Identification and Expression Analysis of Abscisic Acid Signal Transduction Genes in Hemp Seeds

Abscisic acid(ABA)is involved in regulating diverse biological processes,but its signal transduction genes and roles in hemp seed germination are not well known.Here,the ABA signaling pathway members,PYL,PP2C and SnRK2 gene families,were identified from the hemp reference genome,including 7 CsPYL(pyrab-actin resistance1-like,ABA receptor),8 CsPP2CA(group A protein phosphatase 2c),and 7 CsSnRK2(sucrose nonfermenting1-related protein kinase 2).The content of ABA in hemp seeds in germination stage is lower than that in non-germination stage.Exogenous ABA(1 or 10μM)treatment had a significant regulatory effect on the selected PYL,PP2C,SnRK2 gene families.CsAHG3 and CsHAI1 were most significantly affected by exogenous ABA treatment.Yeast two-hybrid experiments were performed to reveal that CsPYL5,CsSnRK2.2,and CsSnRK2.3 could interact with CsPP2CA7 and demonstrate that this interaction was ABA-independent.Our results indicated that CsPYL5,CsSnRK2.2,CsSnRK2.3 and CsPP2CA7 might involve in the ABA signaling transduction pathway of hemp seeds during the hemp seed germination stages.This study suggested that novel genetic views can be brought into investigation of ABA signaling pathway in hemp seeds and lay the foundation for further exploration of the mechanism of hemp seed germination.

Effect of Pre-Sowing Treatments on Mamalis (Pittosporum pentandrum Blanco Merr.) Seeds Germination under Nursery Condition

Seeds were subjected to three different pre-sowing seed treatments: immersion in lukewarm water for 2 hours, immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for 5 minutes, hilar removal, and a control in which the seeds were sown without being treated. The experiment was laid out in the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replicates and 60 seeds per treatment. Seeds were sown in an improvised Seedbox in October 2019. Germination was monitored daily for one month. The results showed that Mamalis seeds treated with lukewarm water have the earliest germination of twelve days, with a germination percentage of 66.67%. The germination rate of another treatment ranges from 0 - 44 percent, compared to 45 percent for the control treatment. It seems prudent to conclude that to enhance the vegetative propagation methods is to soaking in warm water at 37.5˚C for 2 hours could provide the best growth.

Genome-wide association study reveals that JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN 5 regulates seed germination in rice

Seed germination is a complex trait regulated by multiple genes in rice.However,the regulators of rice seed germination have yet to be sufficiently determined.Here,a quantitative trait locus(QTL)for rice seed germination was identified in a genome-wide association study.The candidate gene JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN 5(OsJAZ5)of the QTL was verified that positively regulates seed germination.OsJAZ5 regulation of seed germination involves an OsABI3-mediated abscisic acid pathway.Overexpression of OsJAZ5 facilitated seed germination.The application of OsJAZ5 might be useful for increasing seed germination for rice direct seeding.

Arginine promotes seed energy metabolism,increasing wheat seed germination at low temperature

Low temperatures during germination inhibit seed growth,lead to small and weak seedlings,and significantly reduce the wheat yield.Alleviating the adverse effects of low temperature on wheat seed germination is highly important for achieving high and stable wheat yields.In this study,Tongmai 6(insensitive)and Zhengmai 113(sensitive),which have different low-temperature sensitivities during germination were treated with low temperature during germination.The transcriptome,metabolome and physiological data revealed that low temperature decreased the germination rate,downregulated the expression of a large number of genes involved in regulating glycometabolism,and inhibited carbon,nitrogen(especially amino acids)and energy metabolism in the seeds.Arginine content increased at low temperature,and its increase in the low-temperature-tolerant variety was significantly greater than that in the sensitive variety.Arginine priming experiment showed that treatment with an appropriate concentration of arginine improved the seed germination rate.The conversion of starch to soluble sugar significantly increased under exogenous arginine conditions,the content of key metabolites in energy metabolism increased,and the utilization of ATP in the seeds increased.Taken together,arginine priming increased seed germination at low temperature by relieving inhibition of seed carbon and nitrogen metabolism and improving seed energy metabolism.

