Methods of seed treatment and resulting products

Abstract

A method of treating a seed for sowing is provided for improving subsequent plant performance comprising the step of treating the seed for sowing with UV-B irradiation.

Claims

1. A method of treating a seed for sowing to improve subsequent plant performance comprising a step of treating the seed for sowing using UV-B irradiation, wherein the UV-B irradiation is administered in a UV-B waveband in a range of 291 to 281 nm, wherein a dosage of UV-B is in a range of 0.1 to 386 kJ m.sup.2, and wherein a treatment time is 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 24, 28, 30, 32, or 72 hours.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein improved plant performance is selected from the group consisting of: stress resilience to at least one of environmental stress to at least one of the seed for sowing, resulting plant, and resulting crop before or after harvesting, improved yield of harvestable crop material; and improved quality of harvestable crop material.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seed for sowing is selected from the group consisting of lettuce, beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, melon, onion, peas, peppers, pumpkin, spinach, squash, sweetcorn, tomato, watermelon, alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, sugarbeets, wheat, and combinations thereof.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UV-B irradiation is administered in a UV-B waveband peaking at 286 nm.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UV-B irradiation is administered following an initial water hydration process.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises co-administration of UV-B irradiation using visible light.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the visible light is at least one of red and blue light.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method causes an increased concentration of at least one flavonoid in the seed for sowing, plant, or harvestable crop material.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method causes an increase in levels of at least one of gene transcription, protein expression, and protein activity related to flavonoid production.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein plant performance comprises at least one of an improved resistance to stress caused by weather damage, an improved resistance to stress caused by sun exposure, an improved resistance to stress caused by disease, and an improved resistance to stress caused by insects.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein plant performance comprises at least one of improved taste, size, shape, color, texture, visual appearance, shelf life, and ability to handle post-harvest handling.

12. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the UV-B irradiation is administered following an initial water hydration process.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the seed is from the Asteraceae family.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the seed is from the Brassicaceae family.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the seed is from the Poaceae family.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the seed is lettuce.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the seed is corn.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the seed is kale.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the seed is Arabidopsis.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the seed is selected from the group consisting of lettuce, corn, and kale.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein an irradiance of UV-B is in a range of 3.1910.sup.5 to 1.4210.sup.4 W cm.sup.2s.sup.1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 Analysis of Flavonoid levels in seeds following UV-B treatment;

(3) FIG. 2 Analysis of Flavonoid levels in Ezmina lettuce plant leaves 20 days after UV-B seed treatment, and

(4) FIG. 3 Analysis in plant productivity (measured by fresh shoot fresh weight) following UV-B treatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example 1

Analysis of Flavonoid Levels in Seeds Following UV-B Treatment

(5) In this example, seeds were exposed to a UV-B treatment, and were then frozen for analysis of UV-B absorbing secondary metabolites in the seed themselves.

(6) Seeds of the variety Legacy (Egmont Seeds, New Zealand) were spread on water soaked filter paper. Seed were then exposed to a narrow-band UV-B dosage peaking at 286 nm using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) array for 40 min. As a control, seeds were exposed to a visible light dosage only, composed of blue and red light LEDs for 40 min. Seed were exposed to light dosages at different time-points following initial water imbibing of seed (0 h, 24 h). The seeds were kept at 16 C. between treatments, and until the end of the trial at 48 h, when seed were frozen in liquid nitrogen for UV-B absorbing compound analysis. Analysis of UV-B absorbing compounds (presumptive flavonoids) was carried out by homogenization of seed in acidifed methanol, centrifugation, and measurement of supernatant absorbance by spectrophotometer at 300 nm.

(7) The results are shown in FIG. 1, depicting seed levels of UV-B absorbing compounds [at 300 nm; presumptive flavonoids] of Legacy lettuce immediately after UV-B treatment. Seeds were maintained under visible light only conditions (Vis) or a UV-B treatment at 286 nm (UV). Treatments were applied at the times indicated after seed were imbibed with water (T0=at time of imbibing; T24=24 h after imbibing). Flavonoids are 18% higher in UV T24 seed compared to Vis T24 seed, and flavonoids are 60% higher in UV T24 seed compared to VIS T0 seed. Values presented are means of three replicate lots per treatment, with each lot consisting of 80 individual seed; 1 S.E. It can be seen that an increase in presumptive flavonoids (detected at 300 nm) are seen after 24 hours after treatment in both samples (UV-B and visible light). However, the level of flavonoids are substantially increased in the UV-B treated sample compared to the visible light treated sample at the same 24 hr time point. This increase is thought to be due to UV-B specific flavonoid production as discussed previously. Further tests hope to confirm this.

