Influence of different temperatures on bud break and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid content of young peach trees

Effects of different temperatures on bud break and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) content were determined by using potted two-year-old ‘Akatsuki’ peach trees. One group of trees were subjected to 1°C for four weeks and then transferred to a growth chamber at 24°C, while the other was kept at 24 °C throughout the experiment. After four-week temperature treatments floral and vegetative bud break were evaluated weekly and bud break percentage was calculated. Bud break was greater under 1 °C than 24 °C in both November and December. The time required to release buds from dormancy was shorter in December than November. In November ACC content in peach buds increased after one and two weeks, then decreased in the forth week under both treatments. However, in December ACC content after two and four weeks showed a similar trend under 1 °C and a reverse trend under 24 °C. It was higher under low temperature treatment. These data indicate that chilling requirements for bud break of peach seems to be associated with the promotion of ethylene biosynthesis caused by low temperature stress.     

Comparison of petal senescence in forced and unforced common lilac flowers during their postharvest life

Recently, the programmed cell death (PCD) is studied in the context of the postharvest longevity of cut flowers with the goal of slowing down the processes that ultimately lead to flower death, and to ensure a long display life of cut plant material. In this study, the phenomenon of PCD in petals of common lilac (Syringa vulgaris L.) was observed, aimed to compare degradation of petal cells in flowers blooming under natural conditions with those forced in November. For the early lilac forcing, a deep dormancy has to be broken by high temperatures 35–37 °C negatively affecting postharvest life of cut branches. The trials included as well the observation of the effect of two flower preservatives on the PCD in order to see if the prolongation of the lilac vase life was associated with a delay in the onset of the PCD symptoms. The vase life of cut lilacs was significantly increased by both preservatives. The first symptoms of PCD were evident in the flower bud stage. In petals from forced shrubs, the first symptoms of cell degradation were much more advanced than in lilacs blooming naturally in May. In forced flowers held in the preservatives, the degradative changes in cells occurred later than in those kept in water, but they were accelerated relative to a flower developmental stage.     

Bud dormancy breaking affects respiration and energy balance of bilberry shoots in the initial stage of growth

Respiration and heat production in the shoots of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) were studied at the beginning of growth after breaking bud dormancy by means of transfer of the shoots to indoor conditions (November–April) and upon natural sprouting in spring (May). The buds released from dormancy at the beginning of winter sprouted slower and showed lower respiratory activity than the buds that started growing in May. In May, cytochrome respiratory pathway in sprouting buds was 1.3 times more active than energetically ineffective alternative pathway, whereas activity of cytochrome pathway in December was 1.4 times lower as compared with the alternative. In November–December, the rate of heat evolution by the buds was 3–5 times lower than in April–May. In case of early breaking of bud dormancy, the share of respiration energy dissipated as heat was 30% on average. In the buds whose growth was induced later, the value of this parameter was twice as much. The ratio between heat evolution and respiration depended on temperature. High temperature more intensely activated heat evolution than respiration, which caused a decrease in the level of metabolic energy available for growth. In the temperature range of 5–15°C characteristic of the beginning of vegetation, the share of respiration energy dissipated as heat was 2–3 times lower than at 20–30°C, which reflects a great adaptability of V. myrtillus to climatic conditions of the region. Our data suggest that progression through a full cycle of winter dormancy is physiologically important for shoot growth. Early dormancy release brought about changes in respiration and energy balance of the shoots in the initial stage of extra-bud growth.     

Effect of Temperatures on Dormancy and Germination in Three Species in the Lamiaceae Occurring in Northern Wetlands

