA3 application reduced thermo-dormancy in favor of thermo-inhibition only in Traper but the GA inhibitor paclobutrazol intensified thermo-dormancy in both cultivars. The ABA inhibitor, fluridone also reduced thermo-dormancy in favor of thermo-inhibition only in Traper. Thus, under HTS, GA biosynthesis is determinant in seed thermo-dormancy/thermo-inhibition dynamics. Hydropriming improved germination under HTS through reduced thermo-inhibition/death (Dk-xpower) and thermo-dormancy (Traper). Here, GA3 application increased death and compromised germination mainly in Dk-xpower. Paclubutrazol application however, increased thermo-dormancy by compromising thermo-inhibition/death in Traper. Overall, hydro-priming weakened seed phytohormonal germination responses. Controlled deterioration resulted in decreased longevity of hydro-primed seeds but induced SD in non-primed Traper seeds. Thus, down-regulation of GA biosynthesis may control differential induction of SD in rapeseed seeds under HTS while hydro-priming stimulates seed germination possibly through overcoming limitations in GA biosynthesis. The agricultural importance of these findings at the ecosystem scale is discussed.

Effects of temperature, moisture content and storage on dormancy release and germination of European hornbeam (Carpinus betulusL.) seeds

AbstractMature seeds of European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) are characterized by deep physical and morphological dormancy. Although a procedure for their stratification is well developed, secondary dormancy prevents many healthy seeds from germinating, and this affects the productivity of the specie’s nursery material. The objective of this work was to determine optimal conditions for germination of European hornbeam seeds, and how to avoid the induction of their secondary dormancy. We also aimed at establishing methods for controlling the seed germination prior to sowing. Harvested nuts were stratified in a substrate at 20°/3°C for 4 + 16–18 weeks. Following stratification, the seeds were dried up to 25, 20, 15 and 10 per cent moisture content or frozen in the substrate at −3°C for 8, 16 or 32 weeks. The seeds dried up to 10 and 15 per cent moisture content were also stored at −3°C for 8, 16 and 32 weeks. After stratification, drying, storing and freezing, the seeds were germinated at the laboratory at 20°C and 3/20°C (16 + 8 h). However, reliable germination results were only achieved when the seeds not germinating at the above listed temperatures were additionally germinated at 3°C. Poor germination at 20° and 3/20°C was due to the induction of secondary dormancy. Stratified seeds of European hornbeam were found sensitive to dehydration. Their viability decreased considerably, particularly after drying up to 10 per cent moisture content, and in the seeds dried to 15 per cent the viability further decreased during storage. The seeds that were not dried but frozen at −3°C after stratification retained their germination ability for at least 16 weeks. Our results shows dual effects of temperature on germination control of hornbeam seeds. In laboratory practice applying temperature cycles of 3°/20°C at 16/8 h intervals is recommended to avoid the induction of secondary dormancy.

Light sensitivity changes during dormancy induction in Polygonum aviculare L. seeds: development of a predictive model of annual changes in seed‐bank light sensitivity in relation to soil temperature

AbstractSeeds of weed species require light to terminate dormancy and give way to germination. It is documented that sensitivity to light in Polygonum aviculare seeds increases during dormancy release. However, it is not known whether this sensitivity is lost during dormancy induction. The aim of this study was to investigate and quantify the changes in dormancy level of P. aviculare seeds during secondary dormancy induction as measured by changes in sensitivity to light in relation to soil temperature. Polygonum aviculare seeds were stratified at 5ºC until obtaining a minimum dormancy level. The seeds were then induced into secondary dormancy by burying them in pots containing soil which were stored at 10, 15, 20 and 25ºC for different time‐periods. Polygonum aviculare seeds were exhumed periodically, exposed to different light treatments (Pfr/Ptotal‐pythochrome = 0.76, 0.03 and 7.6 × 10−4) or darkness, and incubated at 15ºC to test germination. Our results showed that the high sensitivity to light acquired during dormancy release and decreased during dormancy induction at a rate that was temperature‐dependent. These changes in sensitivity to light were quantified as a function of the accumulation of thermal‐time over a base‐temperature of 7.9ºC during dormancy induction and were coupled with previous thermal‐time index established for the dormancy release process. Both thermal‐time indices allowed us to develop a model for the prediction of cyclic changes in sensitivity to light in relation to the thermal environment experienced by the seeds during burial. This model constitutes a valuable tool for predicting weed emergence in the field and to design management practices accordingly.