Example 2

Analysis of Flavonoid Levels in Ezmina Lettuce Plant Leafs 20 Days after UV-B Seed Treatment

(8) In this example, seeds were exposed to a UV-B treatment, and were then germinated, transplanted onto soil, and grown to a certain age, prior to assessments of leaf polyphenols being made.

(9) Lettuce seeds of the variety Ezmina (Enza Zaden, Netherlands) were spread on water soaked filter paper. Plants were then exposed to a narrow-band UV-B dosage peaking at 286 nm using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) array for 40 min. As one control, seeds were exposed to a visible light dosage only, composed of blue and red light LEDs for 40 min. Seed were exposed to light dosages at different time-points following initial water imbibing of seed (0 h, 24 h). A second form of control consisted of seeds being wrapped in aluminium foil and not exposed to any light.

(10) Germinating seeds were then transferred onto soil, and following seedling propagation, plants were maintained in outside ambient conditions for 10 days. Following this time period, non-invasive measurements of leaf flavonoid levels were made with a Dualex Scientific polyphenol meter (Force-A, Paris).

(11) The results are shown in FIG. 2, which measure flavonoid levels 20 days after seed treatments. This FIG. depicts leaf flavonoid levels of Ezmina lettuce plants 20 days after seed treatment. Seeds were maintained under dark foil wrapped conditions (Control), visible light only (Vis), or a UV-B treatment at 286 nm (UV). Treatments were applied at the times indicated after seed were imbibed with water (T0=at time of imbibing; T24=24 h after imbibing). Flavonoids are significantly higher in UV T24 plants according to Analysis of Variance (P<0.05). Values presented are means of 11-24 plants according to individual treatments, 1 S.E. The UV-B treated sample showed significantly higher flavonoid levels at 20 days compared to the visible light sample at 20 days, either if treated at 24 hours and 0 hours. Interestingly, the flavonoid level at 20 days in the sample treated with visible light at 24 hours actually was lower compared to the levels when treated at the zero time point. This study illustrates a relationship between the UV-B induced flavonoid concentration seen in seeds and the resulting plant material.

Example 3

Analysis in Plant Productivity (Measured by Fresh Shoot Fresh Weight) Following UV-B Treatment

(12) In this example, seeds were exposed to a UV-B treatment, and were then germinated, transplanted onto soil, and grown to a certain age, prior to assessments of plant shoot fresh weight being made, as an indication of plant yield following seed treatment.

(13) Seeds of the variety Legacy (Egmont Seeds, New Zealand) were spread on water soaked filter paper. Seed were then exposed to a narrow-band UV-B dosage peaking at 286 nm using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) array for 40 min. As a control, seeds were exposed to a visible light dosage only, composed of blue and red light LEDs for 40 min. Seed were exposed to light dosages at different time-points following initial water imbibing of seed (0 h, 24 h). Following treatment, seed were transferred onto soil, and grown for 30 days. Shoot fresh weight of plants (i.e. above ground biomass) was then assessed as an indication of plant yield.

(14) The results are shown in FIG. 3. This FIG. shows shoot fresh weight of Legacy lettuce plants 30 days after seed treatment. Seeds were maintained under visible light only conditions (Vis), or a UV-B treatment at 286 nm (UV). Treatments were applied at the times indicated after seed were imbibed with water (T0=at time of imbibing; T24=24 h after imbibing). Bar displayed for T0 treatment is based on both visible light and UV treatments values. Average fresh weight in UV T24 plants is increased by 17% compared to T0 control plants. Values presented are means of six replicated plants per treatment, 1 S.E. As observed that in the UV-B treated samples, average fresh weight in plants is increased by 17% compared to control plants. A very marginal increase can be observed in plants treated with visible light compared to control plants. This result illustrates the advantage of increased plant performance and in particular crop yield. It bridged a potential connection with the increased concentration flavonoids seen in both the seeds and resulting plant, and it is expected that certain types of flavonoids may be responsible for this effect, as discussed previously. Further trials are being performed to confirm this.

