scholarly journals Proanthocyanidins in seed coat’s tegmen and endospermic cap inhibit seed germination in the bioenergy plant Sapium sebiferum

Author(s):  
Faheem Afzal Shah ◽  
Jun Ni ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
Qiaojian Wang ◽  
Wenbo Liu ◽  
...  

Sapium sebiferum, a highly ornamental and bioenergy plant, is propagated by seed. Its seed coat contains germination inhibitors and needs long time stratification for germination. In this experiment, we discovered that S. Sebiferum seed coat (especially tegmen) and endospermic cap contained high levels of proanthocyanidins (PAs). Seed coat and endospermic cap removal induced seed germination whereas exogenous application with seed coat extract (SCE) or PAs significantly inhibited this process, suggesting that PAs in the seed coat played a major role in regulating seed germination in S. sebiferum. We further investigated how seed coat extract affected the expression of the seed germination-related genes. The results showed that SCE treatment upregulated the transcription level of the dormancy-related gene, abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and signalling genes and gibberellins (GA) suppressing genes. SCE decreased the transcript levels of ABA catabolic, GA biosynthesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrates signalling genes. Exogenous application of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), gibberellic acid (GA3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) recovered seed germination in SCE supplemented medium. In this experiment, we highlighted the role of PAs, and its interactions with the other germination regulators, in the regulation of seed dormancy in S. Sebiferum.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faheem Afzal Shah ◽  
Jun Ni ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
Qiaojian Wang ◽  
Wenbo Liu ◽  
...  

Sapium sebiferum, a highly ornamental and bioenergy plant, is propagated by seed. Its seed coat contains germination inhibitors and needs long time stratification for germination. In this experiment, we discovered that S. Sebiferum seed coat (especially tegmen) and endospermic cap contained high levels of proanthocyanidins (PAs). Seed coat and endospermic cap removal induced seed germination whereas exogenous application with seed coat extract (SCE) or PAs significantly inhibited this process, suggesting that PAs in the seed coat played a major role in regulating seed germination in S. sebiferum. We further investigated how seed coat extract affected the expression of the seed germination-related genes. The results showed that SCE treatment upregulated the transcription level of the dormancy-related gene, abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and signalling genes and gibberellins (GA) suppressing genes. SCE decreased the transcript levels of ABA catabolic, GA biosynthesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrates signalling genes. Exogenous application of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), gibberellic acid (GA3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) recovered seed germination in SCE supplemented medium. In this experiment, we highlighted the role of PAs, and its interactions with the other germination regulators, in the regulation of seed dormancy in S. Sebiferum.


PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faheem Afzal Shah ◽  
Jun Ni ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
Qiaojian Wang ◽  
Wenbo Liu ◽  
...  

Sapium sebiferum, an ornamental and bio-energetic plant, is propagated by seed. Its seed coat contains germination inhibitors and takes a long time to stratify for germination. In this study, we discovered that the S. sebiferum seed coat (especially the tegmen) and endospermic cap (ESC) contained high levels of proanthocyanidins (PAs). Seed coat and ESC removal induced seed germination, whereas exogenous application with seed coat extract (SCE) or PAs significantly inhibited this process, suggesting that PAs in the seed coat played a major role in regulating seed germination in S. sebiferum. We further investigated how SCE affected the expression of the seed-germination-related genes. The results showed that treatment with SCE upregulated the transcription level of the dormancy-related gene, gibberellins (GAs) suppressing genes, abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and signalling genes. SCE decreased the transcript levels of ABA catabolic genes, GAs biosynthesis genes, reactive oxygen species genes and nitrates-signalling genes. Exogenous application of nordihydroguaiaretic acid, gibberellic acid, hydrogen peroxide and potassium nitrate recovered seed germination in seed-coat-extract supplemented medium. In this study, we highlighted the role of PAs, and their interactions with the other germination regulators, in the regulation of seed dormancy in S. sebiferum.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Tezuka ◽  
Hisa Yokoyama ◽  
Hideyuki Tanaka ◽  
Shuji Shiozaki ◽  
Masayuki Oda

Ardisia crenata is an evergreen shrub with attractive bright red berries. Although this species is usually propagated by seed, the seeds take a long time to germinate with conventional sowing methods. We investigated the germination capacity of seeds and embryos collected in different months and the effects of seed storage conditions, germination temperature, water permeability of the seed coat, and the endosperm on seed germination. Seeds and embryos collected in late September or later showed good germination rates. Seeds germinated more rapidly after longer periods of storage at low temperature (approximately 5°C), and those stored in dry conditions showed lower emergence frequency than those stored in wet conditions. Seeds germinated at 15–30°C, but not at 5–10°C. Removal of the seed coat enhanced water uptake and seed germination. Seeds with various proportions of the removed seed coat were sown on a medium supplemented with sucrose. The germination frequency increased as the size of the remaining endosperm decreased. However, the opposite results were obtained when seeds were sown on a medium without sucrose. We concluded that the optimal temperature of 25°C is the most critical factor for seed germination in A. crenata.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (21) ◽  
pp. 6417-6435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrit K Nanda ◽  
Abdeljalil El Habti ◽  
Charles H Hocart ◽  
Josette Masle

