Advances in the Understanding of Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent Regulation on Seed Dormancy, Germination, and Deterioration in Crops

Wenjun Li; Yongzhi Niu; Yunye Zheng; Zhoufei Wang

doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.826809

Advances in the Understanding of Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent Regulation on Seed Dormancy, Germination, and Deterioration in Crops

Front Plant Sci. 2022 Feb 23:13:826809. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.826809. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Wenjun Li¹, Yongzhi Niu², Yunye Zheng², Zhoufei Wang¹

Affiliations

¹ The Laboratory of Seed Science and Technology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Breeding, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
² Yuxi Zhongyan Tobacco Seed Co., Ltd., Yuxi, China.

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an essential role in the regulation of seed dormancy, germination, and deterioration in plants. The low level of ROS as signaling particles promotes dormancy release and triggers seed germination. Excessive ROS accumulation causes seed deterioration during seed storage. Maintaining ROS homeostasis plays a central role in the regulation of seed dormancy, germination, and deterioration in crops. This study highlights the current advances in the regulation of ROS homeostasis in dry and hydrated seeds of crops. The research progress in the crosstalk between ROS and hormones involved in the regulation of seed dormancy and germination in crops is mainly summarized. The current understandings of ROS-induced seed deterioration are reviewed. These understandings of ROS-dependent regulation on seed dormancy, germination, and deterioration contribute to the improvement of seed quality of crops in the future.

Keywords: crops; reactive oxygen species; seed deterioration; seed dormancy; seed germination.

Publication types

Review