Review on dual role of reactive oxygen species in seed physiology and germination

ABSTRACT: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have long been considered as only damaging compounds; however, they have recently emerged as key players in seed physiology. ROS are continuously produced during seed development. The physiological dormancy of seed embryos can be overcome during dry storage (after-ripening) or by applying exogenous ethylene during imbibition. Seeds dormancy was alleviated by continuous light during imbibition. We investigated the possible role of ROS in the regulation of seed dormancy. After imbibition non-dormantseeds produced more ROS than dormant seeds. Imbibition of dormant and non-dormant seeds in the presence of ROS scavengers or donors, which inhibited or stimulated germination, respectively, confirmed the role of ROS in germination.We propose that ROS play a key role in the control of plants seed germination and are second messengers in seed dormancy release.