Effect of Forest Litter on the Regeneration of Larix sibirica: Insight from Aqueous Extract and Litter Coverage

The effect of litter on forest regeneration depends on the characteristics of regional climate and also shows community specificity. The influences of plant litter on seed germination and seedling growth of Larch Siberian forest in the Altai Mountains were investigated through two simulated experiments including litter coverage and litter aqueous extracts. In the litter coverage experiment, three litter coverage methods including above (D), below (S) and in the middle (Z) of litter were set with the litter coverage thickness of 0, 1, 2, and 4 cm, while two aqueous extract obtained methods using the air-dried litter and litter ash after fir were used with the concentration of 10%, 40%, 80% and 100% in the present study. Results showed that: the aqueous extracts obtained using the air-dried litter restrained the seed germination, while the aqueous extracts obtained using litter ash improved the seed germination. Compared with other litter concentration, the influences of 100% concentration reach highest. The seed germination rate, seed germination potential and vital index under the treatment of seeds above the litter coverage were highest, which were significantly higher than other treatments. The above-ground biomass was significantly higher and the inhibition index of below-ground bio-mass was significantly lower under the treatment of seed above the litter with thin litter cover-age (S1) compared to other litter coverage treatments. These results indicated that the litter aqueous extract and the litter coverage had a combined effect on the seed germination and seedling growth of Siberian larch forest. Fire disturbance could promote seed germination by modifying the adverse effects of litter aqueous extracts and litter coverage, and thus plays an important role in the regeneration of Siberian larch in the Altai Mountains.

Does Cold Plasma Affect Breaking Dormancy and Seed Germination? A Study on Seeds of Lamb's Quarters(Chenopodium album agg.)

Low-pressure discharge is applied for stimulation of germination of two seed lots of Lamb＇s Quarters （Chenopodium album agg.） with different starting germinations （17%, 8%） and in different stages of dormancy. Different exposition durations with cold plasma treatment were applied. The variable of the ratio cumulative germination was calculated. The Richards＇ equation was used for curve-fitting and simulation of the growth curves. Population parameters, namely Vi - viability, Me - time, Qu - dispersion, and Sk - skewness, counted from the curves described the germination rate well. Significant differences among Qu confirmed the erratic dormancy and gradual germination of Lamb＇s Quarters. No difference in the Me parameter was found between two tested seed lots, and no interspecies characteristics were changed using low-pressure discharge. The results suggested that plasma treatment changed seed germination in Lamb＇s Quarters seeds.

S-Nitrosoglutathion Reductase Activity Modulates the Thermotolerance of Seeds Germination by Controlling ABI5 Stability under High Temperature

Seed germination or dormancy status is strictly controlled by endogenous phytohormone and exogenous environment signals.Abscisic acid(ABA)is the important phytohormone to suppress seed germination.Ambient high temperature(HT)also suppressed seed germination,or called as secondary seed dormancy,through upregulating ABI5,the essential component of ABA signal pathway.Previous result shows that appropriate nitric oxide(NO)breaks seed dormancy through triggering S-nitrosoglutathion reductase(GSNOR1)-dependent S-nitrosylation modification of ABI5 protein,subsequently inducing the degradation of ABI5.Here we found that HT induced the degradation of GSNOR1 protein and reduced its activity,thus accumulated more reactive nitrogen species(RNS)to damage seeds viability.Furthermore,HT increased the S-nitrosylation modification of GSNOR1 protein,and triggered the degradation of GSNOR1,therefore stabilizing ABI5 to suppress seed germination.Consistently,the ABI5 protein abundance was lower in the transgenic line overexpressing GSNOR1,but higher in the gsnor mutant after HT stress.Genetic analysis showed that GSNOR1 affected seeds germination through ABI5 under HT.Taken together,our data reveals a new mechanism by which HT triggers the degradation of GSNOR1,and thus stabilizing ABI5 to suppress seed germination,such mechanism provides the possibility to enhance seed germination tolerance to HT through genetic modification of GNSOR1.

