System of Biological Approaches to Interpret Seed Dormancy and Germination

Abstract

Seed dormancy prevents an intact, viable seed from successfully germinating under ideal circumstances. In order for germination to occur when conditions are likely to be favourable for forming a new plant generation, this barrier to germination has developed differently among species through adaptation to the local environment. Although there is still a gap between biochemistry and morphogenesis, it is being bridged in many places slowly and methodically. This study attempts to evaluate the improvements made at a particular bridge, seed dormancy. One element of the phenomena of growth cessation is seed dormancy, which has as its central challenge the challenge of maintaining a growth potential without compromising biological integrity. It can be divided into primary and secondary dormancy. Due to endogenous causes and/or environmental conditions experienced by the mother plant, primary dormancy is developed during seed development. Non-dormant seeds can also enter a state of secondary dormancy, which is a form of dormancy that happens when germination conditions are unfavourable. This review will help in briefing the difference between dormant condition and quiescent condition of seed. Quiescence can be considered as a short period of dormancy. But, unlike dormancy, quiescence is reversible upon the return of suitable conditions. Numerous physical and physiological techniques, like as scarification and stratification, can be used to break the dormant state of seeds. Various dormancy breaking methods applied in several crop has been noted in this study. Roles of several plant hormones including Gibberellin (GA) and Abscisic acids (ABA) are regarded as the two main hormones that regulate seed development and germination in an antagonistic manner. This study focuses in particular on the molecular basis of ABA regulation of seed maturation, which includes regulation of dormancy. Various dormancy breaking methods applied in several crop mentioned in this review could also help researcher to further study the dormancy pattern and breaking of it on that particular crop.