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Water scarcity and labor shortage pose significant challenges in rice farming. Direct-seeded rice (DSR) is an efficient method that conserves water, reduces labor costs, and allows for full mechanization of cultivation. However, variable planting depth in undulated field leading to deep/shallow sowing of rice seeds during mechanical sowing presents a major hurdle, as existing varieties lack tolerance to deep sowing. To address this, a mapping population comprising 150 F4 lines, derived from MTU 1010 and AUS295, was developed and phenotyped for emergence from deep soil depth-related traits, including days of emergence (DE), percent germination (PG), mesocotyl length (ML), and coleoptile length (CL). The correlation revealed that DE has a significant negative correlation with PG, ML, and CL, whereas PG, ML, and CL are all positively correlated with each other. The mapping population was genotyped with mid-density SNP assay (1k-RiCA), and a linkage map was established with 414 polymorphic SNP markers. A total of 16 QTLs were identified for four traits, with phenotypic variance explained (PVE) ranging from 6.63% to 19.6% in the WS22. These included 5 QTLs for DE, 3 QTLs for PG, 4 QTLs for ML, and 4 QTLs for CL. Out of 16 QTLs identified, 12 were major effect QTLs (qDE1.2 , qDE1.3 , qDE1.4 , qDE2.1 , qDE12 , qPG2.1, qPG2.2, qML2.1, qML2.2 , qCL1 , qCL2.2, qCL2.3) and 4 were minor effect QTLs (qPG1, qML1.2, qCL2.1). During DS23 season, QTL analysis for DE and PG traits identified seven and three QTLs, respectively. Out of the ten QTLs identified in DS23 season, eight were stable across the season. This study reported 11 novel QTLs, while 7 had been previously reported. The study pinpointed three QTL hotspot regions: one on chromosome 1 (qPG1 , qCL1) and two on chromosome 2 (qPG2.1, qML2.2, qCL2.1) and (qPG2.2, qCL2.2). Candidate gene analysis in the identified QTL regions found two genes associated with hormonal pathways: OsSLR1 for gibberellin signaling and OsSAUR11 for abscisic acid signaling. Additionally, one gene (OsMT3a) associated with early seedling vigor and another (OsABA8ox1) regulates germination through coleoptile growth. The identified QTLs, genes, and breeding lines from this study provide valuable resources for developing rice varieties with enhanced tolerance to deep soil emergence, making them well-suited for mechanized DSR systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) is the largest (32–35 kg) flighless bird inhabiting grasslands and savannas of South America. Its diet comprises several fruit species, but the outcome of fruit ingestion (seed dispersal or predation) is largely unknown. We investigated the role of Greater Rheas in seed dispersal using fruit feeding trials with captive animals and seed germination experiments for 11 plants from the Brazilian savannas (Cerrado). We also performed a meta-analysis with a total 29 species included in seed germination experiments following fruit ingestion by Rheas. Rheas have a long gut passage time (GPT) (mean ± SD: 61.6 ± 13.5 hours), allowing them to carry seeds to long distances. In our experiment, seeds within heavier fruits and those with lipid-rich fruit pulp had shorter and longer GPT, respectively, which influences the potential distances of seed dispersal achieved. The impact of seed ingestion varied from seed destruction (for three species) to successful (three species) or faster germination (two species) compared to controls. Results were inconclusive for three species. Dispersal is done at the cost of considerable seed losses, probably due to prolonged seed abrasion inside the gut. Similar results were found in the meta-analysis. Given the consumption of many fruits combined with a long GPT and large home range, Rheas may influence the fate of a great amount of seeds for several plants. Current pervasive population declines of Rheas can disrupt these processes, affecting plant regeneration, particularly for species that depend on them for long-distance seed dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assam, an Indian state stands as a key player in the global tea industry, with tea estates producing substantial amounts of tea pruning litter (TL) throughout the year. In this study, conventional low technology (kiln-based), pyrolyzed, and gasified biochars were produced utilizing tea pruning litter (TL) and mixed wood chips (MW) as feedstocks. Significant variations (p < 0.05) in physicochemical properties of the produced biochars were observed, attributed to differences in feedstock and production techniques. Biochar yield was higher in conventional low technology method (30–40%) followed by gasification (20–35%) and pyrolysis (18–30%). All produced biochars can be categorized as most recalcitrant (R50 = 0.76–1.12) except conventional low technology TL biochar (TPC, falls under minimal degradation category, R50 = 0.6). Lower recalcitrance potential of conventional low technology biochars facilitated an increase in soil pH, helping to neutralise soil acidity. Maximum content of poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was noted in TL biochars compared to MW biochars. The germination test for mustard and french bean seeds was conducted inside the laboratory under room temperature. Produced biochars were applied as soil amendment at 10 t ha−1 and 20 t ha−1 each. Highest rate of germination and seedling growth was documented under application of conventional low technology biochars (TPC and MWC) at 10 t ha−1. However, increasing the application dose to 20 t ha−1 decreased seed germination parameters and seedling growth of both the seeds. Screening of feedstock is essential to maximise the benefits of conventional low technology biochars as soil amendments.Highlights: Conventional low technology biochar production yielded higher biochar compared to pyrolysis and gasification methods. Low technology biochar produced from tea pruning litter resulted in a rapid increase in soil pH due to its low recalcitrance potential. Tea pruning litter biochars have higher elemental content and EPA PAHs compared to mixed wood chips biochars. The germination performance of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds is significantly influenced by the properties of the applied biochars, as well as the application dose and seed size. Germination percentage peaked with low technology tea pruning litter biochar application but declined with increasing application dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the effect of plasma-activated liquids (PAL) on the cotton plant (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth under laboratory and field conditions. We used two types of PAL: deionized water activated with