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Project properties |
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| Title | Evaluating the impact of drying conditions on seed longevity and quality after priming in Brassica species (supported by Seeds for the Future Initiative) |
| Group | Plant Physiology, Laboratory of |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 30-39 |
| Supervisor(s) | Patricija Gran |
| Examiner(s) | Mariana Silva Artur |
| Contact info | patricija.gran@wur.nl AND thesis.PPH@wur.nl |
| Begin date | 2025/06/01 |
| End date | 2025/12/01 |
| Description | Introduction:
Seed priming is a widely used technique to enhance germination and seedling vigor. However, the drying process following priming is critical, as suboptimal drying can negate the benefits or even reduce seed longevity. Despite its importance, the optimal drying conditions remain debated. This study investigates how different drying regimes influence the physiological and biochemical quality of primed seeds, aiming to identify conditions that maximize seed longevity and vigor. Research questions: 1. How do different drying conditions after priming affect seed longevity and vigor in two Brassica species? 2. What physiological and biochemical changes occur in seeds subjected to different drying regimes? 3. Are there species-specific responses to drying that impact seed stability and aging resistance? Using two Brassica species - one sensitive to aging and one relatively insensitive - we will systematically assess the effects of drying speed, humidity, and temperature. By evaluating post-drying seed performance through physiological tests and biochemical markers, we aim to establish a data set that enables process optimization for improved seed quality. Literature: Bradford, K. J. (1986). Manipulation of Seed Water Relations Via Osmotic Priming to Improve Germination Under Stress Conditions. HortScience, 21(5), 1105–1112. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.21.5.1105 Fabrissin, I., Sano, N., Seo, M., & North, H. M. (2021). Ageing beautifully: can the benefits of seed priming be separated from a reduced lifespan trade-off? Journal of Experimental Botany, 72(7), 2312–2333. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erab004 Maia, J., Dekkers, B. J. W., Provart, N. J., Ligterink, W., & Hilhorst, H. W. M. (2011). The re-establishment of desiccation tolerance in germinated arabidopsis thaliana seeds and its associated transcriptome. PLoS ONE, 6(12). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029123 Melo, G. M. de, Santos, H. O. dos, Oliveira, T. F., Cunha Neto, A. R. da, Pereira, A. A. S., & Guaraldo, M. M. dos S. (2021). Effect of priming and different types of drying on the physiological quality of Urochloa ruziziensis seeds. Journal of Seed Science, 43. https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1545v43250046 Schwember, A. R., & Bradford, K. J. (2005). Drying Rates following Priming Affect Temperature Sensitivity of Germination and Longevity of Lettuce Seeds. HortScience, 40(3), 778–781. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.40.3.778 Varier, A., Vari, A. K., & Dadlani, M. (2010). The subcellular basis of seed priming. Current Science, 99(4), 450–456. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24109568 Wang, W.-Q., Ye, J.-Q., Rogowska-Wrzesinska, A., Wojdyla, K. I., Jensen, O. N., Møller, I. M., & Song, S.-Q. (2014). Proteomic Comparison between Maturation Drying and Prematurely Imposed Drying of Zea mays Seeds Reveals a Potential Role of Maturation Drying in Preparing Proteins for Seed Germination, Seedling Vigor, and Pathogen Resistance. Journal of Proteome Research, 13(2), 606–626. https://doi.org/10.1021/pr4007574 |
| Used skills | Seed priming, seed drying, biochemical assays, seed germination, data analysis, literature review, experimental design, statistical analysis, scientific writing, data visualization, presentation skills. |
| Requirements | Strong statistical analysis skills (R)
Passed the Seed Science and Technology course exam Proficient in English |