Raffinose Priming Improves Seed Vigor by ROS Scavenging, RAFS, and α-GAL Activity in Aged Waxy Corn

Raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) are known to benefit plants under stress conditions; however, the role of exogenous raffinose in seed germination remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the potential role of raffinose in promoting seed germination and elucidated the underl...

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Main Authors: Min Zhu, Ru Xiao, Tong Yu, Tao Guo, Xuemei Zhong, Jianzhou Qu, Wanli Du, Wei Xue
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Agronomy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/12/2843
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author Min Zhu
Ru Xiao
Tong Yu
Tao Guo
Xuemei Zhong
Jianzhou Qu
Wanli Du
Wei Xue
author_facet Min Zhu
Ru Xiao
Tong Yu
Tao Guo
Xuemei Zhong
Jianzhou Qu
Wanli Du
Wei Xue
author_sort Min Zhu
collection DOAJ
description Raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) are known to benefit plants under stress conditions; however, the role of exogenous raffinose in seed germination remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the potential role of raffinose in promoting seed germination and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that artificial aging significantly reduced the germination rate and vigor of waxy corn seeds. Conversely, exogenous raffinose significantly enhanced the germination of these artificially aged seeds. Exogenous raffinose significantly reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) and enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Additionally, the levels of α-galactosidase (α-GAL) and raffinose synthase (RAFS) were significantly elevated in raffinose-treated aged seeds. These findings suggest that exogenous raffinose induces the expression of α-GAL and RAFS, thereby providing energy and reducing excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn promotes the germination of artificially aged seeds. This study provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing seed vigor and extending seed longevity in crop management.
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id doaj-art-d28e3c18e35f4d4082e8a9bc60b72fe0
institution Kabale University
issn 2073-4395
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Agronomy
spelling doaj-art-d28e3c18e35f4d4082e8a9bc60b72fe02024-12-27T14:04:09ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952024-11-011412284310.3390/agronomy14122843Raffinose Priming Improves Seed Vigor by ROS Scavenging, RAFS, and α-GAL Activity in Aged Waxy CornMin Zhu0Ru Xiao1Tong Yu2Tao Guo3Xuemei Zhong4Jianzhou Qu5Wanli Du6Wei Xue7College of Agronomy, Specialty Corn Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaCollege of Agronomy, Specialty Corn Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaCollege of Agronomy, Specialty Corn Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaCollege of Agronomy, Specialty Corn Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaCollege of Agronomy, Specialty Corn Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaCollege of Agronomy, Specialty Corn Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaCollege of Agronomy, Specialty Corn Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaCollege of Agronomy, Specialty Corn Institute, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, ChinaRaffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) are known to benefit plants under stress conditions; however, the role of exogenous raffinose in seed germination remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the potential role of raffinose in promoting seed germination and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that artificial aging significantly reduced the germination rate and vigor of waxy corn seeds. Conversely, exogenous raffinose significantly enhanced the germination of these artificially aged seeds. Exogenous raffinose significantly reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) and enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Additionally, the levels of α-galactosidase (α-GAL) and raffinose synthase (RAFS) were significantly elevated in raffinose-treated aged seeds. These findings suggest that exogenous raffinose induces the expression of α-GAL and RAFS, thereby providing energy and reducing excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn promotes the germination of artificially aged seeds. This study provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing seed vigor and extending seed longevity in crop management.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/12/2843<i>Zea mays</i>artificial agingraffinoseseed vigorseed primingwaxy corn
spellingShingle Min Zhu
Ru Xiao
Tong Yu
Tao Guo
Xuemei Zhong
Jianzhou Qu
Wanli Du
Wei Xue
Raffinose Priming Improves Seed Vigor by ROS Scavenging, RAFS, and α-GAL Activity in Aged Waxy Corn
Agronomy
<i>Zea mays</i>
artificial aging
raffinose
seed vigor
seed priming
waxy corn
title Raffinose Priming Improves Seed Vigor by ROS Scavenging, RAFS, and α-GAL Activity in Aged Waxy Corn
title_full Raffinose Priming Improves Seed Vigor by ROS Scavenging, RAFS, and α-GAL Activity in Aged Waxy Corn
title_fullStr Raffinose Priming Improves Seed Vigor by ROS Scavenging, RAFS, and α-GAL Activity in Aged Waxy Corn
title_full_unstemmed Raffinose Priming Improves Seed Vigor by ROS Scavenging, RAFS, and α-GAL Activity in Aged Waxy Corn
title_short Raffinose Priming Improves Seed Vigor by ROS Scavenging, RAFS, and α-GAL Activity in Aged Waxy Corn
title_sort raffinose priming improves seed vigor by ros scavenging rafs and α gal activity in aged waxy corn
topic <i>Zea mays</i>
artificial aging
raffinose
seed vigor
seed priming
waxy corn
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/12/2843
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