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During the domestication of crops, seed dormancy has been reduced or eliminated to encourage faster and more consistent germination. This alteration makes cultivated crops particularly vulnerable to pre-harvest sprouting, which occurs when mature crops are subjected to adverse environmental conditions, such as excessive rainfall or high humidity. Consequently, some seeds may bypass the normal dormancy period and begin to germinate while still attached to the mother plant before harvest. Grains affected by pre-harvest sprouting are characterized by increased levels of α-amylase activity, resulting in poor processing quality and immediate grain downgrading. In the agriculture industry, pre-harvest sprouting causes annual economic losses exceeding USD 1 billion worldwide. This premature germination is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, biochemical, and molecular factors closely linked to environmental conditions like rainfall. However, the exact mechanism behind this process is still unclear. Unlike pre-harvest sprouting, vivipary refers to the germination process and the activation of α-amylase during the soft dough stage, when the grains are still immature. Mature seeds with reduced levels of ABA or impaired ABA signaling (weak dormancy) are more susceptible to pre-harvest sprouting. While high seed dormancy can enhance resistance to pre-harvest sprouting, it can lead to undesirable outcomes for most crops, such as non-uniform seedling establishment after sowing. Thus, resistance to pre-harvest sprouting is crucial to ensuring productivity and sustainability and is an agronomically important trait affecting yield and grain quality. On the other hand, seed color is linked to sprouting resistance; however, the genetic relationship between both characteristics remains unresolved. The identification of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-3 (MKK3) as the gene responsible for pre-harvest sprouting-1 (Phs-1) represents a significant advancement in our understanding of how sprouting in wheat is controlled at the molecular and genetic levels. In seed maturation, Viviparous-1 (Vp-1) plays a crucial role in managing pre-harvest sprouting by regulating seed maturation and inhibiting germination through the suppression of α-amylase and proteases. Vp-1 is a key player in ABA signaling and is essential for the activation of the seed maturation program. Mutants of Vp-1 exhibit an unpigmented aleurone cell layer and exhibit precocious germination due to decreased sensitivity to ABA. Recent research has also revealed that TaSRO-1 interacts with TaVp-1, contributing to the regulation of seed dormancy and resistance to pre-harvest sprouting in wheat. The goal of this review is to emphasize the latest research on pre-harvest sprouting in crops and to suggest possible directions for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The aleurone layer in cereal grains acts as a major reservoir of essential mineral nutrients, significantly influencing seed germination. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the redistribution of nutrients from the aleurone layer in the germinating seed is still not well understood. Here, in rice, we identified a plasma membrane (PM) localized magnesium transporter, MAGNESIUM RELEASE TRANSPORTER 3 (MGR3), is critical for seed germination. OsMGR3 is predominantly expressed in the aleurone layer cells of endosperm, facilitating magnesium remobilization during germination. Non‐invasive Micro‐test Technology assay data demonstrated that the loss‐of‐function of OsMGR3 restrained magnesium efflux from the aleurone layer. In the embryo/endosperm grafting experiment, we observed that the mutation of OsMGR3 in the aleurone layer suppressed the growth and differentiation of the embryo during germination. Furthermore, magnesium fluorescence imaging revealed the osmgr3 mutant seeds showed impaired exportation of aleurone layer‐stored magnesium to the embryo, consequently delaying germination. Importantly, we discovered that disrupting OsMGR3 could inhibit pre‐harvest sprouting without affecting rice yield and quality. Therefore, the magnesium efflux transporter OsMGR3 in the aleurone layer represents a promising genetic target for future agronomic trait improvement. Significance Statement: The molecular mechanism responsible for redistributing nutrients from the aleurone layer in germinating seeds is not well understood. In this study, we have identified a plasma membrane‐localized magnesium transporter that facilitates the remobilization of magnesium stored in the aleurone layer for seed germination in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the important abiotic stresses in mungbean which significantly reduces yield and quality of the produce. This study was conducted to evaluate the genetic variability for tolerance to pre-harvest sprouting in diverse mungbean genotypes while simultaneously deciphering the association of yield contributing traits with PHS. Eighty-three diverse mungbean genotypes (23 released varieties, 23 advanced breeding lines and 37 exotic germplasm lines) were investigated for tolerance to PHS, water imbibition capacities by pods, pod and seed physical traits. Wide variation in PHS was recorded which ranged between 17.8% to 81% (mean value 54.34%). Germplasm lines exhibited higher tolerance to PHS than the high-yielding released varieties. Correlation analysis revealed PHS to be positively associated with water imbibition capacity by pods (r = 0.21) and germinated pod % (r = 0.78). Pod length (r = −0.13) and seeds per pod (r = −0.13) were negatively influencing PHS. Positive associations between PHS and water imbibition capacity by pods, germinated pod % and 100-seed weight was further confirmed by multivariate analysis. Small-seeded genotypes having 100-seed weight <3 g exhibited higher tolerance to PHS compared to bold-seeded genotypes having 100-seed weight more than 3.5 g. Fresh seed germination among the selected PHS tolerant and susceptible genotypes ranged from 42% (M 204) to 98% (Pusa 1131). A positive association (r = 0.79) was recorded between fresh seed germination and PHS. Genotypes M 1255, M 145, M 422, M 1421 identified as potential genetic donors against PHS could be utilized in mungbean breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is a significant staple crop that provides food and livelihoods for millions of people worldwide. However, climate change and frequent cyclonic storms with heavy rains during grain maturation periods have led to a significant reduction in rice yield and quality (20–30%) due to pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) damage. PHS has become a widespread issue globally, resulting in significant economic losses for Indian farmers, amounting to billions of rupees annually and severely impacting the country’s economy. Developing protocol and PHS-resistant rice genotypes is essential to mitigate the significant economic losses experienced by farmers and meet the growing demand for food grain with the increasing population. This study was aimed to developing the efficient protocol to identify PHS-resistant rice genotypes by evaluating 96 genotypes under laboratory and field conditions at 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 days after flowering (DAF). To evaluate the PHS resistant genotypes we have developed the efficient and standard protocol for the present study. The results showed a