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Superabsorbent polymers seed coatings modulate transcriptomic and physiological responses to drought in rapeseed
Akram Abdolmaleki1,2, Hendrik Bertram1,2, Peter Dapprich2
1Faculty of Agriculture, South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Soest, Germany.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) can improve rapeseed germination under drought. The MERCK SAP type enhanced seedling resilience by modulating stress-responsive gene expression, unlike other types.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Drought stress severely limits rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) production, especially during early growth stages, a problem exacerbated by climate change.
- Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) offer a potential solution by improving soil moisture availability to mitigate water deficit effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively analyze the efficacy of three SAP types (two fossil-based: MERCK, SWT; one natural-based: ABG) applied as seed coatings.
- To evaluate their impact on rapeseed germination, sodium uptake, oxidative stress, and molecular responses under drought conditions.
- To identify effective SAP formulations and candidate genes for developing drought-resilient rapeseed cultivars.
Main Methods:
- Seed coating with three different Superabsorbent Polymers (SAPs): MERCK, SWT, and ABG.
- Assessment of germination rates, sodium (Na+) uptake, and total phenol content under drought stress.
- Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) to analyze gene expression profiles and identify differentially expressed genes.
- Functional enrichment analysis of transcriptomic data to understand affected biological pathways.
Main Results:
- All SAP treatments increased seedling sodium content; however, MERCK-treated seeds exhibited the highest normal germination rate and lowest Na+ accumulation.
- MERCK treatment mitigated oxidative stress, with gene expression patterns closely resembling well-watered controls.
- Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct molecular responses; MERCK seedlings showed expression of key stress genes (PER45, ABI1, STM) similar to controls, while ABG seedlings showed significant downregulation of important transcription factor genes (e.g., WRKY33, MYB77).
- Functional enrichment highlighted induced phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, antioxidant activity, and hormonal signaling, with contrasting signatures between MERCK and ABG treatments.
Conclusions:
- Superabsorbent polymer composition critically influences rapeseed's drought adaptation mechanisms.
- The MERCK SAP formulation demonstrated superior performance in enhancing germination and stress tolerance through specific molecular pathway modulation.
- This study provides valuable insights into selecting effective SAPs for seed coating and identifies potential candidate genes for breeding drought-resilient rapeseed varieties.
Keywords:
Brassica napusSAPdrought stressgerminationseed coatingstress-responsive genestranscriptomicsMore Related Videos
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