Ethylene, a key factor in the regulation of seed dormancy

Abstract

Ethylene is an important component of the gaseous environment, and regulates numerous plant developmental processes including seed germination and seedling establishment. Dormancy, the inability to germinate in apparently favorable conditions, has been demonstrated to be regulated by the hormonal balance between abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GAs). Ethylene plays a key role in dormancy release in numerous species, the effective concentrations allowing the germination of dormant seeds ranging between 0.1 and 200 μL L-1. Studies using inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis or of ethylene action and analysis of mutant lines altered in genes involved in the ethylene signaling pathway (etr1, ein2, ain1, etr1, and erf1) demonstrate the involvement of ethylene in the regulation of germination and dormancy. Ethylene counteracts ABA effects through a regulation of ABA metabolism and signaling pathways. Moreover, ethylene insensitive mutants in Arabidopsis are more sensitive to ABA and the seeds are more dormant. Numerous data also show an interaction between ABA, GAs and ethylene metabolism and signaling pathways. It has been increasingly demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a significant role in the regulation of seed germination interacting with hormonal signaling pathways. In the present review the responsiveness of seeds to ethylene will be described, and the key role of ethylene in the regulation of seed dormancy via a crosstalk between hormones and other signals will be discussed.

Cytological and Proteomic Analyses of Osmunda cinnamomea Germinating Spores Reveal Characteristics of Fern Spore Germination and Rhizoid Tip Growth*

“…ROS signaling has been reported to cross-talk with plant hormone ethylene during germination of seeds and pollen (46). In this study, we found the abundances of six proteoforms of two ethylene biosynthesis-related enzymes (SAMS and MetS) were changed, four of which were reduced but two were induced during spore germination (Table I, Fig.…”

“…However, early studies have reported that exogenous ethylene partially inhibited the spore germination of fern species C. richardii (51) and O. sensibilis (52). The critical stage of spore germination inhibited by ethylene is prior to nuclear migration and cell division (52), whereas the ethylene inhibition of cell division is attributed to the inhibition of chromatin activity, DNA synthesis, and chromosome replication (46,53). This implies that exogenous ethylene treatment subsequent to DCSs stage was ineffective in blocking the germination of O. sensibilis spores (52).…”

Agronomic Management for Enhancing Plant Tolerance to Abiotic Stresses—Drought, Salinity, Hypoxia, and Lodging

“…1754) [67]. Grafting experiments with ABA-deficient mutants of tomato showed that stomata can close independently of the leaf water status, suggesting that there is a chemical signal produced by the roots that controls stomata conductance [68]. Therefore, the selection of rootstocks with adequate biosynthesis and perception of the ABA could improve the efficient use of water and the drought tolerance of many horticultural varieties.…”

Seed germination and dormancy of Miconia chartacea (Melastomataceae) in response to light, temperature and plant hormones.

“…temperatura, luz, entre otras) y, a nivel endógeno, por hormonas vegetales, como giberelinas, ácido abscísico y etileno. Las giberelinas y el etileno están involucrados en la inducción de la germinación y la ruptura de latencia de numerosas especies (Peng & Harberd, 2002;Corbineau, Xia, Bailly, & El-Maarouf-Bouteau, 2014). La aplicación exógena de giberelinas y/o etileno estimula la germinación de semillas sin latencia, incubadas bajo condiciones no óptimas, y también rompe la latencia primaria (Finch-Savage & Leubner-Metzger, 2006;Corbineau et al, 2014).…”

“…Las giberelinas y el etileno están involucrados en la inducción de la germinación y la ruptura de latencia de numerosas especies (Peng & Harberd, 2002;Corbineau, Xia, Bailly, & El-Maarouf-Bouteau, 2014). La aplicación exógena de giberelinas y/o etileno estimula la germinación de semillas sin latencia, incubadas bajo condiciones no óptimas, y también rompe la latencia primaria (Finch-Savage & Leubner-Metzger, 2006;Corbineau et al, 2014). Giberelinas y etileno interactúan en la ruptura de la latencia de semillas, sugiriéndose que el etileno aumenta la producción y sensibilidad a giberelina, lo cual estimula la germinación (Corbineau et al, 2014).…”