Gibberellin requirement for Arabidopsis seed germination is determined both by testa characteristics and embryonic abscisic acid

The mechanisms imposing a gibberellin (GA) requirement to promote the germination of dormant and non-dormant Arabidopsis seeds were analyzed using the GA-deficient mutant ga1, several seed coat pigmentation and structure mutants, and the abscisic acid (ABA)-deficient mutant aba1. Testa mutants, which exhibit reduced seed dormancy, were not resistant to GA biosynthesis inhibitors such as tetcyclacis and paclobutrazol, contrarily to what was found before for other non-dormant mutants in Arabidopsis. However, testa mutants were more sensitive to exogenous GAs than the wild-types in the presence of the inhibitors or when transferred to a GA-deficient background. The germination capacity of the ga1-1 mutant could be integrally restored, without the help of exogenous GAs, by removing the envelopes or by transferring the mutation to a tt background (tt4 and ttg1). The double mutants still required light and chilling for dormancy breaking, which may indicate that both agents can have an effect independently of GA biosynthesis. The ABA biosynthesis inhibitor norflurazon was partially efficient in releasing the dormancy of wild-type and mutant seeds. These results suggest that GAs are required to overcome the germination constraints imposed both by the seed coat and ABA-related embryo dormancy.     

Physiological characteristics and related gene expression of after‐ripening on seed dormancy release in rice

After‐ripening is a common method used for dormancy release in rice. In this study, the rice variety Jiucaiqing (Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica) was used to determine dormancy release following different after‐ripening times (1, 2 and 3 months). Germination speed, germination percentage and seedling emergence increased with after‐ripening; more than 95% germination and 85% seedling emergence were observed following 1 month of after‐ripening within 10 days of imbibition, compared with <45% germination and 20% seedling emergence in freshly harvested seed. Hence, 3 months of after‐ripening could be considered a suitable treatment period for rice dormancy release. Dormancy release by after‐ripening is mainly correlated with a rapid decline in ABA content and increase in IAA content during imbibition. Subsequently, GA₁/ABA, GA₇/ABA, GA₁₂/ABA, GA₂₀/ABA and IAA/ABA ratios significantly increased, while GA₃/ABA, GA₄/ABA and GAs/IAA ratio significantly decreased in imbibed seeds following 3 months of after‐ripening, thereby altering α‐amylase activity during seed germination. Peak α‐amylase activity occurred at an earlier germination stage in after‐ripened seeds than in freshly harvested seeds. Expression of ABA, GA and IAA metabolism genes and dormancy‐related genes was regulated by after‐ripening time upon imbibition. Expression of OsCYP707A5, OsGA2ox1, OsGA2ox2, OsGA2ox3, OsILR1, OsGH3‐2, qLTG3‐1 and OsVP1 increased, while expression of Sdr4 decreased in imbibed seeds following 3 months of after‐ripening. Dormancy release through after‐ripening might be involved in weakening tissues covering the embryo via qLTG3‐1 and decreased ABA signalling and sensitivity via Sdr4 and OsVP1.     

生长素调控种子的休眠与萌发

植物种子的休眠与萌发,是植物生长发育过程中的关键阶段,也是生命科学领域的研究热点。种子从休眠向萌发的转换是极为复杂的生物学过程,由外界环境因子、体内激素含量及信号传导和若干关键基因协同调控。大量研究表明,植物激素脱落酸(Abscisic acid, ABA)和赤霉素(Gibberellin acid, GA)是调控种子休眠水平,决定种子从休眠转向萌发的主要内源因子。ABA与GA在含量和信号传导两个层次上的精确平衡,确保了植物种子能以休眠状态在逆境中存活,并在适宜的时间启动萌发程序。生长素(Auxin)是经典植物激素之一,其对向性生长和组织分化等生物学过程的调控已有大量研究。但最近有研究证实,生长素对种子休眠有正向调控作用,这表明生长素是继ABA之后的第二个促进种子休眠的植物激素。本文在回顾生长素的发现历程、阐释生长素体内合成途径及信号传导通路的基础上,重点综述了生长素通过与ABA的协同作用调控种子休眠的分子机制,并对未来的研究热点进行了讨论和展望。     

