Effects of Temperature and Light on the Germination-Promoting Activity by Melatonin in Almond Seeds without Stratification
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Melatonin is very important for plants. This study was focus on the effect of germination-promoting activity by melatonin in almond seeds. The following aspects need to be improved:
1. The number of seeds in Figure 2 were different in each treatment.
2. Asterisks should be on right above on the bar in Figure 3?
3. In Figure 4, whether the difference in seedling growth may be caused by the difference of water and other factors in different pots.
4. Duncan Test was used for statistical analysis in Figure 5, but statistical significance maybe marked by different letters rather than asterisks.
5. The format of reference should be uniform. Such a Koukourikou-Petridou, M. Paclobutrazol Affects Growth of Almond Fruits and Germination of Almond Seeds. Plant Growth Regulation - PLANT GROWTH EGUL 1996, 20, 267–269, doi:10.1007/BF00043317
Author Response
Rev.1
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Melatonin is very important for plants. This study was focus on the effect of germination-promoting activity by melatonin in almond seeds. The following aspects need to be improved:
- The number of seeds in Figure 2 were different in each treatment.
R: Figure 2 is only a representative photograph of germinated almond seeds primed with different concentrations of melatonin. The number of seeds that appear in the photo have not statistical effects. Is in Figure 1 where the data are statistically indicative.
- Asterisks should be on right above on the bar in Figure 3?
R: This suggestion has been applied.
- In Figure 4, whether the difference in seedling growth may be caused by the difference of water and other factors in different pots.
R: In Figure 4, all plants grew under the same conditions of photoperiod, HR, and irrigation. The image in Figure 4 is only an illustrative photograph as the growth parameter data (stem length and number of leaves) are shown in Figure 5.
- Duncan Test was used for statistical analysis in Figure 5, but statistical significance maybe marked by different letters rather than asterisks.
R: This suggestion has been applied.
- The format of reference should be uniform. Such a Koukourikou-Petridou, M. Paclobutrazol Affects Growth of Almond Fruits and Germination of Almond Seeds. Plant Growth Regulation - PLANT GROWTH EGUL 1996, 20, 267–269, doi:10.1007/BF00043317
R: Thank you for your suggestion. We have revised the format of references.
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear Authors,
Your manuscript entitled "Study of different conditions on the germination-promoting activity by melatonin in almond seeds without stratification" is an interesting scientific contribution to agronomy. The experiment is presented in a clear and comprehensive way. In my opinion, the results, the number of samples and conclusions are sufficient and well-written. However, the paper needs English editing services.
Author Response
Rev.2
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Dear Authors,
Your manuscript entitled "Study of different conditions on the germination-promoting activity by melatonin in almond seeds without stratification" is an interesting scientific contribution to agronomy. The experiment is presented in a clear and comprehensive way. In my opinion, the results, the number of samples and conclusions are sufficient and well-written. However, the paper needs English editing services.
R: Thank you for your excellent review. We have revised the English language.
Reviewer 3 Report
Line 37 please write „species” instead „specie”
Lines 112, 124 please write „percentage” instead „%”
Line 175-178 I suggest add these information’s to “Material and methods”
In Introduction authors mentioned that the role of melatonin during stratification haven’t studied, but they should discuss and try to explain the results. The role of melatonin in plant and also in seeds are known. Chapter “Results and discussion” need to be improve. Conclusions can be shortened.
References – should be corrected in accordance with editorial requirements.
Author Response
Rev.3
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Line 37 please write „species” instead „specie”
A: This change has been accepted.
Lines 112, 124 please write „percentage” instead „%”
A: This change has been accepted.
Line 175-178 I suggest add these information’s to “Material and methods”
R: This change has been accepted.
In Introduction authors mentioned that the role of melatonin during stratification haven’t studied, but they should discuss and try to explain the results. The role of melatonin in plant and also in seeds are known.
R: We have expanded the information on seeds and melatonin in the Introduction section. The explanation of the results can be found in the appropriate section.
Chapter “Results and discussion” need to be improved. Conclusions can be shortened.
R: We have restructured these two sections, extending the explanations in the Results and Discussion section, and shortening the Conclusions section, as suggested by the reviewer.
