植物种子寿命的生理及分子机制研究进展

种子寿命是衡量种子质量高低的关键指标之一,直接关系到种子萌发、萌发后幼苗的生长发育以及作物产量高低。种子寿命的调控是一个复杂的生物学过程,影响种子寿命的因素包括环境因素、种子自身的结构、营养成分组成及含量以及调控种子寿命相关的关键基因。研究储藏过程中种子生理生化指标的变化,以及相应关键基因的生物学功能,掌握调控种子寿命的生理及分子机制,对于减少种子内部能量消耗,进一步延长种子寿命具有重要意义。该文综述了近年来国内外有关调控种子寿命的生理及分子机制,重点阐述了调控种子寿命的相关关键基因的研究进展,并讨论了各种外部因素对种子寿命的调控机理。

Advances in Studies of Physiological and Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Seed Longevity

As one of the key parameters of seed quality, seed longevity is directly related to seed germination, the growth and development of young seedlings, and finally the crop yield. Seed longevity is a complex biological process which regulated by numerous exogenous and endogenous factors, such as structure, nutrient composition and related key genes. Investigating the changes of physiological and biochemical indices, biological function of the related genes during seed storage process to reduce the energy consumption of seed, is great significant to further extend the longevity of seed. In this review paper, we summarized the physiological and molecular mechanisms, related key genes which have dominant roles on the changing of seed longevity. Furthermore, the regulation mechanisms of various external indices on seed longevity are discussed. Finally, we discussed probable research directions in the future.