Common and distinct responses in phytohormone and vitamin E changes during seed burial and dormancy in Xyris bialata and X. peregrina

Temperature and humidity are the main factors influencing seed viability, dormancy and longevity of buried seeds. Unfortunately, very little is known about such processes in species of tropical regions, where temperature does not show major seasonal variations. The extent to which germination capacity, phytohormones and vitamin E levels were altered after burial of seeds of Xyris bialata and X. peregrina (Xyridaceae), two species endemic to rupestrian fields of Brazil, was examined. After 2 months of burial, seed germination capacity remained constant, which is associated with decreases in ABA and IAA content in both species. During this period, zeatin levels also decreased in X. bialata, but not in X. peregrina, the latter showing much lower levels of ABA. During the summer (rainy season), seeds of both species experienced a progressive, but severe, decrease in germination capacity, which reversed at the end of the winter (dry season), thus suggesting secondary dormancy. This dormancy appeared to be caused by drastic decreases in GAs, rather than increases in ABA. Levels of GA(4) decreased to non-detectable values during dormancy in both species. Furthermore, zeatin levels decreased in X. bialata but not in X.peregrina during this period. Both species accumulated γ-tocopherol as the major vitamin E form, and levels of this antioxidant remained constant or even increased during seed burial; however, X. bialata seeds showed a significant decrease in α-tocopherol during seed burial and dormancy. It is concluded that in X. peregrina and X. bialata, (i) burial causes significant changes in the phytohormone levels of seeds; (ii) secondary dormancy is induced in seeds; (iii) a GA(4) decrease, rather than an ABA increase, seems to be involved in the induction of secondary dormancy; and (iv) reductions in α-tocopherol in buried seeds are not necessarily indicative of reduced germination capacity.     

The Time Required for Dormancy Release in Arabidopsis Is Determined by DELAY OF GERMINATION1 Protein Levels in Freshly Harvested Seeds

Seed dormancy controls the start of a plant's life cycle by preventing germination of a viable seed in an unfavorable season. Freshly harvested seeds usually show a high level of dormancy, which is gradually released during dry storage (after-ripening). Abscisic acid (ABA) has been identified as an essential factor for the induction of dormancy, whereas gibberellins (GAs) are required for germination. The molecular mechanisms controlling seed dormancy are not well understood. DELAY OF GERMINATION1 (DOG1) was recently identified as a major regulator of dormancy in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we show that the DOG1 protein accumulates during seed maturation and remains stable throughout seed storage and imbibition. The levels of DOG1 protein in freshly harvested seeds highly correlate with dormancy. The DOG1 protein becomes modified during after-ripening, and its levels in stored seeds do not correlate with germination potential. Although ABA levels in dog1 mutants are reduced and GA levels enhanced, we show that DOG1 does not regulate dormancy primarily via changes in hormone levels. We propose that DOG1 protein abundance in freshly harvested seeds acts as a timer for seed dormancy release, which functions largely independent from ABA.     

Brassinosteroids and gibberellins promote tobacco seed germination by distinct pathways

Seed germination of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Havana 425 is determined by the balance of forces between the growth potential of the embryo and the mechanical restraint of the micropylar endosperm. In contrast to the gibberellin GA4, the brassinosteroid (BR) brassinolide (BL) did not release photodormancy of dark-imbibed photodormant seeds. Brassinolide promoted seedling elongation and germination of non-photodormant seeds, but did not appreciably affect the induction of class I beta-1,3-glucanase (betaGLU I) in the micropylar endosperm. Brassinolide, but not GA4, accelerated endosperm rupture of tobacco seeds imbibed in the light. Brassinolide and GA4 promoted endosperm rupture of dark-imbibed non-photodormant seeds, but only GA4 enhanced betaGLU I induction. Promotion of endosperm rupture by BL was dose-dependent and 0.01 microM BL was most effective. Brassinolide and GA4 promoted abscisic acid (ABA)-inhibited dark-germination of non-photodormant seeds, but only GA4 replaced light in inducing betaGLU I. These results indicate that BRs and GAs promote tobacco seed germination by distinct signal transduction pathways and distinct mechanisms. Gibberellins and light seem to act in a common pathway to release photodormancy, whereas BRs do not release photodormancy. Induction of betaGLU I in the micropylar endosperm and promotion of release of 'coat-enhanced' dormancy seem to be associated with the GA-dependent pathway, but not with BR signalling. It is proposed that BRs promote seed germination by directly enhancing the growth potential of the emerging embryo in a GA- and betaGLU I-independent manner.     

