Unlocking seagrass germination: divergent roles of strigolactones and smoke-water in <i>Zostera marina</i> (Zosteraceae).

ABSTRACT: Seagrasses, such as Zostera marina, play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems, yet the hormonal regulation of their seed dormancy and germination remains poorly understood. Strigolactones (SL) and karrikins (KAR), two plant growth regulators (PGRs) known to regulate germination and development in terrestrial plants, have recently been identified in marine angiosperms. However, their functional roles in seagrasses remain unexplored. Here, we provide the first assessment of SL and smoke-water effects on Z. marina seed germination and seedling development under controlled conditions. Smoke-water is a solution derived from plant combustion that contains a complex mix of bioactive compounds, rich in butenolide compounds such as karrikinolides (e.g. KAR₁, KAR₂

SUBMITTER: Pieraccini R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12670585 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature