<i>PlDOG1</i> can be directly regulated by PlARF2 and participate in the regulation of <i>Paeonia lactiflora</i> seed dormancy

<italic>Paeonia lactiflora</italic> Pall. is a significant ornamental, medicinal, and economic flower with a global distribution. Its prolonged dormancy period or incomplete dormancy release results in low germination rates and extended reproduction cycles, which severely hinders the development of related industries. The <italic>DELAY OF GERMINATION1</italic> (<italic>DOG1</italic>) gene functions as a pivotal factor in seed dormancy regulation. However, it is still unknown how the <italic>DOG1</italic> gene mediates seed dormancy in <italic>P. lactiflora</italic>. In this study, the function and regulatory mechanism of the <italic>PlDOG1</italic> gene were comprehensively analyzed. Through cloning the <italic>PlDOG1</italic> gene and its promoter sequence, it was revealed that the encoded protein possesses a characteristic DOG1 superfamily conserved domain and exhibits high similarity with the <italic>DOG1</italic> gene in other plants, as demonstrated by phylogenetic analysis. Functional studies indicated that <italic>PlDOG1</italic> delays the release of seed dormancy. Moreover, employing Y1H, EMSA, and Dual-LUC assays, we demonstrated that PlARF2 specifically binds to the <italic>PlDOG1</italic> promoter and enhances its transcriptional activity. This creates a new framework for the interaction between the auxin signaling pathway and <italic>DOG1</italic>. The 'PlARF2-<italic>PlDOG1'</italic> regulatory model identified in this study provides a key target for molecular breeding in <italic>P. lactiflora</italic>, offering significant practical value for overcoming technical bottlenecks in <italic>P. lactiflora</italic> seedling cultivation. Additionally, it provides a theoretical basis for understanding the molecular interaction network of auxin and plant hormones in the dormancy regulation of plant seed, significantly advancing seed biology theory and guiding genetic enhancements in horticultural crops.