Longevity Of Seeds Research Articles

Clathrin Light Chain 2 is a Substrate of Ubiquitin Ligase ATL5 and Negatively Regulates Seed Longevity in Arabidopsis.

Seed longevity is crucial for both ecological and agronomical value. Previously, we demonstrated that the E3 ligase Arabidopsis tóxicos en levadura 5 (ATL5) positively regulates seed longevity by mediating the degradation of the activator of basal transcription 1 in Arabidopsis. In the present study, we demonstrated that clathrin light chain 2 (CLC2), another ubiquitinated substrate of ATL5, affects seed longevity in Arabidopsis. The interaction between CLC2 and ATL5 was first identified in yeast cells and then in planta. Seeds of clc2 mutants displayed slower accelerated aging, whereas CLC2-OE seeds showed faster accelerated aging than wild-type seeds. In vitro assay showed that ATL5 promotes CLC2 degradation through the 26S proteasome pathway. Degradation of endogenous CLC2 was diminished in atl5 seeds, which could be induced by aging and occurs in a proteasome-dependent manner. Moreover, the role of CLC2 in seed longevity was independent of endocytosis; however, CLC2 exhibited transcriptional activation activity. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the expression of numerous ribosomal protein genes was significantly upregulated in clc2 seeds after aging. Collectively, our study demonstrated that CLC2 is another ubiquitinated substrate of ATL5 that negatively regulates seed longevity by influencing the expression of ribosomal protein genes in Arabidopsis.

Studies on Different Seed Treatments with Polymer and Chemicals on Longevity of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Seeds Stored for 24 Months

The experiment was conducted during (January–December, 2021) at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India to examine how seed treatments affect seed quality and to determine which one of the seed treatments is most efficacious in enhancing the longevity of seeds of wheat. The wheat variety (HPW 155) seeds were treated with nine various treatments containing polym., FC, IC, polym.-FC and polym.-IC combinations and a control total of ten treatments. The seeds were stored in HDPE (High-density polyethene) interwoven non-laminated bags after treatments. The seed quality attributes were evaluated at the interval of two months for the period of twelve months (25th–36th months). Amongst different seed treatments, seed coated with Polm.+vitavax 200 (containing thiram, 37.5% and carboxyl, 37.5%) @2.0 g kg-1 of seed (T6) was found superior for quality attributes viz., GP (88.33%), SG (17.86), SL (15.11 cm), SDW (10.42 mg), SVI- I (1335), SVI- II (920) and FE (69.00%) which was at par with Vitavax 200 (containing thiram, 37.5% and carboxyl, 37.5%) @2.0 g kg-1 seed (T5) at the completion of 36 months of storage in comparison to UC (T1) Hence, polymer in combination with vitavax or vitavax alone can also effectively prevent the fast deterioration of seed during the storage period as they maintain the seed quality parameters for a long duration of time.

Longevity, Cryopreservation, and Propagation of Carnivorous Plants Seeds: Insights From 13 Species in Long-Term Ex situ Collections.

Longevity, Cryopreservation, and Propagation of Carnivorous Plants Seeds: Insights From 13 Species in Long-Term Ex situ Collections.

Unraveling the Mechanistic Basis for Control of Seed Longevity.

Seed longevity, which holds paramount importance for agriculture and biodiversity conservation, continues to represent a formidable frontier in plant biology research. While advances have been made in identifying regulatory elements, the precise mechanisms behind seed lifespan determination remain intricate and context-specific. This comprehensive review compiles extensive findings on seed longevity across plant species, focusing on the genetic and environmental underpinnings. Inter-species differences in seed lifespan are tied to genetic traits, with numerous Seed Longevity-Associated Genes (SLAGs) uncovered. These SLAGs encompass transcription factors and enzymes involved in stress responses, repair pathways, and hormone signaling. Environmental factors, particularly seed developmental conditions, significantly modulate seed longevity. Moreover, this review deliberates on the prospects of genetically engineering seed varieties with augmented longevity by precise manipulation of crucial genetic components, exemplifying the promising trajectory of seed science and its practical applications within agriculture and biodiversity preservation contexts. Collectively, our manuscript offers insights for improving seed performance and resilience in agriculture's evolving landscape.