GABA Enhances Thermotolerance of Seeds Germination by Attenuating the ROS Damage in Arabidopsis

Seeds germination is strictly controlled by environment factor such as high temperature(HT)through altering the balance between gibberellin acid(GA)and abscisic acid(ABA).Gama-aminobutyric acid(GABA)is a small molecule with four-carbon amino acid,which plays a crucial role during plant physiological process associated with pollination,wounding or abiotic stress,but its role in seeds germination under HT remains elusive.In this study we found that HT induced the overaccumulation of ROS,mainly H_(2)O_(2) and O_(2)^(-),to suppress seeds germination,meanwhile,HT also activated the enzyme activity of GAD for the rapid accumulation of GABA,hinting the regulatory function of GABA in con-trolling seeds germination against HT stress.Applying GABA directly attenuated HT-induced ROS accumulation,upregulated GA biosynthesis and downregulated ABA biosynthesis,ultimately enhanced seeds germination.Consistently,genetic analysis using the gad1/2 mutant defective in GABA biosynthesis,or pop2-5 mutant with high endogenous GABA content supported the potential function of GABA in improving seeds germination tolerance to HT through scavenging ROS overaccumulation.Based on these data,we propose that GABA acts as a novel signal to enhance thermotolerance of seeds germination through alleviating the ROS damage to seeds viability.

The BHLH Transcriptional Factor PIF4 Competes with the R2R3-MYB Transcriptional Factor MYB75 to Fine-Tune Seeds Germination under High Glucose Stress

It is known that the high level of sugar including glucose suppresses seed germination through ABA signal.ABI5 is an essential component to mediate ABA-dependent seed germination inhibition,but underlying mechanism needs more investigation.Previous study demonstrated the PIF4 activated the expression of ABI5 to suppress seed germination in darkness.Here we reported that PIF4 also mediated the seed germination inhibition through ABI5 under high concentration of glucose treatment.Furthermore,we found that PIF4 interacted with PAP1,the central factor to control anthocyanin biosynthesis.Such interaction was confirmed in vitro and in planta.Biochemical and physiological analysis revealed that PAP1 bond the promoter of ABI5 to suppress its expression,thus enhanced seed germination under high concentration of glucose treatment.Specially,PAP1 competed with PIF4 to antagonize the activation of PIF4 on ABI5 expression,thus promoted seed germination under high glucose treatment.Given these,we uncover a novel role for PIF4 and PAP1 in controlling seed germination under high glucose treatment,and reveal their antagonistic mechanism by which coordinates ABI5 expression to control seed germination in response to the glucose signal.

Effects of Space Radiation Mutation on Germination and Growth of Sugarcane Hybrid Seeds

[Objectives] This study was conducted to investigate the mutagenic effects of space radiation mutagenesis on sugarcane hybrid seeds. [Methods] Sugarcane hybrid spikes were subjected to space radiation mutagenesis treatment to identify the effects on the germination, seedling growth and plant growth and development of sugarcane hybrid seeds. [Results] The space radiation treatment had a great impact on the germination and growth of sugarcane hybrid seeds, especially on the germination of sugarcane seeds. The germination number per gram of seeds increased significantly, and the survival rate of seedlings increased significantly. The effect on the growth status was relatively small. The average number of tillers decreased slightly, the percentage of available stems increased, and the plants became higher, which resulted in a greater effect on sugarcane yield. Sugarcane sucrose was increased. The seed germination and late growth status indicated that space radiation promoted the germination and growth of sugarcane hybrid seeds. [Conclusions] This study provides a basis for the space radiation mutagenesis breeding of sugarcane hybrid seeds and the promotion of sugarcane breeding process.