plasma generated using a microwave plasmatron in atmospheric-pressure air flow (PAW) and a 1.5% KNO3 solution activated using plasma generated in an electrochemical cell (PAKNO3). These treatments differ in terms of their content of long-lived biologically active compounds. PAW contains a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide (150 μM compared to 1.1 μM), while PAKNO3 is more saturated with NO2− and NO3− (1510 μM compared to 300 µM). We found that PAW improved cotton plant growth under field conditions and in a laboratory drought stress. Additionally, PAW increased field emergence and germination of heat-treated cotton seeds in the laboratory. It was revealed that PAW prevents the drought-induced disruption of the partitioning of absorbed light energy in the photosynthetic apparatus. Meanwhile, PAKNO3 has a positive effect on seed germination. The positive effect of PALs on cotton seeds and plants is thought to be due to the generation of long-lived biologically active oxygen and nitrogen species during plasma treatment of the liquid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological invasions threaten biodiversity and agroecosystems, and early warning systems can minimise the spread of invasive alien species with limited resources. This study documents the presence of the alien plant Asclepias speciosa Torr., native to North America, that was first discovered in 2022 on Mount Vrontou, Central Macedonia, Northern Greece. This is the second European record of this alien species, after Lithuania, confirming its adaptability to contrasting European biogeographical regions. To enable future monitoring, this study provided new data on morphological traits of the species (above-ground parts), climatic tolerance (precipitation and temperature regimes), habitats with co-occurring species, pollinators, current reproductive potential, and seed germination at controlled temperatures (10 °C, 15 °C, and 20 °C). The high probability of misidentification with the highly invasive A. syriaca in European inventories supports the theory that A. speciosa may have been present in Europe long before it was officially reported. The lack of an EU-mandated reassessment of A. syriaca monitoring raises concerns regarding the potential invasion risk of A. speciosa in European natural and semi-natural areas or agricultural lands. Inspection mechanisms, early warning systems, and preventive measures are therefore essential to protect local biodiversity and agriculture from potential A. speciosa invasion, a risk that may be exacerbated by climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed soaking is an important process in rice cultivation. Allowing seeds to absorb sufficient water before sowing improves their germinability, germination vigor, and seedling emergence. The use of converter slag, which is a fertilizer and soil amendment, can increase crop yields and suppress diseases. However, there are no reports on the effect of the converter slag on initial rice plant growth when applied at the seed soaking stage. In this study, we investigated the effects of soaking rice seeds in two types of converter slag suspensions on the early growth of rice plants from germination to seedling emergence. We conducted laboratory tests with simulated cultivation processes (germination forcing and root-elongation forcing). The seeds soaked in converter slag suspensions showed improved germinability and coleoptile elongation under anaerobic conditions, as well as improved rooting ability and seminal root elongation under aerobic conditions. Seeds soaked in converter slag suspensions and water were sown using five sowing methods (standard seedling raising; Japanese-type direct sowing at surface, shallow, and deep soil depths; and Italian-type direct sowing). Overall, the seedlings that grew from seeds treated with the converter slag suspensions showed faster seedling emergence and better growth. These results show that soaking seeds in Ca2+-rich converter slag suspensions can promote the early growth of rice plants by avoiding low-oxygen disorders and improve subsequent seedling establishment. Thus, converter slag suspensions are suitable for germination but unsuitable for microbial growth due to high alkaline conditions (pH 11–11.5), which may omit both water changes and germination forcing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an important oil seed which is consumed by humans in different ways. However, because of the high lipid content, seeds are more prone to deterioration during short-term storage because of oxidation resulting from temperature fluctuations or moisture content. We aimed to evaluate the halopriming effect on the germination, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidant enzymes of sunflower hybrid seeds during storage (0, 7, 14, and 30 days). Priming improved germination by enhancing germination percentage (G%), germination speed index (GSI), and time taken for 50% germination (T50%), even in stored seeds. In unprimed seeds, storage time decreased all G% and GSI. Primed seeds had a lower hydrogen peroxide content at all storage durations. However, increased levels of the lipid peroxidation marker (MDA) were observed in primed seeds at 14 days of storage, even though there was no signal of oxidative stress. Catalase and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activities were higher in the control seeds across all storage durations. Therefore, it can be concluded that: (I) sunflower seeds can be sensitive to short-term storage, and halopriming can increase seed germination parameters even in stored seeds; (II) halopriming maintained controlled ROS levels, and probably anticipated lipid storage reserve mobilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the seeds of Alhagi sparsifolia were collected from wild Alhagi sparsifolia grass seed base in Turpan area of Xinjiang Province from 2020 to 2023, and the germination characteristics of Alhagi sparsifolia seeds under different dormancy breaking methods and different experimental conditions were studied. The results showed that the germination rate of Alhagi sparsifolia seeds was improved after the seed dormancy was broken by pretreatment. The optimum germination temperature was 30 °C. Seed-skin rubbing treatment and concentrated sulfuric acid soaking pretreatment had the best effect on breaking dormancy of Alhagi sparsifolia seeds, the germination rate was up to 100% and the germination time was faster. Distilled water soaking treatment had no obvious effect on seed germination. When the soaking temperature gradually increased and the soaking time extended, the germination rate was significantly increased. After soaking in 90 °C distilled water for 2 hours, the germination rate was up to 70%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: RNA m6A methylation installed by RNA methyltransferases plays a crucial role in regulating plant growth and development and environmental stress responses. