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Seed Physiology
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Seed Physiology

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Physiology and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 October 2022) | Viewed by 30118

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ewa M. Kalemba

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 62-035 Kórnik, Poland
Interests: seed physiology; desiccation tolerance; seed longevity; reactive oxygen species; redox signaling; oxidative stress; protein oxidation and reduction; antioxidants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants start out their life as a seed. Seed formation, dispersal and germination enable successful plant reproduction. Seeds are evolutionarily important structures that colonize the terrestrial environment by developing important features, including desiccation tolerance and dormancy. Determination of seed nutritive value, chemical composition, the quality of seeds for both propagation and utilization, as well as the characteristics of seed viability and ageing during storage in gene banks, are all necessary to understand the ways in which seeds function—i.e., their physiology. Insights into the genetic, epigenetic, biochemical and morpho-mechanical control of the mechanisms that govern seed behavior contribute to the progress in basic seed science and have potential application in agriculture, forestry, and management of natural resources. Changes in the environmental conditions that alter seed features and seed responses under stress conditions are of special interest to researchers, the impact of global warming, in particular. This Special Issue of Plants will present the latest findings in the area of seed physiology.

Dr. Ewa Kalemba
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • embryonic axis
  • cotyledon
  • seed development and maturation
  • dormancy
  • germination
  • response to stress
  • desiccation tolerance
  • seed quality
  • seed deterioration
  • longevity and ageing

