Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the most serious quality defects of grains that impacts on the major crops in the world. Sprouting damage reduces the value of the crops throughout the entire supply chain – from growers to seed and grain merchants; millers and maltsters to bakers; and ultimately, the consumers. It is estimated the PHS produces costs to farmers about $1 billion per year. The foreseen climate irregularity with untimely rainfall has added new challenges to the industry about how to manage PHS damage. In modern commercial crops, loss or reduced seed dormancy and quick germination are the two key aspects directly related to PHS. Last September in Perth (Australia), during the 13th International Symposium on PHS in Cereals (ISPHSC), the consensus was reached that significant progress has been made to understand the mechanisms of seed dormancy and germination, which can now be applied to developing technologies to manage PHS. This Research Topic aims to highlight the current understanding of seed dormancy and germination biology, translate the knowledge into PHS prevention, and realise solutions for the future of the grain industry. We aim to compile a variety of article types to include original research, perspectives and reviews to cover a broad range of topics, such as germplasm development, gene identification, grain physiology, genetic pathways, trait expression and screening methods related to PHS. Submissions on development of novel approaches to manage PHS are especially encouraged. We also aim to cover another grain quality defect that can be often confounded with PHS and that also causes problems to industry: Late Maturity alpha-Amylase (LMA). LMA was included in the last ISPHSC meeting and attracted great interest in the wheat breeding community. Although the major focus will be placed on crops, research articles using model plants to understand the fundamental questions on seed development and germination, which are related to PHS, are also welcome.
Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the most serious quality defects of grains that impacts on the major crops in the world. Sprouting damage reduces the value of the crops throughout the entire supply chain – from growers to seed and grain merchants; millers and maltsters to bakers; and ultimately, the consumers. It is estimated the PHS produces costs to farmers about $1 billion per year. The foreseen climate irregularity with untimely rainfall has added new challenges to the industry about how to manage PHS damage. In modern commercial crops, loss or reduced seed dormancy and quick germination are the two key aspects directly related to PHS. Last September in Perth (Australia), during the 13th International Symposium on PHS in Cereals (ISPHSC), the consensus was reached that significant progress has been made to understand the mechanisms of seed dormancy and germination, which can now be applied to developing technologies to manage PHS. This Research Topic aims to highlight the current understanding of seed dormancy and germination biology, translate the knowledge into PHS prevention, and realise solutions for the future of the grain industry. We aim to compile a variety of article types to include original research, perspectives and reviews to cover a broad range of topics, such as germplasm development, gene identification, grain physiology, genetic pathways, trait expression and screening methods related to PHS. Submissions on development of novel approaches to manage PHS are especially encouraged. We also aim to cover another grain quality defect that can be often confounded with PHS and that also causes problems to industry: Late Maturity alpha-Amylase (LMA). LMA was included in the last ISPHSC meeting and attracted great interest in the wheat breeding community. Although the major focus will be placed on crops, research articles using model plants to understand the fundamental questions on seed development and germination, which are related to PHS, are also welcome.