Induced Thermo-dormancy in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Cultivars by Sub- and Supra-optimal Temperatures

Till now the impacts of sub- and supra-optimal temperatures on the induction of secondary dormancy (SD) in rapeseed seeds have not yet been investigated. Therefore, the possibility of SD induction at sub- and supra-optimal temperatures (thermo-dormancy) was investigated in six rapeseed cultivars with high (Trapper and Agamax), medium (Hayola-50 and Hayola-420) and low (Rohan and Zarfam) SD potential. Seeds were incubated at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 37 and 40 °C under both light (12 h light/12 h dark) and continuous dark conditions to assess for thermo-dormancy induction. Thermo-dormancy in high SD potential cultivars was more than 90% at 5, 37 and 40 °C in the dark. The cultivars with medium SD potential only displayed high level of thermo-dormancy (> 70%) at 37 and 40 °C, but at 5 °C it was less than 25% in the dark. In high and medium SD cultivars, light stimulated germination and reduced thermo-dormant seeds at sub- and supra-optimal temperatures. In the low SD cultivars, which displayed very low percentages of thermo-dormancy and thermo-inhibition of germination at sub- and supra-optimal temperatures, seed mortality increased with rise of temperature. Accordingly, the reduced germination of rapeseed at sub- and supra-optimal temperatures may be due to thermo-inhibition, thermo-dormancy and seed mortality, which are also affected by light condition. Use of seeds with low potential for SD induction from tolerant cultivars in environments prone to temperature stress and/or adopting suitable planting date to increase crop establishment under stressful environments are recommended.

Temperature Regulation of Primary and Secondary Seed Dormancy in Rosa canina L.: Findings from Proteomic Analysis.

Temperature is a key environmental factor restricting seed germination. Rose (Rosa canina L.) seeds are characterized by physical/physiological dormancy, which is broken during warm, followed by cold stratification. Exposing pretreated seeds to 20 °C resulted in the induction of secondary dormancy. The aim of this study was to identify and functionally characterize the proteins associated with dormancy control of rose seeds. Proteins from primary dormant, after warm and cold stratification (nondormant), and secondary dormant seeds were analyzed using 2-D electrophoresis. Proteins that varied in abundance were identified by mass spectrometry. Results showed that cold stratifications affected the variability of the highest number of spots, and there were more common spots with secondary dormancy than with warm stratification. The increase of mitochondrial proteins and actin during dormancy breaking suggests changes in cell functioning and seed preparation to germination. Secondary dormant seeds were characterized by low levels of legumin, metabolic enzymes, and actin, suggesting the consumption of storage materials, a decrease in metabolic activity, and cell elongation. Breaking the dormancy of rose seeds increased the abundance of cellular and metabolic proteins that promote germination. Induction of secondary dormancy caused a decrease in these proteins and germination arrest.

Dormancy cycling is accompanied by changes in ABA sensitivity in Polygonum aviculare seeds.

Polygonum aviculare seeds show high levels of primary dormancy (PD). Low winter temperatures alleviate dormancy and high spring temperatures induce seeds into secondary dormancy (SD), naturally establishing stable seedbanks cycling through years. The objective of this work was to elucidate the mechanism(s) involved in PD expression and release, and in SD induction in these seeds, and the extent to which abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GAs) are part of these mechanisms. Quantification of endogenous ABA both prior to and during incubation, and sensitivity to ABA and GAs, were assessed in seeds with contrasting dormancy. Expression analysis was performed for candidate genes involved in hormone metabolism and signaling. It was found that endogenous ABA content does not explain either dormancy release or dormancy induction; moreover, it does not seem to play a role in dormancy maintenance. However, dormancy modifications were commonly accompanied by changes in ABA sensitivity. Concomitantly, induction into SD, but not PD, was characterized by a increased PaABI-5 and PaPYL transcription, and a rise in GA sensitivity as a possible counterbalance effect. These results suggest that dormancy cycling in this species is related to changes in embryo sensitivity to ABA; however, this sensitivity appears to be controlled by different molecular mechanisms in primary and secondary dormant seeds.

