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Biology
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Seed Germination and Dormancy
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Seed Germination and Dormancy

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 2758

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Aaron Fait

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 84990, Israel
Interests: seed development; seed germination; seed metabolism; network analysis
Dr. Ruthie Angelovici

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Interests: plant biology; metabolism; amino acids; genetics; seed biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Seeds are the reproductive structures of plants and are essential for the survival and propagation of plant species (Bewley and Black, 1994). Understanding the mechanisms that govern seed development and germination is crucial for comprehending plant growth and reproduction as well as the ecology and evolution of plant populations (Nonogaki 2006). Through the study of seeds, scientists can identify the molecular and genetic mechanisms that regulate seed dormancy, seed coat development, and embryo development. Such information can be exploited for optimising crop production and managing natural resources by understanding the environmental factors that affect seed germination and development.

Seed germination is dependent on the availability of water. Thus, in environments with unpredictable rainfall patterns, the regulation of seed germination becomes pivotal for species survival. Furthermore, as climate change continues to affect global ecosystems, seed biologists should prioritize their efforts to delve in the effects of climate on seed germination and development, with particular attention to crops in regions characterized by unstable food production. For example, a study conducted in Nigeria found that elevated temperatures negatively impacted the germination and growth of maize, rice, and sorghum, which feed the country’s population (Iloh et al., 2014).

Germination involves a complex set of molecular and cellular processes, which are regulated by both exogenous and endogenous stimuli. Coordination between the endosperm and embryo is critical for successful germination, as the endosperm provides the germinating embryo with essential carbon and nitrogen precursors, while the embryo must rapidly form shoot and root tissues for seedling establishment (Bewley and Black, 1994). That said, the knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the interplay between the endosperm and embryo during germination remains incomplete.

This Special Issue aims to expose the scientific audience of Biology with recent studies in the field of seed biology, seed development and germination, with particular attention to seed–environment interactions and how these relate to crop establishment and yield production. Original research articles and reviews are welcome for submission to this Special Issue.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Bibliography:

Bewley, J. D., & Black, M. (1994). Seeds: germination, structure and composition. Seeds: Physiology of Development and Germination, 1–33.

Nonogaki, H. (2006). Seed germination—The biochemical and molecular mechanisms. Breeding Science, 56(2), 93–105. https://doi.org/10.1270/jsbbs.56.93.

Iloh, A. C., Omatta, G., Ogbadu, G. H., & Onyenekwe, P. C. (2014). Effects of elevated temperature on seed germination and seedling growth on three cereal crops in Nigeria. Scientific Research and Essays, 9(18), 806–813. https://doi.org/10.5897/sre2014.5968.

Prof. Dr. Aaron Fait
Dr. Ruthie Angelovici
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 2039 KiB  
Article
Maternal Effects of Habitats Induce Stronger Salt Tolerance in Early-Stage Offspring of Glycyrrhiza uralensis from Salinized Habitats Compared with Those from Non-Salinized Habitats
by Junjun Gu, Shaoxuan Yao and Miao Ma
Biology 2024, 13(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13010052 - 19 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 947
Abstract
(1) Wild Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (licorice) seeds from different habitats are often mixed for cultivation. However, differences in the responses of seeds from different habitats to salt at the early-stage offspring stage are unclear. (2) Our objective was to evaluate the salt tolerance [...] Read more.
(1) Wild Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (licorice) seeds from different habitats are often mixed for cultivation. However, differences in the responses of seeds from different habitats to salt at the early-stage offspring stage are unclear. (2) Our objective was to evaluate the salt tolerance of G. uralensis germplasms by comparing differences in seed germination and seedling vigor in salinized (abandoned farmland and meadow) and non-salinized (corn farmland edge) soil habitats under different sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations. (3) The germination rates and germination indexes of seeds from the two salinized habitats with 0–320 mmol·L−1 NaCl were higher and their germination initiation times were earlier. Only seeds from salinized habitats were able to elongate their germs at 240 mmol·L−1 NaCl. Seedlings from salinized habitats had higher fresh weights and relative water contents, while they exhibited lower accumulation of malondialdehyde and less cell electrolyte leakages. Under NaCl treatment, seedlings from the salinized habitats displayed higher superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase (SOD, CAT, and POD) activities and lower superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide (O2− and H2O2) contents. Their comprehensive scores showed that the vigor of licorice seeds from salinized habitats was higher. (4) The salt tolerances of different wild G. uralensis seeds were different, and the offspring of licorice from salinized habitats had stronger early-stage salt tolerances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Germination and Dormancy)
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21 pages, 4506 KiB  
Article
Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Suaeda salsa (Linn.) Pall. (Amaranthaceae) Demonstrate Varying Salinity Tolerance among Different Provenances
by Wenwen Qi, Hongyuan Ma, Shaoyang Li, Haitao Wu and Dandan Zhao
Biology 2023, 12(10), 1343; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12101343 - 18 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1362
Abstract
Salinity is a pressing and widespread abiotic stress, adversely affecting agriculture productivity and plant growth worldwide. Seed germination is the most critical stage to seedling growth and establishing plant species in harsh environments, including saline stress. However, seed germination characteristics and stress tolerance [...] Read more.
Salinity is a pressing and widespread abiotic stress, adversely affecting agriculture productivity and plant growth worldwide. Seed germination is the most critical stage to seedling growth and establishing plant species in harsh environments, including saline stress. However, seed germination characteristics and stress tolerance may vary among geographical locations, such as various provenances. Suaeda salsa (Linn.) Pall. (S. salsa) is a halophytic plant that exhibits high salt tolerance and is often considered a pioneer species for the restoration of grasslands. Understanding the germination characteristics and stress tolerance of the species could be helpful in the vegetation restoration of saline–alkali land. In this study, we collected S. salsa seeds from seven different saline–alkali habitats (S1–S7) in the Songnen Plain region to assess the germination and seedling growth responses to NaCl, Na2CO3, and NaHCO3, and to observe the recovery of seed germination after relieving the salt stress. We observed significant differences in germination and seedling growth under three salt stresses and among seven provenances. Resistance to Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 stress was considerably higher during seedling growth than seed germination, while the opposite responses were observed for NaCl resistance. Seeds from S1 and S7 showed the highest tolerance to all three salt stress treatments, while S6 exhibited the lowest tolerance. Seeds from S2 exhibited low germination under control conditions, while low NaCl concentration and pretreatment improved germination. Ungerminated seeds under high salt concentrations germinated after relieving the salt stress. Germination of ungerminated seeds after the abatement of salt stress is an important adaptation strategy for black S. salsa seeds. While seeds from most provenances regerminated under NaCl, under Na2CO3 and NaHCO3, only seeds from S4 and S7 regerminated. These findings highlight the importance of soil salinity in the maternal environment for successful seed germination and seedling growth under various salinity-alkali stresses. Therefore, seed sources and provenance should be considered for vegetation restoration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Germination and Dormancy)
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