positive correlation between phenotypic responses under laboratory and field conditions. Based on the germination percentage exhibited under laboratory and field conditions, the genotypes were grouped into four clusters using K-clustering and dendrogram clustering analysis. Out of 96 genotypes evaluated 19 grouped as highly susceptible (45 to 88%), 14 were moderately susceptible (10 to 45%), 51 were moderately resistant (0.10 to 10.00%), and 12 were highly resistant with zero percent germination at all flowering stages. The study also evaluated the genotypes for days to germination from 20 to 40 DAF. The highly susceptible genotypes germinated earlier (3 days) than moderately susceptible and resistant genotypes (4 to 6 days). Zero days were assigned to highly resistant genotypes since no germination was recorded. In nutshell, the novel PHS-resistant rice genotypes identified in this study could serve as donors for future crop improvement programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rice cultivar ‘Chamdongjin’ exhibits a distinctively large grain size and excellent eating quality but is weak with regard to pre-harvest sprouting (PHS), requiring genetic improvement. In contrast, the premium-quality rice cultivar ‘Younghojinmi’ exhibits strong PHS tolerance. This study conducted quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis on PHS and low-temperature germinability (LTG) using recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between ‘Chamdongjin’ and ‘Younghojinmi’ to elucidate the genetic factors. Thus, an elite line with improved PHS tolerance was selected. QTL analysis revealed that qPHS3 and qLTG3 were associated with PHS and LTG, respectively, and the candidate gene was identified as qLTG3-1. The loss-of-function allele qltg3-1 in ‘Younghojinmi’ enhanced PHS tolerance compared to the functional allele qLTG3-1 in ‘Chamdongjin,’ but it also showed a trade-off relationship by decreasing LTG. CY_RILs carrying qltg3-1 exhibited lower PHS and LTG rates of 17.9% and 41.6%, respectively, compared to 44.1% and 55.7%, respectively, for CY_RILs with qLTG3-1. The elite line, CY_RIL79, carrying qltg3-1, was selected from CY_RIL. This line was recognized for its PHS tolerance while maintaining the key agricultural traits of ‘Chamdongjin,’ thus designated ‘Jeonju697.’ ‘Jeonju697’ is expected to be utilized as a practical alternative for addressing the issue of enhancing PHS tolerance in ‘Chamdongjin’; however, considering its weak LTG, it is desirable to improve this trait through further breeding efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Pre‐harvest sprouting (PHS) is a significant threat to global food security due to its association with losses in both yield and quality. Among the genes involved in PHS resistance in wheat, PHS‐3D (TaMyb10‐D) plays a crucial role. Here, we characterized the sequence variations of TaMyb10 genes in 416 bread wheat and 302 Aegilops tauschii accessions. Within TaMyb10‐A sequences, we identified a deletion ranging from 214 to 305 bp in the signal and amino acid coding region, present in 61.3% of the accessions. Similarly, 79.3% of the TaMyb10‐B sequences within the third exon region exhibited a 19 bp deletion. Additionally, 40.8% of the accessions lacked the 2.4 Mb fragment (in/del mutations) on Chr3D, where TaMyb10‐D/PHS‐3D was located. Interestingly, the geographical distribution of accessions showed little correlation with the divergence of TaMyb10. TaMyb10‐A‐IIIDele, TaMyb10‐B‐IVDele, and TaMyb10‐D‐VDele genotypes were prevalent in wheat populations across continents. Despite their structural variations, the five distinct protein types exhibited comparable ability to bind the promoters of downstream genes in the flavonoid and ABA pathways, such as CHS, DFR, and NCED. Furthermore, the combination of TaMyb10 homologs was significantly associated with grain color and germination percentages. Accessions exclusively harboring TaMyb10‐D displayed red seed color and reduced germination percentages, indicating the predominant role of TaMyb10‐D compared to TaMyb10‐A and TaMyb10‐B. This comprehensive investigation enhances our understanding of the structural variations and functional divergence of TaMyb10, providing valuable insights and resources for improving PHS resistance in wheat. Significance Statement: TaPHS‐3D (TaMyb10‐D) plays a crucial role among the genes implicated in pre‐harvest sprouting resistance in wheat. Our study revealed a significant correlation between the combination of TaMyb10 homologs, grain color, and germination. Notably, TaMyb10‐D exhibited a more substantial functional impact than TaMyb10‐A and TaMyb10‐B. These findings deepen our understanding of the structural variations and functional distinctions within TaMyb10, providing valuable insights and resources for improving PHS resistance in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stands as a significant cereal crop globally, including in Korea, where its consumption reached 35.7 kg per capita in 2023. In the southern regions of Korea, wheat cultivation follows paddy rice, with harvesting typically occurring during the rainy season in mid-June. This timing, coupled with the high humidity and unpredictable rainfall, often leads to pre-harvest sprouting and subsequent deterioration in flour quality. To assess the impact of rain on flour quality, an artificial rain treatment was administered 45 days after heading in an open field greenhouse, followed by flour quality analysis. The color measurement revealed an increase in the L* parameter, indicative of enhanced kernel vitreousness, attributed to endosperm starch degradation via alpha-amylase activation induced by water absorption. Moreover, significant changes were observed in ash content and the gluten index within the wetted group, resulting in decreased dough strength and stability, ultimately leading to a reduction in loaf volume. Consequently, it is recommended that wheat be harvested 4–7 days after reaching the physiological maturity stage to avoid the rainy season and ensure the production of high-quality wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Class III peroxidases (PODs) perform crucial functions in various developmental processes and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, their roles in wheat seed dormancy (SD) and germination remain elusive. Results Here, we identified a wheat class III POD gene, named TaPer12-3A, based on transcriptome data and expression analysis. TaPer12-3A showed decreasing and increasing expression trends with SD acquisition and release, respectively. It was highly expressed in wheat seeds and localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasm. Germination tests were performed using the transgenic Arabidopsis and rice lines as well as wheat mutant mutagenized with ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) in Jing 411 (J411) background. These results indicated that TaPer12-3A negatively regulated SD and positively mediated germination. Further studies showed that TaPer12-3A maintained H2O2 homeostasis by scavenging excess H2O2 and participated in the biosynthesis and catabolism pathways of gibberellic acid and abscisic acid to regulate SD and germination. Conclusion These findings not only provide new insights for future functional analysis of TaPer12-3A in regulating wheat SD and germination but also provide a target gene for breeding wheat varieties with high pre-harvest sprouting resistance by gene editing technology.