Immunolocalization of FsPK1 correlates this abscisic acid-induced protein kinase with germination arrest in Fagus sylvatica L. seeds

An enzymatically active recombinant protein kinase, previously isolated and characterized in Fagus sylvatica L. dormant seeds (FsPK1), was used to obtain a specific polyclonal antibody against this protein. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analysis of FsPK1 protein in beech seeds showed a strong immunostaining in the nucleus of the cells located in the vascular tissue of the embryonic axis corresponding to the future apical meristem of the root. This protein kinase was found to accumulate in the seeds only when embryo growth was arrested by application of ABA, while the protein amount decreased during stratification, previously proved to alleviate dormancy, and no protein was detected at all when seed germination was induced by addition of GA(3). These results indicate that FsPK1 may be involved in the control of the embryo growth mediated by ABA and GAs during the transition from dormancy to germination in Fagus sylvatica seeds.     

Dormancy and germination: How does the crop seed decide?

Whether seeds germinate or maintain dormancy is decided upon through very intricate physiological processes. Correct timing of these processes is most important for the plants life cycle. If moist conditions are encountered, a low dormancy level causes pre‐harvest sprouting in various crop species, such as wheat, corn and rice, this decreases crop yield and negatively impacts downstream industrial processing. In contrast, a deep level of seed dormancy prevents normal germination even under favourable conditions, resulting in a low emergence rate during agricultural production. Therefore, an optimal seed dormancy level is valuable for modern mechanised agricultural systems. Over the past several years, numerous studies have demonstrated that diverse endogenous and environmental factors regulate the balance between dormancy and germination, such as light, temperature, water status and bacteria in soil, and phytohormones such as ABA (abscisic acid) and GA (gibberellic acid). In this updated review, we highlight recent advances regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of seed dormancy and germination processes, including the external environmental and internal hormonal cues, and primarily focusing on the staple crop species. Furthermore, future challenges and research directions for developing a full understanding of crop seed dormancy and germination are also discussed.     

The Role of Water Uptake in the Transition of Recalcitrant Seeds from Dormancy to Germination

In recalcitrant seeds of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) maintaining a high water content during winter, dormancy is determined by the presence and influence of the seed coat, while the axial organs of the embryos excised from these seeds are not dormant. Such axial organs were capable for active water uptake and rapid fresh weight increase, so that their fresh weights exceeded those in intact seeds at the time of radicle protrusion. Fructose plays an essential role in the water uptake as a major osmotically active compound. ABA interferes with the water uptake by the axial organs and thus delays the commencement of their growth. The manifestation of seed response to ABA during the entire dormancy period indicates the presence of active ABA receptors and the pathways of its signal transduction. The content of endogenous ABA in the embryo axes doubled in the middle of dormancy period, which coincided with a partial suppression of water uptake by the axes. During seed dormancy release and imbibition before radicle protrusion, the level of endogenous ABA in axes declined gradually. Application of exogenous ABA can imitate dormancy by limiting water absorption by axial organs. Fusicoccin A (FC A) treatment neutralized completely this ABA effect. Endogenous FC-like ligands were detected in the seed axial organs during dormancy release and germination. Apparently, endogenous FC stimulates water uptake via the activation of plasmalemmal H⁺-ATPase, acidification of cell walls, their loosening, and turgor pressure reduction. FC can evidently counteract the ABA-induced suppression of water uptake by controlling the activity of H⁺-ATPase. It is likely that, in dormant intact recalcitrant seeds, axial organs, maintaining a high water content, are competent to elevate their water content and to start their preparation for germination under the influence of FC when coat-imposed dormancy becomes weaker.     

