Griffo Adriano, Bosco Nicola, Pagano Andrea, Balestrazzi Alma, Macovei Anca
Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'L. Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy.
Antioxidants (Basel). 2023 Mar 3;12(3):626. doi: 10.3390/antiox12030626.
ROS homeostasis is crucial to maintain radical levels in a dynamic equilibrium within physiological ranges. Therefore, ROS quantification in seeds with different germination performance may represent a useful tool to predict the efficiency of common methods to enhance seed vigor, such as priming treatments, which are still largely empirical. In the present study, ROS levels were investigated in an experimental system composed of hydroprimed and heat-shocked seeds, thus comparing materials with improved or damaged germination potential. A preliminary phenotypic analysis of germination parameters and seedling growth allowed the selection of the best-per-forming priming protocols for species like soybean, tomato, and wheat, having relevant agroeconomic value. ROS levels were quantified by using two noninvasive assays, namely dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX-1). qRT-PCR was used to assess the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in ROS production (respiratory burst oxidase homolog family, RBOH) and scavenging (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidases). The correlation analyses between ROS levels and gene expression data suggest a possible use of these indicators as noninvasive approaches to evaluate seed quality. These findings are relevant given the centrality of seed quality for crop production and the potential of seed priming in sustainable agricultural practices.
活性氧（ROS）稳态对于在生理范围内将自由基水平维持在动态平衡至关重要。因此，对具有不同萌发性能的种子进行ROS定量分析，可能是一种有用的工具，用于预测提高种子活力的常用方法（如引发处理，目前这些方法在很大程度上仍基于经验）的效率。在本研究中，在一个由水引发和热激处理的种子组成的实验系统中研究了ROS水平，从而比较了具有改善或受损萌发潜力的材料。对萌发参数和幼苗生长进行的初步表型分析，使得能够为具有重要农业经济价值的大豆、番茄和小麦等物种选择最佳的引发方案。通过使用两种非侵入性检测方法，即二氯二氢荧光素二乙酸酯（DCFH-DA）和亚铁氧化二甲苯酚橙（FOX-1）对ROS水平进行了定量分析。采用qRT-PCR评估参与ROS产生（呼吸爆发氧化酶同源家族，RBOH）和清除（过氧化氢酶、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化物酶）的酶编码基因的表达。ROS水平与基因表达数据之间的相关性分析表明，这些指标有可能作为评估种子质量的非侵入性方法。鉴于种子质量对作物生产的核心地位以及种子引发在可持续农业实践中的潜力，这些发现具有重要意义。