Abstract Background B-box (BBX) proteins are a type of zinc finger proteins containing one or two B-box domains. They play important roles in development and diverse stress responses of plants, yet their roles in wheat remain unclear. Results In this study, 96 BBX genes were identified in the wheat genome and classified into five subfamilies. Subcellular localization prediction results showed that 68 TaBBXs were localized in the nucleus. Protein interaction prediction analysis indicated that interaction was one way that these proteins exerted their functions. Promoter analysis indicated that TaBBXs may play important roles in light signal, hormone, and stress responses. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that 14 TaBBXs were highly expressed in seeds compared with other tissues. These were probably involved in seed dormancy and germination, and their expression patterns were investigated during dormancy acquisition and release in the seeds of wheat varieties Jing 411 and Hongmangchun 21, showing significant differences in seed dormancy and germination phenotypes. Subcellular localization analysis confirmed that the three candidates TaBBX2-2 A, TaBBX4-2 A, and TaBBX11-2D were nuclear proteins. Transcriptional self-activation experiments further demonstrated that TaBBX4-2A was transcriptionally active, but TaBBX2-2A and TaBBX11-2D were not. Protein interaction analysis revealed that TaBBX2-2A, TaBBX4-2A, and TaBBX11-2D had no interaction with each other, while TaBBX2-2A and TaBBX11-2D interacted with each other, indicating that TaBBX4-2A may regulate seed dormancy and germination by transcriptional regulation, and TaBBX2-2A and TaBBX11-2D may regulate seed dormancy and germination by forming a homologous complex. Conclusions In this study, the wheat BBX gene family was identified and characterized at the genomic level by bioinformatics analysis. These observations provide a theoretical basis for future studies on the functions of BBXs in wheat and other species.

The association between pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) and seed coat color has long been recognized. Red-grained wheats generally exhibit greater PHS resistance compared to white-grained wheat, although variability in PHS resistance exists within red-grained varieties. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study on a panel consisting of red-grained wheat varieties, aimed at uncovering genes that modulate PHS resistance and red color components of seed coat using digital image processing. Twelve loci associated with PHS traits were identified, nine of which were described for the first time. Genetic loci marked by SNPs AX-95172164 (chromosome 1B) and AX-158544327 (chromosome 7D) explained approximately 25% of germination index variance, highlighting their value for breeding PHS-resistant varieties. The most promising candidate gene for PHS resistance was TraesCS6B02G147900, encoding a protein involved in aleurone layer morphogenesis. Twenty-six SNPs were significantly associated with grain color, independently of the known Tamyb10 gene. Most of them were related to multiple color characteristics. Prioritization of genes within the revealed loci identified TraesCS1D03G0758600 and TraesCS7B03G1296800, involved in the regulation of pigment biosynthesis and in controlling pigment accumulation. In conclusion, our study identifies new loci associated with grain color and germination index, providing insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying these traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: B-box (BBX) proteins are a type of zinc finger proteins containing one or two B-box domains. They play important roles in development and diverse stress responses of plants, yet their roles in wheat remain unclear. Results: In this study, 96 BBX genes were identified in the wheat genome and classified into five subfamilies. Subcellular localization prediction results showed that 68 TaBBXs were localized in the nucleus. Protein interaction prediction analysis indicated that interaction was one way that these proteins exerted their functions. Promoter analysis indicated that TaBBXs may play important roles in light signal, hormone, and stress responses. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that 14 TaBBXs were highly expressed in seeds compared with other tissues. These were probably involved in seed dormancy and germination, and their expression patterns were investigated during dormancy acquisition and release in the seeds of wheat varieties Jing 411 and Hongmangchun 21, showing significant differences in seed dormancy and germination phenotypes. Subcellular localization analysis confirmed that the three candidates TaBBX2-2 A, TaBBX4-2 A, and TaBBX11-2D were nuclear proteins. Transcriptional self-activation experiments further demonstrated that TaBBX4-2A was transcriptionally active, but TaBBX2-2A and TaBBX11-2D were not. Protein interaction analysis revealed that TaBBX2-2A, TaBBX4-2A, and TaBBX11-2D had no interaction with each other, while TaBBX2-2A and TaBBX11-2D interacted with each other, indicating that TaBBX4-2A may regulate seed dormancy and germination by transcriptional regulation, and TaBBX2-2A and TaBBX11-2D may regulate seed dormancy and germination by forming a homologous complex. Conclusions: In this study, the wheat BBX gene family was identified and characterized at the genomic level by bioinformatics analysis. These observations provide a theoretical basis for future studies on the functions of BBXs in wheat and other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Class III peroxidases (PODs) perform crucial functions in various developmental processes and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, their roles in wheat seed dormancy (SD) and germination remain elusive. Results: Here, we identified a wheat class III POD gene, named TaPer12-3A, based on transcriptome data and expression analysis. TaPer12-3A showed decreasing and increasing expression trends with SD acquisition and release, respectively. It was highly expressed in wheat seeds and localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasm. Germination tests were performed using the transgenic Arabidopsis and rice lines as well as wheat mutant mutagenized with ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) in Jing 411 (J411) background. These results indicated that TaPer12-3A negatively regulated SD and positively mediated germination. Further studies showed that TaPer12-3A maintained H2O2 homeostasis by scavenging excess H2O2 and participated in the biosynthesis and catabolism pathways of gibberellic acid and abscisic acid to regulate SD and germination. Conclusion: These findings not only provide new insights for future functional analysis of TaPer12-3A in regulating wheat SD and germination but also provide a target gene for breeding wheat varieties with high pre-harvest sprouting resistance by gene editing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial titled "Seed dormancy, germination, and pre-harvest sprouting, volume II" discusses the issue of pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) in crops, specifically in cereal crops. PHS occurs when seeds germinate prematurely in the mother plants before harvest, leading to poor grain quality and economic losses. The editorial emphasizes the importance of understanding the genetic and molecular basis of seed dormancy and PHS and highlights recent advancements in research on this topic. It also mentions the role of plant hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin acid (GA) in seed dormancy and germination. The document further discusses recent research on seed dormancy, germination, and PHS in crops like quinoa and mungbean, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms and genetic factors that influence these processes. The authors stress the need for further research in areas such as genome editing, multi-omics approaches, and the interaction of environmental factors with PHS. [Extracted from the article]

