The EcoSeed Project
Impacts of Abiotic Stresses on Seed Quality in Brassica oleracea
and Arabidopsis
Sajjad Awan and William Finch-Savage
University of Warwick, Wellsesbourne campus, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF, UK (S.Z.Awan@warwick.ac.uk)
Climate Change and its Impact on Seed Production
 The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC ) report (2014) revealed intense future
changes to weather events on a global scale.
 Altered rainfall patterns may lead to more frequent drought events
 Increased global temperatures will result in higher evapotranspiration, hence increase water stress in
crops.
 For example, in the UK temperature rise due to the ‘lowest’ emission scenario of green house gases has
been predicted to be in the range of 1 to 2.9oC, while in the ‘highest’ emissions scenario the temperature
could rise between 2.4 to 6.4oC.
To evaluate the impact of these altered weather conditions on seed quality, eleven institutions from five EU countries have joined hands forming the
consortium ‘EcoSeed’ to study three important European crops (Brassica oleracea, Barley and Sunflower) and the model plant Arabidopsis. At University
of Warwick, we are studying Arabidopsis and Brassica oleracea.
Arabidopsis
Brassica oleracea
Controlled Environment Experiments
Seeds were produced from plants grown at three temperatures regimes,
Low (14/16oC), Optimal (18/22oC) and High (25/28oC). Water stress was
also applied at -1.0 MPa (Mild stress) and -1.5MPa (Severe stress).
Temperature Stress
 Plants reached maturity faster at higher temperature
 Seed yield increased in the low temperature treatment, but
seeds were significantly dormant
 At high temperature, seed yield was reduced but seeds were
significantly larger than at lower temperature
Figure. Arabidopsis (Col-0) plants growing under different temperature regimes.
Col-0
14/16oC
Col-0
18/22oC
Col-0
25/28oC
Col-0
14/16oC
Col-0
18/22oC
Drought Stress
 Plants produced less biomass under drought stress
 Drought stress significantly reduced seed yield
 Severe stress produced fewer, but larger and less dormant seeds
than well watered plants.
Brassica oleracea L. is representative of vegetable crops with endospermic, oily
seeds. Two B.oleracea genotypes A12 (Chinese kale) and SL101 (Chinese kale x
broccoli) were evaluated under water and temperature stresses. SL101 and A12
have high and low seed vigour, respectively.
Glasshouse Experiment
Seeds were produced from plants grown at two temperatures
(18/22oC and 25/28oC) without (control) and with constant soil moisture
deficits (-1.0 and -1.5MPa) during 2013 and 2014.
Temperature Stress

Seed size and yield was higher at 18/22oC than at 25/28oC.

Seed vigour was improved in the seeds produced at higher
temperature

SL101 had higher seed yield and vigour than A12 at both
temperatures
Drought Stress

Drought stress reduced seed yield in both genotypes, but this
reduction was greater in A12 than SL101

Seed size and vigour reduced significantly at -1.5MPa in A12
Figure. B.oleracea grown at 18/22oC under different soil moisture regimes
Figure. Arabidopsis plants
DOG1 and Nil DOG1, grown
under water stress (-1.0MPa)
and in the absence of water
stress (Control).
Control SL101
Control A12
-1.0MPa SL101
-1.0MPa A12
-1.5MPa SL101
-1.5MPa A12
We have produced bulk seed lots in the control and selected treatments for EcoSeed partners to study physiological, molecular and biochemical pathways
implicated in plant and seed resilience to perturbation. The molecular analysis of these seed lots is in progress.
For further information on Ecoseed visit: http://www.uibk.ac.at/botany/ecoseed/index.html.en
Warwick Crop Centre
www.warwick.ac.uk/go/wcc