Key Translational Mechanism May Help Prevent Crop Losses From Early Sprouting

By Zhang Nannan

A research team led by Prof. Cao Xiaofeng from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has uncovered a key translational regulatory mechanism governing the seed-to-seedling transition.

The study, published in PNAS, provides critical insights into how plants control germination at the molecular level.

Seed dormancy and germination are critical phases during plant development. Germination marks the transition from dormancy to active growth, regulated by internal hormonal signals, such as the antagonistic interplay between abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA); and external cues, like light, temperature, and moisture.

Preharvest sprouting (PHS), where seeds germinate prematurely on the spike due to insufficient dormancy, leads to significant yield losses in cereal crops worldwide. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms governing seed dormancy and germination is essential for improving crop resilience and safeguarding food security.