Gene expression in two cultivars of Brassica napus (AC Excel and DH12075) has been compared at the full-size embryo, desiccation, and mature stages of seed development. Seed of these cultivars differ in their potential to exhibit secondary dormancy following environmental stress; Excel has high potential and DH12075 has low potential. A majority of genes were down-regulated during maturation in both cultivars but a significant number of differences in gene expression between the cultivars were apparent in the transition from full-size embryo to mature seed. However, most differences were apparent in the desiccation stage and some of the differences were in genes related to signaling processes and protein biosynthesis. We suggest that the propensity of Brassica seeds to manifest secondary dormancy may be determined by changes in gene expression that occur during late seed development.