Mining and analysis of key genes related to rice seed longevity in NJ9108 based on transcriptomics.

Seed longevity is the period over which seeds remain viable and capable of gemination, and is an important trait of seed quality. Longevity changes in seed directly affect the germination rate, seedling morphology, and storage time. Therefore, the identification of seed longevity genes has significant value for cultivating seeds that are storage-resistant and have long lifespan. The study found that NJ9108 seeds are a type of rice that is resistant to aging; Using transcriptomic technology, the annotated genes were subjected to mfuzz fuzzy clustering and divided into 6 subtypes, with a total of 8,384 genes upregulated/downregulated by aging induction. These differentially expressed genes are enriched into biological processes (BP), cellular components (CC), and molecular functions (MF), with 42 genes enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, 31 genes enriched in sugar signaling, and 42 genes enriched in plant hormone signaling pathways. They are the most important pathways involved in the aging resistance process of NJ9108. qRT-PCR results showed that compared with ZH11, 4CL5, CAD5, PRX3 and PRX86 in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway were significantly upregulated in NJ9108 after aging; BGLU18, BGLU22 and TPP3 in the sugar signaling pathway were significantly upregulated in NJ9108; RR12 and SAPK5 involved in the plant hormone signaling pathway were significantly upregulated after aging, while IAA12 and IAA20 were significantly downregulated in NJ9108 seeds. The expression trends of these genes are consistent with transcriptomic results, suggesting that these genes regulating rice seed longevity. BGLU18, BGLU22, OsRR12, and TPP3, as the new identified seed longevity genes, can be further studied in the future. Above all, the experimental results provide a theoretical basis for understanding the regulatory network of rice seed longevity and for breeding rice varieties that are resistant to aging.

Influence of seed moisture content and storage period on germination and biochemical indices: Lallemantia iberica and Lallemantia royleana

The longevity of seeds varies greatly between species and seed viability reduction due to seed ageing is one of the major problems affecting agricultural productivity. To comprehend the mechanisms involved in the ageing, seeds of two plant species dragon head (Lallemantia iberica) and lady’s mantle (Lallemantia royleana) and with 5, 15 and 25% seed moisture content were tested for 24 and 48 h storage period at 40 °C. Increased seed moisture content and storage period significantly reduced germination percentage, protein content, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity. During storage, most significant deterioration was observed in L. iberica seeds showing lower germination percentage, protein content, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activities. As a result, the cell membrane of L. iberica seeds was damaged, resulting in an increase in electrical conductivity, hydrogen peroxidase and malondialdehyde contents compared to L. royleana. Overall, the lowest deterioration was obtained in stored seeds of both Lallemantia species by 5% seed moisture content and 24 h storage period; in contrast increasing of seed moisture content and storage period induced the faster deterioration of Lallemantia seeds. Furthermore, L. iberica deteriorates rapidly by rising of seed moisture content and storage period in comparison with L .royleana.

OsLOX1 positively regulates seed vigor and drought tolerance in rice

The lipoxygenase (LOX) gene family is widely distributed in plants, and its activity is closely associated with seed viability and stress tolerance. In this study, we cloned the rice(Oryza sativa)lipoxygenase gene OsLOX1, a key participant in the 13-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway. Our primary focus was to investigate its role in mediating responses to drought stress and seed germination in rice. Histochemical staining and qPCR analysis indicated that the expression level of OsLOX1 was relatively high in leaves and early germinating seeds. Our findings revealed that mutant lines with CRISPR/Cas9-induced knockout of OsLOX1 exhibited reduced tolerance to drought stress compared with the wild-type. This was accompanied by elevated levels of H2O2 and malondialdehyde, and a decrease in the expression levels of genes associated with antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, knockout of OsLOX1 reduced the longevity of rice seeds increased H2O2 and MDA levels, and decreased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, compared with the wild-type. These findings demonstrated that OsLOX1 positively regulated rice seed vigor and drought stress.

Optimizing the accession-level quantity of seeds to put into storage to minimize seed (gene)bank regeneration or re-collection.