Decontamination of infected plant seeds utilizing atmospheric gliding arc discharge plasma treatment

In agriculture production,plant health is threatened by pathogens parasitic on seeds;hence,it is necessary to disinfect harvested seeds before germination.In this study,a technique of gliding arc plasma treatment was proposed and investigated.The experiment was conducted to treat Astragalus membranaceus(A.membranaceus)seeds that were artificially infected with Fusarium oxysporum(F.oxysporum).The plasma treatment duration varied from 30 s to 270 s.Direct and indirect treatments were compared to evaluate the inactivation efficiency of the F.oxysporum spores on the surface of seeds.The results indicated that the direct treatment behaved significantly better in disinfection than the indirect way.Meanwhile,experiments of the quantitative assessment of seed germination were also conducted,including the germination rate,the germination potential,and the germination index.The results showed that the inactivation efficiency increased as the plasma treatment time was extended.When the treatment time was90 s,the inactivation efficiency reached more than 98%.The plasma treatment of 270 s had a complete devitalization of F.oxysporum spores on the surface of the seeds.After the treatment of 30 s and 90 s,the seed germination parameters improved significantly.This study verified the inactivation efficacy of gliding arc discharge plasma under atmospheric pressure.The technique of gliding arc treatment shows advantages of energy saving and adaptation and has the potential to be utilized in industry.

Conditions and Stimulation for Germination in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch Seeds

Evaluation of seed quality is the key to seed distributing and seeding of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, as an important species for pharmacy and soil conservation. Here, we study the effects of light and temperature on seed germination and mechanical and chemical scarification on breaking the seed coat. Seeds were collected in 2004, 2005, and 2006, placed in Petri dishes, and incubated at constant temperature 20, 25, and 30℃, and alternating temperature 15-25, 20-30, 15-30, and 20-35℃ under either an 8h photoperiod or total darkness for 28 consecutive days. Different methods were used to break the dormancy owing to hard seededness in this species such as chemical scarification by immersing in concentrated sulphuric acid for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, and 60 min, in 0.2% KNO3 solution to saturate the seedbed, and prechilling for 7 d at 7℃ and mechanical scarification by cutting. The results showed that alternating temperature at 20-30℃ with 8 h photoperiod and 16 h darkness was optimum for G. uralensis seed germinating in the laboratory. Hard seeds were broken by concentrated sulphuric acid soaking or mechanical scarification by cutting. Germination of seeds harvested in two different years was both promoted by immersing for 30-45 min in concentrated sulphuric acid. KNO3 solution was ineffective for reducing hard seeds. During seed germinating, the first count was on the 7th day and the last count was on the 14th day.

Effect of Natural Brassinolide on Germination of Ailanthus altissima Seeds

The germination capacity of Ailanthus altissima seeds improved after the seeds were soaked with different concentrations of natural brassinolide （NBR）. The germination rate and germination energy of the seeds increased by 17.6% and 18.8%, and the mean germination speed （i.e., germination time） of the seeds was shortened by 1.4 d under the optimal concentration （0.4 mg·L^-1） treatment, compared with the control. After hypocotyls of A.altissima were treated with NBR, the elongation of the hypocotyls increased. Among different concentrations of the NBR, 0.4 mg·L^-1 NBR appeared to be the optimal concentration for the elongation of A.altissima hypocotyls.