In the temperate region temperature is the main factor influencing the germination period of plant species. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of constant and fluctuating temperatures on dormancy and germination under laboratory and field conditions in the three wetland species Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica and Stachys palustris. The results should give indications if the temperature-dependent regulation of dormancy and germination is phylogenetically constrained. Tests for germination requirements showed a minimum temperature for germination of 9 °C in Mentha and 12 °C in Lycopus and Stachys, and a maximum temperature of 33 °C for Lycopus and 36 °C for Mentha and Stachys. Fluctuating temperatures promoted germination in all three species but the amplitude required for high germination (>50%) differed: it was 8 °C in Mentha, 10 °C in Stachys and 14 °C in Lycopus (mean temperature 22 °C). The effect of temperatures on the level of dormancy was examined in the laboratory by imbibing seeds at temperatures between 3 °C and 18 °C for periods between 2 and 28 weeks, as well as by a 30-month burial period, followed by germination tests at various temperatures, in light and darkness. In the laboratory only low temperatures (≤12 °C) relieved primary dormancy in seeds of Lycopus, while in Mentha and Stachys also higher temperatures lead to an increase of germination. Dormancy was only induced in Lycopus seeds after prolonged imbibition at 12 °C in the laboratory. Buried seeds of all species exhibited annual dormancy cycles with lower germination in summer and higher germination from autumn to spring. Exhumed seeds, however, showed considerable differences in periods of germination success. Dormancy was relieved when ambient temperatures were below 12 °C. Ambient temperatures that caused an induction of dormancy varied depending on species and test condition, but even low temperatures (8 °C) were effective. At high test temperatures (25 °C) in light, exhumed seeds of all three species showed high germination throughout the year. The three species showed various differences in the effects of temperatures on dormancy and germination. Similarities in dormancy and germination found among the species are in common with other spring-germinating species occurring in wetlands, so it seems that the temperature dependent regulation of dormancy and germination are related to habitat and not to phylogenetic relatedness.     

Preservation of Phakopsora pachyrhizi Uredospores

This study compared different temperatures and dormancy‐reversion procedures for preservation of Phakopsora pachyrhizi uredospores. The storage temperatures tested were room temperature, 5°C, ?20°C and ?80°C. Dehydrated and non‐dehydrated uredospores were used, and evaluations for germination (%) and infectivity (no. of lesions/cm²) were made with fresh harvested spores and after 15, 29, 76, 154 and 231 days of storage. The dormancy‐reversion procedures evaluated were thermal shock (40°C/5 min) followed or not by hydration (moist chamber/24 h). Uredospores stored at room temperature were viable only up to a month of storage, regardless of their hydration condition. Survival of uredospores increased with storage at lower temperatures. Dehydration of uredospores prior to storage increased their viability, mainly for uredospores stored at 5°C, ?20°C and ?80°C. At 5°C and ?20°C, dehydrated uredospores showed increases in viability of at least 47 and 127 days, respectively, compared to non‐dehydrated spores. Uredospore germination and infectivity after storage for 231 days (7.7 months), could only be observed at ?80°C, for both hydration conditions. At this storage temperature, dehydrated and non‐dehydrated uredospores exhibited 56 and 28% of germination at the end of the experiment, respectively. Storage at ?80°C also maintained uredospore infectivity, based upon levels of infection frequency, for both hydration conditions. Among the dormancy‐reversion treatments applied to spores stored at ?80°C, those involving hydration allowed recoveries of 85 to 92% of the initial germination.     

A brief temperature pulse enhances the competency of microspores for androgenesis in Datura metel

Androgenesis may be induced in plants by a stress application on microspores or anthers. Temperature stress treatments have generally been confined to a single temperature regime (above or below ambient) lasting from a few hours to days. We introduced a gradient with two temperature pulses (30 s each) in the stress application on anthers of Datura metel L. by stepping the temperature up and down for a total period of 60 s. Anthers were immersed in sterile water preheated and cooled to the desired temperature and cultured on Nitsch medium. The temperature pulse gradient significantly improved androgenesis compared to single temperature treatments, resulting in increased mean embryogenesis of 128% over control for 45°/15°C, 110% for 45°/10°C, 113% for 40°/10°C and 96% for 45°/5°C. The 45°/10°C gradient also significantly increased the number of dividing microspores observed, after 14 days of anther culture. Besides the differential of the gradient, the temperature limit was important, with anthers not tolerating temperatures beyond 45°C. The temperature pulse gradient applied at an early stage of culture may increase the window of competency of microspores for androgenesis.     