Investigating seed dormancy in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.): understanding the physiological changes in embryo during after‐ripening and germination

• The dormancy of seeds of upland cotton can be broken during dry after‐ripening, but the mechanism of its dormancy release remains unclear.
• Freshly harvested cotton seeds were subjected to after‐ripening for 180 days. Cotton seeds from different days of after‐ripening (DAR) were sampled for dynamic physiological determination and germination tests. The intact seeds and isolated embryos were germinated to assess effects of the seed coat on embryo germination. Content of H₂O₂ and phytohormones and activities of antioxidant enzymes and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase were measured during after‐ripening and germination.
• Germination of intact seeds increased from 7% upon harvest to 96% at 30 DAR, while embryo germination improved from an initial rate of 82% to 100% after 14 DAR. Based on T₅₀ (time when 50% of seeds germinate) and germination index, the intact seed and isolated embryo needed 30 and 21 DAR, respectively, to acquire relatively stable germination. The content of H₂O₂ increased during after‐ripening and continued to increase within the first few hours of imbibition, along with a decrease in abscisic acid (ABA) content. A noticeable increase was observed in gibberellic acid content during germination when ABA content decreased to a lower level. Coat removal treatment accelerated embryo absorption of water, which further improved the accumulation of H₂O₂ and changed peroxidase content during germination.
• For cotton seed, the alleviation of coat‐imposed dormancy required 30 days of after‐ripening, accompanied by rapid dormancy release (within 21 DAR) in naked embryos. H₂O₂ acted as a core link between the response to environmental changes and induction of other physiological changes for breaking seed dormancy.

     

Hormonal and temperature regulation of seed dormancy and germination in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leymus chinensis</Emphasis>

Fluctuating temperature plays a critical role in determining the timing of seed germination in many plant species. However, the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying such a response have been paid little attention. The present study investigated the effect of plant growth regulators and cold stratification in regulating Leymus chinensis seed germination and dormancy response to temperature. Results showed that seed germination was less than 2 % at all constant temperatures while fluctuating temperature significantly increased germination percentage. The highest germination was 71 % at 20/30 °C. Removal of the embryo enclosing material of L. chinensis seed germinated to 74 %, and replaced the requirement for fluctuating temperature to germinate, by increasing embryo growth potential. Applications of GA₄₊₇ significantly increased seed germination at constant temperature. Also, inhibition of GA biosynthesis significantly decreased seed germination at fluctuating temperatures depending upon paclobutrazol concentration. This implied GA was necessary for non-dormant seed germination and played an important role in regulating seed germination response to temperature. Inhibition of ABA biosynthesis during imbibition completely released seed dormancy at 20/30 °C, but showed no effect on seed germination at constant temperature, suggesting ABA biosynthesis was important for seed dormancy maintenance but may not involve in seed germination response to temperature. Cold stratification with water or GA₃ induced seed into secondary dormancy, but this effect was reversed by exogenous FL, suggesting ABA biosynthesis during cold stratification was involved in secondary dormancy. Also, cold stratification with FL entirely replaced the requirement of fluctuating temperature for germination with seeds having 73 % germination at constant temperature. This appears to be attributed to inhibition of ABA biosynthesis and an increase of GA biosynthesis during cold stratification, leading to an increased embryo growth potential. We suggest that fluctuating temperature promotes seed germination by increasing embryo growth potential, mainly attributed to GA biosynthesis during imbibitions. ABA is important for seed dormancy maintenance and induction but showed less effect on non-dormant seed germination response to temperature.     

Control of macaw palm seed germination by the gibberellin/abscisic acid balance

The hormonal mechanisms involved in palm seed germination are not fully understood. To better understand how germination is regulated in Arecaceae, we used macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. Ex Mart.) seed as a model. Endogenous hormone concentrations, tocopherol and tocotrienol and lipid peroxidation during germination were studied separately in the embryo and endosperm. Evaluations were performed in dry (D), imbibed (I), germinated (G) and non‐germinated (NG) seeds treated (+GA₃) or not treated (control) with gibberellins (GA). With GA₃ treatment, seeds germinated faster and to a higher percentage than control seeds. The +GA₃ treatment increased total bioactive GA in the embryo during germination relative to the control. Abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations decreased gradually from D to G in both tissues. Embryos of G seeds had a lower ABA content than NG seeds in both treatments. The GA/ABA ratio in the embryo was significantly higher in G than NG seeds. The +GA₃ treatment did not significantly affect the GA/ABA ratio in either treatment. Cytokinin content increased from dry to germinated seeds. Jasmonic acid (JA) increased and 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboylic acid (ACC) decreased after imbibition. In addition, α‐tocopherol and α‐tocotrienol decreased, while lipid peroxidation increased in the embryo during germination. We conclude that germination in macaw palm seed involves reductions in ABA content and, consequently, increased GA/ABA in the embryo. Furthermore, the imbibition process generates oxidative stress (as observed by changes in vitamin E and MDA).     