Seed (gene)banking is an effective way to conserve cultivated and wild plant diversity. However, long-term funding is not always consistently sufficient, and there is a need to both strengthen the effectiveness of genebank operations and maximize cost efficiency. One way to control the cost of maintaining a germplasm collection is to optimize the quantity of seeds per accession that is placed into storage, depending on the expected length of time a seed lot will remain above the viability threshold, expected rates of use for distribution and viability testing and on the requirement to ensure a reserve. Here, we express this as an equation, which can be applied to cultivated species and adjusted to different scenarios, but also to inform decisions about use of accessions of wild species where the number of seeds available is limited, a common scenario for wild-species conservation seed banks. For many crop genebanks, given the expected longevity of seeds, it would be worthwhile to increase the number of seeds produced and processed for storage. This would also help to diminish the risk of genetic drift due to frequent cycles of regeneration but would have implications in terms of how accessions are regenerated, in particular, how many plants are used for regeneration and the size of storage facilities. The equation we present can also be rearranged and used to plan how to allocate seeds for testing and use when the number of seeds available is limited. This may have particular relevance for species conservation seed banks.

Modeling Seed Longevity and Percentile Prediction: A Sigmoidal Function Approach in Soybean, Maize, and Tomato

This study aims to evaluate the behavior of seed longevity in soybean, maize, and tomato stored under controlled conditions using Logistic and Boltzmann sigmoidal models. Additionally, it seeks to determine the performance of these models in predicting P50, P85, and P25. The models were fitted to the experimental longevity data, and their performance in predicting the percentiles was evaluated. The Logistic model showed better performance in predicting P50 (time for viability to drop to 50%), P85 (time for viability to drop to 85%), and P25 (time for viability to drop to 25%), estimating the parameters more frequently within the experimental range (obtained from the initial viability data). The results of this study suggest that some cultivars exhibited different patterns in deterioration rates, with some showing abrupt declines in viability, highlighting differences in the speed and nature of seed deterioration. The Logistic model proved to be superior, with an accuracy of 83% in estimating the P85 and P25 percentiles, while the Boltzmann model achieved an accuracy of 54%. The tomato cultivar Gaucho showed the greatest loss in germination, reaching P25 quickly, while the soybean cultivar M 7119 IPRO and maize cultivar MAM06 maintained high germination for a longer period. These findings emphasize the importance of using viability percentiles to optimize storage practices, minimize economic losses, and prevent genetic erosion in conservation programs. Modeling seed longevity using sigmoidal models can significantly contribute to determining various viability percentiles, supporting storage practices and providing valuable insights for strategic decision-making in seed management, proving useful in both commercial and species conservation contexts.

Radicle emergence could overestimate the prediction of seed longevity in wild plants

Abstract Seed longevity influences the success of ex situ storage and preservation of plant genetic diversity and is thus a critical factor in conservation efforts. Rapid seed ageing experiments at high temperature and high humidity have been widely used to classify seed longevity for hundreds of plant species, with potential implications for longevity in ex situ conservation. In this approach, radicle emergence (R) is normally used as a measure of the viability of the seeds. However, R could overestimate the level of normal seedling development and, consequently, the perceived longevity of seeds. Here, seed lifespan for 33 alpine species was compared to assess whether germination criteria could affect seed longevity parameters. Seeds were exposed to controlled ageing [45°C, 60% relative humidity (RH)] and regularly sampled for germination assessment as both radicle emergence (R) and radicle plus cotyledon emergence (R + C). The time taken in storage for viability to fall to 50% (p50) was determined using probit analysis, including either R or R + C data. A coefficient of overestimation of seed longevity (OESL, %) was determined. The results highlight significant differences in seed longevity estimates both across species and the germination criteria. For 17 species, seed longevity estimated by R was significantly higher than that estimated using R + C, resulting in large variation in OESL (0.54–9.01 d). The introduction of OESL facilitates effective screening for seed longevity and recovery, enhancing the overall efficiency of conservation strategies for diverse species.

Unveiling the secrets of lotus seed longevity: insights into adaptive strategies for extended storage.

