Seeds are plant organs that play a central role in the life cycle of plants as well as in the everyday life of humans and livestock. Crop yields depend primarily on seed vigor, which relates to fast seed germination and robust seedling establishment under diverse environments. Gibberellins (GAs) are phytohormones indispensable for seed germination and also required for normal vegetative and reproductive growth. Although several stress conditions are known to decrease GAs, thus negatively affecting plant growth and productivity, this response increases plant survival. We are studying physiological and molecular events that integrate GA-mediated growth and stress responses during early stages of plant growth. We are using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and established collaborations to extend or studies to Brassica napus (rapeseed), poplar and, more recently, rice. Our final goal is to improve crop performance by boosting growth at developmental stages when plants are more vulnerable to stress.