The Effect of Low Temperature during Imbibition on Germination Characteristics of Tetracentron sinense (Tetracentraceae) Seeds

In this paper, the effects of low temperature, soil moisture and freezing time on the germination of Tetracentron sinense Oliv. seeds were studied by simulating wild environment conditions, and the factors influencing the natural regeneration of Tsinense population were discussed. The results are as follows: (1) The imbibition process of Tsinense seed can be divided into four stages, the water absorbing capacity of Tsinense seed after imbibition would increase with the increase of soil moisture, and the seeds would be fully imbibed under the condition of 30% soil moisture; (2) The germination rate, germination force and water content of Tsinense seed increased with the increase of storage time, and the vigor index gradually decreased after increasing before; (3) At different low temperature, the germination rate of Tsinense seed reached the highest when the soil moisture is 20% or 30%; (4) When treated at 20% soil moisture for 2-4 days or 21-28 days, 0℃ is best for the germination rate of Tsinense seed; when treated at 30% soil moisture for 14-28 days, -7℃ is best fort he germination rate of Tsinense seed; (5) When treated at the same condition of freezing time, the germination rate of seeds in fallen leaves had no significant difference with the decrease of low temperature; under the same condition of low temperature (0℃ low temperature except), the germination rate increased after frozen 28 days. The results showed that there is no significant influence of low temperature during imbibition on germination characteristics of Tetracentron sinense seeds and indicating that low temperature during imbibition is not the main factor influencing the natural regeneration of Tsinense population.     

干旱胁迫与不同储藏时间对杠柳种子萌发的影响

为了阐明干旱胁迫与不同储藏时间对杠柳种子萌发的影响机理,在室内采用不同浓度的聚乙二醇（PEG）模拟干旱胁迫条件,对3种不同储藏时间的杠柳种子进行了萌发期对比试验,观测了种子的总萌发率、发芽势、活力指数和胚根的生长情况,分析了抗旱特性,结果表明：不同程度的干旱胁迫与储藏时间对杠柳种子萌发均有一定的影响,当PEG-6000浓度为5%,对储藏1年杠柳种子的萌芽率和发芽势起促进作用,对储藏2年种子萌芽率轻度抑制,对储藏3年种子抑制影响较大,当PEG-6000浓度>5%,3种种子的萌芽率和发芽势均呈下降趋势,但当胁迫浓度增大到25%时,种子基本没有萌发。在不同的水分胁迫处理中,3种种子的活力指数和胚根生长速度一直呈下降趋势,尤其3年种子的下降幅度最大。不同储藏时间杠柳种子对干旱胁迫的适应性有差异,储藏1~2年的杠柳种子在PEG-6000浓度为5%~15%中萌发效果较好,且储藏1年种子好于2年种子,3年种子较差。3种种子的耐旱能力由强到弱依次为：1年种子>2年种子>3年种子。     

不同条件下木兰科植物种子的保质期研究

在室温下测定10种木兰科植物种子的储藏时间及在室温、4 ℃、-18 ℃三种温度下测定其中5种木兰科植物种子的储藏时间。结果表明,10种木兰科植物种子在室温条件下的发芽率、发芽势和保存时间均差异较大。5种木兰科植物种子在4 ℃贮藏条件下发芽率最高,发芽率降低最慢,保存时间最长;其次是-18 ℃储藏,室温储藏最差;随着贮藏时间的延长,种子发芽率下降,但发芽所需天数减少,出土整齐度提高,表明其种子具有休眠现象。美丽紫玉兰和深山含笑均在4 ℃下发芽势最高,在室温下次之,在-18 ℃下最差;14 d是5种木兰科植物种子出土萌发最旺盛的时间,不同的温度对种子达到此时间的影响不大,因此,4 ℃低温贮藏和保证高发芽率是提高种子发芽势的有效途径。木兰科植物种子以随采随播的发芽率最高;其萌发前所需休眠时间因种类不同而不同;在不同保存条件下,种子保存时间差别较大。     