Seed longevity is crucial for long-term storage, but prolonged unfavorable conditions can lead to loss of viability. This study integrated theoretical and experimental techniques to elucidate the inherent mechanisms underlying the unique ability of lotus seeds to maintain stable viability over many years. Transcriptome analysis and microscopy revealed a sturdy structure of the lotus seed pericarp, which predominantly expressed cellulose synthase genes involved in cell wall biogenesis. The cotyledon serves as a nutrient source for seeds during long-term storage. Additionally, the inactivation of chlorophyll degradation pathways may allow for the retention of chlorophyll in the lotus seed plumule, potentially enhancing the environmental adaptability of lotus seedlings. Reduced abundance of transcripts corresponding to heat shock protein genes could impact protein processing and consequently diminish the vitality of aging lotus seeds. Moreover, an expansion in the number of seed maturation and defense response genes was observed in the lotus genome compared with 11 other species, which might represent an adaptive strategy against long-term adverse storage conditions. Overall, these findings are crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying lotus seed longevity and may inform future improvements in the extended storage periods of seed crops.

Genetic control of seed formation

Aim. To explain the rice seeds longevity from the point of view of genetic control of their formation under climate change. Methods. Analysis of the current state of scientific research on genetic control of seed formation, laboratory studies of rice seed germination, monitoring of meteorological conditions of seed formation in different years of reproduction, results statistical processing. Results. Rice seed longevity of different reproduction years under conditions of formation in climate change context was analysed. Lower longevityity of experimental seeds under formation conditions with higher precipitation was found. Influence of genetic control, transcription factors on seed embryo formation and reserve nutrients in different climatic conditions is discussed. Conclusions. Rice seed formation conditions during higher precipitation had a negative impact on seed longevity even under optimal medium-term storage conditions. Additional research is needed to prove the change in transcriptional regulation of certain synthesis of necessary for seed formation and development under these conditions substances.

Derivation of seed viability constants (KE and CW) and prediction of longevity of Solanum aethiopicum seeds

The seed viability equation uses species viability constants to predict seed longevity under different storage conditions. There are already established universal values of constants that account for the effect of temperature on seed longevity (CH and CQ) which can be applied to different crop species. However, constants accounting for the effect of seed moisture (CW) and genotype (KE) are species-specific. This study aimed to derive viability constants and predict seed longevity for African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) under genebank conditions. The seeds were subjected to experimental storage at 40°C and different seed moisture contents (6, 8, 10 and 12%) for 120 days to derive survival curves and hence, CW and KE. CW and KE values for S. aethiopicum were 3.32 and 7.4978, respectively. The validation of the derived constants show that they can be used to predict seed longevity of other seed lots within the same species. The genebank curators and other commercial seed technologists may be able to accurately predict longevity of African eggplant seeds under cold dry storage conditions using the improved viability equation and the constants established in this research.

Shotgun proteomics profiling of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) reveals genotypic differential responses to viability loss.

Exposure to elevated temperatures and relative humidity expedites the seed aging process, finally leading to seed viability loss. In this context, certain proteins play a pivotal role in safeguarding the longevity of seeds. However, the seedproteomic response to loss viability in Salvia hispanica L., commonly known as chia, remains incompletely understood. This work explores the application of proteomics as a potent tool for uncovering molecular responses to viability loss caused by artificial aging in two chia genotypes, WN and MN. By using a quantitative label-free proteomics analysis (LC-MS/MS), 1787 proteins wereidentified in chia seeds at a 95% confidence level, including storage proteins, heat shock proteins (HSPs), late embryogenesis abundant proteins (LEA),oleosins, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related enzymes, and ribosomal proteins. A relatively low percentage of exclusive proteins were identified in viable and non-viable seeds. However, proteins exhibiting differential abundancebetween samples indicated variations in the genotype and physiological status. Specifically, the WN genotype showed 130 proteins with differential abundancecomparing viable and non-viable seeds, while MN displayed changes in the abundance of 174 proteins. While both showed a significant decrease in keyproteins responsible for maintaining seed functionality, longevity, and vigor withhigh-temperature and humidity conditions, such as LEA proteins or HSPs, ROS, and oleosins, distinct responses between genotypes were noted, particularly in ribosomal proteins that were accumulated in MN and diminished in WN seeds. Overall, the results emphasize the importance of evaluating changes in proteins of viable and non-viable seeds as they offer valuable insights into the underlying biological mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of chia seed integrity throughout high-temperature and humidity exposure.

