Is seed longevity influenced by past environmental stresses on the growth and fitness of hybrid and non-hybrid Arabidopsis Thaliana?
Peixoto, Haley
Peixoto, Haley
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Abstract
Seed longevity is an important aspect of plant fitness which must be resilient to environmental variability. With today�s changing climate, crops are increasingly subjected to intense stress from rising temperatures and declining rainfall. These conditions drive the agriculture industry to find ways in which plants can remain viable and productive under these suboptimal environmental dynamics. Seed storage is crucial for sustainable agriculture, however, extended periods of storage have been found to cause seed deterioration leading to a negative impact on germination and productivity of plants. Furthermore, adverse conditions such as drought and heat stress brought on by climate change increase seed dormancy and lead to a decreased productivity. Ecological research has shown hybridization can introduce needed genetic diversity that brings new resources for the organism to adapt. Extensive studies have been conducted to understand the mechanisms, both physiologically and genetically, associated with seed longevity. The role of hybridization in enhancing seed longevity in the effect of abiotic stresses, however, is less studied. This research aims to compare and evaluate the overall fitness of the hybrid and non-hybrid Arabidopsis Thaliana following exposure to prior environmental stresses by germination analysis and assessing the following traits: budding time, plant height, number of leaves, rosette size, chlorophyl content, number of seeds, seed weight, and plant biomass of grown under standard growth conditions. The study is still ongoing, but results are expected to show hybridization enhancing overall fitness and growth, with the hybrid lines showing a reduced sensitivity to past exposure to drought and heat stress. The outcome of the project will improve the understanding of genomic and phenotypic mechanisms that underlie seed longevity, with attention to the effects of hybridization and its applications in sustainable seed banks and future breeding programs.
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Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Junior (Graduating in 2027)
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Poster
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Biology
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College of Arts and Sciences
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Life Science