The Effects of Priming and Ageing on Resistance to Deterioration of Tomato Seeds

The influence of seed priming and ageing treatments on viabilityand rate of germination of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)seeds was examined under both long-term and controlled-deteriorationstorage conditions. Seeds of a single lot of tomato were eitherprimed or aged to increase or decrease the rate of germination(Argerich and Bradford, 1989). They were then stored at 6% moisturecontent (dry weight basis) at either 4 ?C or 30 ?C for 1 year.Both viability and germination rate were unaffected by eitherstorage temperature in control seeds, or by 4 ?C storage inprimed or aged seeds. At 30 ?C, however, viability and germinationrate of primed and aged seeds was markedly reduced after 6 monthsof storage. The temperature dependence of the germination rateand the spread of germination times within the population wasalso adversely affected by high temperature storage, particularlyfor primed seeds. Under controlled deterioration conditions(13.5% moisture content and 50 ?C), the rate of loss of viabilitywas greater for primed seed than for control or aged seeds.The relationship between seed viability and the mean germinationrate, however, was not influenced by the seed treatments. Thesedata are analysed in relation to current models of seed deteriorationduring storage and seed repair during priming. The results indicatethat enhancement of seed germination rates by priming treatmentssimultaneously lowers the resistance of seeds to deterioration.Primed tomato seeds must, therefore, be considered to be vigorousseeds with a reduced storage life. Key words: Tomato, controlled deterioration, seed germination rate, seed viability     

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.     

喀什霸王的结实和种子萌发特性

喀什霸王(Zygophyllum kaschgaricum)是生长于中国新疆南部荒漠环境的稀有种及二级保护植物。当前, 该物种在自然种群中呈分散式及片段化分布, 且种群密度低, 种群老龄化较严重。因此, 为了了解该物种种子萌发特性及其对荒漠环境的响应, 该文采用室内控制实验方法, 对该物种的自然坐果率、结籽率、种子吸水特性、种子休眠和萌发特性及对干旱胁迫的响应进行了比较研究。结果表明: 喀什霸王在自然种群中的坐果率及结籽率较低, 且种子的败育率较高。不同干藏时间种子的吸水速率间存在显著差异; 随着干藏时间的延长, 种子的吸水率逐步增强。刚成熟的种子在不同温度及光周期下均可萌发; 其中高温(10/20 ℃, 20/30 ℃)及黑暗条件下的萌发率比低温(10/5 ℃, 5/2 ℃)及光照条件下的萌发率高。不同干藏时间的种子在不同浓度赤霉素(GA₃)下的萌发率均较高; 但低温储藏时间对该物种种子的打破休眠及萌发率没有促进作用。以上结果说明该物种存在非深度生理休眠; 而干藏时间、高温且黑暗及高浓度(50 mmoloL ^-1) GA₃是打破休眠及促进种子萌发的最合适条件。高温条件下的干旱胁迫对喀什霸王种子萌发具有抑制作用; 春季和秋季降水量决定种子的萌发率。总之, 喀什霸王种子在物候上表现出的春秋季萌动及非深度生理休眠以提高幼苗存活力及保障种群稳定性, 是一种对新疆南部干旱及高温胁迫荒漠环境的适应策略。     

Effects of seed storage on germination of two succulent desert halophytes with little dormancy and transient seed bank

Seeds of both Salsola imbricata and Haloxylon salicornicum have high germination level and germination speed, and form a transient seed bank in nature. The impacts of storage period and condition on germination level and speed were assessed in the two species. Storage for three months significantly increased both germination level and speed of seeds stored under the different conditions, compared to that of fresh seeds. In both species, nine months storage did not affect germination percentage in cold storage seeds, but completely inhibited it in field seeds. Storage for longer time in room and warm temperatures resulted in significant reduction or complete inhibition in the germination of the two species, so this was more pronounced in H. salicornicum. Storage significantly increased germinate rate index of seeds stored in all conditions till 17 months in S. imbricata and till 12 months in H. salicornicum. In both species, fridge storage had little effects on final germination and germination speed of seeds incubated at the different temperatures, compared to fresh seeds. However, room temperature and warm storages significantly reduced final germination and germination speed at the different temperatures, so the reduction was more pronounced at 35 °C, especially in H. salicornicum.     