References – should be corrected in accordance with editorial requirements.
R: Thank you for your suggestion. We have revised the format of references.
Reviewer 4 Report
The study presented in the article is dedicated to the effect of melatonin on seed germination and presents novel results that could be interesting to other researchers in the field of seed science and horticulture.
However, the part of the study describing seedling development after germination should be improved. Melatonin treatment enhanced germination, as a result seeds in the respective treatments germinated earlier and the seedlings had more time to develop. To test the effect of priming seeds with melatonin on plant development as such, measurements should be made at time after germination/emergence, so that the period of development is the same for each seedling. Was this observed in the current study? If not, it must be stated. The general growth-promoting effect may still be important for plant propagation.
The text requires substantial improvements. Some of the references may not be used correctly and should be checked. The title “Study of different conditions on the germination-promoting activity by melatonin in almond seeds without stratification” must be improved. It is obviously the EFFECT of different conditions in the germination-promoting activity of melatonin that has been studied. I suggest specifying already in the title that it is the effect of temperature and light that was tested. Grammar revision is required in the entire text.
Below are suggestions for some of the issues in the text
Ln 29 the root and shoot growth was improved in seedlings, not the seeds
Ln 30 photoperiod is duration of light versus darkness. Light (illumination) can be applied, but it would be better to rephrase.
Ln 30 propagation of stone fruit trees
Ln 37 species
Ln 38 Worldwide (not “in”) or “in the World”
Ln 39 the United States of America being (word order)
Ln 45 to break seed dormancy
Ln 49 remove “between” (or “between 6 and 8 weeks”)
Ln 53 reported limited progress? (the idea, if I understand it correctly, that the treatments did not work equally well in all cases or with different seeds)
Ln 54-56 were ABA and GA inhibitors really used to enhance germination of almond seeds? Reference 9 is a study on the use of paclobutrazol on almond fruit growth, not seed germination. Other references must also be checked (if possible, avoid multiple references, such as “7-10”, because it is then unclear which refers to which statement.
Ln 67 delays
Ln 68 “and DELLA-stabilizing via” - via stabilizing DELLA?
Ln 72-74 this sentence should be re-written more clearly. In effect, it says that the action of melatonin depends on the germination conditions.
Ln 76 “crop extension” is unclear. Propagation?
Ln 90 After what? Were the seeds germinated in pots with vermiculite?
Ln 91-92 “conveniently watered” must be corrected
Ln 94 suggest “total” instead of “global”
Ln 100 bigger?
Ln 101-102 “other parameters such 102 as radicle length, stem length and number of leaves were determined in different days” - this sentence is not clear. When exactly were the measurements made?
Ln 102 radicle is a part of the seed embryo, in case of seedlings roots can be measured.
Results and Discussion: the text should be written entirely in the past tense.
Grammar revision is required for this section. The results can be presented more clearly, stating the effect of light and temperature (not making comparisons between germination chambers) on almond seed germination and on the germination-enhancing effect of melatonin.
Ln 142 “ostensibly” means “as appears or is stated to be true, though not necessarily so; apparently.” Must be replaced with a suitable word or omitted.
The labelling of panels in Figure 5 is not adequate. Please use the conventional labelling (a, b, c, d)
Ln 207 “without stratification period, in terms of time” - period refers to time by definition
Ln 208 "time” in this case is an uncountable noun. Consider changing to “treatment with melatonin allows to save time” or a similar sentence.
Author Response
Rev.4
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
The study presented in the article is dedicated to the effect of melatonin on seed germination and presents novel results that could be interesting to other researchers in the field of seed science and horticulture.
However, the part of the study describing seedling development after germination should be improved. Melatonin treatment enhanced germination, as a result seeds in the respective treatments germinated earlier and the seedlings had more time to develop. To test the effect of priming seeds with melatonin on plant development as such, measurements should be made at time after germination/emergence, so that the period of development is the same for each seedling. Was this observed in the current study? If not, it must be stated. The general growth-promoting effect may still be important for plant propagation.
