Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species and Mitochondria in Seed Germination

Abstract

Seed germination is crucial for the life cycle of plants and maximum crop production. This critical developmental step is regulated by diverse endogenous [hormones, reactive oxygen species (ROS)] and exogenous (light, temperature) factors. Reactive oxygen species promote the release of seed dormancy by biomolecules oxidation, testa weakening and endosperm decay. Reactive oxygen species modulate metabolic and hormone signaling pathways that induce and maintain seed dormancy and germination. Endosperm provides nutrients and senses environmental signals to regulate the growth of the embryo by secreting timely signals. The growing energy demand of the developing embryo and endosperm is fulfilled by functional mitochondria. Mitochondrial matrix-localized heat shock protein GhHSP24.7 controls seed germination in a temperature-dependent manner. In this review, we summarize comprehensive view of biochemical and molecular mechanisms, which coordinately control seed germination. We also discuss that the accurate and optimized coordination of ROS, mitochondria, heat shock proteins is required to permit testa rupture and subsequent germination.

How to Cope with the Challenges of Environmental Stresses in the Era of Global Climate Change: An Update on ROS Stave off in Plants

“…The HRG1/2 knockdown facilitated seedling growth whereas HRG1/2 overexpression significantly inhibited seed germination. The concentration of ROS in HRG1 overexpression was remarkably reduced as compared to HRG1/2 mutants after exposure to H 2 O 2 treatment in roots [87].…”

“…As H 2 O 2 production will induce damage to organelles, the resistance mechanism within the cell is initiated [84,85]. Two well-identified H 2 O 2 responsive genes (HRG1 and HRG2) that play role in H 2 O 2 production within the cell cause low disruption of the metabolic process [86,87]. In Arabidopsis, the signaling network for H 2 O 2 response gene 1/2 (HRG1/2) might immediately act endogenously or exogenously toward H 2 O 2 .…”

Effect of Vermicompost and Organic Matter in Enhancing Wheat Tolerance against Drought Stress

“…The current study assessed wheat performance for morphological traits involved in normal plant growth and production under drought stress conditions when vermicompost and organic manure was applied. Drought stress had a considerable negative impact on the wheat crop's performance when compared to the control, mostly through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which changed the leaf water potential, led to protein denaturation, and eventually impacted crop yield (Farooq et al, 2021). Due to a substantial reduction in cell turgidity and protoplasmic dehydration, prolonged drought also slows down plant development and crop yield.…”

Exogenous Spermidine Promotes Germination of Aged Sorghum Seeds by Mediating Sugar Metabolism

“…Mitochondria are one of the important sites of energy metabolism during seed germination. Analysis of mitochondrial gene dynamic changes confirmed that mitochondrial proteins with multiple functions, such as respiration, metabolism, and transport TCA cycle response proteins, are involved in seed germination [ 51 , 52 ]. In our experiment, transmission electron microscopy revealed that the structure of mitochondria was repaired after exogenous Spd treatment.…”