ODR1 negatively controls seed dormancy by interacting with the transcription factor bHLH57 and preventing its induction of NCED6 and NCED9 expression and ABA bi

Pre‐harvest sprouting (PHS), which reduces grain yield and quality, is controlled by seed dormancy genes. Because few dormancy‐related genes have been cloned, the genetic basis of seed dormancy in rice (Oryza sativa L.) remains unclear. Here, we performed a genome‐wide association study and linkage mapping to dissect the genetic basis of seed dormancy in rice. Our findings suggest that Seed Dormancy4 (Sdr4), a central modulator of seed dormancy, integrates the abscisic acid and gibberellic acid signaling pathways at the transcriptional level. Haplotype analysis revealed that three Sdr4 alleles in rice cultivars already existed in ancestral Oryza rufipogon accessions. Furthermore, like the semi‐dwarf 1 (SD1) and Rc loci, Sdr4 underwent selection during the domestication and improvement of Asian cultivated rice. The distribution frequency of the Sdr4‐n allele in different locations in Asia is negatively associated with local annual temperature and precipitation. Finally, we developed functional molecular markers for Sdr4, SD1, and Rc for use in molecular breeding. Our results provide clues about the molecular basis of Sdr4‐regulated seed dormancy. Moreover, these findings provide guidance for utilizing the favorable alleles of Sdr4 and Rc to synergistically boost PHS resistance, yield, and quality in modern rice varieties.

Seeds establish dormancy to delay germination until the arrival of a favorable growth season. Here, we identify a fate switch constituted by the MKK3-MPK7 kinase cascade and the ethylene response factor ERF4 responsible for the seed state transition from dormancy to germination. We show that dormancy-breaking factors activate the MKK3-MPK7 module, which affects and relies on the expression of some EXPAs to control seed dormancy. Furthermore, we identify a direct downstream substrate of this module, ERF4, which suppresses the expression of these EXPAs by directly binding to the GCC boxes in their exon regions. The activated MKK3-MPK7 module phosphorylates ERF4, leading to its rapid degradation, thereby releasing its inhibitory effect on the expression of these EXPAs. Overall, our work identifies a signaling chain consisting of protein phosphorylation, degradation, and gene transcription, dependent on which the germination promoters within the embryo are sensing and activated by the germination signals from ambient conditions.

Seed dormancy and germination are crucial processes affecting the propagation and survival of plant populations. These phenomena are precisely regulated through a complex interplay between internal signals, such as plant hormones and environmental cues including light, temperature, moisture, and nutrient availability. Dormancy release and germination initiation are distinct, yet closely associated, processes involving complex transcriptional, translational, and epigenetic changes mediated by intricate regulatory mechanisms. This review comprehensively summarizes the complex regulatory networks governing seed dormancy and germination across different plant species. By integrating physiological, genetic, and molecular biology perspectives, the latest advances in the research on mechanisms regulating seed dormancy and germination are discussed, providing valuable insights for improving seed quality through biotechnology-based breeding strategies and establishing a solid foundation for future research in this field.

Seed dormancy, an important adaptive trait that governs germination timing, is endogenously controlled by phytohormones and genetic factors. DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1) is the vital genetic regulator of dormancy, significantly affecting the expression of numerous ABA and GA metabolic genes. However, whether DOG1 could influence the expression of other phytohormone-related genes is still unknown. Here, we comprehensively investigated all well-documented hormone-related genes which might be affected in dog1–2 dry or imbibed seeds by using whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). We found that DOG1 could systematically control the expression of phytohormone-related genes. An evident decrease was observed in the endogenous signal intensity of abscisic acid (ABA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), while a dramatic increase appeared in that of gibberellins (GA), brassinosteroids (BR), and cytokinin (CK) in the dog1–2 background, which may contribute considerably to its dormancy-deficient phenotype. Collectively, our data highlight the role of DOG1 in balancing the expression of phytohormone-related genes and provide inspirational evidence that DOG1 may integrate the phytohormones network to control seed dormancy.

Seed development, dormancy, and germination are key physiological events that are not only important for seed generation, survival, and dispersal, but also contribute to agricultural production. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) directly interact with target mRNAs and fine-tune mRNA metabolism by governing post-transcriptional regulation, including RNA processing, intron splicing, nuclear export, trafficking, stability/decay, and translational control. Recent studies have functionally characterized increasing numbers of diverse RBPs and shown that they participate in seed development and performance, providing significant insight into the role of RBP–mRNA interactions in seed processes. In this review, we discuss recent research progress on newly defined RBPs that have crucial roles in RNA metabolism and affect seed development, dormancy, and germination.