Example 4

Analysis of Leaf Flavonoids in Kale (Brassica Forage Crop)

(15) In this example, kale seedlings were treated with UV-B prior to sowing, and another set of seedlings grown from seed were not treated with UV-B.

(16) Kale (Brassica oleracea var. Regal) seeds were first primed by being immersed in a PEG8000 solution (1.25 mPA) and kept in the dark at 16 C. After 20 h, seeds were irradiated with 500 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 of continuous red/blue light. 50% of these seeds were additionally treated with 3.1910.sup.5 W cm.sup.2 s.sup.1 UV-B light supplied by a UV-LED source, the transmittance of which peaked at 286 nm. After 28 h of continued treatment (total priming duration 48 h), seeds were removed and air-dried for 72 h at 16 C. Seeds were then sown and grown in PEG8000 (1.25 mPA, 400 ml) to induce drought stress. After 3 weeks of continued drought stress, leaf flavonoid concentrations were determined using a Dualex Scientific+ chlorophyll and polyphenol meter (Force-A, Orsay, France).

(17) The results are shown in Table 1 below. There was a 12% increase in leaf flavonoids in kale seedlings where seeds were treated with UV prior to sowing, compared to seedlings grown from seed which were not treated with UV prior to sowing.

(18) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Increase in UV-treated UV- compared to Control S.E. treated S.E. control (%) Flavonoid Index 0.61 0.03 0.7 0.02 12* *statistically significant increase at P < 0.05

(19) This supports that the resultant plant following UV-B seed treatment has increased levels of flavonoids compared to an untreated seed.

Example 5

Analysis of Drought Stress

(20) In this example, a drought stress was applied to kale plants from the point of seed germination. One group of seeds were UV-B treated, and another group was not treated with UV-B.

(21) Kale (Brassica oleracea var. Regal) seeds were immersed in water and kept in the dark at 16 C. After 4 h, seeds were irradiated with 500 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 of continuous red/blue light. 50% of these seeds were additionally treated with 1.4210.sup.4 W cm.sup.2 UV-B light supplied by a UV-LED source, the transmittance of which peaked at 286 nm. After 30 h of treatment, seeds were air-dried for 72 h at 16 C.

(22) Seeds were then subjected to a drought stress during germination. UV-primed and control seeds were germinated in either water or one of 2 concentrations of PEG8000 (1 mPA Drought, 1.5 mPA Severe drought). After 72 h, seedling weight and radicle length were quantified.

(23) The results are shown in Table 2 below. After drought stress, emerging kale seedlings from seeds that had been UV-B treated, accumulated more biomass and displayed longer radicle lengths 72 hr after sowing, compared to seedlings sown from seed that were not treated with UV prior to sowing.

(24) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Increase in UV-treated compared to Medium UV-treated S.E. Control S.E. control (%) Radicle length (mm) Well-watered 9.1 0.6 7.4 0.9 24 Drought 8.3 0.6 6.9 0.7 20 Severe drought 6.8 0.8 5.7 0.6 20 Biomass (mg) Well-watered 18.3 0.8 14.1 0.7 30** Drought 14.8 0.6 12.9 1.0 15 Severe drought 13.1 0.5 11.7 0.7 13 **statistically significant increase at P < 0.001

(25) This trial supports that UV-B seed treatment provides protection against yield-limiting stresses encountered in the growing environment, such as drought or salinity stress.

Example 6

Analysis of Seedling Size, Leaf Chlorophyll Level and Nitrogen Index

(26) In this example, kale seed were subject to UV-B treatment and then seedling size, leaf chlorophyll level and relative nitrogen index were all assessed in growing plants, all of which are key indicators of good plant performance.