Phytotoxic Effects of 4-Chlorophenol and 2,4-Dichlorophenol in the Germination of Seeds of <i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i>and <i>Zea mayz</i>

Soil contaminated with pesticides may reduce plant development due to their toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence on the germination of Zea mayz and Phaseolus vulgaris of the two main intermediates of the 2,4-D degradation, which are 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). Maize and bean seeds were treated with distilled water (control treatment) and increased concentrations of 4-CP and 2,4-DCP (0.006, 0.1, 1.0, 1.5 g·L-1). It was assessed seed germination and calculated various parameters. The parameter most affected by chlorophenols was the index of germination rate, being the P. vulgaris seeds most affected. 2,4-DCP was the compound most toxic for both plants. The germination index was dependent doses for both plant models tested. The results indicate that 4-CP and 2,4-DCP affected the index of germination rate but not influenced in other parameters of germination of Zea mayz and Phaseolus vulgaris. Maize was most tolerance to both chlorophenols in the assessed concentrations. 2,4-DCP was the most toxic of chlorophenols tested.

Effect of Food Waste Compost (FWC) and its Non-Aerated Fermented Extract (NFCE) on Seeds Germination and Plant Growth

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the food wastes compost (FWC) and its non-aerated fermented extract (NFCE) on seed germination and growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), watercress (Nasturtium officinale), chili pepper (Capsicum annuum), peas (Pisum sativum L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and beans (Vicia faba) under greenhouse conditions. The FWC and NFCE were physico-chemically and microbiologically characterized. The NFCE effect was evaluated on tomato, watercress, and chili pepper seeds germination and seedling growth. However, for leguminous, pea, chickpea and bean seedlings, the FWC amended soils and irrigated with NFCE were tested for plants growth. The results of FWC analyses revealed that FWC has neutral pH, low EC and C/N ratio, with fertilizing elements (N, P, K and Mg) and lack of phytotoxic effect. The NFCE was characterized by low EC and relatively high carbon content (COD = 9700 mg/l), and intense microbial activity, notably mesophilic bacteria. Therefore, in fermented compost extract, mesophilic bacteria were increased by 225, yeasts by 25 and molds by 10 times compared to those of the investigated compost. In greenhouse, the diluted NFCE increased significantly (p< 0.05) germination and growth of the tested seedlings. Used alone, the FWC amended soil or the NFCE irrigated soil, improved the growth of tested seedlings. The use of soil amended with compost and irrigated by fermented compost extract decreased significantly the growth of the same experimented seedlings. Therefore, the FWC and its fermented extract were a suitable substrate for germination and growth of the studied seeds.

The coupled effect of light and temperature on dormancy release and germination of Pinus koraiensis seeds

Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of environmental factors on seed dormancy and germination will provide guidance for tree regeneration.Toward understanding the coupled effect of light and temperature on dormancy release and germination of Pinus koraiensis seeds,we set up three light conditions(L200:200μmol m^(-2) s^(-1),L20:20μmol m^(-2) s^(-1),L0:0μm^(-2) s^(-1))and four storage temperatures[T-5:-5°C(50 days),T5:-5°C(50 days)+5°C(50 days),T25:-5°C(50 days)+5°C(50 days)+25°C(50 days),T15:-5°C(50 days)+5°C(50 days)+25°C(50 days)+15°C(50 days)]using imbibed seeds,then quantified phytohormones gibberellic acid(GA_(3))and abscisic acid(ABA)during the stratification.Germination percentage(G_(P)),mean germination time(T_(M)),and germination value(G_(V))under 25/15°C temperature and the three light conditions were then determined.Phytohormone levels and germination performances were significantly affected by light and temperature.No consistent trend was found between the phytohormone levels and G_(P) caused by light levels.Under the three light conditions,ABA concentrations in the embryo and endosperm decreased as storage temperature shifted from T-5 to T25 and increased from T25 to T15;GA_(3) decreased in nearly all four storage temperatures.G_(P) reached 40–60%in T25 storage without light irradiance.In the three light conditions,G_(P) and G_(V) were higher at T5 and T25 than at T-5 and T15;so T5 and T25 are considered as optimum storage temperatures for dormancy release and germination.At optimum temperatures,light(L200,L20)significantly increased the G_(P) and G_(V) compared with the dark(L0).At L200 and L20,significant negative correlations between G_(V) and the ABA concentrations and positive correlations between G_(V) and GA/ABA in the seed embryo were found.Temperature played a more important role in primary dormancy release and germination;light was unnecessary for primary dormancy release.Light facilitated seed germination at optimum temperatures.The dormancy release and germination of P.koraiensis seeds were controlled by a decrease in ABA concentrations or an increase in GA/ABA induced by temperature variations.

