Keeping the seed viability during long term storage is a universal problem
in rice. Avoiding and/or reducing the seed deterioration during storage is a
vital breeding goal for rice breeders. Lipoxygenases (LOX) are enzymes
commonly related to degradation of storage lipids during seed germination.
However, little is known about their effect on seed longevity during
storage.

In this study, the role of rice OsLOX2 gene from 3-day-old seedlings of rice
cultivar Nipponbare was characterized. It functions both in seed germination
and longevity were investigated by over expression and RNA interference
(RNAi). OsLOX2 was highly induced during germination. Lines over-expressing
OsLOX2 had accelerated seed germination under normal conditions and lower
seed viability after accelerated aging. RNA interference of OsLOX2 caused
delayed germination and enhanced seed longevity. Moreover, RNAi lines with
strongly repressed OsLOX2 activity lost the capability of germination after
accelerated aging.

OsLOX2 was found to accelerate growth during seed germination. However, it
also decreases longevity during storage. Repression of the OsLOX2 may delay
the aging process during the storage without losing viability.

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