Effect of in situ storage,light, and moisture on the germination of two wetland tropical trees

Seed germination was evaluated for Annona glabra L. and Pachira aquatica Aubl. in the wetland conditions of La Mancha, Veracruz, Mexico. These species have recalcitrant seeds and hydrochoral dispersal. Germination experiments were carried out under varying moisture (high, middle, and low) and light (below canopy and open sky) levels as well as after being stored in contrasting natural conditions. Seeds were stored both floating in water and buried in wetland soil for 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. P. aquatica seeds germinated faster in low and medium moisture, regardless of light intensity. After 45 days, for example, they exhibited 87–73% germination in medium-moisture/canopy and low-moisture/canopy treatments, respectively. In high moisture, seeds reached similar percentages after 60 days (80%). Storage by burial caused the death of seeds regardless the time they spent underground, while those stored in water germinated at a rate of over 90%. A. glabra seeds germinated better (98%) in low-moisture/sunny conditions. As to storage, they responded favorably to both burial and water techniques but germinated more readily in treatments that involved a long storage period. Evaluation of the germination behavior of A. glabra and P. aquatica seeds subject to varying in situ storage and germination conditions illustrates the response capacity of each species during early phases of development.     

假酸浆种子发芽特性研究

在不同温度、不同贮藏时间和方法下,对来源于印度尼西亚的假酸浆种子发芽特性进行研究。结果表明:不同温度对假酸浆种子萌发的影响差异极显著,在15/25℃变温条件下种子发芽率最高,为84.3%,发芽快且整齐;假酸浆种子采收后立即播种其发芽率非常低,室温下贮藏6～9个月时在25℃恒温或15/25℃变温条件下均有较高发芽率,说明假酸浆种子有休眠性,通过延长贮藏时间能打破休眠,促进种子发芽;但室温贮藏15个月后,种子活力下降非常明显。低温冷藏在一定条件下能提高假酸浆种子萌发能力,能延长种子寿命。     

Does perianth colour affect the seed germination of two desert shrubs under different storage periods and conditions?

Haloxylon salicornicum and Salsola vermiculata (Amaranthaceae) are two perennial shrubs producing fruits with differently coloured perianths (yellow vs pink) on separate individuals. To test the impact of different storage periods (four, eight and twelve months) and temperature conditions (freezing, room temperature and natural field temperatures) on the seed germination of the two seed categories, germination tests were carried out on both species. For both species, collected from wild plants in the Arabian desert (Qatar), seed germination was tested under two photoperiods (light 12/12; dark 24 hours) at 20/30°C for winged (intact) and de‐winged seeds. For each species, all the considered factors (perianth colour, wing presence, photoperiod, storage period and storage conditions) had significant effects on seed germination (p < 0.001), while the interactions among factors varied in their level of significance depending on the species. In both species, yellow seeds germinated considerably better than the pink ones, the presence of wings slowed the germination, and both storage period and temperature conditions highly influenced their germination ability. Our results indicate that seeds from different perianth colours have different germination strategies to delay their germination and distribute the species through time by escaping germination time by imposing some kind of after‐ripening or seed dormancy. The variation in storage time and storage conditions might help in extending their germination period, where one set of seeds germinate immediately, and the other set of seeds becomes dormant and thus contributes to the formation of a soil seed bank for the long‐term recruitment of seedlings. This study highlights an ecological advantageous strategy for these two species growing in the unpredictable desert habitat.     