Effect of the seeds provenance and treatment on the germination rate and plants growth of four forest trees species of Cote d’Ivoire

The rapid rate of deforestation in Cote d’Ivoire has led to loss of plant species diversity and also threatens some commercial tree species with extinction.Some reforestation and aff orestation has been completed.However,for some species,the numbers of surviving transplants has declined.Hence,it is necessary to develop properly adapted and resilient genotypes that can eff ectively support the programs of forest restoration.In this context we evaluated the eff ects of the provenances of seeds and of various treatments on the germination rates and on plant growth of four commercial trees species(Pycnanthus angolensis,Terminalia superba,Mansonia altissima and Pterygota macrocarpa).We analyzed these parameters for seeds of three provenances(Daloa,Akoupéand Daoukro)of four species and for thirty plants aged 6 months per provenance.Time to begin germination and time to reach maximum germination were similar among species,and were not infl uenced by either treatment or provenance.Untreated seeds and those soaked for 24 and 48 h in water at room temperature yielded the highest germination rates,irrespective of species or provenance.The one exception was P.angolensis,for which no germination was recorded.Within species,some provenances produced higher germination percentages than did others.No clear relationship was computed between the germination rate and the morphometric characteristics of the seeds which varied signifi cantly between provenances.Plant growth and morphological variability also depended greatly on provenance.Genetic factors might be implicated,therefore provenance trials should be undertaken and evaluated.Furthermore,molecular analysis should be undertaken to confi rm the implications of genetic factors and allow for genetic selection.

Microcalorimetric Study on the Germination of Seeds

The power-time curves of the germination of different rice and tree seeds have been studied by using a microcalorimeter set up by ourselves. Some characteristic values have been obtained from these curves in different thermogenesising stages of the germination of rice and tree seeds. These parameters can be used in comparison of character and activity for different seeds,moreover the effects of different strain.germinating shape and temperature on the power-time curves of the germination of seeds have been discussed.

New Physicochemical Treatment Method of Poppy Seeds for Agriculture and Food Industries

Poppy seeds （Papaver somniferum L.） are often attacked by various fungal dis- eases, and their field germination rate is low. The aim of this experiment was to increase the germination rate and growth of seedlings by modifying the poppy seeds using cold plasma dis- charge. The seeds were treated in a Plasonic AR-550-M under power of 500 W with argon gas flow of 50 mL/min, oxygen gas flow of 50 mL/min for different time durations in seconds （0, 180, 300, 600, 1800, 3000, 4200, and 5400）. The seed germination rate and growth of the seedlings were recorded. Cold plasma positively affected the seed germination rate for time exposure between 180～3000 s. Seedling acceleration on the sixth day of the experiment showed the highest values at exposure 180～600 s. Cold plasma seems to be a good physicochemical way to modify seeds without chemical agronomical application.

Study on the Germination of Paulownia Tomentosa Seeds in Different Provenances and Its Cluster

This paper dealt with the studying the germination percentage. germination potential and analyzing thegermination of the seeds wtith different treatments by systematic statistics method Seeds were collected from 14 prove-nances in September 1994. The results indicated that the germination percentage and germinalion potential of the seeds invarious provenances were different. Both indexes in Nanchang area was much lower than those in the rest provcnances.The germination percentage and germination potenlial of the seeds in different provenance deelined after the seeds weretreated with aging for one year. The light treatment might promotes the germination percentage more effectively than thegermination potential. In addition. fuzzy cluster may refleet the relationship among germination in different protenances.