(27) Kale (Brassica oleracea var. Regal) seeds were immersed in water and kept in the dark at 16 C. After 4 h, seeds were irradiated with 500 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 of continuous red/blue light. 50% of these seeds were additionally treated with 1.0110.sup.4 W cm.sup.2 s.sup.2 UV-B light supplied by a UV-LED source, the transmittance of which peaked at 286 nm. After 6 h of treatment, seeds were air-dried for 72 h at 16 C. then sown. At 10 days old, plants were assessed for cotyledon leaf size, and at 21 days old, plants were assessed for relative leaf chlorophyll index and nitrogen index, which were determined using a Dualex Scientific+meter (Force-A, Orsay, France).

(28) The results are shown in Table 3 below. There are clear increases in kale seedling growth and plant performance where seeds were treated with UV-B prior to sowing, compared to seedlings grown from seed that were not treated with UV-B prior to sowing.

(29) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Increase in UV-treated UV- compared to Control S.E. treated S.E. control (%) Cotyledon leaf size 113.3 5.2 120.6 5.4 6 (mm.sup.2) Chlorophyll index 18.9 0.3 19.6 0.4 4 Nitrogen index 45.9 2.3 50.3 3.0 9

Example 7

Analysis of Seedling Weight

(30) Following example 6, the kale seedling weight of seeds treated with UV-B were measured compared to non-treated kale seedlings.

(31) Seed were treated and plants grown exactly as per the methods described for Example 6 above. At 8 weeks old, plants were harvested and leaf area and fresh weights were quantified.

(32) As shown in Table 4, kale plants grown from seeds that were UV-B treated showed a 5% increase in plant weight compared to seedlings grown from non-UV-B treated seeds. Furthermore, the variability of fresh weights within the population was reduced by 36% in UV seed-treated plants, as demonstrated by the reduced standard error (S.E.) values in UV treated resultant plants. This further supports treating a seed for sowing with UV-B radiation improved subsequent plant performance.

(33) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Increase in UV-treated UV- compared to Control S.E. treated S.E. control (%) Shoot fresh 3.75 0.14 3.94 0.09 5% weight (g)

Example 8

Size Analysis of First Fully Expanded Leaf

(34) In this example, we assessed the 4.sup.th fully expanded leaf area in lettuce seedlings in UV-B treated and untreated samples. True leaf growth compaction in young seedlings can be a good indicator of hardiness against future stresses in the growing environment.

(35) Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. Legacy) seeds were immersed in water and kept in the dark at 16 C. After 6 h, seeds were irradiated with 500 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 of continuous red/blue light. 50% of these seeds were additionally treated with 3.1910.sup.5 W cm.sup.2 s.sup.2 UV-B light supplied by a UV-LED source, the transmittance of which peaked at 286 nm. After 1 h, 3 h, 6 h of treatment (Seed treatments 1, 2, and 3 respectively; Table 5), seeds were removed and air-dried for 72 h at 16 C. then sown. At 33 days old, the 4.sup.th fully expanded leaf area was assessed.

(36) The results are shown in Table 5. We observed a maximum 31% average reduction in size of the 4.sup.th fully expanded leaf in lettuce seedlings where seeds were treated with UV prior to sowing, compared to seedlings grown from seed which were not treated with UV prior to sowing.

(37) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Decrease in UV-treated UV- compared to Leaf area (mm.sup.2) Control S.E. treated S.E. control (%) Seed treatment 1 15.6 0.9 13.8 1.0 11 Seed treatment 2 14.2 0.9 9.8 0.7 31** Seed treatment 3 16.2 1.6 15.5 1.9 4 **statistically significant increase at P < 0.001

(38) This initial growth compaction supports the induction of hardiness against future stresses encountered in the growing environment in transplant lettuce seedlings and other crops.

Example 9

Analysis of Dry Weight of Maize Plants

(39) In this example, we treated maize seeds with UV-B radiation, and compared a range of performance parameters of the resulting plants to plants that did not have UV-B treatment of the seeds prior to sowing.

(40) Maize (Zea mays var. NZ yellow F1 Hybrid) seeds were immersed in water and kept in the dark at 16 C. After 16 h, seeds were irradiated with 500 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 of continuous red/blue light. 50% of these seeds were additionally treated with 3.1910.sup.5 W cm.sup.2 s.sup.2 UV-B light supplied by a UV-LED source, the transmittance of which peaked at 286 nm. After 9 h of treatment, seeds were air-dried for 72 h at 16 C. then sown. Seedlings were harvested at 4 weeks old, and fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots were quantified. Indices for leaf chlorophyll, flavonoid and nitrogen index were assessed using a Dualex Scientific+chlorophyll and polyphenol meter (Force-A, Orsay, France).

