Low-temperature storage preserves baseline seed dormancy in weedy rice
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Seed dormancy is a fundamental trait for the persistence of weedy rice in agroecosystems, yet large-scale studies on its high variability among biotypes is hindered by the limited knowledge on seed conservation for this species. This study evaluated the efficacy of low-temperature storage in preserving the baseline dormancy status—the level of dormancy at the time of dispersal—across diverse weedy rice biotypes from the rice production region in Argentina. Seeds were harvested, dried to a moisture content of 5.6–12.5%, and stored at −20 °C for periods of up to 600 days. Tetrazolium tests confirmed that seeds remained viable throughout the cold-storage period. Germination assays revealed that seeds stored at −20 °C maintained their dormancy levels and that germination responses were similar to those of seeds at their initial state, regardless of whether the biotypes presented high, intermediate, or low dormancy. Interestingly, while fresh seeds showed faster dormancy release due to higher accumulated thermal time, cold-stored seeds retained this capacity for dormancy release once returned to ambient temperatures. Our results demonstrate that -20°C seed storage effectively keeps the after-ripening process on hold in weedy rice. This methodology provides a critical tool for researchers, allowing the synchronized and comparable evaluation of dormancy-related traits in populations with asynchronous maturation.
Institution: National Agricultural Technology Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7202387302