Transcriptome analysis revealed the regulation of gibberellin and the establishment of photosynthetic system promote rapid seed germination and early growth of seedling in pearl millet

Abstract Background Seed germination is the most important stage for formation of a new plant. This process starts when dry seed begins to absorb water and ends radicle protrudes. The rate from different species varies. rapid that grow on marginal land allows seedlings compete with surrounding species, which also guarantee normal plant development high yield. Pearl millet an cereal crop used worldwide, it can be extract bioethanol. Previous experiments have shown pearl has fast rate, but molecular mechanisms behind are unclear. Therefore, this study explored expression patterns genes involved in growth early stages. Results Through test measurement seedling length, we found germinated after 24 h swelling seed. Using transcriptome sequencing, characterized gene seed, imbibed germ radicle, more differentially expressed (DEGs) than germ. Further analysis showed genome clusters function specifically at tissues time periods. Weighted co-expression network (WGCNA) Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes Genomes (KEGG) enrichment many positively regulate highly enriched expressed, especially gibberellin signaling pathway, promote germination. We speculated activation these key promotes seedlings. To verify this, measured content imbibition rose sharply remained level. Conclusions In study, identified participated regulation growth. pathways may contribute millet. These results provided insight into accelerating slow