Light regulation of seed-to-seedling transition under dynamic environment

Light and subterranean darkness play a crucial role in early plant development to guide seamless progression from a dormant seed to a well-established seedling. In seed plants crosstalk between light and hormone signaling pathways optimizes seed germination. This is followed by etiolated growth characterized by the formation of a long hypocotyl and closed cotyledons forming the apical hook. These etiolated structures facilitate the efficient emergence of seedlings from underneath the soil. Upon emergence, exposure to light promotes the de-etiolation process, characterized by inhibition of hypocotyl elongation and formation of open and green cotyledons. The early developmental steps in a plant's life-cycle, which include seed germination and post-germinative seedling establishment, are the most stress-sensitive stages. To acclimatize with the changing environment plants must activate stress-resilience pathways. Recent studies shed light on how light- and dark-regulated factors modulate responses to combat various abiotic stresses, including high temperature, high-intensity light, UV-B radiation, and salinity stress. Plant biologists have traditionally examined plant-environment interactions utilizing two complementary but distinct approaches. Developmental biology has focused on the interplay of external influences such as light, temperature, and endogenous cues like phytohormones to modulate plant development. Stress biology, in contrast, has studied how various physiological and molecular processes are regulated in response to environmental stress and lead to the plant's ability to adapt. Here we link these two concepts by demonstrating how light-controlled developmental programs are tightly connected to stress-responsive pathways. These interconnected systems provide flexibility and resilience to plants to survive and evolve under dynamic environments.