Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Measuring Gene Expression in Bombarded Barley Aleurone Layers with Increased Throughput
Published on: March 30, 2018
Reactive oxygen species, ABA and nitric oxide interactions on the germination of warm-season C4-grasses
Gautam Sarath1, Guichuan Hou, Lisa M Baird
1Grain, Forage and Bioenergy Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 344A Keim Hall and Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, East Campus, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0937, USA. gsarath1@unl.edu
Abstract:
Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) as a source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly stimulated germination of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) seeds with an optimal concentration of 20 mM at both 25 and 35 degrees C. For non-dormant switchgrass seeds exhibiting different levels of germination, treatment with H(2)O(2) resulted in rapid germination (<3 days) of all germinable seeds as compared to seeds placed on water. Exposure to 20 mM H(2)O(2) elicited simultaneous growth of the root and shoot system, resulting in more uniform seedling development. Seeds of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash] also responded positively to H(2)O(2) treatment, indicating the universality of the effect of H(2)O(2) on seed germination in warm-season prairie grasses. For switchgrass seeds, abscisic acid (ABA) and the NADPH-oxidase inhibitor, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) at 20 microM retarded germination (radicle emergence), stunted root growth and partially inhibited NADPH-oxidase activity in seeds. H(2)O(2) reversed the inhibitory effects of DPI and ABA on germination and coleoptile elongation, but did not overcome DPI inhibition of root elongation. Treatment with H(2)O(2) appeared to enhance endogenous production of nitric oxide, and a scavenger of nitric oxide abolished the peroxide-responsive stimulation of switchgrass seed germination. The activities and levels of several proteins changed earlier in seeds imbibed on H(2)O(2) as compared to seeds maintained on water or on ABA. These data demonstrate that seed germination of warm-season grasses is significantly responsive to oxidative conditions and highlights the complex interplay between seed redox status, ABA, ROS and NO in this system.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns
Chemical Factors Affecting Respiration Centers
CO2 has a potent influence on respiration and is strictly regulated. Under...
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
The Calvin Benson Cycle
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

