The study of gene expressions and abiotic stress responses during germination and the transition from seed to seedling in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Spatial-temporal gene expression distribution behaves differently, based on the gene, time and location. A series of GUS reporter lines were used to investigate the gene expression of Arabidopsis thaliana during the transition from seed to seedling at several time phases. Embryos were dissected at different times, from seed until prior to germination, then were immersed in X-Gluc for imaging of expression patterns. Expression patterns were present in a 2D whole embryo model. Starch GUS reporters were used to investigate the expression patterns of seed germination imbibed with water and with 20% PEG for five days. Gene expression showed variation in conditions.

Abiotic stressors, such as salinity and drought, are a severe problem in agriculture and the environment. Transgenic seeds gene from PGMi, SEX1i, BAM and AAM with an oestrogen inducible system were used to investigate the effect of salinity and drought stress on germination of A. thaliana.

Further study of the genes identified in salinity and drought germination was used to find gene orthologues from A. thaliana compared to Capsicum annuum. RNA samples were collected at 24 HAI (before the gene was induced) and 6 DAI (after the gene was induced). The genes are present, and they are expressed in chilli. The way genes are controlled in Arabidopsis thaliana and Capsicum annuum are not the same.