The changing window of conditions that promotes germination of two fire ephemerals, Actinotus leucocephalus (Apiaceae) and Tersonia cyathiflora (Gyrostemonaceae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Following a period of burial, more Actinotus leucocephalus (Apiaceae) and Tersonia cyathiflora (Gyrostemonaceae) seeds germinate in smoke water. The main aim of this study was to determine whether these fire-ephemeral seeds exhibit annual dormancy cycling during burial. This study also aimed to determine the effect of dormancy alleviation on the range of light and temperature conditions at which seeds germinate, and the possible factors driving changes in seed dormancy during burial. METHODS: Seeds were collected in summer, buried in soil in mesh bags in autumn and exhumed every 6 months for 24 months. Germination of exhumed and laboratory-stored (15 degrees C) seeds was assessed at 20 degrees C in water or smoke water. Germination response to light or dark conditions, incubation temperature (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 degrees C), nitrate and gibberellic acid were also examined following burial or laboratory storage for 24 months. In the laboratory seeds were also stored at various temperatures (5, 15, 37 and 20/50 degrees C) for 1, 2 and 3 months followed by germination testing in water or smoke water. KEY RESULTS: The two species exhibited dormancy cycling during soil burial, producing low levels of germination in response to smoke water when exhumed in spring and high levels of germination in autumn. In autumn, seeds germinated in both light and dark and at a broader range of temperatures than did laboratory-stored seeds, and some Actinotus leucocephalus seeds also germinated in water alone. Dormancy release of Actinotus leucocephalus was slow during dry storage at 15 degrees C and more rapid at higher temperatures (37 and 20/50 degrees C); weekly wet/dry cycles further accelerated the rate of dormancy release. Cold stratification (5 degrees C) induced secondary dormancy. By contrast, no Tersonia cyathiflora seeds germinated following any of the laboratory storage treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Temperature and moisture influence dormancy cycling in Actinotus leucocephalus seeds. These factors alone did not simulate dormancy cycling of Tersonia cyathiflora seeds under the conditions tested.     

蓝花丹种子生物学特性及其采集、贮藏技术研究

蓝花丹（Plumbago auriculata Lam.）原产南非,由于其存在自交不亲和现象,导致自然结实率极低。本文研究了蓝花丹种子的形态结构、吸水特性及最适萌发温度,根据形态观测以及发芽率等指标筛选出优质种子,并对优质种子不同的干燥方法、贮藏温度等进行探讨。结果表明：蓝花丹种子呈长椭圆状,长8.00~13.80 mm,长宽比约为5.3：1。种皮薄而柔软,有网状褶皱。外种皮表面有附着物,大面积分布有腺体,利于种子传播。胚芽靠近合点,萌发率较高。种子播种前的浸种时间应保持在11 h以上,最适发芽温度为25~30℃。当种皮颜色为深褐色,种子长度大于11 mm且发芽率大于75%时,可判断为优质种子,发生此性状时即为最佳采种时间。种子适宜的干燥方式为烘箱内30℃干燥1 d,干燥种子最佳贮藏温度为-86℃,且贮藏时间越短发芽率越高,而新鲜种子在此条件下不宜贮藏超过15 d。     

报春花属滇海水仙花种子萌发特性

通过种子萌发试验,研究常温和低温储藏方式及赤霉素、光照、温度等不同处理对滇海水仙花种子萌发的影响。结果表明,光照及清水浸泡处理有利于滇海水仙花种子的萌发;在光照条件下滇海水仙花种子萌发的最适温度为20 ℃,发芽率可达94%,温度的升高或降低均会降低种子发芽率;5 ℃低温储藏方式能较好保持滇海水仙花种子的活力,但贮藏时间不宜超过4个月,最好随采随播。     

Germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sedum oxypetalum</Emphasis> (Crassulaceae) in a primary lava-field shrubland