Abstract Appropriate timing of seed germination is crucial for the survival and propagation of plants, and for crop yield, especially in environments prone to salinity or drought. However, the exact mechanisms by which seeds perceive changes in soil conditions and integrate them to trigger germination remain elusive, especially once the seeds are non-dormant. In this study, we determined that the Arabidopsis ERECTA (ER), ERECTA-LIKE1 (ERL1), and ERECTA-LIKE2 (ERL2) leucine-rich-repeat receptor-like kinases regulate seed germination and its sensitivity to changes in salt and osmotic stress levels. Loss of ER alone, or in combination with ERL1 and/or ERL2, slows down the initiation of germination and its progression to completion, or arrests it altogether under saline conditions, until better conditions return. This function is maternally controlled via the tissues surrounding the embryo, with a primary role being played by the properties of the seed coat and its mucilage. These relate to both seed-coat expansion and subsequent differentiation and to salinity-dependent interactions between the mucilage, subtending seed coat layers and seed interior in the germinating seed. Salt-hypersensitive er105, er105 erl1.2, er105 erl2.1 and triple-mutant seeds also exhibit increased sensitivity to exogenous ABA during germination, and under salinity show an enhanced up-regulation of the germination repressors and inducers of dormancy ABA-insensitive-3, ABA-insensitive-5, DELLA-encoding RGL2, and Delay-Of-Germination-1. These findings reveal a novel role of the ERECTA receptor-kinases in the sensing of conditions at the seed surface and the integration of developmental, dormancy and stress signalling pathways in seeds. They also open novel avenues for the genetic improvement of plant adaptation to changing drought and salinity patterns.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-337
Author(s):  
Kambiz MASHAYEKHI ◽  
Aida SHOMALI ◽  
Seyyed Javad MOUSAVIZADEH

Some vegetable seeds need a very long time to germinate. In these kinds of seeds the second phase of germination is very long. As acetylene’s chemical structure is almost similar to the gaseous hormone ethylene, its’ physiological effect on seed germination should be very similar as well. Therefore, an experiment was established in order to enhance seed germination, by treating seeds with acetylene released from interaction of calcium carbide (CaC2) with water (H2O). A simple system was designed for efficient and proper use of gaseous acetylene resulted from the two substrates interaction, which conducted the produced gas obtained inside the interaction chamber into a sealed container wherein seeds were floating in water. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of one concentration of acetylene with different exposure periods (between 1 to 8 hours) on parsley, celery and Swees chard seeds’ germination (chosen as late germinating vegetables). The effect of acetylene on seed germination speed and percent was investigated. There were significant differences in both percent and speed of germination within the various treatments. By floating for 3, 5 and 3 hours for parsley, celery and Swiss chard respectively, the highest germination rates were observed. The highest germination speed was achieved by 5, 5 and 3 hours floating respectively for parsley, celery and Swiss chard. Based on the results obtained, the current experiment suggests that acetylene has positive effect on enhancing seed germination of named vegetables, and played the role of ethylene, its effects resembling in regard to seed germination process.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 2072-2084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Chen ◽  
Wenguan Zhou ◽  
Han Yin ◽  
Xiaofeng Luo ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract The effect of shading during seed development on subsequent germination remains largely unknown. In this study, two soybean (Glycine max) seed production systems, monocropping (MC) and maize–soybean intercropping (IC), were employed to examine the effects of shading of the mother plant on subsequent seed germination. Compared to the MC soybean seeds, which received light, the developing IC seeds were exposed to shade resulting from the taller neighboring maize plants. The IC seeds germinated faster than the MC seeds, although there was no significant difference in the thickness of the seed coat. The concentration of soluble pro-anthocyanidin in the IC seed coat was significantly lower than that in the MC seed coat. Changes in the concentrations of several types of fatty acids in IC seeds were also observed, the nature of which were consistent with the effect on germination. The expression levels of genes involved in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis were down-regulated in IC seeds, while the transcription levels of the genes related to gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis were up-regulated. This was consistently reflected in decreased ABA concentrations and increased active GA4 concentrations in IC seeds, resulting in an increased GA4/ABA ratio. Our results thus indicated that shading of the mother plant during seed development in soybean promoted subsequent germination by mediating the biosynthesis of pro-anthocyanidins, fatty acids, and phytohormones.