Marked differences in seed dormancy in two populations of the Mediterranean shrub,Cistus albidus L.

Background: Population structure and dynamics in natural ecosystems can be affected by seed viability and dormancy. However, how the endogenous contents of phytohormones and vitamin E in seeds relative to the environment affect viability and dormancy is not yet fully understood.

Aims: We studied seed viability and germination capacity in two populations of the Mediterranean shrub, Cistus albidus, exposed to contrasting environmental conditions.

Methods: We measured seed viability and germination capacity and endogenous contents of abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellins and vitamin E in seeds collected from two populations, in two environmentally contrasting environments in north-eastern Spain.

Results: Plants growing in the natural site produced seeds with lower germination percentage but similar viability, indicating higher seed dormancy. Enhanced seed dormancy was paralleled with higher contents of ABA and lower contents of gibberellins (GAs). Contents of tocopherols and tocotrienols were higher in seeds of the natural population. Tocopherol contents in seeds correlated positively with the ratio living:total aerial biomass.

Conclusions: Two Mediterranean populations of C. albidus growing in two sites with contrasting environmental conditions showed marked differences in seed dormancy and germination, which may be explained, at least in part, by differences in seed hormonal contents.     

Tissue‐specific hormonal profiling during dormancy release in macaw palm seeds

Little is known about the control exerted by hormones in specific tissues during germination and post‐germinative development in monocot seeds, whose embryos have complex structures and can remain dormant for long periods of time. Here the tissue‐specific hormonal profile of macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata) seeds overcoming dormancy and seedling during initial development was examined. Endogenous hormonal concentrations were determined in the cotyledonary petiole, haustorium, operculum, endosperm adjacent to the embryo and peripheral endosperm of dry dormant seeds, imbibed seeds trapped in phase I of germination, and germinating (phase 2 and phase 3) seeds 2, 5, 10 and 15 days after sowing. Evaluations were performed on seeds treated for overcoming dormancy by removal of the operculum and by immersion in a gibberellic acid (GA₃) solution. Removal of the operculum effectively helped in overcoming dormancy, which was associated with the synthesis of active gibberellins (GAs) and cytokinins (CKs), as well as reductions of abscisic acid (ABA) in the cotyledonary petiole. In imbibed seeds trapped in phase I of germination, exogenous GA₃ caused an increase in active GAs in the cotyledonary petiole and operculum and reduction in ABA in the operculum. Initial seedling development was associated with increases in the CK/auxin ratio in the haustorium and GA levels in the endosperm which is possibly related to the mobilization of metabolic reserves. Increases in salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) concentrations were associated with the development of the vegetative axis. Hormones play a crucial tissue‐specific role in the control of dormancy, germination and initial development of seedlings in macaw palm, including a central role not only for GAs and ABA, but also for CKs and other hormones.     