(41) The results are shown in Table 6. We saw increases in the whole plant dry weight of maize plants where seeds were treated with UV-B prior to sowing, compared to seedlings grown from seed that were not treated with UV-B prior to sowing. We also observed increases in leaf flavonoid levels, and leaf nitrogen index.

(42) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Increase in UV- UV- treated compared treated S.E. Control S.E. to control (%) Shoot FW (g) 1.8 0.2 1.6 0.2 17% Shoot DW (g) 0.18 0.02 0.14 0.02 26% Root DW (g) 0.18 0.02 0.14 0.01 28% Whole plant DW (g) 0.36 0.04 0.28 0.03 28% Flavonoid index 0.8 0.07 0.7 0.03 4% Leaf nitrogen index 40 7 38 2 6%

(43) This further supports that treating seeds for sowing with UV-B radiation improves subsequent plant performance.

Example 10

Drought Tolerance and Water Use Efficiency of Lettuce Plants

(44) In a similar study to that seen in Example 5, the authors assessed whether there was an increased physiological tolerance to drought stress imposed on lettuce plants for 11 days following UV-B treatment of the seeds prior to sowing.

(45) Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. Legacy) seeds were immersed in water and kept in the dark at 16 C. After 4 h, seeds were irradiated with 500 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 of continuous red/blue light. 50% of these seeds were additionally treated with 1.4210.sup.4 W cm.sup.2 s.sup.2 UV-B light supplied by a UV-LED source, the transmittance of which peaked at 286 nm. After 10 h of treatment, seeds were air-dried for 72 h at 16 C. then sown. After 4 wk, seedlings were transplanted into individual planting cells, each containing 250 ml of potting mix, the maximum water-holding capacity of which was 130 ml. For half of the UV-treated seedlings and half of the control seedlings, the water content of each cell of potting mix was maintained at 130 ml. The remaining plants were subjected to a drought stress, achieved by maintaining the water content of each cell of potting mix at 40 ml. After 11 days of drought stress, stomatal resistance was assessed using a Delta-T porometer (Delta-T Devices, Cambridge, UK), and indices for leaf chlorophyll, flavonoid and nitrogen content were calculated using a Dualex Scientific+ meter (Force-A, Orsay, France).

(46) The results are shown in Table 7. Increased physiological tolerance to drought stress [signified by an increase in stomatal resistance] was indeed observed in the lettuce plants originating from seeds that had been treated with UV-B prior to sowing. An increase in stomatal resistance was also observed in well-watered plants, indicating the potential for plants raised from UV treated seed to exhibit increased Water Use Efficiency (WUE), regardless of the presence of a drought stress.

(47) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Increase in UV-treated Stomatal compared to resistance (s .Math. cm.sup.1) Control S.E. UV-treated S.E. control (%) Well-watered 3.0 0.4 4.2 0.4 36 Drought stressed 4.1 0.2 4.6 0.6 11

(48) This further supports that UV-B seed treatment provides protection against yield-limiting stresses encountered in the growing environment, such as drought or salinity stress. These data also support that UV-B seed treatment may provide increased water use efficiency capability in plants raised from UV treated seed.

Example 11

Salinity Stress on Kale and Lettuce Plants

(49) In another test, kale plants (both from seeds UV-B treated and non-treated seeds) were subjected to salinity stress.

(50) Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. Legacy) and kale (Brassica oleracea var. Regal) seeds were immersed in water and kept in the dark at 16 C. After 4 h, seeds were irradiated with 500 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 of continuous red/blue light. 50% of these seeds were additionally treated with 1.4210.sup.2 W cm.sup.2 s.sup.2 UV-B light supplied by a UV-LED source, the transmittance of which peaked at 286 nm. After 8 h and 72 h for lettuce and kale respectively, the treatment stopped, seeds were air-dried for 72 h at 16 C., and then sown. After 4 wk, seedlings were transplanted into 250 ml of potting mix, the maximum water holding capacity of which was 130 ml. Half the UV-primed seedlings and half the control seedlings were then subjected to a salt stress (150 mM NaCl; 100 ml administered every 7 days; topped up with water every 3 days) and the remaining seedlings were watered with H.sub.2O. After 25 days of salinity stress, plants were harvested and shoot weight was assessed.