1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes S. Foster ◽  
Linda S. Delay

ABSTRACT. Seeds with ‘imitation arils’ appear wholly or partially covered by pulp or aril but actually carry no fleshy material. The mimetic seed hypothesis to explain this phenomenon proposes a parasitic relationship in which birds are deceived into dispersing seeds that resemble bird-dispersed fruits, without receiving a nutrient reward. The hard-seed for grit hypothesis proposes a mutualistic relationship in which large, terrestrial birds swallow the exceptionally hard mimetic seeds as grit for grinding the softer seeds on which they feed. They defecate, dispersing the seeds, and abrade the seed surface, enhancing germination. Any fruit mimicry is incidental. Fruiting trees of Ormosia spp. (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) were observed to ascertain mechanisms of seed dispersal and the role of seemingly mimetic characteristics of the seeds in that dispersal. Seed predation and seed germination were also examined. Ormosia isthamensis and O. macrocalyx (but not O. bopiensis) deceived arboreally-foraging frugivorous birds into taking their mimetic seeds, although rates of seed dispersal were low. These results are consistent with the mimetic seed hypothesis. On the other hand, the rates of disappearance of seeds from the ground under the Ormosia trees, hardness of the seeds, and enhancement of germination with the abrasion of the seed coat are all consistent with the hard-seed for grit hypothesis. RESUMEN. Semillas con arilos falsos aparecen estar cubiertas en parte o completamente por pulpa o arilo, pero en realidad no llevan ninguna materia carnosa. El hipótesis semilla mímica propone que las semillas parecen frutos carnosos cuyas semillas están dispersadas por aves y que engañan las aves a dispersar sus semillas sin recibir una recompensa nutritiva — una relación parasítica. El hipótesis semilla dura para arenisca propone que aves grandes y terrestres tragan las semillas mímicas y excepcionalmente duras como arenisca para moler las semillas más suaves en que se alimentan; las aves defecan y dispersan las semillas, y las rascan, lo cual mejora la germinación — una relación mutua. Cualquier mimetismo es incidente. Se observaron árboles de Ormosia espp. (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) con frutos para averiguar los mecanismos de dispersión de semillas y el papel que hacen las características aparentemente mímicas de sus semillas en esa dispersión. Se examinaron también la depredación y germinación de semillas. Las semillas mímicas de Ormosia isthamensis y O. macrocalyx (pero no O. bopiensis), engañaron aves frugivoras y arbóreas en comerlas, aunque las tasas de dispersión eran bajas. Estos resultados son consistente con el hipótesis semilla mímica. En cambio, las tasas de desaparición de semillas caídas de Ormosia, dureza de las semillas, y mejoramiento de germinación con la raedura de las capas de las semillas son consistente con el hipótesis semilla dura para arenisca.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrit K. Nanda ◽  
Abdeljalil El Habti ◽  
Charles Hocart ◽  
Josette Masle

AbstractAppropriate timing of seed germination is crucial for the survival and propagation of plants, and for crop yield, especially in environments prone to salinity or drought. Yet, how exactly seeds perceive changes in soil conditions and integrate them to trigger germination remains elusive, especially once non-dormant. Here we report that the Arabidopsis ERECTA (ER), ERECTA-LIKE1 (ERL1) and ERECTA-LIKE2 (ERL2) leucine-rich-repeat receptor-like kinases synergistically regulate germination and its sensitivity to salinity and osmotic stress. Loss of ER alone, or in combination with ERL1 and/or ERL2 slows down the initiation of germination and its progression to completion, or arrests it altogether until better conditions return. That function is maternally controlled via the embryo surrounding tissues, primarily the properties of the seed coat determined during seed development on the mother plant, that relate to both seed coat expansion and subsequent differentiation, particularly the formation of its mucilage. Salt-hypersensitive er, er erl1, er erl2 and triple mutant seeds also exhibit increased sensitivity to ABA during germination, and under salinity show an enhanced upregulation of the germination repressors and inducers of dormancy ABA-insensitive-3, ABA-insensitive-5, DELLA encoding RGL2 and Delay-Of-Germination-1. These findings reveal a novel role of the ERECTA kinases in the sensing of conditions at the seed surface and the integration of developmental and stress signalling pathways in seeds. They also open novel avenues for the genetic improvement of plant adaptation to harsh soils.HighlightThe ERECTA family of receptor-kinases regulates seed germination under salinity, through mucilage-mediated sensing of conditions at the seed surface, and interaction with secondary dormancy mechanisms.


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