Plant-Derived Smoke and Karrikin 1 in Seed Priming and Seed Biotechnology

Plant-derived smoke and smoke water (SW) can stimulate seed germination in numerous plants from fire-prone and fire-free areas, including cultivated plants and agricultural weeds. Smoke contains thousands of compounds; only several stimulants and inhibitors have been isolated from smoke. Among the six karrikins present in smoke, karrikin 1 (KAR(1)) seems to be key for the stimulating effect of smoke. The discovery and activity of highly diluted SW and KAR(1) at extremely low concentrations (even at ca. 10(−9) M) inducing seed germination of a wide array of horticultural and agricultural plants have created tremendous opportunities for the use of these factors in pre-sowing seed treatment through smoke- or KAR(1)-priming. This review presents examples of effects exerted by the two types of priming on seed germination and seedling emergence, growth, and development, as well as on the content of some compounds and enzyme activity. Seed biotechnology may involve both SW and KAR(1). Some examples demonstrate that SW and/or KAR(1) increased the efficiency of somatic embryogenesis, somatic embryo germination and conversion to plantlets. It is also possible to stimulate in vitro seed germination by SW, which allows to use in orchid propagation.