Comportamento Alla Germinazione Delle Cariossidi Delle Linee Primaverile e Invernale del Triticum Esaploide «Denti de Cani»

Abstract

The germination of spring and winter wheat lines of exaploid Triticum « Denti de Cani ». — The dormancy in the seeds of two lines of Triticum « Denti de Cani » (which is spontaneous in Sardinia), one with solid stem (CP line), a spring line, the other with hollow stem (CV line), an winter line, has been studied. Germination was carried out in the dark, in Petri dishes at the constant temperatures of 5°, 10°, 20°, 23°, 26°, 30° and 35°C, using full ripe seeds, and seeds in different stages of after-ripening up to one year of age. The increase in % germination, for increasing temperatures above 5°C, is clearly conditioned by the progress of after-ripening in the seeds. In fact it was seen that, in general for the two lines, percentages over 50% of seeds germinated at 3 days were reached: at 10° and 20° after 15 days from the full ripening; at 23°C after 30 days; at 26°C after 50 days; at 30°C after about 100 days and at 35°C only after about 4–5 months from the harvest. During the experiment at 5°C it was observed that, during the first year of life of seeds and especially in the CP line, this temperature produces a clear slowing down in germinations after first year from the ripening, only the CV seeds — not the CP which remain very much inhibited — reach germination values over 50% at 3 days. It has also been demonstrated that the CV are more sensitive than the CP, in the first initial period of after-ripening (15 and 30 days), to the non-inhibiting activity of low temperatures (5° and 10°C) and that, between these, the 10°C temperature promotes the germination more clearly than the 5°C temperature. The results obtained have shown that the dormancy wears off in the spring CP-line much more slowly than in the winter CV-line. The CP-seeds remain in a relative dormancy condition for a long time, which causes a significative delay in germination, up to 100 days from the full ripening stage.     

Water Relations of Seed Development and Germination in Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.): VII. INFLUENCE OF AFTER-RIPENING AND AGEING ON GERMINATION RESPONSES TO TEMPERATURE AND WATER POTENTIAL

The effects of storage conditions on the germination of developingmuskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds were tested to determine whetherafter-ripening is required to obtain maximum seed vigour. Seedswere harvested at 5 d intervals from 35 (immature) to 60 (fullymature) days after anthesis (DAA), washed, dried, and storedat water contents of 3·3 to 19% (dry weight basis) at6, 20, or 30°C for up to one year. Germination was testedin water and in polyethylene glycol 8000 solutions ( –0·2to –1·2 MPa osmotic potential) at 15, 20, 25 or30°C. Germination percentages and rates (inverse of meantimes to radicle emergence) were compared to those of newlyharvested, washed and dried seeds. For 40 and 60 DAA seeds,one year of storage at 20°C and water contents <6·5%significantly increased germination percentages and rates at20°C, but had little effect on germination at 25 and 30°C.Storage reduced the estimated base temperature (T_b) and meanbase water potential (_b) for germination of both 40 and 60 DAAseeds by approximately 5°C and 0·3 MPa, respectively.Immature 35 DAA seeds showed the greatest benefit from storageat 3 to 5% water content and 30°C, as germination percentagesand rates increased at all water potentials (). Storage underthese same conditions had little effect on the germination ofmature seeds in water, but increased germination percentagesand rates at reduced 's. Accelerated ageing for one month at30°C and water contents from 15 to 19° increased germinationrates and percentages of mature seeds at reduced 's, but longerdurations resulted in sharp declines in both parameters. Immatureseeds lost viability within one month under accelerated ageingconditions. An after-ripening period is required at all stagesof muskmelon seed development to expand the temperature andwater potential ranges allowing germination and to achieve maximumgerminability and vigour. Post-harvest dormancy is deepest atthe point of maximum seed dry weight accumulation and declinesthereafter, both in situ within the ripening fruit and duringdry storage. Key words: Muskmelon, Cucumis melo L., seed, development, dormancy, germination, vigour, after-ripening     

Effects of storage,mucilage presence,photoperiod, thermoperiod and salinity on germination of Farsetia aegyptia Turra (Brassicaceae) seeds: implications for restoration and seed banks in Arabian Desert

