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Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Reliable Method for Assessing Seed Germination, Dormancy, and Mortality under Field Conditions
Published on: November 6, 2016
A class II KNOX gene, KNOX4, controls seed physical dormancy
Maofeng Chai1, Chuanen Zhou2, Isabel Molina3
1Forage Improvement Division, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, OK 73401;
Researchers identified a gene, KNOX4, that controls physical dormancy in seeds by regulating the seed coat
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Physical dormancy is a common plant trait.
- It's caused by a water-impermeable seed coat.
- Molecular mechanisms are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify genes controlling physical dormancy.
- Elucidate the molecular basis of seed coat impermeability.
Main Methods:
- Screening Tnt1-tagged Medicago truncatula mutants.
- Microscopic and chemical analysis of seed coats.
- Genetic and molecular analyses (microarray, ChIP).
Main Results:
- Identified nondormant seed mutants.
- Mutants had dysfunctional palisade cuticle layer.
- KNOX4 gene loss caused dormancy loss.
- CYP86A is a downstream target of KNOX4.
Conclusions:
- KNOX4 regulates physical dormancy via cutin biosynthesis.
- Class II KNOX genes have a novel role in seed dormancy.
- KNOX4 may have evolved with seed plants.
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