Molecular mechanisms of seed dormancy release by gas plasma-activated water technology. (15th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grainge, Giles; Nakabayashi, Kazumi; Steinbrecher, Tina; Kennedy, Sue; Ren, Junchen; Iza, Felipe; Leubner-Metzger, Gerhard
• Editors: Gibbs, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Journal of experimental botany. Volume 73:Number 12(2022)
• Page Start: 4065
• Page End: 4078
• Publication Date: 2022-04-15
• Subjects: Abscisic acid metabolism -- Arabidopsis thaliana -- endosperm weakening -- gas plasma-activated water -- nitrogen signalling -- non-thermal atmospheric gas plasma technology -- plant hormone signalling -- reactive oxygen species -- seed dormancy; Botany -- Periodicals; Botany, Experimental -- Periodicals; Plant physiology -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac150
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0957

Abstract

Abstract: Developing innovative agri-technologies is essential for the sustainable intensification of global food production. Seed dormancy is an adaptive trait which defines the environmental conditions in which the seed is able to germinate. Dormancy release requires sensing and integration of multiple environmental signals, a complex process which may be mimicked by seed treatment technologies. Here, we reveal molecular mechanisms by which non-thermal (cold) atmospheric gas plasma-activated water (GPAW) releases the physiological seed dormancy of Arabidopsis thaliana . GPAW triggered dormancy release by synergistic interaction between plasma-generated reactive chemical species (NO3 –, H2 O2, ·NO, and ·OH) and multiple signalling pathways targeting gibberellin and abscisic acid (ABA) metabolism and the expression of downstream cell wall-remodelling genes. Direct chemical action of GPAW on cell walls resulted in premature biomechanical endosperm weakening. The germination responses of dormancy signalling ( nlp8, prt6, and dog1 ) and ABA metabolism ( cyp707a2 ) mutants varied with GPAW composition. GPAW removes seed dormancy blocks by triggering multiple molecular signalling pathways combined with direct chemical tissue weakening to permit seed germination. Gas plasma technologies therefore improve seed quality by mimicking permissive environments in which sensing and integration of multiple signals lead to dormancy release and germination. Abstract : Gas plasma-activated water agri-technologies mimick the multitude of environmental signals to enhance seed germination and growth required for the sustainable intensification of food production.