Longevity and persistence of arrowleaf sida seeds in soil and emergence modeling using thermal and hydrothermal time models

Arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia L.) is a weed that has a fibrous stem, aggressive root system and waxy leaves that can hinder herbicide absorption. Based on knowledge of the environmental requirements for germination of this species, it is possible to predict emergence to assist in integrated management. The aim of this investigation was to characterize the air temperature and soil water potential requirements for arrowleaf sida germination, to model the emergence in the field using thermal and hydrothermal time models and to evaluate the longevity of the arrowleaf sida seed bank. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the temperature and water potential for seed germination by testing eight temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 °C) and 10 water potentials (0, −0.05, −0.1, −0.2, −0.4, −0.6, −0.9, −1.2, −1.5, and −2.0 MPa). Field experiments were conducted between 2014 and 2018 to model the emergence using three sampling times (starting on 10/20, 11/10, and 12/01), during which soybean seeds were sown. To evaluate the longevity and persistence of the seed bank, a factorial experiment was conducted, in which the first factor included three burial depths (0, 3, and 6 cm) and the second factor included five collection times (0, 1, 4, 10, and 16 months) after seed burial. The base, optimal and maximum temperatures for arrowleaf sida germination were 10.0, 24.8, and 42.5 °C, respectively, and the base water potential was −1.20 MPa. It is possible to predict the emergence of arrowleaf sida in the field by hydrothermal and thermal time models under different environmental conditions. In addition, this species has a persistent seed bank, with 30% of seeds being viable after 16 months of burial.

Screening of NIAS World Rice Core Collection for Seeds with Long Longevity as Useful Potential Breeding Materials Focusing on the Stability of Embryonic RNAs.

Seed longevity is a crucial trait for the seed industry and genetic resource preservation. To develop excellent cultivars with extended seed lifespans, it is important to understand the mechanism of keeping seed germinability long term and to find useful genetic resources as prospective breeding materials. This study was conducted to identify the best cultivars with a high and stable seed longevity trait in the germplasm of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and to analyze the correlation between seed longevity and embryonic RNA integrity. Seeds from 69 cultivars of the world rice core collection selected by the NIAS in Japan were harvested in different years and subjected to long-term storage or controlled deterioration treatment (CDT). The long-term storage (4 °C, RH under 35%, 10 years) was performed on seeds harvested in 2010 and 2013. The seeds harvested in 2016 and 2019 were used for CDT (36 °C, RH of 80%, 40 days). Seed longevity and embryonic RNA integrity were estimated by a decrease in the germination percentage and RNA integrity number (RIN) after long-term storage or CDT. The RIN value was obtained by the electrophoresis of the total RNA extracted from the seed embryos. Seeds of "Vandaran (indica)", "Tupa 729 (japonica)", and "Badari Dhan (indica)" consistently showed higher seed longevity and embryonic RNA integrity both under long-term storage and CDT conditions regardless of the harvest year. A strong correlation (R2 = 0.93) was observed between the germination percentages and RIN values of the seeds after the long-term storage or CDT among nine cultivars selected based on differences in their seed longevity. The study findings revealed the relationship between rice seed longevity and embryo RNA stability and suggested potential breeding materials including both japonica and indica cultivars for improving rice seed longevity.

