Seed and seedling performances under heat stress
Abstract
Seed development needs the coordination of multiple molecular mechanisms to promote correct tissue development, seed filling, and the acquisition of germination capacity, desiccation tolerance, longevity, and dormancy. Abiotic stresses including heat stress can negatively impact these processes and upon the increase of global mean temperatures, global food security is threatened. Here, we explored the impact of heat stress on seed physiology, morphology, gene expression and epigenetic changes during seed development and seed germination.
In order to improve/homogenize seed quality of seed produced under abiotic stress conditions, we first identified genes involved in seed performance plasticity following heat stress. Here, we will focus on MIEL1 gene and how this gene acts as a plasticity regulator of seed germination by its potential epigenetic regulation during seed maturation.
In parallel to improve seed and seedling performances, we will explain how by bioengineering the desiccation process acquired during seed maturation, we successfully improved seed germination and seedling establishment under extreme drought conditions at early germination.