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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2021, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (10): 128-144.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20211013

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Research Progress on Dormancy and Germination Mechanism of Forest Seeds

Yanmei Wang,Xiaoxue Zhang,Xiuzheng Zhu,Zhihua Zhang,Zhi Li,Xiaodong Geng,Qifei Cai,Zhen Liu*   

  1. College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University Key Laboratory of Central Plains Forest Resources Cultivation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou 450002
  • Received:2021-03-03 Online:2021-10-25 Published:2021-12-11
  • Contact: Zhen Liu

Abstract:

Seed dormancy is induced by external environmental factors or seed genetic characteristics, and it is a phenomenon that the viable seeds cannot germinate under a favorable environment. Seed dormancy and germination are two different and interrelated developmental states. Dormant seeds can enter into the germination state only after the dormancy isreleased. Seed dormancy to a certain extent determines the environment required for germination. In order to have a more comprehensive understanding ofseed dormancy and germination, this paper summarizes the causes of common forest seed dormancy and the classification system of the dormancy types based on the domestic and foreign literature regarding forest seed dormancy, dormancy release, and germination. Furthermore, in this paper we discuss the mechanism of seed dormancy, especially the theory of endogenous hormone regulating seed dormancy, expound the theories of light signal-regulating seed dormancy, Ca2+ regulating seed dormancy and gene controlling seed dormancy, cell membrane changes, etc; The methods of seed dormancy release by stratification, physical methods, chemical methods, and hormone treatments are summerized. The recovery of imbibition indicates that the seed has entered the germination stage, which is accompanied by complex changes in morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular level. Moreover, this paper also discusses the limitation of current research and proposes that more in-depth research should be carried out on the molecular regulation mechanisms of seed dormancy and germination, such as initiation of transcription, gene regulation, genetic expression, in order to provide a basis for the study on dormancy and germination mechanism of forest seeds and provide a reference for forest seed storage, seedling breeding, planting promotion and development, and utilization.

Key words: seed dormancy, influencing factors, regulatory mechanism, dormancy release, seed germination

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