Seed viability and germination are key factors in the success of restoration efforts, especially when stored seeds are used. However, the effect of seed storage on germination of most of the native Arabian species is not well documented. We investigated the effect of storage time and role of the seed mucilage in regulating germination, dormancy, salinity tolerance and consequential survival strategy of F. aegyptia in an unpredictable arid desert setting. Effect of light and temperature during germination was studied under two photoperiods and two thermoperiods using intact and de-mucilaged seeds. Presence of mucilage and thermoperiod did not affect the germination. However, seed collection year and photoperiod had a highly significant effect on the germination. Increasing salinity levels decreased the germination of F. aegyptia but ungerminated seeds were able to germinate when salinity stress was alleviated. Seed storage at room temperature enhances the germination percentage, indicating that F. aegyptia seeds have physiological dormancy and it can be alleviated by after-ripening at dry storage. In addition, F. aegyptia seeds show ability to germinate at lower salinity concentration and remain viable even at higher saline conditions, indicating their adaptability to cope with such harsh environmental conditions.     

Germination ecology of six shrubs in fire-prone Cape fynbos

To explain the recruitment and coexistence of species which establish after fire, this study predicted that each species would have different germination cues as a component of different regeneration niches. Furthermore, for species subject to natural fire frequencies of 10–20 years, fire-related cues, seed dormancy, extended longevity and fire-related germination cues might be predicted. However, results indicated broadly similar germination requirements. Seeds subjected to two heat treatments and a charcoal extract failed to show significantly enhanced germination. Instead, highest germination successes were achieved under alternating diurnal temperatures which implied an indirect fire cue, viz. the removal of insulating vegetation. Leachate solution inhibited germination in two species suggesting allelopathic effects during inter-fire periods. Only two species showed dormancy and three species did not have extended longevity but showed declining germinability after three years. Finally, in order to determine the potential germination from a soil-stored seed bank, data analysis simulated a seed bank comprising three years' accumulation of seeds. In each species the proportion of germinable seeds varied each year over the three years. Also, the germinability in response to ageing varied for each year's seed production. This would explain the variation in densities of the six species after different fire events, and hence offers a better explanation for species' coexistence.     

THE EFFECT OF THE INTERACTION OF TEMPERATURE WITH AFTER-RIPENING REQUIREMENT AND COMPENSATING TEMPERATURE ON GERMINATION OF SEED OF FIVE SPECIES OF ROSA

Seeds of 5 rose species, Rosa multiflora Thunb. ‘Cathayensis,’ R. × reversa Waldst. & Kit., R. setigera Michx. ‘Beltsville,’ R. setigera Michx. ‘Serena,’ and R. wichuraiana Crepin, varied in after-ripening requirement from 30 days at 4.4 C for R. multiflora to 90 days for R. setigera ‘Serena.’ The compensating temperature varied from near 12.8 C for R. × reversa to a value near 29.4 C for R. setigera ‘Beltsville.’ In this report compensating temperature is used to describe that temperature at which mature, moist seed does not germinate, after-ripening does not take place, and dormancy does not change. Seed germination was reduced by interruption of the after-ripening period with intervals at temperatures above the compensating temperature. The interruptions were more effective in reducing germination when more frequent and when the temperature during the interval was higher. Species differed in their sensitivity to high-temperature reduction of germination. Those having the longest after-ripening requirement were most sensitive. Germination of seeds which had the minimum after-ripening treatment was repressed more by high temperature than germination of those seeds which had an excess of after-ripening. The decrease in germination resulted from imposition of a secondary dormancy of the embryo, and probably also from reversal of the after-ripening effect upon the primary dormancy imposed by the seed coat.     

Seed dormancy,germination and soil seed bank of Lamiophlomis rotata and Marmoritis complanatum (Labiatae), two endemic species from Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains

Seed dormancy and germination characteristics are important factors determining plant reproductive success. In this study, we aimed to explore the characteristics of seed dormancy and germination of two endemic Labiatae species (Lamiophlomis rotata and Marmoritis complanatum) in the Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains. Germination was first tested in the light using freshly matured seeds at 25/15 and 15/5°C, and then again after dry after-ripening. Dried seeds were incubated in the light at a range of constant temperatures (1–35°C). The effects of dark and GA₃ on germination were tested at several different temperatures. Base temperature (T_b) and thermal times for 50% final germination (θ₅₀) were calculated. Seeds were also buried at the collection site to test seed persistence in the soil. Increased final germination after dry after-ripening indicated that the seeds of the two species exhibited non-deep physiological dormancy; however, they exhibited different germination characteristics and soil seed bank types. In L. rotata, GA₃ only promoted germination at 5°C, producing no significant effect at other temperatures. Dark conditions decreased germination significantly at all temperatures. T_b and θ₅₀ values were 0.6 and 82.7°C d. The soil seed bank of this species was classified as persistent. In M. complanatum, GA₃ significantly promoted germination at all temperatures except 15°C. Dark conditions depressed germination significantly at warmer temperatures (20 and 25°C) but had no effect at lower temperatures. T_b and θ₅₀ values were 0.1 and 92.3°C d. The soil seed bank was classified as transient. Our results suggest that the seed dormancy and germination of the two co-existing species share some commonalities but there are also species-specific adaptations to the harsh alpine environment.     