Resistance to pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is an agronomically important trait affecting the yield and grain quality of bread wheat. PHS resistance depends both on environmental factors and the genotypic and phenotypic properties of wheat varieties. It is known that wheat varieties with red-grain are more resistant to PHS than white-grain varieties. However, at present there are no methodological approaches that allow to unambiguously distinguish red-grain varieties according to the level of PHS resistance. The purpose of the study was to compare different methods for efficient differentiation of soft winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties for resistance to PHS. The germination index (GI), α-amylase activity (AAA), a digital grade of the grain color and genetic bases of the wheat varieties the grain was determined in 164 winter wheat, among them 156 were red-grain. The studies were carried out at the late milk/hard dough (LM/HD; GS77-GS87) stage and the hard grain (HG; GS92-GS93) stage. Based on the dynamics of GI it was found that late LM/HD stage is the most suitable for GI evaluation. AAA was performed using the Ceralpha method and falling number (FN) evaluation. An increase in the level of AAA during grain ripening of wheat varieties was shown. A negative correlation was found between GI and FN, FN and AAA. Using the Lab color model to assess the color variation of the grain coat allow to identify 3 variants of grain color. Genetic base of wheat varieties was analyzed by means of allelic composition of the Tamyb10 gene, which participate in the formation of the red color of grain. The results indicated that digital analysis and allelic composition of the Tamyb10 cannot be used as additional criterion for separation of red-grain wheat varieties for resistance to PHS. This is despite the fact that the numerous group of the varieties contain two or more dominant Tamyb10 gene. In general, a comparison of varieties by all three parameters allow to identify a group of varieties that are most PHS resistant. This group consist of 73 red-grain varieties out of 156, while no white-grain PHS-resistant varieties were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice grains are the major source of nutrition for more than half of the world's population. With increased frequencies of cyclones in the last decade during grain maturation stage of rice crop, most of the rice cultivars in lowland ecologies are getting affected by pre harvest sprouting due to flash flooding and incessant rains. Significant economic loss is incurred in the global food grain industry of cereals due to pre-harvest sprouting (PHS). It is very important to develop climate resilient varieties with PHS resistant traits introgressed in them. Well characterized PHS resistant rice genotypes with optimal dormancy that can serve as donors are need of the hour. We conducted an experiment to identify PHS resistant genotypes, and also determine to their physiological and biochemical characteristics. 96 diverse rice genotypes were evaluated for PHS resistance from 20 to 40 days after flowering (DAF). Based on their response, 16 contrasting genotypes were identified from 96 genotypes to further study the underlying mechanism of PHS resistance. The results revealed that, susceptible genotypes (8) exhibited very high germination percentage (4 to 87.5%), while resistant genotypes (8) exhibited zero germination at all the stages of study. Susceptible genotypes had higher levels of reactive oxygen species (H2O2 and O2−) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in their leaves (flag leaf) and seeds than resistant genotypes indicating a better stress protection mechanism in the resistant genotypes. The ability to imbibe moisture upon treatment also varied among the contrasting genotypes. In a nutshell, the present study revealed that better ROS scavenging mechanism, lower lipid peroxidation along with lesser moisture absorption capacity could have contributed to PHS resistance in the resistant genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the important abiotic stresses in mungbean which significantly reduces yield and quality of the produce. This study was conducted to evaluate the genetic variability for tolerance to pre-harvest sprouting in diverse mungbean genotypes while simultaneously deciphering the association of yield contributing traits with PHS. Eighty-three diverse mungbean genotypes (23 released varieties, 23 advanced breeding lines and 37 exotic germplasm lines) were investigated for tolerance to PHS, water imbibition capacities by pods, pod and seed physical traits. Wide variation in PHS was recorded which ranged between 17.8% to 81% (mean value 54.34%). Germplasm lines exhibited higher tolerance to PHS than the high-yielding released varieties. Correlation analysis revealed PHS to be positively associated with water imbibition capacity by pods (r = 0.21) and germinated pod % (r = 0.78). Pod length (r = −0.13) and seeds per pod (r = −0.13) were negatively influencing PHS. Positive associations between PHS and water imbibition capacity by pods, germinated pod % and 100-seed weight was further confirmed by multivariate analysis. Small-seeded genotypes having 100-seed weight

Abstract Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) with short or no dormancy period are easy to germinate before harvest (pre-harvest sprouting, PHS). PHS has seriously decreased seed weight and oil content in B. napus. Short-chain dehydrogenase/ reductase (SDR) genes have been found to related to seed dormancy by promoting ABA biosynthesis in rice and Arabidopsis. In order to clarify whether SDR genes are the key factor of seed dormancy in B. napus, homology sequence blast, protein physicochemical properties, conserved motif, gene structure, cis-acting element, gene expression and variation analysis were conducted in present study. Results shown that 142 BnaSDR genes, unevenly distributed on 19 chromosomes, have been identified in B. napus genome. Among them, four BnaSDR gene clusters present in chromosome A04、A05、C03、C04 were also identified. These 142 BnaSDR genes were divided into four subfamilies on phylogenetic tree. Members of the same subgroup have similar protein characters, conserved motifs, gene structure, cis-acting elements and tissue expression profiles. Specially, the expression levels of genes in subgroup A, B and C were gradually decreased, but increased in subgroup D with the development of seeds. Among seven higher expressed genes in group D, six BnaSDR genes were significantly higher expressed in weak dormancy line than that in nondormancy line. And the significant effects of BnaC01T0313900ZS and BnaC03T0300500ZS variation on seed dormancy were also demonstrated in present study. These findings provide a key information for investigating the function of BnaSDRs on seed dormancy in B. napus.