Sedum oxypetalum is one of the dominant species in the xerophilous shrublands in the lava fields of the Basin of Mexico. Germination of this species was evaluated to understand its ecological response. We tested the effects of different pre-germination treatments (cold, and dry and wet heat) and storage time, as well as those of natural priming in two microhabitats with different disturbance levels. Experiments were performed in laboratory conditions under constant (25 °C) and fluctuating (20/30 °C) temperatures. Seeds did not germinate during burial and proved to be positively photoblastic. Under pre-germination treatments, final germination percentage was higher at 20/30 °C in seeds after four or more months of storage. None of the pre-germination treatments favored germination. Seeds can survive for more than 1 year and form a seed bank. Thus, seeds underwent natural priming that favored final germination percentage; however, germination rate and lag time were not affected by this process. In natural conditions, germination is delayed until the rainy season, improving the success of seedling establishment and growth. We discuss the role of fluctuating temperature in germination processes and the adaptations of seeds to their seasonal environment.     

Development of a Threshold Model to Predict Germination of Populus tomentosa Seeds after Harvest and Storage under Ambient Condition

Effects of temperature, storage time and their combination on germination of aspen (Populus tomentosa) seeds were investigated. Aspen seeds were germinated at 5 to 30°C at 5°C intervals after storage for a period of time under 28°C and 75% relative humidity. The effect of temperature on aspen seed germination could not be effectively described by the thermal time (TT) model, which underestimated the germination rate at 5°C and poorly predicted the time courses of germination at 10, 20, 25 and 30°C. A modified TT model (MTT) which assumed a two-phased linear relationship between germination rate and temperature was more accurate in predicting the germination rate and percentage and had a higher likelihood of being correct than the TT model. The maximum lifetime threshold (MLT) model accurately described the effect of storage time on seed germination across all the germination temperatures. An aging thermal time (ATT) model combining both the TT and MLT models was developed to describe the effect of both temperature and storage time on seed germination. When the ATT model was applied to germination data across all the temperatures and storage times, it produced a relatively poor fit. Adjusting the ATT model to separately fit germination data at low and high temperatures in the suboptimal range increased the models accuracy for predicting seed germination. Both the MLT and ATT models indicate that germination of aspen seeds have distinct physiological responses to temperature within a suboptimal range.     

Suitable water temperature for seed storage of Zostera japonica for subtropical seagrass bed restoration

Restoration of Zostera japonica is needed. Laboratory culture experiments to know the germination characteristics might be helpful for implementation of actual restoration. As a part of germination experiments, we explored suitable water temperature for long-term storage of Z. japonica seeds. This work was based on earlier reports of Zostera marina, which presumably has similar physiological properties to Z. japonica. This study consisted of two experiments: (1) preservation experiments to investigate the fate of stored Z. japonica seeds and (2) germination experiments to investigate the germination potential of the stored seeds. The results of the preservation experiments suggested that seed condition, that is, germinated, degraded, unstable, stable, etc., showed variations between the seeds stored at 4 and 23 °C. The majority of the seeds stored at 4 °C were germinated, while those at 23 °C seemed to be degraded, presumably by bacteria and mold. The germination experiments suggested high germination potential of seeds stored at 4 °C even after 302 days had elapsed. In conclusion, including previously reported results on Z. marina, low temperature was suitable for the preservation of seeds to maintain germination potential.     

Seed bank of Littorella uniflora (L.) Asch. in the Czech Republic,Central Europe: does burial depth and sediment type influence seed germination?

