Research Progress in Seed Dormancy and Pre-harvest Sprouting

Dear Colleagues,

Dormancy is a mechanism that has evolved to prevent seeds from germinating under environmental conditions that are adverse for the establishment and survival of seedlings; it inhibits pre-harvest spouting or vivipary. Information on seed dormancy is important because it contributes to a better understanding of certain biological concepts, such as plant reproductive strategies, life history traits, adaptation to habitats and physiological and molecular processes. Prolonged dormancy, however, can lead to non-uniform germination in the field. As a result, studies on seed dormancy and seed sprouting prior to crop harvest can provide significant information related to scientific theories in the fields of forestry, agriculture, and food science.

This Special Issue aims to give an overview of the most recent advances in the field of the stimulation of dormancy release and/or prevention of pre-harvest sprouting. It is aimed at providing information on the advances in the seed germination of various plant taxon in relation to scientific theories, agriculture, forestry, and food science. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Aerial/soil seed banks;
• Germination ecology;
• Germination molecular biology;
• Pre-harvest sprouting;
• Seed heteromorphism;
• Seed dormancy;
• Seed priming;
• Seed development.

Dr. Keliang Zhang
Dr. Lei Wang
Guest Editors

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