Environmental Control of Flowering in some Northern Carex Species

The environmental control of flowering in some arctic-alpineCarexspecies has been studied in controlled environments.Carex nigra,C. brunnescens, C. atrata, C. norwegica andC. serotina all hada dual induction requirement for flowering. In all exceptC.nigra either low temperature (12 °C or lower) or short days(SD) over a wider range of temperatures were needed for primaryfloral induction and inflorescence formation. InC. nigra primaryfloral induction took place in SD only (9–21 °C),8–10 weeks of exposure being required for a full response.In all these species long days (LD) were required for, or stronglypromoted, culm elongation and inflorescence development (secondaryinduction). Quantitative ecotype differences in both primaryand secondary induction were demonstrated. Unlike the otherspecies,C. bicolor proved to be a regular LD plant which requiredLD only for inflorescence initiation and development. In allspecies leaf growth was strongly promoted by LD, especiallyin the higher temperature range (15–21 °C). In SDand temperatures below 15 °C the leaves became senescentand the plants entered a semi-dormant condition which was immediatelyreversed by LD. The results are discussed in relation to growthform and life history of shoots. Carex ; dual induction; ecotypic diversity; flowering; growth; photoperiod; sedges; temperature     

Seed dormancy and germination in Jeffersonia dubia (Berberidaceae) as affected by temperature and gibberellic acid

The genus Jeffersonia, which contains only two species, has a trans‐Atlantic disjunct distribution. The aims of this study were to determine the requirements for breaking dormancy and germination of J. dubia seeds and to compare its dormancy characteristics with those of the congener in eastern North America. Ripe seeds of J. dubia contain an underdeveloped embryo and were permeable to water. In nature, seeds were dispersed in May, while embryos began to grow in September, and were fully elongated by late November. Germination started in March of the next year, and seeds emerged as seedlings soon after germination. In laboratory experiments, incubation at high temperatures (25 °C, 25/15 °C) for at least 8 weeks was required to initiate embryo growth, while a transfer to moderate temperatures (20/10 °C, 15/6 °C) was needed for the completion of embryo growth. At least 8 weeks at 5 °C was effective in overcoming physiological dormancy and for germination in seeds after the embryos had fully elongated. Thus, both high and low temperatures were essential to break dormancy. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment could substitute for the high temperature requirement, but not for the low temperature requirement. Based on the dormancy‐breaking requirements, it is confirmed that the seeds have deep simple morphophysiological dormancy. This dormancy type is similar to that of seeds of the eastern North American species J. diphylla. Although seeds require 10–11 months from seed dispersal to germination in nature, under controlled conditions they required only 3 months after treatment with 1000 mg·l^?1 GA₃, followed by incubation at 15/6 °C. This represents practical knowledge for propagation of these plants from seed.     

The response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corylus avellana</Emphasis> L. phenology to rising temperature in north-eastern Slovenia

Knowledge of plant–weather relationships can improve crop management, resulting in higher quality and more stable crop yields. The annual timing of spring phenophases in mid-latitudes is largely a response to temperature, and reflects the thermal conditions of previous months. The effect of air temperature on the variability of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) phenophases (leafing, flowering) was investigated. Meteorological and phenological data for five cultivars were analysed over the periods 1969–1979 (P1) and 1994–2007 (P2) in Maribor, Slovenia. Phenological data series were correlated strongly to the temperature of the preceding months (R ²: 0.64–0.98) and better correlated to daily maximum and mean temperatures than to daily minimum temperatures. About 75% of phenophases displayed a tendency towards earlier appearance and a shorter flowering duration during P2, which could be explained by the significant temperature changes (+0.3°C/decade) from December to April between 1969 and 2007. An increase in air temperature of 1°C caused an acceleration in leafing by 2.5–3.9 days, with flowering showing higher sensitivity since a 1°C increase promoted male flowering by 7.0–8.8 days and female flowering by 6.3–8.9 days. The average rate of phenological change per degree of warming (days earlier per +1°C) did not differ significantly between P1 and P2. An estimation of chilling accumulation under field conditions during 1993–2009, between 1 November and 28 February, showed that all four of these months contributed approximately similar amounts of accumulated chilling units. The growing degree days (GDD) to flowering were calculated by an estimated base temperature of 2°C and 1 January as a starting date, given the most accurate calculations. In general, thermal requirements were greater in P2 than in P1, although this difference was not significant. Longer-time series data extended to other agricultural and wild plants would be helpful in tracking possible future changes in phenological responses to local climate.     