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of m6A methylation involved in seed germination and stress responses are largely unknown. In the present study, we surveyed global m6A methylation in rice seed germination under salt stress and the control (no stress) using an osmta1 mutant and its wild type. Results: The knockout of OsMTA1 resulted in a decreased level of m6A methylation and delayed seed germination, together with increased oxidative damage in the osmta1-1 mutant, especially under salt stress, indicating that OsMTA1 performs a crucial function in rice seed germination and salt stress response. Comparative analysis of m6A profiling using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing revealed that a unique set of genes that functioned in seed germination, cell growth, and development, including OsbZIP78 and OsA8, were hypomethylated in osmta1-1 embryos and germinating seeds. Numerous genes involved in plant growth and stress response were hypomethylated in the osmta1-1 mutant during seed germination under salt stress. Further combined analysis of the m6A methylome and transcriptome revealed that the loss of function of OsMTA1 had a more complex impact on gene expression in osmta1-1. Several hypomethylated genes with a negative role in growth and development, such as OsHsfA7 and OsHDAC3, were highly up-regulated in the osmta1-1 mutant under the control condition. In contrast, several hypomethylated genes positively associated with stress response were down-regulated, whereas a different set of hypomethylated genes that functioned as negative regulators of growth and stress response were up-regulated in the osmta1-1 mutant under salt stress. These results further demonstrated that OsMTA1-mediated m6A methylation modulated rice seed germination and salt stress response by regulating transcription of a unique set of genes with diverse functions. Conclusion: Our results reveal a crucial role for the m6A methyltransferase gene OsMTA1 in regulating rice seed germination and salt stress response, and provide candidate genes to assist in breeding new stress-tolerant rice varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the most important problems associated with the severe decrease of yield and quality under disaster weather of continuous rain in wheat harvesting stage. At present, the functions and mechanisms related to the involvement of post-transcriptional regulation has not been studied very clearly in PHS resistance. Results: This study compared the differences of germinated seeds in miRNAome between the PHS-tolerant and PHS-susceptible white wheat varieties. A total of 1879 miRNAs were identified from three different stages during seed germination. In order to further obtain candidate miRNAs, the different datasets of differentially expressed miRNAs were excavated by using differential-expression and time-series analysis. Combined with degradome data, the miRNA-mRNA networks analysis was performed after genome-wide screening of target genes, and then KEGG enrichment highlighted that the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway related to PHS was specifically enriched in an especial target-gene dataset derived from R12R18-HE miRNAs. Based on transcriptome data, a network associated with starch metabolism was systematically and completely reconstructed in wheat. Then, the starch degradation pathway controlled by seven miRNA-RNA pairs were supposed to be the essential regulation center for seed germination in wheat, which also could play a critical role on the PHS resistance. Conclusion: Our findings revealed the complex impact of the miRNA-mediated mechanism for forming intrinsic and inherent differences, which resulting in significant difference on PHS performance between white wheat varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Seed-associated microorganisms play crucial roles in maintaining plant health by providing nutrients and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, their functions in seed germination and disease resistance remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the microbial community assembly features and functional profiles of the spermosphere and endosphere microbiomes related to germinated and ungerminated seeds of Astragalus mongholicus by using amplicon and shotgun metagenome sequencing techniques. Additionally, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between beneficial microorganisms and seed germination through both in vitro and in vivo pot experiments. Results: Our findings revealed that germination significantly enhances the diversity of microbial communities associated with seeds. This increase in diversity is driven through environmental ecological niche differentiation, leading to the enrichment of potentially beneficial probiotic bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Pantoea. Conversely, Fusarium was consistently enriched in ungerminated seeds. The co-occurrence network patterns revealed that the microbial communities within germinated and ungerminated seeds presented distinct structures. Notably, germinated seeds exhibit more complex and interconnected networks, particularly for bacterial communities and their interactions with fungi. Metagenome analysis showed that germinated seed spermosphere soil had more functions related to pathogen inhibition and cellulose degradation. Through a combination of culture-dependent and germination experiments, we identified Fusarium solani as the pathogen. Consistent with the metagenome analysis, germination experiments further demonstrated that bacteria associated with pathogen inhibition and cellulose degradation could promote seed germination and vigor. Specifically, Paenibacillus sp. significantly enhanced A. mongholicus seed germination and plant growth. Conclusions: Our study revealed the dynamics of seed-associated microorganisms during seed germination and confirmed their ecological role in promoting A. mongholicus seed germination by suppressing pathogens and degrading cellulose. This study offers a mechanistic understanding of how seed microorganisms facilitate successful seed germination, highlighting the potential for leveraging these microbial communities to increase plant health. 