How a new layer of genetic control boosts plant seed germination

Seed germination is a crucial step in the plant life cycle. It must be kept in check under unfavorable conditions, only to be fully activated when conditions are right. But what makes this phase of explosive growth possible? And what keeps the seed dormant when that is needed? Supported by both published and unpublished results from all project participants, this project investigates the involvement of a recently discovered way of controlling gene activity in seed germination: chemical modification of the gene copies that serve as direct templates for building proteins, the cell's workhorses. The expected results have breakthrough potential in basic plant science, and are relevant for future control of the germination capacity of seeds, a key trait in agronomy.