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is a complex abiotic stress caused by multiple exogenous and endogenous variables that results in random but significant quality and yield loss at the terminal crop stage in more than half of the wheat-producing areas of the world. Systematic research over more than five decades suggests that addressing this challenge requires tools beyond the traditional genetic manipulation approach. Previous molecular studies indicate a possible role of epigenetics in the regulation of seed dormancy and PHS in crops, especially through RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathways mediated by Argonaute (AGO) proteins. In this study, we explore the role of the AGO802B gene associated with PHS resistance in wheat, through the presence of a SINE retrotransposon insertion. The current study found the SINE insertion at 3′UTR of the TaAGO802B present in 73.2% of 41 cultivars analyzed and in 92.6% of the resistant cultivar subset. The average expression of TaAGO802B in cultivars with the SINE insertion was 73.3% lower than in cultivars without insertion. This study also indicated a significant positive correlation between the PHS score and methylation levels in the cultivars. The resistant cultivars with the SINE insertion recorded 54.7% lower methylation levels than susceptible cultivars. Further analysis of a DH population (Sadash × P2711) reveals that SINE insertion co-segregates with PHS resistance. This sets forth the SINE insertion in TaAGO802B as a genetic marker for screening wheat germplasm and as an efficient tool for breeding PHS-resistant wheat cultivars.

During the domestication of crops, seed dormancy has been reduced or eliminated to encourage faster and more consistent germination. This alteration makes cultivated crops particularly vulnerable to pre-harvest sprouting, which occurs when mature crops are subjected to adverse environmental conditions, such as excessive rainfall or high humidity. Consequently, some seeds may bypass the normal dormancy period and begin to germinate while still attached to the mother plant before harvest. Grains affected by pre-harvest sprouting are characterized by increased levels of α-amylase activity, resulting in poor processing quality and immediate grain downgrading. In the agriculture industry, pre-harvest sprouting causes annual economic losses exceeding USD 1 billion worldwide. This premature germination is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, biochemical, and molecular factors closely linked to environmental conditions like rainfall. However, the exact mechanism behind this process is still unclear. Unlike pre-harvest sprouting, vivipary refers to the germination process and the activation of α-amylase during the soft dough stage, when the grains are still immature. Mature seeds with reduced levels of ABA or impaired ABA signaling (weak dormancy) are more susceptible to pre-harvest sprouting. While high seed dormancy can enhance resistance to pre-harvest sprouting, it can lead to undesirable outcomes for most crops, such as non-uniform seedling establishment after sowing. Thus, resistance to pre-harvest sprouting is crucial to ensuring productivity and sustainability and is an agronomically important trait affecting yield and grain quality. On the other hand, seed color is linked to sprouting resistance; however, the genetic relationship between both characteristics remains unresolved. The identification of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-3 (MKK3) as the gene responsible for pre-harvest sprouting-1 (Phs-1) represents a significant advancement in our understanding of how sprouting in wheat is controlled at the molecular and genetic levels. In seed maturation, Viviparous-1 (Vp-1) plays a crucial role in managing pre-harvest sprouting by regulating seed maturation and inhibiting germination through the suppression of α-amylase and proteases. Vp-1 is a key player in ABA signaling and is essential for the activation of the seed maturation program. Mutants of Vp-1 exhibit an unpigmented aleurone cell layer and exhibit precocious germination due to decreased sensitivity to ABA. Recent research has also revealed that TaSRO-1 interacts with TaVp-1, contributing to the regulation of seed dormancy and resistance to pre-harvest sprouting in wheat. The goal of this review is to emphasize the latest research on pre-harvest sprouting in crops and to suggest possible directions for future studies.

Grain dormancy of wheat is closely associated with grain color: red-grained lines show higher dormancy than white-grained lines. The production of red pigments is regulated by R-1, Tamyb10 gene. However, the relation between grain color and dormancy remains unknown. For this study, we generated transgenic lines which were introduced a DNA fragment containing Tamyb10-D1 gene and its a 2 kb promoter including the 5′ untranslated region into white-grained wheat. Transgenic lines showed red-grained and higher dormant traits. Contents of plant hormones and gene expression of embryos at 30 days after pollination were examined in a wild type and a transgenic line. No differences were observed in the contents of plant hormones, but several genes are differentially expressed between these lines. One differentially expressed gene, TaLTP2.128, is a member of non-specific lipid transfer proteins. It was expressed higher in white grains than in red grains. A putative amino acid sequence showed similarity to that of OsHyPRP5, which is identified as QTL controlling low-temperature germinability in rice. Expression of TaLTP2.128 was increased by grain imbibition. The increasing levels were higher not only in other white-grained lines, but also in non-dormant red-grained lines. TaLTP2.128 was expressed at a quite early stage of germination. These study findings indicate that Tamyb10 regulates dormancy release by the modification of TaLTP2.128 acting as trigger of germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is a condition triggered by environmental factors, particularly prevalent in humid conditions, leading to substantial yield losses in black gram. While the potential for genotypic PHS tolerance exists, it has not been thoroughly assessed in black gram. Hence, the present study aimed to delve into the genetic variation for PHS tolerance in diverse black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) germplasm, and also to comprehend the impact of various physical and physiological traits on PHS. A diverse set of 112 black gram accessions collected across the phytogeographical zones of India were examined for their seed and pod characteristics. Water absorption by pods and seeds and fresh-seed germination was calculated by following the standard procedure given by the International Seed Testing Association. The alpha-amylase activity was measured on dry seeds (0 h), 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after germination of each accession, using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer, and hard-seededness was measured using a texture analyzer machine. The results showed a wide range in PHS tolerance and FSG, and 13 accessions were found to be PHS-tolerant (PHS value < 10%). An indicator of PHS, seed germination in a pod, ranged