9Vhf17h9wMs7kvS_yZTv5- Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Echinops gmelinii Turcz. is a winter annual species of the Asteraceae family, distributed in sandy areas of northern China, and is crucial for wind avoidance and sand fixation. To understand the inter- and intra-annual population dynamics of E. gmelinii in its cold desert habitats, we conducted long- and short-term demographic studies to investigate the timing of germination, seedling survival, soil seed bank and seed longevity of natural populations on the fringe of the Tengger Desert. Cypselae (seeds) of E. gmelinii can germinate in both July and August, but this process is heavily affected by precipitation amount and timing. Early emerging seedlings died rapidly under the high temperature and drought stress, before completing their life cycle. Later emerging seedlings could survive to complete their life cycle due to more suitable conditions for plant growth. In short, seedling survival dynamics were affected by precipitation distribution, and the survival rates were low (<4%). In addition, we found that the high seed production (1328 seeds·m−2) of E. gmelinii depended mainly on the production of seeds by individuals rather than high plant density (35 individuals·m−2). The contribution of newly ripened seeds and soil seed banks to seedlings emergence was 57.7% and 42.3%, respectively. Thus, only a small amount of the newly matured seeds was depleted during the year. Only 23.6% of the annual seeds germinated, and the remainder accumulated in a persistent soil seed bank (seed longevity was ≥2 y). The amount and timing of precipitation distribution were the key factors affecting the population dynamics of E. gmelinii in our study area. This species can cope with the uncertain precipitation patterns though a "cautious" germination strategy, varying the timing of germination and forming a persistent soil seed bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concurrent environmental challenges of invasive species and soil microplastic contamination increasingly affect agricultural ecosystems, yet their combined effects remain underexplored. This study investigates the interactive impact of the legacy effects of Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) invasion and soil microplastic contamination on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed germination and root development. We measured wheat seed germination and root growth parameters by utilizing a controlled potted experiment with four treatments (control, S. canadensis legacy, microplastics, and combined treatment). The results revealed that the legacy effects of S. canadensis and microplastic contamination affected wheat seed germination. The effects of different treatments on wheat seedling properties generally followed an "individual treatment enhances, and combined treatment suppresses" pattern, except for root biomass. Specifically, the individual treatment promoted wheat seedling development. However, combined treatment significantly suppressed root development, decreasing total root length and surface area by 23.85% and 31.86%, respectively. These findings demonstrate that while individual treatments may promote root development, their combined effects are detrimental, indicating a complex interaction between these two environmental stressors. The study highlights the need for integrated soil management strategies to mitigate the combined impacts of invasive species and microplastic contamination on crop productivity and ecosystem health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) through the reduction of metal ions using secondary metabolites extracted from plants is considered an eco-friendly and bio-safe method. In this study, palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) were synthesized through biogenic synthesis. Pd-NPs were obtained using an aqueous leaf extract of Crateva religiosa, exhibiting the desired physicochemical properties in terms of structure, optics, and photocatalytic activity. The characterization of prepared biogenic Pd-NPs was achieved by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and HR-TEM. As a result of characterization, UV-Vis spectrum exhibited a maximum absorbance at a wavelength of 420 nm. In the XRD analysis, five basic peaks attributed to Pd-NPs, and an average crystallite size was 10.31 nm. In addition, SEM and HR-TEM determined that Pd-NPs have a quasi-spherical shape, and an average size of 15–20 nm was tested antimicrobial activity with Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Aspergilus niger, and Aspergillus tamarii. Pd-NPs at 30 μg/mL exhibited bacteriocidal and anti-fungistatic activity. In addition, Pd-NPs inhibited the formation of the biofilm layer by B. subtilis and K. pneumoniae by 85.63% and 92.78%, respectively. Pd-NPs also exhibited potential free radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. Pd-NPs displayed a remarkable anti-inflammatory activity of 96.68% according to the albumin denaturation inhibitory assay. Furthermore, they exhibited anticancer activity against A549 cell lines, with an IC-50 value of 28.25 μg/mL determined through in vitro cytotoxicity assessment using the MTT assay. The photocatalytic activity was observed by the degradation of fast green dye (95.28%) and Rose Bengal dye (95.15%) at pH 3 and 150 min of exposure time and under sunlight. Moreover, the Pd-NPs positively impacted seed germination on horse gram. Overall, the results indicate that Pd-NPs, obtained through biogenic synthesis, have the potential to serve as agents for various biological and environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective Microorganism (EM) is widely employed as a growth promoter in agricultural practices. The aging of oat seeds not only directly impairs agricultural production but also exerts adverse effects on biodiversity. The mechanism through which EM influence the germination of aging seeds remains unclear. In this experiment, the EM bacterial solution underwent pretreatment, which included the original-solution treatment (OrT), supernatant treatment (SuT), and sterile treatment (StT). Aging of oat seeds was induced using the pretreated EM bacterial solution. In this study, the EM bacterial solution facilitated the enhancement of the germination rate, germination index, and vitality index of aged seeds, with SuT demonstrating the most pronounced effects. Specifically, SuT resulted in a significant increase in APX and POD activities, while significantly reducing the malondialdehyde content. In addition, metabolic profiling highlighted the significance of 5-phosphoribosylamine in the purine metabolic pathway. Particularly in the SuT, the upregulation of 5-phosphoribosylamine facilitated the synthesis of (R)-Allantoin, consequently augmenting antioxidant enzyme activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore the effects of different mixed salt stress on germination of dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum Hand-Mazz) seeds, in this