赤霉素与脱落酸对番茄种子萌发中细胞周期的调控

利用细胞流检仪检测番茄（Ｌｙｃｏｐｅｒｓｉｃｏｎ ｅｓｃｕｌｅｎｔｕｍ Ｍｉｌｌ．） ＧＡ－缺陷型、ＡＢＡ－缺陷型和相应的正常品种（野生型）成熟种子胚根尖细胞倍性水平时发现：ＧＡ－缺陷型和野生型种子绝大多数细胞ＤＮＡ 水平为２Ｃ,而ＡＢＡ－缺陷型种子则含有较多的４Ｃ细胞。在标准发芽条件下,ＡＢＡ－缺陷型和野生型种子浸种１ ｄ 后胚根尖细胞ＤＮＡ 开始复制,随后胚根突破种皮而发芽。然而ＧＡ－缺陷型种子除非加入外源ＧＡ,否则既不发生细胞ＤＮＡ 复制,也不发芽。这说明内源ＧＡ 是启动番茄种子胚根尖细胞ＤＮＡ 复制的关键因素,同时也说明番茄根尖细胞ＤＮＡ 复制是种子发芽的必要条件。实验证明：ＡＢＡ 不抑制细胞ＤＮＡ 合成,但阻止Ｇ２ 细胞进入到Ｍ 期。外源ＡＢＡ处理野生型种子与渗控处理结果相似,可以大幅度提高胚根尖４Ｃ／２Ｃ细胞的比例,但抑制种子的最终发芽     

Effects of light and temperature on seed dormancy and gibberellin-stimulated germination in Arabidopsis thaliana: studies with gibberellin-deficient and -insensitive mutants.

Effects of light and temperature on gibberellin (GA)-induced seed germination were studied in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. with the use of GA-deficient ( gal ) mutants, mutants with a strongly reduced sensitivity to GA ( gai ) and with the recombinant gai/gal . Seeds of the gal mutant did not germinate in the absence of exogenous GAs, neither in darkness, nor in light, indicating that GAs are absolutely required for germination of this species. Wild-type and gai seeds did not always require applied GAs in light. The conclusion that light stimulates GA biosynthesis was strengthened by the antagonistic action of tetcyclacis, an inhibitor of GA biosynthesis. In wild-type, gal and gai/gal seeds light lowered the GA requirement, which can be interpreted as an increase in sensitivity to GAs. In gai and gai/gal seeds light became effective only after dormancy was broken by either a chilling treatment of one week or a dry after-ripening period at 2°C during some months. The present genetic and physiological evidence strongly suggests that temperature regulates the responsiveness to light in A. thaliana seeds. The responsiveness increases during dormancy breaking, whereas the opposite occurs during induction of dormancy (8 days at 15°C pre-incubation). Since light stimulates the synthesis of GAs as well as the responsiveness to GAs, temperature-induced changes in dormancy may indirectly change the capacities to synthesize GAs and to respond to GAs. GA sensitivity is also directly controlled by temperature. It is concluded that both GA biosynthesis and sensitivity to GAs are not the primary controlling factors in dormancy, but are essential for germination.     

Changes in endogenous abscisic acid levels during dormancy release and maintenance of mature seeds: studies with the Cape Verde Islands ecotype,the dormant model of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis>

Mature seeds of the Cape Verde Islands (Cvi) ecotype of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. show a very marked dormancy. Dormant (D) seeds completely fail to germinate in conditions that are favourable for germination whereas non-dormant (ND) seeds germinate easily. Cvi seed dormancy is alleviated by after-ripening, stratification, and also by nitrate or fluridone treatment. Addition of gibberellins to D seeds does not suppress dormancy efficiently, suggesting that gibberellins are not directly involved in the breaking of dormancy. Dormancy expression of Cvi seeds is strongly dependent on temperature: D seeds do not germinate at warm temperatures (20–27°C) but do so easily at a low temperature (13°C) or when a fluridone treatment is given to D seeds sown at high temperature. To investigate the role of abscisic acid (ABA) in dormancy release and maintenance, we measured the ABA content in both ND and D seeds imbibed using various dormancy-breaking conditions. It was found that dry D seeds contained higher amounts of ABA than dry ND after-ripened seeds. During early imbibition in standard conditions, there was a decrease in ABA content in both seeds, the rate of which was slower in D seeds. Three days after sowing, the ABA content in D seeds increased specifically and then remained at a high level. When imbibed with fluridone, nitrate or stratified, the ABA content of D seeds decreased and reached a level very near to that of ND seeds. In contrast, gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment caused a transient increase in ABA content. When D seeds were sown at low optimal temperature their ABA content also decreased to the level observed in ND seeds. The present study indicates that Cvi D and ND seeds can be easily distinguished by their ability to synthesize ABA following imbibition. Treatments used here to break dormancy reduced the ABA level in imbibed D seeds to the level observed in ND seeds, with the exception of GA₃ treatment, which was active in promoting germination only when ABA synthesis was inhibited.Abbreviations ABA Abscisic acid - Cvi Cape Verde Islands - D Dormant - GA Gibberellin - GA₃ Gibberellic acid - ND Non dormant     

