Multiomics strategies for decoding seed dormancy breakdown in Paris polyphylla

Abstract

Abstract The disruption of seed dormancy is a complicated process and is controlled by various factors. Among these factors, membrane lipids and plant hormones are two of the most important ones. In this study, we integrated multiomics data to systematically investigate the global metabolic and transcriptomic profiles of Paris polyphylla, an important Chinese herbaceous species, during seed dormancy breaking. Untargeted metabolomics revealed that lysophospholipids (lysoPLs) were positively correlated with P. polyphylla seed dormancy breaking, and the increase in lysoPLs may be mediated by phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Abscisic acid (ABA) decreased dramatically during seed dormancy breaking of P. polyphylla, and gibberellins (GAs) increased. The catabolism of ABA may occur through conjugation rather than catalytic hydroxylation. The changes in the contents of different GA molecules varied during P. polyphylla seed germination: 13-OH GAs such as GA1 and GA3 were not detected and decreased, respectively, and 13-H GAs such as GA4 and its precursors increased. The change in contents of 13-OH GAs may be attributed to the absence of GA 13-oxidase, and the upregulation of GA20ox may cause an increase in bioactive GA4. P. polyphylla may selectively synthesize strong bioactive GA4 to participate in the breaking of seed dormancy.