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Plant discovery is good news for farmers and gardeners

Posted on 12 December 2006

Scientists at the University of York have solved a question which has puzzled plant biologists for nearly a century.

A team from CNAP (Centre for Novel Agricultural Products) at the University have discovered the mechanism that controls when seeds from a wide range of species decide to germinate.

The breakthrough will have major implications for agriculture and horticulture by helping plant breeders to produce more effective seeds.

The research findings by the team led by Professor Ian Graham and Dr Steve Penfield are published in the latest edition of Current Biology.

Seeds have the remarkable ability to remain dormant in the soil for many years until the conditions are suitable for growth. They integrate signals from the environment ­ light, temperature, nutrient availability ­ to reach a decision to grow, thus committing the seed to that location and environment.

The scientists found that proteins called DELLAs play an important role in integrating these signals and, in turn, regulating expansion of the seed leaves (cotyledons).

If you can control when seeds decide to grow and how vigorously they grow, it gives better plants

Professor Ian Graham

Expansion of the cotyledons bursts the seed coat and breaks dormancy and is followed by the root emerging out of the coat and germination.

Professor Graham said: "People have been trying to establish for nearly 100 years the molecular basis for the connections between environmental signals, dormancy and seed germination. This is the first molecular model of how seed germination is controlled.

"If you can control when seeds decide to grow and how vigorously they grow, it gives better plants ­ and ultimately better output ­ for the farmer. In some crops such as cereals you get seeds starting to germinate early when they are still on the ear, which compromises the quality of the grain.

"Discovering the mechanism of seed germination allows plant breeders to be able to target this process to get better and more vigorous seeds."

Professor Graham said the discovery could also help to speed up the 'domestication' of certain wild plants, allowing new crops to be developed.