Breaking Seed Dormancy during Dry Storage: A Useful Tool or Major Problem for Successful Restoration via Direct Seeding?

To facilitate the restoration of disturbed vegetation, seeds of wild species are collected and held in dry storage, but often there is a shortage of seeds for this purpose. Thus, much research effort is expended to maximize the use of the available seeds and to ensure that they are nondormant when sown. Sowing nondormant (versus dormant) seeds in the field should increase the success of the restoration. Of the various treatments available to break seed dormancy, afterripening, that is, dormancy break during dry storage, is the most cost-effective. Seeds that can undergo afterripening have nondeep physiological dormancy, and this includes members of common families such as Asteraceae and Poaceae. In this review, we consider differences between species in terms of seed moisture content, temperature and time required for afterripening and discuss the conditions in which afterripening is rapid but could lead to seed aging and death if storage is too long. Attention is given to the induction of secondary dormancy in seeds that have become nondormant via afterripening and to the biochemical and molecular changes occurring in seeds during dry storage. Some recommendations are made for managing afterripening so that seeds are nondormant at the time for sowing. The most important recommendation probably is that germination responses of the seeds need to be monitored for germinability/viability during the storage period.

Increased BnaMFT-transcript level is associated with secondary dormancy in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Brassica napus cultivars have little or no primary dormancy; however, they are prone to secondary dormancy induction. Secondary dormant seeds can produce volunteer plants, which can result in genetic contamination, reduced quality and biosafety issues. However, information regarding the molecular mechanism underlying secondary dormancy is limited. The MOTHER OF FT AND TFL1 (MFT) gene, which is evolutionarily conserved in the plant kingdom, acts in a complex gene network in the seed dormancy or germination processes. In this study, we identified four B. napus genes that share high homology with AtMFT, named as BnaMFT. Analyses of cis-acting elements showed that BnaMFT promoters contain multiple seed-specific regulatory elements, and various stress- and hormone-responsive elements. Further experiments validated that BnaMFTs were specifically expressed during seed maturation and in the dry seed, with peaks at 35–42 days after pollination. BnaMFTs were not sufficient for primary dormancy; however, they were significantly enhanced by secondary dormancy induction with PEG6000 treatment. Moreover, BnaMFT transcripts were elevated by treatment with abscisic acid (ABA), which is known to be accumulated during secondary dormancy. These results collectively suggest that increased BnaMFT transcription levels are associated with secondary dormancy induction in an ABA-dependent manner in B. napus.

Impacts of fire cues on germination of Brassica napus L. seeds with high and low secondary dormancy.

Agricultural burning is used in farm management operations; however, information about the impact of fire cues on the release and/or induction of secondary dormancy in crop seeds is scarce. Seeds from two oilseed rape cultivars were induced for high (HD) or low (LD) secondary dormancy using polyethyleneglycol (PEG) pre-treatment, and their germination after exposure to various fire cues was compared to control PEG pre-treated and non-dormant seeds. Non-dormant seed germination was unaffected by various fire cues. Low doses of aerosol smoke released secondary dormancy in HD seeds, while higher doses increased dormancy of LD seeds. Dilute smoke water also released HD seed secondary dormancy, but concentrated smke water enhanced dormancy in both LD and HD seeds. The concentrated aqueous extracts from charred oilseed rape straw only promoted germination of HD seeds, while dilution inhibited LD seed germination. Heat shock (80°C, 5min) released secondary dormancy in HD seeds; however, higher temperatures and/or increased exposure time was associated with seed death. GC-MS analyses of smoke water revealed two butenolides and an array of monoaromatic hydroxybenzene compounds with potential germination inhibitor or promoter activity. The extent of secondary dormancy induction in seeds affects their subsequent responses to fire cues. Both aerosol smoke and smoke water have both germination promoter and inhibitor activity. Lacking any butenolides, aqueous extracts of charred straw contain a potential germination stimulating steroid, i.e. ergosterol. The significance of fire-derived cues on behaviour of oilseed rape seeds in the soil seed bank is discussed.