Seed Treatment Optimizes Benefits of Seed Bank Storage for Restoration‐Ready Seeds: The Feasibility of Prestorage Dormancy Alleviation for Mine‐Site Revegetation

Dormant seeds of 18 species from 9 families covering a diverse range of seed dormancy syndromes and life histories from the southwest Australian biodiversity hotspot were assessed for germinability following storage at 15–25°C for 36 months. A total of 10 species with physical dormancy (PY) and 8 with either physiological dormancy (PD) or morphophysiological dormancy (MPD) were assessed as part of the study. Prior to storage, germination from dormant seeds was 1–27%, rising to 41–100% following specific dormancy‐breaking treatments. When seed dormancy was removed prior to storage for 36 months seeds from all species were found to maintain a nondormant state and germinate to a similar level to that observed at the beginning of the experiment (44–100%). Likewise, seeds that did not receive a prestorage dormancy‐breaking treatment maintained a dormant state (0–50% germination) and subsequently responded well to a dormancy‐breaking treatment immediately prior to germination assessment (49–99%). There were minimal differences in response to dormancy‐breaking treatments before and after 36 months storage (average 4–6% difference) and in the germination responses observed between both storage environments assessed (15°C/15% eRH or 15–25°C air dried). Based on these findings, storing seeds in a nondormant state does not alter germinability and this approach provides significant benefits to current seed‐based restoration programs through reduction of double handling and improved seed use efficiency.     

濒危植物巴东木莲种子休眠与萌发特性的研究

巴东木莲(Manglietia patungensis)为我国特有种, 属国家重点保护植物。为找出其生殖环节中的致危因素, 作者对巴东木莲种子休眠与后熟过程中的形态和萌发特性进行了研究。结果表明, 巴东木莲种胚发育不完全可能是种子休眠的主要原因, 在其后熟过程中胚不断分化、发育成熟; 种皮具有较好的透性, 与休眠的关系不大; 种子不同部位均存在萌发抑制物, 胚乳中高含量的萌发抑制物是影响胚萌发的重要因素。内源激素ABA和IAA在巴东木莲种子休眠与萌发过程中起着重要作用, ABA是引起休眠的关键因素, IAA有助于种子的萌发, IAA/ABA相对含量的变化对种子的休眠和萌发产生重要影响。巴东木莲种子的休眠是由种子本身的形态和生理特点引起的综合休眠, 在4℃低温保湿条件下才能完成其形态和生理后熟过程, 而自然条件下, 巴东木莲种子成熟时正值秋季少雨, 很容易失水而不能完成其后熟过程而失去生活力, 这可能是导致该物种自然更新困难的重要原因。     

Patterns of seed after-ripening in Bromus tectorum L

For grass seeds that lose dormancy through after ripening indry storage, the probability of germination following a particularwetting event can be predicted only if the relationship betweenstorage temperature and change in after-ripening status is known.This study examined patterns of seed dormancy loss in Bromustectorum L., quantifying changes in germination percentage,speed, and uniformity through time. Seed collections from threesemi-arid habitats were stored at temperatures from 10–40C. At monthly intervals, subsamples were incubated at 5/15,10/20, 15/25, and 20/30 C. For recently harvested seeds, germinationpercentage, mean germination time, and days between 10% and90% of total germination (D90–D10) ranged from 1–75%,10–24 d, and 10–20 d, respectively. Recently harvestedseeds were generally most dormant, slowest to germinate andleast uniform at high incubation temperatures. In contrast,after ripened seeds for all collections had nearly 100% germination,mean germination times <5 d, and D90–D10 values <5d. Three indices were used to characterize after-ripening ratesfor each seedlot at each incubation temperature. The mean dormancyperiod, the mean rate index, and the mean uniformity index definedthe storage period required for seedlots to become half as dormantas at harvest, to progress half-way to the fastest speed, andto progress half-way to the greatest uniformity, respectively.Seeds required longer storage to germinate uniformly than togerminate completely or quickly, because germination time-coursecurves for incompletely after-ripened seeds were positivelyskewed rather than sigmoidal. Mathematically, the three indiceswere described as negative exponential functions of storagetemperature, which suggests that after-ripening is likely completedin late summer or early autumn regardless of summer conditions. Key words: Seed dormancy, germination timing     

