Molecular Basis of Seed Development and Dormancy: Evolutionary Perspectives Across Plant Lineages- A Case Study

Plants were able to colonize a variety of terrestrial settings because to two significant evolutionary innovations: seed development and dormancy. Hormonal regulation, transcriptional control, epigenetic alteration, and structural specialization are all integrated into the molecular underpinning of these activities. With an emphasis on the evolutionary changes from non-seed plants to angiosperms, this article summarizes the current understanding of the molecular processes underpinning seed development and dormancy. Arabidopsis thaliana and important comparative species (such as gymnosperms and basal angiosperms) are used in a case study to illustrate conserved and lineage-specific mechanisms. The functions of the LAFL transcription factor network (LEC1, ABI3, FUS3, LEC2), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellins (GA), LEA proteins, seed storage proteins, and epigenetic regulators such Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) are highlighted. Gaining knowledge of these molecular and evolutionary frameworks helps develop crop enhancement techniques.