Roles of abscisic acid and gibberellins in maintaining primary and secondary dormancy of Korean pine seeds

Primary dormancy of seeds of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.) after dispersal in the autumn and the induction of secondary dormancy the first summer following seed dispersal limit the regeneration of mixed broadleaved Korean pine forests in Northeast China. This study was to determine how changes in the levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) maintain primary and secondary dormancy of Korean pine seeds under germination conditions. We transferred seeds with one of five primary dormancy states or three secondary dormancy states to germination conditions and measured changes in the levels of ABA, GA1+3 (GA1 and GA3) and GA4+7 (GA4 and GA7) in the seed coat, megagametophyte and embryo during incubation. Seed coat ABA levels in primary dormant seeds (PDS) and ABA levels in various parts of secondary dormant seeds (SDS) gradually declined during incubation but were still higher than in seeds for which dormancy was progressively released. GA4+7 and GA1+3 levels in embryos greatly decreased 35% and 24%, respectively, during incubation of SDS, and thus, the ratio of ABA to GA4+7 in embryos and megagametophytes significantly increased. The ratio of ABA to GA1+3 in various parts of SDS increased slightly during incubation. In contrast, in seeds for which secondary dormancy was already released, GA4+7 and GA1+3 levels in the embryo, GA4+7/ABA ratio in the embryo and seed coat, and the GA1+3/ABA in the embryo and megagametophyte significantly increased during incubation. There was no trend in the changes in the levels of ABA, GA4+7 or GA1+3 in embryos and megagametophytes of PDS or the levels of GA4+7 or GA1+3 in megagametophytes of SDS during incubation. The results suggest that high ABA levels in the seed coat maintain primary dormancy of Korean pine seeds. Maintenance of secondary dormancy involves a reduction of GA4+7, GA1+3, GA4+7/ABA, and GA1+3/ABA and the retention of high ABA levels.

Echinochloa crus-galli seed physiological dormancy and germination responses to hypoxic floodwaters.

Hypoxic floodwaters can seriously damage seedlings. Seed dormancy could be an effective trait to avoid lethal underwater germination. This research aimed to discover novel adaptive dormancy responses to hypoxic floodwaters in seeds of Echinochloa crus-galli, a noxious weed from rice fields and lowland croplands. Echinochloa crus-galli dormant seeds were subjected to a series of sequential treatments. Seeds were: (i) submerged under hypoxic floodwater (simulated with hypoxic flasks) at different temperatures for 15 or 30days, and germination tested under drained conditions while exposing seeds to dormancy-breaking signals (alternating temperatures, nitrate (KNO3 ), light); or (ii) exposed to dormancy-breaking signals during hypoxic submergence, and germination monitored during incubation and after transfer to drained conditions. Echinochloa crus-galli seed primary dormancy was attenuated under hypoxic submergence but to a lesser extent than under drained conditions. Hypoxic floodwater did not reinforced dormancy but hindered secondary dormancy induction in warm temperatures. Seeds did not germinate under hypoxic submergence even when subjected to dormancy-breaking signals; however, these signals broke dormancy in seeds submerged under normoxic water. Seeds submerged in hypoxic water could sense light through phytochrome signals and germinated when normoxic conditions were regained. Hypoxic floodwaters interfere with E.crus-galli seed seasonal dormancy changes. Dormancy-breaking signals are overridden during hypoxic floods, drastically decreasing underwater germination. In addition, results indicate that a fraction of E.crus-galli seeds perceive dormancy-breaking signals under hypoxic water and germinate immediately after aerobic conditions are regained, a hazardous yet less competitive environment for establishment.

Temperature mediates secondary dormancy in resting cysts of Pyrodinium bahamense (Dinophyceae).

