Gasotransmitter ammonia accelerates seed germination, seedling growth, and thermotolerance acquirement in maize.

Ammonia (NH), as an intermediate product of nitrogen metabolism, is recognized as a novel gasotransmitter (namely gaseous signaling molecule), its signaling role being revealed in plants. NH exists in two different chemical forms, namely the weak base (free molecule: NH) and the weak acid (ammonium: NH), which are generally in equilibrium with each other in plants. However, the effect of NH on seed germination, seedling growth, and thermotolerance acquirement in maize remains unclear.