Germination of Stored Cassava Seed at Constant and Alternating Temperatures

Cassava seed is only capable of germinating over a restrictedrange of constant temperatures. During storage the optimum constanttemperature for germination decreases from about 35 to 30 °Cor possibly less. The rate at which the optimum temperaturechanges during dry storage increases with increase in storagetemperature over the range 0 to 40 °C. Some alternating-temperatureregimes (16 h at the lower temperature; 8 h at the higher temperature)can provide conditions as favourable for germination as theoptimum constant temperatures. Furthermore, it has been shownthat temperature alternation itself is stimulatory because whenthe range of the alternation does not include the optimum constanttemperature value, percentage germination is often higher thancould be obtained at any constant temperature within the range,though this stimulatory response declines during storage. Forthese reasons it is provisionally recommended that cassava seedshould be germinated at 25/35 °C which is as stimulatorya treatment as any which has so far been investigated and hasthe advantage of encompassing the range over which the optimumconstant temperature changes during storage. Manihot esculenta Crantz, cassava, germination, dormancy, seed viability, storage of seeds, after-ripening     

Seed germination of exotic and native winter annuals differentially responds to temperature and moisture,especially with climate change scenarios

Seeds of winter annuals require a summer after-ripening period for dormancy loss and low autumn temperatures for germination. With current and future changes in moisture and temperature, we tested the effects of warming along a relative humidity (RH) gradient on dormancy loss and effects of decreased diurnal temperature range (DTR) on germination. We further reasoned that the effects of changes in these variables would be disproportionate between the exotic and native winter annuals. Seeds of exotic species (Buglossoides arvensis, Lamium purpureum and Ranunculus parviflorus) and co-occurring native species (Galium aparine, Paysonia stonensis and Plantago virginica) were collected in middle Tennessee. After-ripening occurred over a 15–100% RH gradient at 25 and 30°C and germination was tested at 20/10 and 20/15°C. Niche breadth was calculated using Levins' B. Fresh Ranunculus seeds had high germination and those of other species did not. Germination for these species increased with after-ripening, mostly across the RH gradient irrespective of temperature. A decrease in DTR showed mixed results – the extreme being Ranunculus with no germination at 20/15°C. Most exotic species had wider germination niche breadths than native species. With climate change, we suggest that a decrease in DTR may have a larger effect on germination than increasing moisture or warming on dormancy break. Moreover, there is not a clear-cut winner with climate change when we compare exotic versus native species because the responses of our six species were species specific.     

The Time Required for Dormancy Release in Arabidopsis Is Determined by DELAY OF GERMINATION1 Protein Levels in Freshly Harvested Seeds

Seed dormancy controls the start of a plant's life cycle by preventing germination of a viable seed in an unfavorable season. Freshly harvested seeds usually show a high level of dormancy, which is gradually released during dry storage (after-ripening). Abscisic acid (ABA) has been identified as an essential factor for the induction of dormancy, whereas gibberellins (GAs) are required for germination. The molecular mechanisms controlling seed dormancy are not well understood. DELAY OF GERMINATION1 (DOG1) was recently identified as a major regulator of dormancy in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we show that the DOG1 protein accumulates during seed maturation and remains stable throughout seed storage and imbibition. The levels of DOG1 protein in freshly harvested seeds highly correlate with dormancy. The DOG1 protein becomes modified during after-ripening, and its levels in stored seeds do not correlate with germination potential. Although ABA levels in dog1 mutants are reduced and GA levels enhanced, we show that DOG1 does not regulate dormancy primarily via changes in hormone levels. We propose that DOG1 protein abundance in freshly harvested seeds acts as a timer for seed dormancy release, which functions largely independent from ABA.     