(51) The results are shown in Table 8. It can be seen that there is a 13% reduced sensitivity to salinity stress (in terms of salinity-induced reductions in plant fresh weight) in both kale and lettuce plants, where seeds were treated with UV-B prior to sowing, compared to plants grown from seed which were not treated with UV-B prior to sowing.

(52) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 % decrease in growth Difference between [in whole shoot fresh UV- control & UV- weight] under salt stress Control treated treated [%] Kale 22 9 13 Lettuce 47 34 13

(53) This further shows that UV-B seed treatment provides protection against yield-limiting stresses encountered in the growing environment, such as drought or salinity stress.

Example 12

Analysis of Crop Quality Measured by Leaf Based Pigments of Lettuce

(54) To assess crop quality (e.g. colour, taste, shelf life), leaf-based pigments in a red cultivar of lettuce were assessed following UV-B treatment of seed prior to sowing. Increases in such red pigments as anthocyanins is associated with increased crop quality, taste and shelf-life.sup.1. .sup.1 Zhang et al. [2013] Anthocyanins Double the Shelf Life of Tomatoes by Delaying Overripening and Reducing Susceptibility to Gray Mold. Current Biology. 23(12): 1094-1100.

(55) Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. Red Oak) seeds were immersed in water and kept in the dark at 16 C. After 3 hr, seed were subjected to 500 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 of continuous red/blue light with 50% of those seeds additionally receiving 1.4210.sup.4 W cm.sup.2 s.sup.1 UV-B light, supplied by a UV-LED source, the transmittance of which peaked at 286 nm. 12 h after the initial imbibition process, seeds were removed from water and UV-B treatment. Seeds were air-dried for 72 h at 16 C. then sown. After 35 d, indices for anthocyanins [red leaf pigments] were assessed in seedlings using a Dualex Scientific+ chlorophyll and polyphenol meter (Force-A, Orsay, France). Seedlings were then dried to a constant mass in order to represent anthocyanins per unit (g) plant dry weight.

(56) The results are shown in Table 9 below. Increases in leaf-based pigments in a red cultivar of lettuce were observed from seeds treated with UV-B prior to sowing, compared to plants grown from seed which were not treated with UV prior to sowing.

(57) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 % induction of anthocyanins Anthocyanin in plants from UV treated Treatment index g DW.sup.1 S.E. seed compared to control Control 0.3196 0.01 UV-treated 0.3422 0.02 7.0

(58) These data support that UV seed treatment can increase crop quality characteristics such as colour, taste, shelf-life in plants grown from treated seed.

Example 13

Analysis of Role of UVR8 UV-B Photoreceptor

(59) To assess the underlying genetic response, we studied seedlings raised from a seed genotype lacking functional UVR8 locus [UV-B photoreceptor protein]. Seed of both genotypes were exposed to a UV-B seed treatment and compared with seed that were not treated with UV-B.

(60) Arabidopsis thaliana seeds, including the two genotypes wild-type (Landsberg erecta or Ler) and the UVR8 null mutant [uvr8] were immersed in water and kept in the dark at 16 C. After 12 h, seeds were irradiated with 500 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 of continuous red/blue light. 50% of these seeds were additionally treated with 6.5710.sup.5 W cm.sup.2 s.sup.1 UV-B light, supplied by a UV-LED source, the transmittance of which peaked at 286 nm. After 4 h of treatment, seeds were air-dried for 72 h at 16 C. then sown. After 32 days of growth, leaf flavonoids were extracted in MeOH:H2O:HCl (70:29:1) and measured by spectrophotometry. Shoots were weighted, ground and clarified by centrifugation and total leaf flavonoids were estimated as Abs300 nm g FW.sup.1.

