The regulation of germination: an updated guide for researchers

The ability of a seed to germinate and establish a plant at the correct time of year is of vital importance from an ecological and economic point of view. This paper reviews the mechanisms that regulate this capacity and its dependence on the interaction between the genetic composition of seeds and environmental factors.

 

In this review, the authors extensively collect the established knowledge on germination control from a genetic and molecular perspective, incorporating the latest advances in the field. These advances deal with the influence of the environment on the mother plant, the impact of epigenetic regulation (modifications in the expression of genes without alteration in the DNA sequence), the transport of hormones or regulation from a spatial and mechanical perspective. The review is intended to illustrate the key issues in a comprehensive manner but maintaining a reasonable length. To achieve these goals, a supplementary compilation of selected reviews that expand on specific aspects is included. In this way, the text is presented as a general guide that allows both consultation by new researchers interested in seed biology and, in the case of experts, the expansion of their knowledge.

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Original Paper:

Carrera-Castaño, G., Calleja-Cabrera, J., Pernas, M., Gómez, L., Oñate-Sánchez, L. 2020. An Updated Overview on the Regulation of Seed Germination. Plants 9, 703. DOI: 10.3390/plants9060703

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