Seed Longevity—The Evolution of Knowledge and a Conceptual Framework.

Nadarajan, Jayanthi; Walters, Christina; Pritchard, Hugh W.; Ballesteros, Daniel; Colville, Louise

Seed Longevity—The Evolution of Knowledge and a Conceptual Framework.

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Journal article

Creator (person)

Nadarajan, Jayanthi

Walters, Christina

Pritchard, Hugh W.

Ballesteros, Daniel

Colville, Louise

Date published

January 19, 2023

Abstract

The lifespan or longevity of a seed is the time period over which it can remain viable. Seed longevity is a complex trait and varies greatly between species and even seed lots of the same species. Our scientific understanding of seed longevity has advanced from anecdotal ‘Thumb Rules,’ to empirically based models, biophysical explanations for why those models sometimes work or fail, and to the profound realisation that seeds are the model of the underexplored realm of biology when water is so limited that the cytoplasm solidifies. The environmental variables of moisture and temperature are essential factors that define survival or death, as well as the timescale to measure lifespan. There is an increasing understanding of how these factors induce cytoplasmic solidification and affect glassy properties. Cytoplasmic solidification slows down, but does not stop, the chemical reactions involved in ageing. Continued degradation of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids damage cell constituents and reduce the seed’s metabolic capacity, eventually impairing the ability to germinate. This review captures the evolution of knowledge on seed longevity over the past five decades in relation to seed ageing mechanisms, technology development, including tools to predict seed storage behaviour and non-invasive techniques for seed longevity assessment. It is concluded that seed storage biology is a complex science covering seed physiology, biophysics, biochemistry and multi-omic technologies, and simultaneous knowledge advancement in these areas is necessary to improve seed storage efficacy for crops and wild species biodiversity conservation.

Project(s)

Priority 2: Trait Diversity and Function

Funder

Funder name	Awards
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Government, United Kingdom
Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China	‘Seed biology on important species of Magnoliaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Acanthopanaceae, Orchidaceae and Lauraceae’
Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, China	‘MOST’s senior foreign experts introduction plan project’