Development of quick, sensitive method for pea variety selection

Abstract

Selecting stress-resistant crop varieties is crucial for improving plant adaptability to environmental stressors. However, traditional selection methods are labor intensive and require months to yield results. To overcome this limitation, we present an innovative fluorescence-based technique for quick and sensitive pea variety selection through evaluating seed stress tolerance under abiotic stress conditions. This method utilizes aggregation-induced emission luminogens to track reactive oxygen species (ROS), offering a non-invasive assessment of pea responses to stress. Fluorescence intensity monitored during seed germination (spanning several days) negatively correlated with both stress resistance and growth potential while being positively associated with ROS metabolic gene expression, suggesting that reduced fluorescence reflects enhanced stress adaptation through ROS-mediated pathways. The approach demonstrates high accuracy, achieving 94.74% precision for germination percentage and 100% for vigor index, yield factor, and ROS metabolic gene level. This innovative technique advances both the fundamental understanding of plant stress biology and agricultural productivity across multiple species under diverse stressors.