SOS components differentially regulate seed germination and seedling growth under saline condition in Arabidopsis

Seed germination is an important process that begins new life in plant. To ensure that seedlings grow under optimal condition after germination, seed germination should be precisely regulated by endogenous and environmental factors. Salinity is the major abiotic stress that often adversely impacts plants by inhibiting seed germination, growth and development. Comparative transcriptome analyses of salt-treated seedlings and seeds revealed that although some of the well-known salt-stress marker genes, including RD29a and DREB2A were not induced under salt, genes that can be categorized in similar GO terms involving with stress responsiveness are changed both in seeds and seedlings in response to salt treatment. Overall design: Examination of mRNA expression patterns was conducted in imbibed seeds of Arabidopsis Col-0 and the serk1-1 mutant. Col-0 and serk1-1 seeds were incubated in liquid MS medium and MS medium supplemented with 200 mM NaCl for 24 hours.