from 2.75% in IC485641 (highly tolerant to PHS) to 95.85% in IC530501 (highly susceptible to PHS). Correlation and multivariate analysis revealed that PHS was positively correlated with water imbibition by pod and seed, fresh-seed germination and alpha-amylase activity. PHS-tolerant accessions showed a slow increase in alpha-amylase activity, in contrast to PHS-susceptible accessions. The utilization of alpha-amylase activity as a biochemical marker has the potential for evaluating PHS tolerance across various black gram accessions. The identified PHS-tolerant accessions can be used as donors in crop improvement programs aimed at developing PHS-tolerant black gram varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestication and extensive selection in the development of modern, high-yielding commercial groundnut cultivars have resulted in the selection of an undesirable trait known as in situ germination, which is also referred to as the pre-harvest sprouting of seeds. This is particularly prevalent in regions where humid weather coincides with the harvest season. Delayed harvesting and pre-sprouting can cause production losses and increase the chances of aflatoxin contamination, thereby impeding the quality and kernel yield. Breeding early maturing groundnut cultivars with 2–3 weeks of fresh seed dormancy, particularly in Spanish-type cultivars, enhances the sustainability of agriculture. In this context, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of a groundnut mini-core collection, a major resource for genetic diversity, for fresh seed dormancy using an in vitro germination assay for two seasons, viz., rainy 2022 and post-rainy 2022–2023 at ICRISAT (Hyderabad). To enhance the effectiveness and accuracy of traditional breeding methods via the use of markers for marker-assisted selection, we performed molecular screening of the mini-core accessions using two allele-specific markers. The GMFSD1 marker was successfully validated by effectively differentiating dormant and non-dormant genotypes. By employing phenotypic and marker data, we identified a set of accessions, viz., ICG 5827 (Virginia Runner), ICG 11457 (Virginia Runner), ICG 7000 (Virginia Bunch), and ICG 11322 (Virginia Bunch) of sub spp. hypogaea var. hypogaea and ICG 9809 (Spanish Bunch) of sub spp. fastigiata var. vulgaris that exhibited a fresh seed dormancy period ranging from 2 to 3 weeks. These identified accessions hold potential as donors in breeding programs that are designed to address the groundnut production needs in various cropping systems across different countries. The validated marker, particularly GMFSD1, demonstrated considerable potential for facilitating faster breeding of groundnut cultivars with the desired dormancy using marker-assisted selection. This research provides a foundation to expediting groundnut breeding programs and offers opportunities to mitigate pre-harvest sprouting, ultimately improving seed quality and productivity in groundnut-producing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-harvest sprouting refers to the phenomenon that rice tends to induce seed germination on the spike if it encounters continuous cloudy and rainy weather or high-temperature and humid environmental conditions before harvest. Pre-harvest sprouting leads to decreased seed vigor and quality of rice, resulting in huge losses to rice production. In addition to expanding the screening of pre-harvest sprouting mutants, excavating and cloning some new genes controlling pre-harvest sprouting and analyzing their spike germination regulatory mechanisms are important tasks for breeding rice for pre-harvest sprouting resistance. During the process of pre-harvest sprouting, rice amylase activity is enhanced, soluble sugar content is elevated, and the content and balance of phytohormones ABA and GA in rice seeds are the key factors determining pre-harvest sprouting. Some key genes such as OsVP1 control rice seed dormancy through the ABA signaling pathway, while GA regulates seed germination through the activation of GA-associated transcription factors. The article reviews the four areas, i.e., internal physiological factors and environmental conditions of rice pre-harvest sprouting, genetic mechanisms of rice pre-harvest sprouting, molecular mechanisms of rice pre-harvest sprouting, and trait improvement of rice pre-harvest sprouting, and thus aiming to provide theoretical references for the selection of varieties that are resistant to pre-harvest sprouting in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stands as a significant cereal crop globally, including in Korea, where its consumption reached 35.7 kg per capita in 2023. In the southern regions of Korea, wheat cultivation follows paddy rice, with harvesting typically occurring during the rainy season in mid-June. This timing, coupled with the high humidity and unpredictable rainfall, often leads to pre-harvest sprouting and subsequent deterioration in flour quality. To assess the impact of rain on flour quality, an artificial rain treatment was administered 45 days after heading in an open field greenhouse, followed by flour quality analysis. The color measurement revealed an increase in the L* parameter, indicative of enhanced kernel vitreousness, attributed to endosperm starch degradation via alpha-amylase activation induced by water absorption. Moreover, significant changes were observed in ash content and the gluten index within the wetted group, resulting in decreased dough strength and stability, ultimately leading to a reduction in loaf volume. Consequently, it is recommended that wheat be harvested 4–7 days after reaching the physiological maturity stage to avoid the rainy season and ensure the production of high-quality wheat.

The association between pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) and seed coat color has long been recognized. Red-grained wheats generally exhibit greater PHS resistance compared to white-grained wheat, although variability in PHS resistance exists within red-grained varieties. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study on a panel consisting of red-grained wheat varieties, aimed at uncovering genes that modulate PHS resistance and red color components of seed coat using digital image processing. Twelve loci associated with PHS traits were identified, nine of which were described for the first time. Genetic loci marked by SNPs AX-95172164 (chromosome 1B) and AX-158544327 (chromosome 7D) explained approximately 25% of germination index variance, highlighting their value for breeding PHS-resistant varieties. The most promising candidate gene for PHS resistance was TraesCS6B02G147900, encoding a protein involved in aleurone layer morphogenesis. Twenty-six SNPs were significantly associated with grain color, independently of the known Tamyb10 gene. Most of them were related to multiple color characteristics. Prioritization of genes within the revealed loci identified TraesCS1D03G0758600 and TraesCS7B03G1296800, involved in the regulation of pigment biosynthesis and in controlling pigment accumulation. In conclusion, our study identifies new loci associated with grain color and germination index, providing insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying these traits.