study, dandelion seeds were used as experimental materials, and four mixed salts composed of different concentrations of NaCl (pH=7.20), Na2SO4 (pH=8.03), NaHCO3 (pH=8.90), and Na2CO3 (pH=9.63) were prepared. The concentration ratios of the four salts in the mixed salt were 1∶1∶0∶0 (YA), 1∶2∶1∶0 (YB), 1∶9∶9∶1 (YC), and 1: 1∶1∶1 (YD), respectively. Five concentration gradients (25, 50 100 150, and 200 mmol/L) were set for each mixed salt, and distilled water was used as the control (CK). Different types of mixed salt solutions were used to simulate the mixed saline-alkali soil conditions for the saline-alkali stress treatment of dandelion seeds, and germination and variation of dandelion seeds under alkaline salt stress were analyzed. The results showed that germination of most seeds was negatively affected to a certain extent under mixed salt stress. Under the same mixed salt, the germination rate of seeds decreased significantly with the increase of salt concentration. When the concentration of the four mixed salts was 25 mmol/L, the seed recovery germination rate was higher after rehydration, and the final germination rate was not significantly different from that of CK. At the same pH value, both the recovery germination rate and the final germination rate decreased to varying degrees with the increase of salt stress concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a novel, eco-friendly approach for synthesizing molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanoparticles using Leucas aspera leaf extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent, presenting a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. The synthesis results in molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles with well-defined structural and morphological properties, confirmed through advanced characterization techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Notably, the molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi, significant antioxidant potential, and promising performance as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in acidic environments, making them suitable for a range of biomedical and industrial applications. Additionally, these nanoparticles enhanced seed germination and growth in agricultural trials, establishing their potential as natural growth stimulants. This study highlights the unique multifunctionality of molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles across diverse fields such as medicine, agriculture, environmental remediation, and corrosion protection, offering new avenues for future research and practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this present study, we report the synthesis of surface-modified zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) using chemical method (Z) as well as green method using Beta vulgaris extract (BvZ). The band gap energy of BvZ (3.14 eV) was found to be greater than that of Z (3.0 eV) owing to its smaller particle size. The X-ray diffraction patterns reveal the reduction in crystallite size for BvZ when compared to Z. TEM and SEM images show the agglomeration of particles for BvZ and spherical morphology for Z. The XPS spectra of the BvZ NPs were studied to confirm the oxidation state of Zn ions. Antimicrobial activities of BvZ and Z were tested against bacterial strains such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus and fungal strains viz., Candida tropicalis, and Aspergillus niger. The seed germination property of BvZ for chickpea seeds was also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Santolina ligustica is a rare narrow-ranged species endemic to Liguria (Italy) for which a likely trend of decline has been recorded. For this reason, it would be important to assess the reproductive biology of this endemic species. In this study, we investigated the plant–pollinator interactions, the reproductive mode of the plant, and we evaluated both reproductive efficiency and seeds' germination performances. Santolina ligustica is an obligate cross-pollinating species with a generalist pollination system. The most frequent insects are Coleoptera belonging to the genus Oedemera. Seed set is low, but the seeds germinate under a wide range of temperatures. Taken together, our results indicate that S. ligustica is an insect pollinated and self-incompatible plant, in which low visitation rate, secondary pollen presentation and/or lack of compatible mate may cause a low seed set per capitulum. Nevertheless, the high number of capitula per plant and the high percentage of germination may assure high number of seedlings. Thus, the survival of S. ligustica is probably threatened by other factors such as fragmented distribution and habitat reduction because of land-use change. Under this scenario, we proved that species' decline is not directly related to reproductive failure and different studies are desirable to provide suggestions for the species conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Eighteen quinoa gibberellin oxidase genes were identified. • They were divided into four subfamilies: C19GA2ox, C20GA2ox, GA3ox, and GA20ox. • CqGAox genes were specifically expressed during seed germination. • CqGAox genes were expressed to maintain endogenous GAs in plants exposed to stress. Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is an urgent problem in the quinoa breeding process. Gibberellin oxidases are key enzymes in the biosynthesis and degradation of gibberellins, playing a significant role in the regulation of active gibberellins (GAs). In this study, 18 CqGAox genes were identified in quinoa and characterized according to phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, conserved motifs, codon use pattern, and expression patterns. Based on their phylogenetic relationships, the CqGAox genes were classified into four groups: C19CqGA2ox, C20CqGA2ox, CqGA3ox , and CqGA20ox. Evolutionary analyses showed that homologous GAox genes from Arabidopsis, rice, and quinoa have been subject to purifying selection during evolution. According to the codon use patterns, mutational stress may cause codon bias in CqGAox genes. Prediction of promoter cis-regulatory elements suggested that the CqGAox genes contained multiple elements that responded to phytohormones and stress. We further evaluated the transcriptional responses of CqGAox genes during quinoa seed germination and under low-temperature stress treatments of seedlings. Moreover, qRT-PCR was used to confirm the changes in CqGAox gene expression during quinoa seed germination under GA 3 and paclobutrazol (PAC) treatments. Compared with the control, expression of CqGAox genes was significantly altered by treatment with GA 3 or PAC. These findings indicated that the CqGAox genes