Seed biology in the 21st century: perspectives and new directions.

Seeds are a fundamental component of the plant life cycle, as they store the genetic information necessary for the next generation of plants to disperse, establish, develop and eventually reproduce to maintain the species. However, these mysterious genetic capsules contain many secrets that have yet to be revealed. For instance, the mechanism(s) by which certain seeds undergo extreme desiccation without losing viability remain unclear. Further, the molecular network of genes conferring on seeds the ability to remain dormant for the required periods of time has yet to be fully elucidated. This special focus issue is dedicated to the latest research on seed biology aimed at tackling some of these unanswered questions.