LAUSR

Seed plants have evolved a mechanism that maintains the dormancy of mature seeds until the time is appropriate for germination. Seed germination, which is a critical step in the plant life cycle, is an important trait related to agricultural production. This process is precisely regulated by various internal and external factors, especially diverse endogenous hormones. Jasmonates (JAs) are one of the main plant hormones that mediate stress responses. Recent studies have generated evidence of the inhibitory effects of JAs on seed germination. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the regulatory roles of JAs during the seed germination stage. We also describe the crosstalk between JA and other phytohormones (e.g., abscisic acid and gibberellic acid) influencing seed germination.