Reactive Oxygen Species Dynamics in Seed Germination

Seed germination represents a critical transition in the plant life cycle, orchestrated by precise biochemical and signalling events. Central to this process is the regulated production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which include superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals. Once regarded solely as cellular hazards, ROS are now recognised as key signalling mediators that modulate the weakening of the seed coat, activate hydrolytic enzymes in the aleurone layer, and fine‐tune the balance of phytohormones such as abscisic acid and gibberellins. Following imbibition, a burst of mitochondrial and NADPH oxidase‐derived ROS initiates the oxidative modification of cell wall polysaccharides, facilitating radicle protrusion. Concurrently, spatially resolved ROS gradients within the embryo communicate with antioxidant systems—namely superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidases—to maintain homeostasis and prevent oxidative damage. Crosstalk between ROS and hormone signalling networks governs the release of dormancy and promotes uniform seedling emergence under diverse environmental conditions. Emerging evidence highlights the dualistic nature of ROS in seed biology: at optimal levels they act as essential messengers, yet imbalances can delay germination or induce aberrant development.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have harnessed advanced imaging and biochemical approaches to trace ROS dynamics at high spatial and temporal resolution during early imbibition. One seminal work demonstrated that magnetoprimed seeds exhibit tightly controlled hydrogen peroxide signals in the embryo and aleurone, coordinating the downregulation of abscisic acid and upregulation of gibberellin biosynthesis to accelerate germination. Additionally, cutting‐edge genetic analyses have revealed that targeted modulation of ROS‐scavenging metallothioneins and NADPH oxidase isoforms optimises the oxidative milieu, enhancing seed vigour and stress resilience.

Reactive Oxygen Species Dynamics in Seed Germination publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in reactive oxygen species dynamics in seed germination across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen that act as signals and can cause oxidative damage.

Imbibition: The rapid uptake of water by dry seeds that triggers metabolic reactivation.

NADPH oxidase: A membrane‐associated enzyme complex that generates superoxide radicals during cellular signalling.

Aleurone layer: A specialised cell layer surrounding the endosperm that secretes enzymes to mobilise seed reserves.

Seed priming: A preparative treatment that partially hydrates seeds to enhance germination speed and uniformity.

References

1. Effect of Reactive Oxygen Scavenger N,N′-Dimethylthiourea (DMTU) on Seed Germination and Radicle Elongation of Maize. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
2. Regulation of reactive oxygen species and phytohormones in osmotic stress tolerance during seed germination in indica rice. Frontiers in Plant Science (2023).
3. Different Effects of Reactive Species Generated from Chemical Donors on Seed Germination, Growth, and Chemical Contents of Oryza sativa L.. Plants (2023).
4. Hydrogen peroxide signaling integrates with phytohormones during the germination of magnetoprimed tomato seeds. Scientific Reports (2019).