R: Thank you for your review and suggestions. The effect of melatonin on germination has been extensively studied in diverse plant species, exerting a germination-promoting effect thanks to the balance between endogenous levels of gibberellins and abscisic acid (see refs. 21,24,25). In our study, the priming of almond seeds with melatonin is relevant as a unique stimulus both to see the response to temperature and photoperiod factors, verifying that melatonin treatments improve germination percentages avoiding the stratification process; and in addition, with that single treatment of melatonin as primed, a better vegetative development of the seedlings was observed. This effect of melatonin on growth has also been intensively studied as you can consult in our papers and reviews of the subject (see refs. 15-20). These considerations appeared in the Introduction section (Lines 61-69).
The text requires substantial improvements. Some of the references may not be used correctly and should be checked.
R: All text and references have been checked and improved.
The title “Study of different conditions on the germination-promoting activity by melatonin in almond seeds without stratification” must be improved. It is obviously the EFFECT of different conditions in the germination-promoting activity of melatonin that has been studied. I suggest specifying already in the title that it is the effect of temperature and light that was tested. Grammar revision is required in the entire text.
R: We accept the suggestion. The title has been rewritten, suggesting as: Effects of temperature and light on the germination-promoting activity by melatonin in almond seeds without stratification.
Below are suggestions for some of the issues in the text:
Ln 29 the root and shoot growth was improved in seedlings, not the seeds
Ln 30 photoperiod is duration of light versus darkness. Light (illumination) can be applied, but it would be better to rephrase.
Ln 30 propagation of stone fruit trees
Ln 37 species
Ln 38 Worldwide (not “in”) or “in the World”
Ln 39 the United States of America being (word order)
Ln 45 to break seed dormancy
Ln 49 remove “between” (or “between 6 and 8 weeks”)
Ln 53 reported limited progress? (the idea, if I understand it correctly, that the treatments did not work equally well in all cases or with different seeds)
R: There are generally irregular responses to stratification treatments in seeds of the same variety due to intraspecific variability, and with uneven response when treated with phytoregulators.
Ln 54-56 were ABA and GA inhibitors really used to enhance germination of almond seeds? Reference 9 is a study on the use of paclobutrazol on almond fruit growth, not seed germination. Other references must also be checked (if possible, avoid multiple references, such as “7-10”, because it is then unclear which refers to which statement.
R: Ref. 9 present a study on fruit growth of almond, but also on germination seeds (Paclobutrazol Affects Growth of Almond Fruits and Germination of Almond Seeds). Also, the multiple references (7-10) has been corrected.
Ln 67 delays
Ln 68 “and DELLA-stabilizing via” - via stabilizing DELLA?
Ln 72-74 this sentence should be re-written more clearly. In effect, it says that the action of melatonin depends on the germination conditions.
Ln 76 “crop extension” is unclear. Propagation?
Ln 90 After what? Were the seeds germinated in pots with vermiculite?
Ln 91-92 “conveniently watered” must be corrected
Ln 94 suggest “total” instead of “global”
Ln 100 bigger?
R: All the suggested changes have been made.
Ln 101-102 “other parameters such 102 as radicle length, stem length and number of leaves were determined in different days” - this sentence is not clear. When exactly were the measurements made?
R: This consideration appears now explained in Material & Methods section.
Ln 102 radicle is a part of the seed embryo, in case of seedlings roots can be measured.
R: Only radicle length was measured (Figure 3).
Results and Discussion: the text should be written entirely in the past tense.
Grammar revision is required for this section. The results can be presented more clearly, stating the effect of light and temperature (not making comparisons between germination chambers) on almond seed germination and on the germination-enhancing effect of melatonin.
R: Grammar has been revised and some restructuring of the text made.
Ln 142 “ostensibly” means “as appears or is stated to be true, though not necessarily so; apparently.” Must be replaced with a suitable word or omitted.
The labelling of panels in Figure 5 is not adequate. Please use the conventional labelling (a,b,c,d)
R: We have revised the format of this figure.
Ln 207 “without stratification period, in terms of time” - period refers to time by definition
Ln 208 "time” in this case is an uncountable noun. Consider changing to “treatment with melatonin allows to save time” or a similar sentence.
R: All the suggested changes have been made.