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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7 pages, 434 KiB  
Communication
Assessing Seed Longevity of the Invasive Weed Navua Sedge (Cyperus aromaticus), by Artificial Ageing
by Aakansha Chadha, Singarayer K. Florentine, Kunjithapatham Dhileepan and Christopher Turville
Plants 2022, 11(24), 3469; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11243469 - 11 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1708
Abstract
Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus (Ridley) Mattf. & Kukenth) is a significant agricultural and environmental weed found in tropical island countries including north Queensland, Australia. It is a prolific seed producer and consequently forms a high-density seedbank, and therefore understanding the longevity and [...] Read more.
Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus (Ridley) Mattf. & Kukenth) is a significant agricultural and environmental weed found in tropical island countries including north Queensland, Australia. It is a prolific seed producer and consequently forms a high-density seedbank, and therefore understanding the longevity and persistence of the seeds can provide critical information required for the management of this species. A laboratory-controlled artificial ageing experiment was conducted where the seeds were exposed to a temperature of 45 °C and 60% relative humidity for 125 days. Seeds were removed at various times (1, 2, 5, 9, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100 and 125 days) and their viability determined through standard germination tests. It took 20 days in the artificial ageing environment for the seeds to decline to 50% viability which indicates that Navua sedge has relatively short-lived persistent seeds. These findings will assist in developing a better understanding of the seedbank dynamics of this invasive species, allowing managers to tactically implement control strategies and prepare budgets for ongoing treatments, and have implications for the duration and success of management programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Physiology)
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15 pages, 1289 KiB  
Article
Morphoanatomical, Physiological, and Biochemical Indicators in Lactuca sativa L. Germination and Growth in Response to Fluoride
by Arthur Almeida Rodrigues, Douglas Almeida Rodrigues, Juliana de Fátima Sales, Sebastião Carvalho Vasconcelos Filho, Alan Carlos Costa, Cássia Lino Rodrigues, Adinan Alves da Silva, Marisa Domingos and Caroline Müller
Plants 2022, 11(23), 3406; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11233406 - 6 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2040
Abstract
Fluoride is one of the main phytotoxic environmental pollutants, and high concentrations (10–30 mg L−1) are commonly detected in surface and groundwater. Little, however, is known about the effects of this pollutant on crops that require irrigation during their development, which, [...] Read more.
Fluoride is one of the main phytotoxic environmental pollutants, and high concentrations (10–30 mg L−1) are commonly detected in surface and groundwater. Little, however, is known about the effects of this pollutant on crops that require irrigation during their development, which, in addition to phytotoxicity, may cause negative human health effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the effects of potassium fluoride (KF) on the germination of lettuce seeds and identify the physiological and anatomical markers of this pollutant’s action on plants exposed to it during growth. Initially, lettuce seeds were sown in gerboxes and soaked in solutions containing 0 mg L−1, 10 mg L−1, 20 mg L−1, and 30 mg L−1 KF. Plants grown in a greenhouse were treated daily with KF irrigation at the same KF concentrations for 40 days. KF exposure reduced the germination rate and germination speed index of lettuce seeds at 20 mg L−1 and 30 mg L−1, resulting in compromised root development at the highest KF concentration. Lettuce plants displayed a slight photosynthesis reduction and a significant photochemical efficiency decrease after exposures to all KF concentrations. Lower chlorophyll contents and nitrogen balance indices were observed in plants exposed to 30 mg L−1 KF. On the other hand, increases in phenolic compounds and malondialdehyde were noted with increasing KF concentrations. Lettuce plants can, therefore, accumulate fluoride in leaves when irrigated with KF-rich water. The investigated physiological and biochemical variables were proven to be adequate fluoride action biomarkers in lettuce plants and may become an important tool in the study of olericulture contaminants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Physiology)
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20 pages, 11424 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Humic Acid and Polystyrene Fluorescence Nanoplastics on Solanum lycopersicum Environmental Behavior and Phytotoxicity
by Dhivya Lakshmikanthan and Natarajan Chandrasekaran
Plants 2022, 11(21), 3000; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11213000 - 7 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2139
Abstract
The impacts of nanoplastics (100 nm) on terrestrial systems are unclear at this time. Due to the utilization of sewage sludge, plastic particles are likely to accumulate in these systems. The current research investigates how Solanum lycopersicum seed germination and growth are affected [...] Read more.
The impacts of nanoplastics (100 nm) on terrestrial systems are unclear at this time. Due to the utilization of sewage sludge, plastic particles are likely to accumulate in these systems. The current research investigates how Solanum lycopersicum seed germination and growth are affected by fluorescence polystyrene (Flu−PS), humic acid (HA), and a Flu−PS+HA combination (tomato). Following 24 h of interaction between Flu−PS and HA, our report details the development of an eco-corona with a significant increase in hydrodynamic size. Plant growth, seed germination, and chlorophyll content were all enhanced by the eco-coronated Flu−PS.Additionally, we discover that seeds treated with Flu−PS+HA demonstrated a germination rate of 90%, compared to just 65.8% for seeds treated with Flu−PS alone. Chlorophyll (a, b, and a + b) content measurements indicated that HA-treated groups and Flu−PS+HA-treated groups had considerably higher levels of chlorophyll (a, b, and a + b) than Flu−PS-treated groups (Flu−PS: 3.18 mg g−1, 2.12 mg g−1, and 3.89 mg g−1, HA: 5.96 mg g−1, 4.28 mg g−1, and 6.36 mg g−1, and Flu−PS+HA: 4.17 mg g−1, 3.01 mg g−1, and 6.08 mg g−1, respectively). In a similar manner, the HA and Flu−PS+HA treatment groups showed lower ROS levels than the Flu−PS treatment groups. In addition, we discovered that the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase was lower in the groups treated with HA and Flu−PS+HA than in the groups solely treated with Flu−PS. The results demonstrated that HA significantly lessens the toxicity caused by Flu−PS, while also promoting the germination and growth of Solanum lycopersicum seeds. The related decrease in toxic effects may be ascribed to the establishment of an eco-corona on the Flu−PS. We think that the use of eco-coronas is a technique for safeguarding plants against xenobiotics such as nanoplastics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Physiology)
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18 pages, 1489 KiB  
Article
Are Methionine Sulfoxide-Containing Proteins Related to Seed Longevity? A Case Study of Arabidopsis thaliana Dry Mature Seeds Using Cyanogen Bromide Attack and Two-Dimensional-Diagonal Electrophoresis
by Ewa Marzena Kalemba, Benoît Valot, Dominique Job, Christophe Bailly and Patrice Meimoun
Plants 2022, 11(4), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11040569 - 21 Feb 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2361
Abstract
In recent years, several reports pointed out the role of protein oxidation in seed longevity, notably regarding the oxidation of methionine (Met) residues to methionine sulfoxide (MetO) in proteins. To further consider this question, we present a handy proteomic method based on the [...] Read more.
In recent years, several reports pointed out the role of protein oxidation in seed longevity, notably regarding the oxidation of methionine (Met) residues to methionine sulfoxide (MetO) in proteins. To further consider this question, we present a handy proteomic method based on the use of two-dimensional diagonal electrophoresis (2Dd) and cyanogen bromide (CNBr) cleavage, which we refer to as 2Dd-CNBr. CNBr treatment of proteins causes the non-enzymatic hydrolysis of peptide bonds on the carboxyl side of reduced Met residues. However, Met oxidation causes a lack of cleavage, thus modifying the electrophoretic mobility of CNBr-induced peptides. This approach was first validated using bovine serum albumin as a model protein, which confirmed the possibility of distinguishing between oxidized and non-oxidized forms of Met-containing peptides in gels. Then, the 2Dd-CNBr method was applied to the Arabidopsis thaliana seed protein extract in a control (non-oxidized) condition and in an oxidized one (as obtained following hypochlorous acid treatment). Twenty-four oxidized Met residues in 19 proteins identified by mass spectrometry were found to be surface exposed in these proteins. In the three-dimensional environment of the oxidized Met, we detected amino acid residues that could be converted by oxidation (carbonylation) or by phosphorylation, suggesting a possible interplay between Met oxidation and the other protein modifications. The identification of the proteins oxidatively modified in Met residues revealed the finding that MetO-containing proteins are related to seed longevity. Based on these results, we suggest that the method presently described also has the potential for wider applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Physiology)
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20 pages, 4891 KiB  
Article
Water Spectral Patterns Reveals Similarities and Differences in Rice Germination and Induced Degenerated Callus Development
by Zoltan Kovacs, Jelena Muncan, Nobuko Ohmido, George Bazar and Roumiana Tsenkova
Plants 2021, 10(9), 1832; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10091832 - 3 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5226
Abstract
In vivo monitoring of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed germination and seedling growth under general conditions in closed Petri dishes containing agar base medium at room temperature (temperature = 24.5 ± 1 °C, relative humidity = 76 ± 7% (average ± standard [...] Read more.
In vivo monitoring of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed germination and seedling growth under general conditions in closed Petri dishes containing agar base medium at room temperature (temperature = 24.5 ± 1 °C, relative humidity = 76 ± 7% (average ± standard deviation)), and induced degenerated callus formation with plant growth regulator, were performed using short-wavelength near-infrared spectroscopy and aquaphotomics over A period of 26 days. The results of spectral analysis suggest changes in water absorbances due to the production of common metabolites, as well as increases in biomass and the sizes of the samples. Quantitative models built to predict the day of the development provided better accuracy for rice seedlings growth compared to callus formation. Eight common water bands were identified as presenting prominent changes in the absorbance pattern. The water matrix of only rice seedlings showed three developmental stages: firstly expressing a predominantly weakly hydrogen-bonded state, then a more strongly hydrogen-bonded state, and then, again, a weakly hydrogen-bonded state at the end. In rice callus induction and proliferation, no similar change in water absorbance pattern was observed. The presented findings indicate the potential of aquaphotomics for the in vivo detection of degeneration in cell development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Physiology)
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Review

