The development, dormancy and germination of seeds are critical processes in the plant life cycle, and are regulated by various genetic factors and environmental cues. Small RNAs (sRNAs) are a group of non-coding RNA molecules consisting of 19-24 nucleotides, and regulate the expression of genes encoding transcription factors and key regulatory proteins. They play important roles in morphogenesis, growth, development, and response on biotic and abiotic stresses in both plants and animals. Although some of the regulation mechanisms of plant sRNAs remain unclear, existed evidences indicate their significant regulatory roles in seed development, dormancy, and germination. In the present paper, the research progresses of plant sRNAs in recent years were reviewed, mainly including sRNA biogenesis (biosynthesis) and action mechanism, as well as their regulatory roles in seed development, dormancy, and germination. Additionally, we have highlighted key scientific issues requiring further investigation in this field. The aim is to deepen our understanding of sRNA-mediated molecular mechanisms in these processes, thereby providing insights into improving seed quality, yield, and germination vigor.
Song et al. (Mon,) studied this question.