Changes in Ultrastructure and Abscisic Acid Level, and Response to Applied Gibberellins inTaxus maireiSeeds Treated With Warm and Cold Stratification

Seeds ofTaxus maireiare known for their deep dormancy whichcan only be broken by a procedure involving warm stratificationfollowed by cold stratification. Treatments with alternatingtemperatures of 25/15 or 23/11 °C (12 h light) for 6 monthsfollowed by 5 °C for 3 months were successful in overcomingseed dormancy. After 6 months of warm stratification, cytologicalchanges observed included: enlargement of the embryo; a decreasein the number of lipid bodies; appearance of ER; and increasesin mitochondria, plastids, dictyosomes, vacuoles and microbodiesin the shoot apical meristem. Cold stratification followingthe warm treatment induced cell division, and one or two distinctnucleoli in the shoot apical meristem cells were observed. Bothwarm and cold stratification reduced endogenous ABA concentrationsfrom the original 8888 pg per freshly harvested seed to 392and 536 pg, respectively. Treatment with exogenous gibberellinsafter seeds had been warm-stratified showed that GA₄and GA₇wereeffective at promoting seed germination, but GA₃was not. Theseresults suggest that the strong seed dormancy ofT. maireicouldbe caused by a high ABA content and underdevelopment of theembryos in freshly shed seeds. We conclude that warm stratificationwith alternating temperatures increases the growth of embryosby cell expansion and enlargement and decreases ABA content,but seeds still remain ungerminated. Cold stratification mayinduce the response to GAs and initiate cell division resultingin release from physiological dormancy and subsequent germinationofT. maireiseeds.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company Taxus mairei; ultrastructure; abscisic acid; gibberellin; seed dormancy; stratification; germination.     

Involvement of ABA in induction of secondary dormancy in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds

At harvest, barley seeds are dormant because their germination is difficult above 20 degrees C. Incubation of primary dormant seeds at 30 degrees C, a temperature at which they do not germinate, results in a loss of their ability to germinate at 20 degrees C. This phenomenon which corresponds to an induction of a secondary dormancy is already observed after a pre-treatment at 30 degrees C as short as 4-6 h, and is optimal after 24-48 h. It is associated with maintenance of a high level of embryo ABA content during seed incubation at 30 degrees C, and after seed transfer at 20 degrees C, while ABA content decreases rapidly in embryos of primary dormant seeds placed directly at 20 degrees C. Induction of secondary dormancy also results in an increase in embryo responsiveness to ABA at 20 degrees C. Application of ABA during seed treatment at 30 degrees C has no significant additive effect on the further germination at 20 degrees C. In contrast, incubation of primary dormant seeds at 20 degrees C for 48 and 72 h in the presence of ABA inhibits further germination on water similarly to 24-48 h incubation at 30 degrees C. However fluridone, an inhibitor of ABA synthesis, applied during incubation of the grains at 30 degrees C has only a slight effect on ABA content and secondary dormancy. Expression of genes involved in ABA metabolism (HvABA8'OH-1, HvNCED1 and HvNCED2) was studied in relation to the expression of primary and secondary dormancies. The results presented suggest a specific role for HvNCED1 and HvNCED2 in regulation of ABA synthesis in secondary seed dormancy.     

脱落酸和赤霉素调控种子休眠与萌发研究进展

种子的休眠与萌发是高等植物生长发育进程中非常重要的环节,是维系物种繁衍的重要过程。而激素在这一过程中扮演着非常重要的角色。而在这个过程中脱落酸(abscisic acid,ABA)和赤霉素(gibberellin GA)发挥着尤其重要的作用。本文综述了当前对复杂分子网络的理解,这些分子网络涉及脱落酸和赤霉素在调节种子休眠和萌发中的关键作用,其中含AP2结构域的转录因子起着关键作用。