(61) The results are shown in Table 10. It was found that these uvr8 mutant seedlings [uvr8 KO] lacked strong induction of leaf flavonoid expression in the growing plant, where the uvr8 seeds were treated with UV-B prior to sowing. Whereas, a marked increase in leaf flavonoid expression [i.e. 29% increase compared to Control] was observed in seedlings following UV-B treatment of seeds with a seed genotype with normal-functioning UVR8 [WT or wild-type genotype].

(62) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 % increase from UV treated seed compared Control (S.E.) UV-B treated (S.E.) to control Wild-type 24.48 (2.6) 31.59 (7.3) 29 UVR8 23.04 (1.8) 25.51 (4.1) 11

(63) This supports the proposed mode of action for UV-B seed treatment is reliant on the UVR8 locus and UVR8 activity.

Example 14

Increased Seed Germination in Treated Seed

(64) In this example, maize seed were treated with UV-B or not treated with UV-B, with seed germination subsequently assessed.

(65) Maize (Zea mays var. NZ yellow F1 Hybrid) seeds were immersed in water and kept in the dark at 16 C. After 20 h, seeds were irradiated with 500 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 of continuous red/blue light. 50% of these seeds were additionally treated with 3.1910.sup.5 W cm.sup.2 s.sup.1 UV-B light supplied by a UV-LED source, the transmittance of which peaked at 286 nm. After 8 h, 24 h, 32 h of treatment (Seed treatments 1, 2, and 3 respectively; Table 11), seeds were air-dried for 72 h at 16 C. then sown, with germination success subsequently assessed.

(66) The results are in Table 11. It can be seen that germination of seed was improved where seeds were treated with UV-B prior to wetting for germination, compared to seed that were not treated with UV-B prior to sowing.

(67) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 % improvement in UV- UV-treated seed % germination Control treated germination Seed treatment 1 45.45 72.73 27.28 Seed treatment 2 27.27 63.64 36.37 Seed treatment 3 45.45 54.55 9.1 Average of all 39.39 63.64 24.25 treatments

(68) This supports the use of UV-B treatment of seed to improve germination ability of seed.

Example 15

Use of Another UV-B Peak Wavelength to Improve Seedling Germination Under Drought Stress

(69) In a similar study to that seen in Example 5, the authors assessed whether there was an increased physiological tolerance to drought stress imposed during the germination of seed following UV-B treatment of those seed prior to sowing. In this example, a different peak wavelength was used within the UV-B waveband.

(70) Kale (Brassica oleracea var. Regal) seeds were immersed in water and kept in the dark at 16 C. After 4 h, seeds were irradiated with 500 mol m.sup.2 s.sup.1 of continuous red/blue light. 50% of these seeds were exclusively treated with red/blue light as described before, while the remaining 50% were additionally treated with 1.6410.sup.5 W cm.sup.2 s.sup.2 UV-B light supplied by a UV-LED source, the transmittance of which peaked at 317 nm. After 30 h of treatment, seeds were air-dried for 72 h at 16 C.

(71) Seeds were then subjected to a drought stress during germination. UV-primed and control seeds were germinated in either water or one of two concentrations of PEG8000 (1, 1.5 mPA). After 72 h, seedling weight and radicle length were quantified.

(72) The results are shown in Table 12 below. After drought stress, emerging kale seedlings from seeds which had been UV-B treated, accumulated more biomass and displayed longer radicle lengths 72 hr after sowing, compared to seedlings sown from seed which were not treated with UV prior to sowing.

(73) TABLE-US-00012 Increase in UV-treated compared to Medium UV-treated S.E. Control S.E. control (%) Radicle length (mm) Well-watered 6.4 0.9 7.7 0.9 17 Drought 11.2 1.0 5.6 0.5 99 Severe drought 7.1 0.6 7.2 0.5 2 Biomass (mg) Well-watered 13.6 0.7 13.8 0.7 1 Drought 16.3 0.8 12.2 0.6 33 Severe drought 14.9 1.0 13.5 0.9 11

(74) This example supports that UV seed treatment provides protection against yield-limiting stresses encountered in the growing environment, such as drought or salinity stress, and that the advantages of the invention can be achieved by using a treatment at different wavelengths within the UV-B waveband.

(75) The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference.

(76) Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world.

(77) The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

(78) Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

(79) It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention.

(80) Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.