biostudies-literatureWaterworth WMWellcome TrustBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Councile2202172119https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9335332biostudies-literatureUnknown119(30)The desiccated, quiescent state of seeds confers extended survival of the embryonic plant. However, accumulation of striking levels of genome damage in quiescence impairs germination and threatens plant survival. The mechanisms by which seeds mitigate this damage remain unclear. Here, we reveal that imbibed <i>Arabidopsis</i> seeds display high resistance to DNA damage, which is lost as seeds advance to germination, coincident with increasing cell cycle activity. In contrast to seedlings, we show that seeds minimize the impact of DNA damage by reducing meristem disruption and delaying SOG1-dependent programmed cell death. This promotes root growth early postgermination. In response to naturally accumulated DNA damage in aging seeds, SOG1 activates cell death postgermination. SOG1 activitieProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of AmericaSeed DNA damage responses promote germination and growth in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>.PMC9335332WT104918MABB/M011151/1BB/S002081/1West CEWang DLatham RWaterworth WMAlsharif MfalseSeed DNA damage responses promote germination and growth in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>.The desiccated, quiescent state of seeds confers extended survival of the embryonic plant. However, accumulation of striking levels of genome damage in quiescence impairs germination and threatens plant survival. The mechanisms by which seeds mitigate this damage remain unclear. Here, we reveal that imbibed <i>Arabidopsis</i> seeds display high resistance to DNA damage, which is lost as seeds advance to germination, coincident with increasing cell cycle activity. In contrast to seedlings, we show that seeds minimize the impact of DNA damage by reducing meristem disruption and delaying SOG1-dependent programmed cell death. This promotes root growth early postgermination. In response to naturally accumulated DNA damage in aging seeds, SOG1 activates cell death postgermination. SOG1 activitie2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Jul2025-04-18T15:36:42.65Z2025-04-07T02:20:15.925ZS-EPMC93353323585843610.1073/pnas.2202172119