Identification of germination-specific protein markers and their use in seed priming technology

Although interest In seed priming for improving crop establishment is well recognized, a strong limitation in the development of this technology relies upon rather limited knowledge of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in the earliest steps of seed germination. Of particular interest for the design of priming protocols and the development of certification analyses for primed seeds is the characterization of early germination markers that are easy to detect. Using sugarbeet seeds as a model system, two such protein markers have been identified and biochemical assays have been designed to: (i) distinguish between priming protocols (e.g. hydro- versus osmopriming); (ii) continuously monitor the priming treatments and the advancement of germination prior to radicle emergence; and (iii) analyse the influence of priming conditions (temperature, duration, water supply) on priming efficiency.