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<p><i>Plantago ovata</i> (Plantaginaceae) is an annual herbaceous plant, mainly cultivated in western regions of India, where often elevated levels of selenium (Se) have been found in soil. The seeds show typical myxospermy, producing a mucilaginous coat upon hydration which is known to influence seed dispersal and germination. However, the ecophysiological role of seed mucilage during heavy metal stress has never been determined in myxospermous species. Therefore, the relationship between seed germination, seedling traits and seed mucilage quantity under Se stress was evaluated in <i>P. ovata</i>. Under Se stress, intact seeds with mucilage exhibited slower germination than demucilaged seeds; however, their overall germination percentage remained higher, indicating improved stress mitigation. Mucilage also enhanced seed viability, seedling height and vigour, suggesting increased chance of seedling establishment. Se treatment increased water absorption, resulting in higher mucilage expansion and yield in comparison to the untreated group. The study showed that seed mucilage regulates germination rate by modulating seed water absorption during Se toxicity. This indicates a positive correlation between mucilage quantity, germination and seedling development. Therefore, the mucilaginous seed coat in <i>P. ovata</i> can be considered a crucial ecological adaptation in improving heavy metal stress tolerance.</p>

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Mucilage delays germination and improves seedling development during selenium-induced heavy metal stress in Plantago ovata, a myxospermous model plant

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月11日

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  • Sankalan Dey,
  • Saptaparna Dutta,
  • Subhasree Das,
  • Sarmistha Sen Raychaudhuri

摘要

Plantago ovata (Plantaginaceae) is an annual herbaceous plant, mainly cultivated in western regions of India, where often elevated levels of selenium (Se) have been found in soil. The seeds show typical myxospermy, producing a mucilaginous coat upon hydration which is known to influence seed dispersal and germination. However, the ecophysiological role of seed mucilage during heavy metal stress has never been determined in myxospermous species. Therefore, the relationship between seed germination, seedling traits and seed mucilage quantity under Se stress was evaluated in P. ovata. Under Se stress, intact seeds with mucilage exhibited slower germination than demucilaged seeds; however, their overall germination percentage remained higher, indicating improved stress mitigation. Mucilage also enhanced seed viability, seedling height and vigour, suggesting increased chance of seedling establishment. Se treatment increased water absorption, resulting in higher mucilage expansion and yield in comparison to the untreated group. The study showed that seed mucilage regulates germination rate by modulating seed water absorption during Se toxicity. This indicates a positive correlation between mucilage quantity, germination and seedling development. Therefore, the mucilaginous seed coat in P. ovata can be considered a crucial ecological adaptation in improving heavy metal stress tolerance.