Upholding Seed Quality with Mid-storage Invigoration Treatments in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The groundbreaking research investigated the impact of mid-storage invigoration treatments on seed quality parameters in rice. The experimental design used in the study was Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The experiment was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi, Kerala Agricultural University. The objective of the study was to understand the effect of mid-storage invigoration treatments on seed storage under ambient conditions. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of ten different treatments on the quality of seeds, specifically the germination percentage, seed vigour index I, electrical conductivity, and mean germination time. The treatments tested were control- untreated seeds, hydration and dehydration treatment 1l/kg, ascorbic acid 10g/kg, calcium chloride 10g/kg, albizzia leaf powder 2g/kg, neem cake 5g/kg, neem leaf powder 2g/kg, neem oil 2ml/kg, red chilli powder 1g/kg and vayambu leaf powder 2g/kg. The rice variety Jyothi was used. Results showed that all the mid-storage invigoration treatments significantly improved the germination rate of the treated seeds when compared to the control under ambient storage conditions. Neem oil when used showed the highest germination percentage after five months of storage. In the last month of storage, neem oil showed a significantly higher vigour index which was comparable to hydration dehydration treatment and red chilli powder. Germination percentage and seedling vigour index I are positively associated with seed quality. Electrical conductivity and mean germination time are negatively correlated with seed quality. The least electrical conductivity was recorded in hydration dehydration treatment. Neem oil and hydration dehydration treatment had low mean germination time. Based on the research conducted, neem oil, hydration-dehydration, and red chili powder are the most effective treatments for improving the longevity of seeds. These eco-friendly and cost-effective mid-storage invigoration seed treatments can help farmers enhance the quality of their seeds and extend their storage life.

Physiological and Molecular Analysis of Soybean Seed Longevity and Validation of Candidate Markers

Background: Seed longevity is a major constraint in soybean seed production. The major focus of this study is to analyze the physiological and molecular changes associated with seed longevity and identify promising germplasm which are good storers for soybean breeding program. Methods: Nineteen genotypes were studied for seed longevity using accelerated ageing test and genetic integrity based on SSR marker data. Genotypes were clustered into distinct groups based on seed morphological and physiological parameters (Mahalanobis D2 analysis). SSR markers for seed longevity were validated in the germplasm. Result: Per cent reduction in germination after accelerated ageing was significantly and positively correlated with traits associated with seed storability such as seed length, seed width, seed thickness and 100 seed weight and negatively correlated with seedling vigour indices. Hence, it would be worthwhile to rely upon these parameters for enhancing the seed storability in soybean. Genetic integrity of the germplasm was evaluated based on SSR markers in accelerated ageing seeds. SSR markers (Satt 285, Satt 534, Satt 538, Satt 281, Satt 162, Satt 631 and Satt 371) revealed significant association for the seed longevity characters such as seed length, seed width, seed thickness and seed weight. Candidate markers (Satt 371, Satt 281, Satt162, Satt 285, Satt 534) which can differentiate the soybean genotypes for storability have been identified in this study. The genotypes were grouped into seven clusters with monogenotypic cluster III (PSPB23) having minimum reduction in germination after accelerated ageing.

Effects of environmental factors and storage periods on sesame seed quality and longevity

AbstractSesame is one of the world’s oldest oil seed crops grown mainly for its seeds. Lengthened storage time, inappropriate staking, back warded threshing method and poor storage facilities are major causes for postharvest and quality losses of sesame seed. Therefore, the objective was to review the effect of storage time and storage conditions on sesame seed quality and longevity. Seed quality and longevity are mostly governed by moisture content, temperature, humidity, storage period, pre-storage conditions, and pest infestations. Moisture content is a pre-requisite for long-term seed storage, and is the most important factor affecting seed longevity. Sesame seeds remain consistent and viable up to 12 months under appropriate storage facilities and conditions, otherwise it get lessened its viability. The crop should be harvested at the appropriate time and seeds should be stored at 6% or lower moisture content. In the tropics where temperature is as high as 33 °C and relative humidity of about 80%, seeds deteriorate rapidly. Varietal mixtures and harvest conditions affect longevity of seeds in storage. Pests such as, Mites, Indian mealy moth, Weevils, Flour beetles, are serious problems in stored sesame seeds. Under low seed moisture content and temperature, insects may not be a problem. Oil seeds require high-quality constructions to prevent leakages and to allow easy access to the bin for sampling and monitoring. Therefore, sesame seeds should be stored in well-constructed room/ware house to maintain seed viability and longevity.

Physiological and Biological Responses of Ca2+-Primed Quinoa Seed Longevity Stored at Different Hermetic Storage Conditions

Physiological and Biological Responses of Ca2+-Primed Quinoa Seed Longevity Stored at Different Hermetic Storage Conditions