are essential for regulating GA biosynthesis and degradation. This study lays the foundation for further investigations of the roles of CqGAox genes in GA-regulated quinoa seed germination and provides potential targets for addressing the challenge of quinoa PHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) irradiation exhibits a sterilizing effect without causing thermal denaturation or leaving behind residual toxicants. CAP also has potential applications in various fields, including agriculture, leading to research efforts in recent years. This study investigated the effects of CAP on the seed germination rate of spinach (Spinacia oleracea), which typically has a low seed germination rate. Our results confirmed that irradiation with N2-CAP and Air-CAP significantly enhanced the germination rate of spinach seeds. Notably, we discovered that CAP irradiation promoted germination even in spinach seeds coated with a fungicide (thiuram) and a disinfectant (Captan), which are commonly used. Additionally, we examined whether the interval between CAP irradiation and the subsequent germination-induction treatment influenced the germination efficiency. We found that the germination-promoting effect of CAP on spinach seeds persisted for at least 30 days, demonstrating the high utility and practicality of CAP in the agricultural sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of the indigenous fruit and food security tree, Myrianthus holstii, is seriously constrained by its seed dormancy, change in land use and overexploitation, decreasing its wild population and limiting its on-farm planting in Rwanda. Therefore, we determined the effects of different pre-sowing treatments on the germination and seedling growth of M. holstii to promote its domestication in Rwanda, using mechanical nicking of seeds, boiling seeds in water for 5 min and sulphuric acid (98%) scarification for 15 and 30 min. The shortest acid-scarification produced the highest germination (93%) within 6 weeks after sowing and seedlings with longer heights and more leaves within 3 months, comparable to mechanical nicking, indicating that the two techniques are effective in improving the germination and seedling growth of M. holstii. However, mechanical scarification was recommended to small-scale farmers, since it is eco-friendly, economical and user-friendly to contribute to M. holstii domestication in Rwanda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is a phenomenon that causes substantial losses in the yield of cultivated Vigna and is mainly brought on by humid conditions. Although there is potential for genotypic PHS tolerance, this has not been thoroughly investigated in cowpea. The current study set out to understand the effects of several physiological and physical characteristics on PHS and to investigate the genetic variation for PHS tolerance in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) germplasm. A diverse panel of 102 cowpea accessions was examined for seed and pod morphological characteristics, water imbibition by seeds and pods, and fresh seed germination to characterize the PHS trait. A wide variation for PHS was reported within cowpea accessions. Seed germination within pods, a key measure in assessing PHS tolerance, exhibited a wide range from 5 to 95%. Notably, six accessions (IC257422, IC338865, IC202837, EC004862, EC343036, IC259075) demonstrated PHS tolerance, with PHS values below 10%. Correlation analysis highlighted the positive influence of pod and seed water imbibition as well as fresh seed germination on PHS. Multivariate analysis further affirmed the positive association between PHS and water imbibition and fresh seed germination traits. Newly identified PHS tolerant accessions can be used in cowpea improvement programs to aid in the development of improved cowpea cultivars with PHS tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Important representatives of mucilaginous seeds from different plant species, namely amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.), garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.), common flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), psyllium (Plantago ovata Forssk.), and chia (Salvia hispanica L.) were subjected to non-thermal plasma (NTP) generated by diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge with different exposure times (1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 s). Seed water uptake, kinematic viscosity, parameters of seed germination and initial seedling growth were monitored along with chemical and morphological changes on the seed surface. Water absorption increased with increasing plasma exposure time for garden cress, psyllium and chia seeds, but it was greatest for chia seeds. For all seed species, the kinematic viscosity decreased with increasing plasma exposure time. The highest values were found for chia seeds after a treatment for 30 s. Surface analyses did not reveal any chemical and morphological changes of the seed surface. According to a PCA comparison of basic characteristics of germination and initial growth, common flax seeds differ in their reaction to NTP from the other tested plants. On the contrary, chia seeds showed the best water uptake and kinematic viscosity. It was shown that NTP treatment improves the absorption of mucilaginous seeds and does not change the surface and structural properties of the seeds. These mucilaginous seeds can be used as raw seed, whereby NTP accelerates their preparation during soaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Polyploidization (diploidy → polyploidy) was more likely to be positively associated with seed mass than with seed germination. Polyploidy is common in flowering plants, and polyploidization can be associated with the various stages of a plant’s life cycle. Our primary aim was to determine the association (positive, none or negative) of polyploidy with seed mass/germination via a literature review. We found that the number of cases of positive, none and negative correlates of polyploidization was 28, 36 and 21, respectively, for seed germination and 25, 5 and 3, respectively, for seed mass. In many plant species, ploidy level differs within and between populations, and it may be positively or negatively associated with germination (57.6% of 85 cases in our review). Ideally, then, to accurately assess intra- and interpopulation variation in seed germination, such studies should include ploidy level. This is the first in-depth review of the association of polyploidy with seed germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress inhibits rice seed germination. Strigolactone (GR24) plays a vital role in enhancing plant tolerance against salt stress. However, GR24's impact