High-biomass blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense occur most summers in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA, posing a recurring threat to ecosystem health. Like many dinoflagellates, P. bahamense forms immobile resting cysts that can be deposited on the seafloor-creating a seed bank that can retain the organism within the ecosystem and initiate future blooms when cysts germinate. In this study, we examined changes in the dormancy status of cysts collected from Tampa Bay and applied lessons from plant ecology to explore dormancy controls. Pyrodinium bahamense cysts incubated immediately after field collection displayed a seasonal pattern in dormancy and germination that matched the pattern of cell abundance in the water column. Newly deposited (surface) cysts and older (buried) cysts exhibited similar germination patterns, suggesting that a common mechanism regulates dormancy expression in new and mature cysts. Extended cool- and warm-temperature conditioning of field-collected cysts altered the cycle of dormancy compared with that of cysts in nature, with the duration of cool temperature exposure being the best predictor of when cysts emerged from dormancy. Extended warm conditioning, on the other hand, elicited a return to dormancy, or secondary dormancy, in nondormant cysts. These results directly demonstrate environmental induction of secondary dormancy in dinoflagellates-a mechanism common and thoroughly documented in higher plants with seasonal growth cycles. Our findings support the hypothesis that a seasonal cycle in cyst germination drives P. bahamense bloom periodicity in Tampa Bay and point to environmentally induced secondary dormancy as an important regulatory factor of that cycle.

A transcriptome analysis reveals a role for the indole GLS-linked auxin biosynthesis in secondary dormancy in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

BackgroundBrassica napus L. has little or no primary dormancy, but exhibits great variation in secondary dormancy. Secondary dormancy potential in oilseed rape can lead to the emergence of volunteer plants that cause genetic contamination, reduced quality and biosafety issues. However, the mechanisms underlying secondary dormancy are poorly understood. In this study, cultivars Huaiyou-WSD-H2 (H) and Huaiyou-SSD-V1 (V), which exhibit low (approximately 5%) and high (approximately 95%) secondary dormancy rate, respectively, were identified. Four samples, before (Hb and Vb) and after (Ha and Va) secondary dormancy induction by polyethylene glycol (PEG), were collected to identify the candidate genes involved in secondary dormancy via comparative transcriptome profile analysis.ResultsA total of 998 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which are mainly involved in secondary metabolism, transcriptional regulation, protein modification and signaling pathways, were then detected. Among these DEGs, the expression levels of those involved in the sulfur-rich indole glucosinolate (GLS)-linked auxin biosynthesis pathway were markedly upregulated in the dormant seeds (Va), which were validated by qRT-PCR and subsequently confirmed via detection of altered concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), IAA conjugates and precursors. Furthermore, exogenous IAA applications to cultivar H enhanced secondary dormancy.ConclusionThis study first (to our knowledge) elucidated that indole GLS-linked auxin biosynthesis is enhanced during secondary dormancy induced by PEG, which provides valuable information concerning secondary dormancy and expands the current understanding of the role of auxin in rapeseed.

Aquaporins influence seed dormancy and germination in response to stress.

Aquaporins influence water flow in plants, yet little is known of their involvement in the water‐driven process of seed germination. We therefore investigated their role in seeds in the laboratory and under field and global warming conditions. We mapped the expression of tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs) during dormancy cycling and during germination under normal and water stress conditions. We found that the two key tonoplast aquaporins, TIP3;1 and TIP3;2, which have previously been implicated in water or solute transport, respectively, act antagonistically to modulate the response to abscisic acid, with TIP3;1 being a positive and TIP3;2 a negative regulator. A third isoform, TIP4;1, which is normally expressed upon completion of germination, was found to play an earlier role during water stress. Seed TIPs also contribute to the regulation of depth of primary dormancy and differences in the induction of secondary dormancy during dormancy cycling. Protein and gene expression during annual cycling under field conditions and a global warming scenario further illustrate this role. We propose that the different responses of the seed TIP contribute to mechanisms that influence dormancy status and the timing of germination under variable soil conditions.