Editing of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase genes negatively affects petunia seed germination

Key message: Editing of ACO genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis pathway reduces ethylene production in petunia seeds and inhibits seed germination. Abstract: Ethylene production in the seeds of Petunia hybrida cv. ‘Mirage Rose’ was associated with expression of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase (ACO) genes (PhACO1, PhACO3, and PhACO4). Suppression of their expression by ethylene inhibitor silver thiosulphate (STS) significantly reduced ethylene production and inhibited seed germination. When it was combined with ethylene precursor ACC, ethylene production was re-promoted via activation of the genes and higher seed germination was restored. This was confirmed using the mutants editing the genes and WT. In the present study, compared with wild type plants, three different mutants (phaco1, phaco3, and phaco4) showed significantly decreased germination percentages as well as delayed germination time and seedling growth. These reductions were associated with lighter seed weight, lower ACO transcript levels, and lower ethylene production in mutants. Inhibited seed germination owing to reduced ethylene production was further verified by the supplementation of exogenous ACC and gibberellic acid (GA₃) to growth medium, which restored high seed germination activity in all mutants via enhanced ethylene production. In this study, we reported a key regulatory role of ethylene in seed germination mechanisms in petunia. Further, we highlighted on need to consider the negative effects of ethylene reduction in seed germination and plant growth when editing genes in the ethylene biosynthesis pathway for the maintenance of postharvest fruit, vegetable, and flower quality.