Effects of seed maturation time and dry storage on light and temperature requirements during germination in invasive Prosopis juliflora

The effects of time of seed maturation and dry seed storage and of light and temperature requirements during seed incubation on final germination percentage and germination rate were assessed for the invasive shrub Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) D.C., grown under desert environmental conditions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Seeds were collected from Fujira on the northern coast of the UAE at different times during the growing seasons (autumn, winter and spring) and were germinated immediately and after 8 months of dry storage under room temperature (20±3 °C). Seeds were germinated at three temperatures (15, 25 and 40 °C) in both continuous light and darkness. The results showed significant effects for time of seed collection, seed storage, light and temperature of seed incubation and many of their interactions on both germination percentage and rate. Fresh seeds matured during autumn and winter germinated significantly greater at 40 °C and in light than at lower temperatures and in dark. Storage significantly increased germination percentage and rate; the increase was greater for seeds matured during winter than for seeds matured during spring. This indicates that dormancy breakage was greater in seeds of winter than seeds of spring. The need for high temperature to achieve greater germination was significantly reduced after seed storage, especially for seeds matured in autumn and winter.     

The role of gibberellic acid (GA3) in the removal of dormancy inFraxinus excelsior L. seeds

The seeds ofFraxinus excelsior L. were stratified at 17-20 °C (warm stratification), at 4-6 °C (cold stratification) and at alternating temperature (warm — cold stratification). The seeds subjected to warm stratification only, remained dormant. The seeds stratified only at 4-6 °C germinated gradually during a long period of time. The seeds subjected to warm — cold stratification, however, germinated with great intensity within a relatively short period of time. GA₃ was shown to stimulate the growth of embryos markedly, and its effect on the germination of seeds depended on the temperature of stratification. GA₃ applied during the cold stratification accelerated the removal of dormancy by shortening the period of stratification and by influencing the germination of seeds. The results obtained indicate a similarity between the effect of temperature 17-20 °C during the warm stratification and that of gibberellic acid. Both those factors applied separately affect favourably after-ripening of the embryos and accelerate the germination of seeds.     

Seed Dormancy and Germination in Cimicifuga nanchuanensis

Seed anatomy, dormancy breakage, the temperature effect to seed germination and seed life-span of Cimicifuga nanchuanensis Hsiao were studied and the endangerment of this plant in association to these biological characteristics was explored. The embryos were at the globular stage at the time of seed shedding in late November. Low temperature and humid conditions or treatment with exogenous GA3 stimulated the development of embryos and sped up the process of seed germination. The optimum temperature of germination was 20 ℃, but the seeds almost lost their viability after 9 months of storage. Nevertheless, in its natural habitation, the seeds could not acquire enough environmental humidity to accomplish their after-ripening during the dry and cold winter from late November to the following March; after then the temperature in the spring (averaged 10.1 ℃ in April and May) was much lower than 20 ℃ or so which is favorable for seed germination. Moreover, the testa could not provide adequate protection for the embryos and the short life-span of the seeds prevents their survival until the next germination. Therefore it seems reasonable to infer that the unfavorable environmental condition during the process of after-ripening until seed maturation is involved in the cause of endangerment of this plant species.     

Ecological genetics of seed germination regulation in Bromus tectorum L.

The probability that a seed will germinate depends on factors associated with genotype, maturation environment, post-maturation history, and germination environment. In this study, we examined the interaction among these sets of factors for 18 inbred lines from six populations of Bromus tectorum L., a winter annual grass that is an important weed in the semi-arid western United States. Seeds of this species are at least conditionally dormant at dispersal and become germinable through dry-afterripening under summer conditions. Populations and inbred lines of B. tectorum possess contrasting dormancy patterns. Seeds of each inbred line were produced in a greenhouse under one of three levels of maturation water stress, then subjected to immediate incubation under five incubation regimes or to dry storage at 20°C for 4 weeks, 12 weeks, or 1 year. Dry-stored seeds were subsequently placed in incubation at 20/30°C. Narrow-sense heritability estimates based on parent-offspring regressions for germination percentage of recently harvested seeds at each incubation temperature were high (0.518–0.993). Germination percentage increased with increasing water stress overall, but there were strong interactions with inbred line and incubation temperature. Inbred lines whose seeds were non-dormant over the full range of incubation temperatures when produced at low maturation water stress showed reaction norms characterized by little or no change as a function of increasing stress. For inbred lines whose dormancy status varied with incubation temperature, incubation treatments where seeds exhibited either very low or very high levels of dormancy showed the least change in response to maturation water stress. Inbred lines also varied in their pattern of dormancy loss during storage at 20°C, but maturation water stress had only a minor effect on this pattern. For fully afterripened seeds (1 year in storage at 20°C), inbred line and maturation water stress effects were no longer evident, indicating that differences in genotype and maturation environment function mainly to regulate dormancy and dormancy loss in B. tectorum, rather than to mediate response patterns of non-dormant seeds.