Domestication and extensive selection in the development of modern, high-yielding commercial groundnut cultivars have resulted in the selection of an undesirable trait known as in situ germination, which is also referred to as the pre-harvest sprouting of seeds. This is particularly prevalent in regions where humid weather coincides with the harvest season. Delayed harvesting and pre-sprouting can cause production losses and increase the chances of aflatoxin contamination, thereby impeding the quality and kernel yield. Breeding early maturing groundnut cultivars with 2–3 weeks of fresh seed dormancy, particularly in Spanish-type cultivars, enhances the sustainability of agriculture. In this context, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of a groundnut mini-core collection, a major resource for genetic diversity, for fresh seed dormancy using an in vitro germination assay for two seasons, viz., rainy 2022 and post-rainy 2022–2023 at ICRISAT (Hyderabad). To enhance the effectiveness and accuracy of traditional breeding methods via the use of markers for marker-assisted selection, we performed molecular screening of the mini-core accessions using two allele-specific markers. The GMFSD1 marker was successfully validated by effectively differentiating dormant and non-dormant genotypes. By employing phenotypic and marker data, we identified a set of accessions, viz., ICG 5827 (Virginia Runner), ICG 11457 (Virginia Runner), ICG 7000 (Virginia Bunch), and ICG 11322 (Virginia Bunch) of sub spp. hypogaea var. hypogaea and ICG 9809 (Spanish Bunch) of sub spp. fastigiata var. vulgaris that exhibited a fresh seed dormancy period ranging from 2 to 3 weeks. These identified accessions hold potential as donors in breeding programs that are designed to address the groundnut production needs in various cropping systems across different countries. The validated marker, particularly GMFSD1, demonstrated considerable potential for facilitating faster breeding of groundnut cultivars with the desired dormancy using marker-assisted selection. This research provides a foundation to expediting groundnut breeding programs and offers opportunities to mitigate pre-harvest sprouting, ultimately improving seed quality and productivity in groundnut-producing regions.

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is a condition triggered by environmental factors, particularly prevalent in humid conditions, leading to substantial yield losses in black gram. While the potential for genotypic PHS tolerance exists, it has not been thoroughly assessed in black gram. Hence, the present study aimed to delve into the genetic variation for PHS tolerance in diverse black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) germplasm, and also to comprehend the impact of various physical and physiological traits on PHS. A diverse set of 112 black gram accessions collected across the phytogeographical zones of India were examined for their seed and pod characteristics. Water absorption by pods and seeds and fresh-seed germination was calculated by following the standard procedure given by the International Seed Testing Association. The alpha-amylase activity was measured on dry seeds (0 h), 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after germination of each accession, using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer, and hard-seededness was measured using a texture analyzer machine. The results showed a wide range in PHS tolerance and FSG, and 13 accessions were found to be PHS-tolerant (PHS value < 10%). An indicator of PHS, seed germination in a pod, ranged from 2.75% in IC485641 (highly tolerant to PHS) to 95.85% in IC530501 (highly susceptible to PHS). Correlation and multivariate analysis revealed that PHS was positively correlated with water imbibition by pod and seed, fresh-seed germination and alpha-amylase activity. PHS-tolerant accessions showed a slow increase in alpha-amylase activity, in contrast to PHS-susceptible accessions. The utilization of alpha-amylase activity as a biochemical marker has the potential for evaluating PHS tolerance across various black gram accessions. The identified PHS-tolerant accessions can be used as donors in crop improvement programs aimed at developing PHS-tolerant black gram varieties.

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) in cereal crops is a prevalent phenomenon that impacts grain yield and quality. Several PHS inhibitory compounds were screened and identified in previous studies, such as eugenol (EUG), maleic hydrazide (MH), coumarin (COU), etc. However, few studies have focused on the combination of PHS inhibitors, and the inhibitory mechanism remains unclear. Here, through combination tests of EUG, MH, and COU, the optimal combination of PHS inhibitors was selected as MH 20 mg L -1  + COU 100 mg L -1 , which presented the lowest germination percentages. The optimal combination treatment significantly decreased the germination rate, α-amylase activity, content of soluble sugar and soluble protein, enhanced ABA content and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), inhibited the production of superoxide anion (O 2 - ) and hydrogen peroxide, and reduced the content of malondialdehyde (MDA); conversely, this trend is precisely the opposite in normal germination. Furthermore, gene expression analysis revealed that the optimal combination of MH and COU significantly decreased the expression level of OsAmy1A and OsAmy3D at 12 and 48 h after imbibition (HAI); and promoted the expression of OsRbohs (OsRbohA, OsRbohC, OsRbohD, OsRbohE, OsRbohH) and ABA biosynthetic genes OsNCED1, OsNCED2, and OsNCED5, especially OsNCED2 at 12 HAI, but down-regulated expression of OsRbohs and ABA catabolic genes OsABA8ox1-3 at 48 HAI. These results demonstrated that the delay in seed germination induced by MH and COU involved in ROS, ABA, and sugars; the optimal combination of MH and COU inhibited the germination process by promoting ABA biosynthesis and reducing ABA catabolism, and restraining the α-amylase activity to lower soluble sugar content. Intriguingly, although the expression of OsRbohs, which play a crucial role in generating ROS, increased in early imbibition (12h), the activity of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and POD also increased with the optimal combination treatment of MH and COU, which lead to the delay in ROS accumulation and inhibition of germination. These results have deepened our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of PHS inhibitors and provided theoretical support for the application of MH and COU in preventing sprouting before crop harvesting., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Vivipary is a prominent feature of mangroves, allowing seeds to complete germination while attached to the mother plant, and equips propagules to endure and flourish in challenging coastal intertidal wetlands. However, vivipary-associated genetic mechanisms remain largely elusive. Genomes of two viviparous mangrove species and a non-viviparous inland relative were sequenced and assembled at the chromosome level. Comparative genomic analyses between viviparous and non-viviparous genomes revealed that DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1) family genes (DFGs), the proteins from which are crucial for seed dormancy, germination, and reserve accumulation, are either lost or dysfunctional in the entire lineage of true viviparous mangroves but are present and functional in their inland, non-viviparous relatives. Transcriptome dynamics at key