on the metabolism of stored substances and endogenous hormones remains unclear. This study investigated the impact of exogenous GR24 on the metabolism of stored substances and endogenous hormones during the early stages of rice seed germination under salt stress. The results showed that salt stress significantly reduced the germination rate, germination potential, germination index, radicle length, germ length, and fresh and dry weights of the radicle and germ under salt stress. Pre-treatment (1.2 μmol L−1 GR24) significantly reduced the inhibition of salt stress on rice seed germination and seedling growth. GR24 promoted the decomposition of starch by enhancing the activities of α-amylase, β-amylase, and total amylase and improved the levels of soluble sugars and proteins and the conversion rate of substances under salt stress. GR24 effectively enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX); increased ascorbic acid (ASA) and glutathione (GSH) levels; and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content. This reduced the oxidative damage of salt stress. Furthermore, GR24 significantly increased the contents of strigolactones (SLs), auxin (IAA), gibberellin (GA3), cytokinin (CTK) as well as IAA/ABA, CTK/ABA, GA/ABA, and SL/ABA ratios and reduced abscisic acid (ABA) levels. The current findings indicate that GR24 effectively mitigates the adverse impact salt stress by regulating antioxidant enzyme activity and endogenous hormone balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of valuable bioactive compounds in the medicinal plant Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (G. glabra) would benefit from biotechnological approaches for the cultivation and induction of metabolite-producing hairy roots. Germination trials were tested to overcome seed dormancy, achieving high germination rates with sulfuric acid treatment. Hairy root cultures of cotyledons using Rhizobium rhizogenes strain 1724 showed the highest transformation efficiency. A fast-growing line, line S, was subsequently exposed to light treatments (red, blue, and blue and red combined) to evaluate their effects on growth, phenolic content, and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). Hairy root cultures grown in blue light and in blue and red light combined had higher growth rates than those grown in red light only or in control conditions (dark). FRAP increased over time under all light treatments, including the control, and those cultures exposed to blue and red light combined had higher FRAP than the control. These findings provide valuable insights into conditions for optimal seed germination and hairy root transformation. Treatment of the line S with different qualities of light induced changes in antioxidant capacity and phenolic content, indicating promise for its use in upregulating secondary metabolite production in G. glabra for future biotechnological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Seed-associated microorganisms play crucial roles in maintaining plant health by providing nutrients and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, their functions in seed germination and disease resistance remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the microbial community assembly features and functional profiles of the spermosphere and endosphere microbiomes related to germinated and ungerminated seeds of Astragalus mongholicus by using amplicon and shotgun metagenome sequencing techniques. Additionally, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between beneficial microorganisms and seed germination through both in vitro and in vivo pot experiments. Results Our findings revealed that germination significantly enhances the diversity of microbial communities associated with seeds. This increase in diversity is driven through environmental ecological niche differentiation, leading to the enrichment of potentially beneficial probiotic bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Pantoea. Conversely, Fusarium was consistently enriched in ungerminated seeds. The co-occurrence network patterns revealed that the microbial communities within germinated and ungerminated seeds presented distinct structures. Notably, germinated seeds exhibit more complex and interconnected networks, particularly for bacterial communities and their interactions with fungi. Metagenome analysis showed that germinated seed spermosphere soil had more functions related to pathogen inhibition and cellulose degradation. Through a combination of culture-dependent and germination experiments, we identified Fusarium solani as the pathogen. Consistent with the metagenome analysis, germination experiments further demonstrated that bacteria associated with pathogen inhibition and cellulose degradation could promote seed germination and vigor. Specifically, Paenibacillus sp. significantly enhanced A. mongholicus seed germination and plant growth. Conclusions Our study revealed the dynamics of seed-associated microorganisms during seed germination and confirmed their ecological role in promoting A. mongholicus seed germination by suppressing pathogens and degrading cellulose. This study offers a mechanistic understanding of how seed microorganisms facilitate successful seed germination, highlighting the potential for leveraging these microbial communities to increase plant health. Video Abstract

Background: Some of the species that make up the legume family are used as animal feed and to improve soil fertility. However, their use is limited due to low seed availability and low germination rates. Questions: Which scarification treatment is most effective in increasing germination? What is the response of plants to growth under field conditions? Studied specie: Teramnus labialis (L.f.) Spreng. Study site and date: Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, 2019 year. Methods: Four scarification treatments (sanding, sulfuric acid, hot water, and liquid nitrogen (LN)) were evaluated under controlled laboratory and field conditions. Seed coat structures, imbibition capacity, electrolyte loss, and germination were studied under controlled laboratory conditions. Under field conditions, plant morphological traits were evaluated during the vegetative and reproductive phases. Results: Scarification with LN caused multiple cracks in the seed coat, while sulfuric acid caused wear and detachment of the seed coat. With the use of LN, seed imbibition and germination were improved. In addition, 78 % of plants emerged with this treatment and crop establishment was achieved 120 days after sowing. Conclusions: Scarification with LN of T. labialis seeds was the most effective treatment to improve germination and reduce the time to establishment of the species.

