Physiology of seed dormancy and germination

The general aims of the resarch lines that are currently conducted at IFEVA in relation to the physiology of seed dormancy and germination, are:

1. i) to elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms controlling seed dormancy and germination, and.
2. ii) to understand and quantify the effect of different environmental factors on seed dormancy and germination.

In relation to the first general aim, our programme studies the hormonal regulation of the dynamics of dormancy release and germination in cereal grains (sorghum and barley) and the mechanisms controlling the germination responses to light in weed seeds (Datura ferox).

In relation to the second general aim, our studies are directed to understand the role of some environmental factors in the control of dormancy and germination of weed seeds, to establish functional relationships between the level of those factors and and the rate with which those processes occur, and to generate models to predict the functioning of seed banks in terms of dormancy and germination.

Staff list for this research area

• Arana, M. Verónica
• Auge, Gabriela
• Batlla, Diego
• Benech, Roberto
• Botto, Javier
• De Miguel, Lucila
• Ghersa, Claudio
• Gopar, Analía
• Gualano, Nicolás
• Insausti, Pedro
• Martínez-Ghersa, María A.
• Mendiondo, Guillermina
• Mollard, Federico
• Rodríguez, M. Verónica
• Ruiz Selmo, Fernando
• Sánchez, Rodolfo
• Silva, Mariana