stages of vivipary further highlighted the roles of phytohormonal homeostasis, proteins stored in mature seeds, and proanthocyanidins in vivipary under conditions lacking DFGs. Population genomic analyses elucidate dynamics of syntenic regions surrounding the missing DFGs. Our findings demonstrated the genetic foundation of constitutive vivipary in Rhizophoraceae mangroves. [Display omitted] • DOG1 family genes (DFGs) are missing or mutated in all viviparous mangroves • Spatiotemporal distribution and ratio of ABA and GA are key to vivipary process • Population genomics explains the dynamics around missing DFGs in viviparous mangroves • Genetic basis of constitutive vivipary in Rhizophoraceae mangroves was revealed Vivipary is a key adaptive feature for Rhizophoraceae mangroves to survive in coastal wetlands. Qiao et al. found that loss or dysfunction of DOG1 family genes and related changes of hormone metabolism and responses are crucial for viviparous propagule development. Population genomics further supports the genetic foundation of mangrove vivipary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) play multifaceted roles in plant growth, development, and responses to environmental factors. However, their involvement in seed dormancy and germination processes has remained elusive. In this study, we identified a wheat class B Hsf gene, TaHsf-7A , with higher expression in strong-dormancy varieties compared to weak-dormancy varieties during seed imbibition. Specifically, TaHsf-7A expression increased during seed dormancy establishment and subsequently declined during dormancy release. Through the identification of a 1-bp insertion (ins)/deletion (del) variation in the coding region of TaHsf-7A among wheat varieties with different dormancy levels, we developed a CAPS marker, Hsf-7A-1319, resulting in two allelic variations: Hsf-7A-1319-ins and Hsf-7A-1319-del. Notably, the allele Hsf-7A-1319-ins correlated with a reduced seed germination rate and elevated dormancy levels, while Hsf-7A-1319-del exhibited the opposite trend across 175 wheat varieties. The association of TaHsf-7A allelic status with seed dormancy and germination levels was confirmed in various genetically modified species, including Arabidopsis, rice, and wheat. Results from the dual luciferase assay demonstrated notable variations in transcriptional activity among transformants harboring distinct TaHsf-7A alleles. Furthermore, the levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA), along with the expression levels of ABA and GA biosynthesis genes, showed significant differences between transgenic rice lines carrying different alleles of TaHsf-7A. These findings represent a significant step towards a comprehensive understanding of TaHsf-7A 's involvement in the dormancy and germination processes of wheat seeds. • The class B Hsf gene TaHsf-7A is highly expressed in wheat grains. • Transgenic experiments confirmed TaHsf-7A's crucial role in seed dormancy regulation. • AtHsfB2b and TaHsf-7A have functional similarity in regulating seed dormancy. • TaHsf-7A is involved in the ABA and GA signaling pathways to regulate seed dormancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the timing and harvest method of three quinoa varieties on changes in the seed yield and the quality of quinoa seeds. After harvest, the plants were divided into two groups: the first, after weighing, was left in unheated room to dry out. This method of harvest was referred to as "whole plant drying out". While in the second group, the infructescence was separated from the stem after the whole plant was cut. The described harvest method is hereinafter referred to as "only infructescence drying out". Seed quality assessment included weight thousand grain (WTG), energy (after 96 h) and germination capacity (168 h). Prior to the 2nd - 3rd sampling dates, there was a large amount of precipitation in both years of the study. High humidity contributed to pre-harvest sprouting(PHS) and reduced the seed quality. The share of seeds in the biomass yield decreased and was lower than at previous dates by 11.9 %. In the Vikinga variety, germination capacity decreased by 10 percent point (pp) (from date I to date VI). In the Titicaca variety, by 23 pp. In the Zeno variety, the decrease was the greatest - by 27 pp. [Display omitted] • Air high humidity contributed seeds pre-harvest sprouting and reduced the seed quality. • The Vikinga variety has the most stable value of the assessed seed quality indexes. • Due to high air humidity, it is unreasonable to harvest quinoa seeds in multiple stages. • For temperate climate cultivation of early varieties should be recommended. • Selection of sprout-resistant varieties is one of the recommendations of the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) with short or no dormancy period are easy to germinate before harvest (pre-harvest sprouting, PHS). PHS has seriously decreased seed weight and oil content in B. napus. Short-chain dehydrogenase/ reductase (SDR) genes have been found to related to seed dormancy by promoting ABA biosynthesis in rice and Arabidopsis. In order to clarify whether SDR genes are the key factor of seed dormancy in B. napus, homology sequence blast, protein physicochemical properties, conserved motif, gene structure, cis-acting element, gene expression and variation analysis were conducted in present study. Results shown that 142 BnaSDR genes, unevenly distributed on 19 chromosomes, have been identified in B. napus genome. Among them, four BnaSDR gene clusters present in chromosome A04、A05、C03、C04 were also identified. These 142 BnaSDR genes were divided into four subfamilies on phylogenetic tree. Members of the same subgroup have similar protein characters, conserved motifs, gene structure, cis-acting elements and tissue expression profiles. Specially, the expression levels of genes in subgroup A, B and C were gradually decreased, but increased in subgroup D with the development of seeds. Among seven higher expressed genes in group D, six BnaSDR genes were significantly higher expressed in weak dormancy line than that in nondormancy line. And the significant effects of BnaC01T0313900ZS and BnaC03T0300500ZS variation on seed dormancy were also demonstrated in present study. These findings provide a key information for investigating the function of BnaSDRs on seed dormancy in B. napus., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Wild progenitors of Triticeae crops generally have long dormancy periods. Domesticated crops inherited these longer dormancy alleles from their wild progenitors, which have since been modified and selected during cultivation and utilization by humans. Thus, allelic combinations at different seed dormancy loci are currently represented in Triticeae germplasm preserved in seed repositories and gene banks as accessions and materials of breeding programs. Methods to evaluate seed dormancy are key to explore, analyze, and exploit optimal alleles in dormancy genes. Recent developments in genomics have accelerated the identification and analysis of seed dormancy loci in Triticeae species. Transgenic experiments have been conducted to validate if candidate genes affect seed dormancy and more recently have yielded an array of mutations derived from genome editing for practical applications. The information gathered on these seed dormancy loci provides a deeper knowledge of germplasm diversity and offers strategies to control seed dormancy in breeding programs in Triticeae crops., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)