Littorella uniflora (Plantaginaceae) is a scarce and declining aquatic plant in Europe. Its population has been strongly reduced by changes in fishpond management (eutrophication) in the Czech Republic since the 1950s. We studied its seed bank in both recent (n = 8) and historical localities (the last found from 1972 to 2000; n = 10) and tested the effects of sediment type and burial depth on seed germination using extracted seeds from two recent populations. The seeds were found in 60% of the historical localities, mostly in low densities (≤6 seeds per 3.75 l of sediment), and also in 100% of the recent localities in various densities (8–1390 seeds per 3.75 l of sediment); however, low germination rates (0–13.3%) were estimated. The seeds germinated best on wet filter paper, followed by nutrient-rich fishpond sediment, but poorly on sand mixed with different substrates. Burial depth significantly affected seed germination. The seeds germinated only on the soil surface and at the depth of 1 cm but no seed germinated at the depth of 3 and 5 cm. Besides low water transparency, both high rate of sediment accumulation and the absence of summer drainage may endanger L. uniflora populations in fishponds.

     

Biological Characteristics of Seeds of Endangered Plant Tetracentron sinense （Tetracentraceae）

By detecting the indicators of seeds such as the morphology and physiological characteristics within three consecutive years, the effects of different storage temperatures and time, and different media on seed germination of Tetracentron sinense were discussed, and also the endangered mechanism associated with biological characteristics of seeds was analyzed. The seeds of T.sinense were very small. No significant difference existed associated with seed morphology, 1000 seed weight, water content and plumpness, except for water absorption rate among seeds from different year, and the water absorption rate of seeds from 2007 was the fastest. The TTC results showed that the percentage of seed vigor was close to zero, but the vigor index of seeds among different year was respectively 0, 041 and 027, which indicated that TTC was not suitable for the estimation of Tsinense seed vigor. After stored at lower temperature, the germination rate of these seeds was respectively 125%、965%、708%, and the germination force was 1%、598%、418%. With the increase of storage time, seeds vigor of three years would decrease gradually, but the loss rate of seed vigor from 2007 was the slowest compared with other years. After stored at room temperature, the seed vigor would decrease even faster with the increase of storage time, compared with that stored at lower temperature. Different media had a certain effect on seed germination and seedling growth. The results showed that seed vigor from an abundant year was better than that of off year, and would decrease even slower than that of off year with the increase of storage time. The storage at lower temperature was favorable to the maintenance of seed vigor. The reasons resulted in severe danger related to Tsinense seeds are as follows: (1) Small seeds contributed to the spread and dispersal of species, was not beneficial to the survival of seed and seedling. (2) Perennial low temperature was not suitable for seed germination and the formation of a seedling pattern; (3) Perennial moist environment was not suitable for seed living through cold period safely.     

Dynamics of chromosomal instability in Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.): Influence of seed storage temperature

The age-related dynamics of chromosomal instability in cells of the root meristem of seedlings and germination capacity of seeds of Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) in two storage temperature regimes in the course of six years following collection of the seeds are investigated. Seeds that had been stored at room temperature (14–28°C) lost germination capacity after six years of storage. The frequency of aberrant anaphases in these seeds grew from 2% in the first month of storage of the seeds to 80% in the 75th month. The germination capacity of seeds that had been stored at reduced temperatures (4–9°C) amounted to 73–77% in the sixth year, while the frequency of aberrant anaphases in these seeds remained within the range 2–4% throughout the six years. Thus, storage of Welsh onion seeds for six years at reduced temperatures tends to preserve the germination capacity of the seeds and prevents the development of chromosomal instability in the root meristem cells of the seedlings over this period.     

重要藏药川西獐牙菜种子萌发的研究

比较了温度、生长素(赤霉素GA3)和储藏条件对川西獐牙菜(SwertiamussotiiFranch)高海拔野生自然种群和低海拔栽培后种子发芽率的影响。未经任何处理的高海拔野生自然种群种子的发芽率明显高于低海拔栽培种群。无论是赤霉素处理还是低温处理对种子的发芽率都有显著提高。经过处理后,两种来源的种子最终发芽率没有明显的变化。结果表明:(i)野生的或栽培的川西獐牙菜种子都存在休眠现象;(ii)通过引种栽培不能打破川西獐牙菜种子的休眠,该机制可能是受遗传因素的控制;(iii)赤霉素处理和4℃低温冷藏对打破种子的休眠具有重要作用。