Seed germination

Seed Germination Assays with the Reshape Imaging System

Applications

Seed germination assays have extensive applications:

• Viability Testing: Essential for assessing seed quality and viability prior to sowing.
• Optimization of Germination Conditions: Critical for customizing germination conditions to optimize seedling development.
• Agriculture: Important in evaluating seed treatments, studying seed-borne diseases and understanding soil-seed interactions.
• Industrial Processes: Key in optimizing conditions for seed storage and determining seed longevity.

Automation

The Reshape platform tackles key hurdles faced by scientists:

• High Throughput Analysis: Enables the simultaneous study of multiple seed types and conditions, boosting efficiency and hastening time to market.
• Versatility in Assay Design: Adaptable to a variety of factors for proficient design of experiments, catering to diverse research needs while obtaining data on germination rates and seedling vigor.
• Precision and Reproducibility: Assures accurate and consistent results, minimizing human error and facilitating reproduction across different teams.
• Integration with Existing Systems: Streamlines workflow and data management, consolidating results into a single platform.
• Empowering Scientists and R&D Managers: Lessens manual labor, accelerates decision-making, and nurtures innovation.

Application study: Seed Germination on Salt Gradient

Objective

Investigate the impact of different NaCl concentrations on broccoli seed germination. ‍

Introduction

Water scarcity and soil salinization pose great challenges to agricultural productivity. To investigate the affect of salinity stress on broccoli germination, seeds were subjected to salt concentrations ranging from 0 to 400 mM and continuously monitored utilizing the Reshape Imaging System. Tailored data processing allowed automated analysis of seed germination and provided insights of:

• Germination rate
• Seed-root ratio
• Time-to-germination
• Root growth

Results

Salt gradients affect the germination process of broccoli seeds. The germination and root formation of broccoli seeds were visibly affected by addition of salt to MS growth medium (Fig. 1).

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The germination rate of broccoli seeds is influenced by salt levels. Addition of 100 and 200 mM NaCl reduced the proportion of germinating seeds compared to the control, while higher concentrations completely prevented seed germination (Fig. 2). Furthermore, salt addition delayed onset of germination. Mean time-to-germination showed a direct correlation with rising salt concentrations.

Introduction of salt impacts root growth. The addition of 100 mM NaCl resulted in decreased root length and reduced root growth rate, while 200 mM NaCl had a more pronounced impact, dramatically decreasing root length and further reducing the root growth rate compared to the untreated control sample (Fig. 3)

Seed to shoot ratios greatly affected by salt addition. Quantification of root and seed area revealed that salt addition greatly impact seed-root area ratio, emphasising the sensitivity of root development to salinity stress.

Conclusion

Reshape Imaging system in combination with tailored data analysis enabled key insights into salinity stress responses in early plant development. Salt concentrations significantly influenced broccoli seed germination leading to reduced germination rate, delayed onset of germination, and impaired root growth.