Summary
This narrative review synthesises current knowledge on seed dormancy and pre-harvest sprouting in crop species, addressing a trait that causes over USD 1 billion in annual agricultural losses worldwide. The paper examines the complex interplay of genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors underlying sprouting susceptibility, including the emerging role of the MKK3 gene and weak ABA signalling. The work highlights the tension between agronomic selection for low dormancy (for uniform establishment) and the need for sprouting resistance to maintain grain quality and yield.
UK applicability
Pre-harvest sprouting is a significant concern for UK cereal production, particularly in years with high rainfall or humidity during the critical mature grain stage. The genetic and molecular insights reviewed may inform UK crop breeding programmes and inform variety selection strategies for managing sprouting risk under increasingly variable UK climate conditions.
Key measures
α-amylase activity levels; pre-harvest sprouting incidence; grain quality parameters; abscisic acid (ABA) signalling; genetic markers for sprouting resistance
Outcomes reported
The paper reviews current understanding of weak seed dormancy and pre-harvest sprouting mechanisms, including genetic, biochemical, and molecular factors. It discusses the identification of the MKK3 gene responsible for pre-harvest sprouting resistance and the relationship between seed dormancy, α-amylase activity, and grain quality loss.
Topic tags
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