Water scarcity and labor shortage pose significant challenges in rice farming. Direct-seeded rice (DSR) is an efficient method that conserves water, reduces labor costs, and allows for full mechanization of cultivation. However, variable planting depth in undulated field leading to deep/shallow sowing of rice seeds during mechanical sowing presents a major hurdle, as existing varieties lack tolerance to deep sowing. To address this, a mapping population comprising 150 F4 lines, derived from MTU 1010 and AUS295, was developed and phenotyped for emergence from deep soil depth-related traits, including days of emergence (DE), percent germination (PG), mesocotyl length (ML), and coleoptile length (CL). The correlation revealed that DE has a significant negative correlation with PG, ML, and CL, whereas PG, ML, and CL are all positively correlated with each other. The mapping population was genotyped with mid-density SNP assay (1k-RiCA), and a linkage map was established with 414 polymorphic SNP markers. A total of 16 QTLs were identified for four traits, with phenotypic variance explained (PVE) ranging from 6.63% to 19.6% in the WS22. These included 5 QTLs for DE, 3 QTLs for PG, 4 QTLs for ML, and 4 QTLs for CL. Out of 16 QTLs identified, 12 were major effect QTLs (qDE1.2, qDE1.3, qDE1.4, qDE2.1, qDE12, qPG2.1, qPG2.2, qML2.1, qML2.2, qCL1, qCL2.2, qCL2.3) and 4 were minor effect QTLs (qPG1, qML1.2, qCL2.1). During DS23 season, QTL analysis for DE and PG traits identified seven and three QTLs, respectively. Out of the ten QTLs identified in DS23 season, eight were stable across the season. This study reported 11 novel QTLs, while 7 had been previously reported. The study pinpointed three QTL hotspot regions: one on chromosome 1 (qPG1, qCL1) and two on chromosome 2 (qPG2.1, qML2.2, qCL2.1) and (qPG2.2, qCL2.2). Candidate gene analysis in the identified QTL regions found two genes associated with hormonal pathways: OsSLR1 for gibberellin signaling and OsSAUR11 for abscisic acid signaling. Additionally, one gene (OsMT3a) associated with early seedling vigor and another (OsABA8ox1) regulates germination through coleoptile growth. The identified QTLs, genes, and breeding lines from this study provide valuable resources for developing rice varieties with enhanced tolerance to deep soil emergence, making them well-suited for mechanized DSR systems.

Abstract Light and DELLA proteins are central factors controlling seed germination which is critical for seed plant survival and agricultural production. However, the mechanisms underlying DELLA degradation under different light conditions during seed germination remain to be clarified. Here, it is reported that TIE1‐ASSOCIATED RING‐TYPE E3 LIGASE4 (TEAR4) and other TEARs redundantly promote DELLA degradation to positively regulate seed germination in Arabidopsis. The tear1/2/3/4/5/6 sextuple mutant displayed delayed seed germination under the white or PhyB‐dependent light condition, and nearly no seed germination under the PhyA‐dependent light condition. The DELLA protein REPRESSOR OF ga1‐3 (RGA) accumulated in tear1/2/3/4/5/6, and disruption of RGA and GA‐INSENSITIVE (GAI) in tear1/2/3/4/5/6 rescued defective seed germination. Far‐red (FR) light rapidly induced TEARs, and TEAR4 is shown to act as an E3 ligase. It is showed that both GA‐dependent and TEAR‐mediated DELLA degradation pathways are indispensable for PhyA‐dependent germination. It is found that TEAR homologs PpTEAR1 and PpTEAR2 from the moss Physcomitrium patens interacted with Arabidopsis DELLAs to promote their degradation, and overexpression of PpTEAR1 or PpTEAR2 completely rescued defective PhyA‐dependent seed germination in phya‐211. This findings demonstrate that TEARs act as critical players in fine‐tuning seed germination, and TEAR‐mediated DELLA degradation might be an ancient pathway conserved in plant kingdom.

Seed germination is a crucial stage in plant development, intricately regulated by various environmental stimuli. Understanding these interactions is essential for optimizing planting and seedling management but remains challenging due to the trade-off effects of environmental factors on the germination process. We proposed a new conceptual model by viewing seed germination as a dynamic process in a physiological dimension, with the influence of environmental factors and seed heterogeneity characterized by a germination speed and a dispersion coefficient. To validate the model, we conducted field experiments by drilling wheat seeds at different dates to establish a temperature gradient and in different plots to create a soil water content gradient. Comparisons with our experimental data and literature results show the model accurately reproduces all germination patterns and the subsequent seedling tillering, with R2 > 0.95. Our results reveal that within suboptimal temperature range, the seed germination increases asymptotically with temperature, and that as soil water content increases, the germination speed increases initially before decreasing, illustrating the trade-off effect of soil water on bioavailability of water and oxygen. Introducing a physiological dimension enables seed germination and the subsequent tillering process to be modelled as a continuous physiological process, providing deeper insight into plant growth dynamics.