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11 pages, 1617 KiB  
Review
Welsh Onion (Allium fistulosum L.) Seed Physiology, Breeding, Production and Trade
by Gregorio Padula, Xianzong Xia and Roman Hołubowicz
Plants 2022, 11(3), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11030343 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 9273
Abstract
In the coming years, it is expected that the European Union countries will increase their interest in the use of the Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.). It is a little-known vegetable from the Far East. Consequently, growers might be asking their extension [...] Read more.
In the coming years, it is expected that the European Union countries will increase their interest in the use of the Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.). It is a little-known vegetable from the Far East. Consequently, growers might be asking their extension advisors increasingly about its seed physiology and commercial production. This article provides basic information on the origin of the species, its botanical characteristics, the main breeding directions and achievements, seed production methods and areas, main plant breeding and seed production companies, seed dormancy and the best methods for seed storage, use of the crop and market responses to promotion activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Physiology)
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Other

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18 pages, 3150 KiB  
Systematic Review
How Does Changing Environment Influence Plant Seed Movements as Populations of Dispersal Vectors Decline?
by Jonathan O. Hernandez, Muhammad Naeem and Wajid Zaman
Plants 2023, 12(7), 1462; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12071462 - 27 Mar 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5166
Abstract
Plants differ widely in their ability to find tolerable climatic ranges through seed dispersal, depending on their life-history traits and habitat characteristics. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review on seed dispersal mechanisms was conducted [...] Read more.
Plants differ widely in their ability to find tolerable climatic ranges through seed dispersal, depending on their life-history traits and habitat characteristics. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review on seed dispersal mechanisms was conducted to elucidate plant seed movements amid changing environments. Here, the highest relative count of studies was found in Spain (16.47%), followed by Brazil (14.12%), and the USA (14.12%). The megadiverse, hotspot countries (e.g., Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, and Indonesia) and Africa (Tanzania, South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo) have very low to no data about the reviewed topic. The effects of land use changes, habitat degradation/disturbances, climate, and extreme weather conditions on seed dispersal mechanisms and agents had the highest share of studies across topics and countries. Plant diversity and distribution of anemochorous, endozoochorous, epizoochorous, hydrochorous, myrmecochorous, and ornithochorous species are seriously affected by changing environments due to altered long-distance seed dispersal. The fruit types commonly associated with endozoochory and ornithochory are species with achene, capsule, drupe, fleshy, and nut fruits/seeds, whereas achene, capsule, samara/winged seeds are associated with anemochory. The present review provides a summary of evidence on how plants are affected by climate change as populations of dispersal vectors decline. Finally, recommendations for further study were made based on the identified knowledge gaps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Physiology)
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