High temperatures applied at fall forcing disturb ovule development in Syringa vulgaris L. “Mme Florent Stepman”

Under natural conditions, Syringa vulgaris blooms in May but it may be forced to produce blooming panicles in autumn, winter and early spring. To break winter dormancy, plants require high temperatures, the range of which depends on the forcing date. Forcing in November requires exposure to temperatures of ∼37°C. Such an exposure may affect the development of both male and female flower organs. In this work we have followed the anatomical changes in the ovule development in buds collected from plants forced in autumn, and compared them to those in plants blooming under natural conditions in May. From the earliest identifiable stages, in flowers forced in November the ovule development was delayed relative to the normal development pattern. Ultimately, most of the ovules (83%) degenerated before the differentiation of the embryo sacs was completed. We believe that it is the high temperatures required during autumn forcing that affect the development of female gametophytes, leading to the formation of defective structures which often degenerate. This in turn may reduce the esthetic appeal of the inflorescences and reduce their commercial value.     

The ecology of germination and reproduction of less frequent and vanishing species of the Czechoslovak flora III.Hesperis tristis L.

The ecology of seed germination was examined in air-conditioned boxes in the laboratory, and the sprouting conditions of seeds were investigated in an experimental plot at Pr?honice. It was found that the seeds showed no marked dormancy, but that by stratification or putting of seeds into cool soil the speed and abundance of germination was enlarged, especially at low temperatures. The optimum temperatures for germinating are 10/25–30 °C and 15°C (see the table). At the temperature of 3 °C the seeds did not germinate. The sprouting of seeds which got into the soil at the end of summer or at the beginning of autumn goes off mostly from October to November and again in spring, about the middle of April. The young plants with one pair of true leaves for the most part hibernate. In natural conditions this species reproduced only in the generative way, by seeds, in laboratory conditions the possibility of vegetative propagation by cuttings is also reported. The main way of spreading is by anemochory (steppe runners).     

Annual dormancy cycles in buried seeds of shrub species: germination ecology of Sideritis serrata (Labiatae)

The germination ecology of Sideritis serrata was investigated in order to improve ex‐situ propagation techniques and management of their habitat. Specifically, we analysed: (i) influence of temperature, light conditions and seed age on germination patterns; (ii) phenology of germination; (iii) germinative response of buried seeds to seasonal temperature changes; (iv) temperature requirements for induction and breaking of secondary dormancy; (v) ability to form persistent soil seed banks; and (vi) seed bank dynamics. Freshly matured seeds showed conditional physiological dormancy, germinating at low and cool temperatures but not at high ones (28/14 and 32/18 °C). Germination ability increased with time of dry storage, suggesting the existence of non‐deep physiological dormancy. Under unheated shade‐house conditions, germination was concentrated in the first autumn. S. serrata seeds buried and exposed to natural seasonal temperature variations in the shade‐house, exhibited an annual conditional dormancy/non‐dormancy cycle, coming out of conditional dormancy in summer and re‐entering it in winter. Non‐dormant seeds were clearly induced into dormancy when stratified at 5 or 15/4 °C for 8 weeks. Dormant seeds, stratified at 28/14 or 32/18 °C for 16 weeks, became non‐dormant if they were subsequently incubated over a temperature range from 15/4 to 32/18 °C. S. serrata is able to form small persistent soil seed banks. The maximum seed life span in the soil was 4 years, decreasing with burial depth. This is the second report of an annual conditional dormancy/non‐dormancy cycle in seeds of shrub species.     

Ecophysiology of seed dormancy and the control of germination in early spring‐flowering Galanthus nivalis and Narcissus pseudonarcissus (Amaryllidaceae)

Seed dormancy induction and alleviation in the winter‐flowering, moist temperate woodland species Galanthus nivalis and Narcissus pseudonarcissus are complex and poorly understood. Temperature, light and desiccation were investigated to elucidate their role in the germination ecophysiology of these species. The effect of different seasonal temperatures, seasonal durations, temperature fluctuations, the presence of light during different seasons and intermittent drying (during the summer period) over several ‘years’ on seed germination was investigated with outdoor and laboratory experiments. Warm summer‐like temperatures (20 °C) were necessary for germination at subsequent cooler autumn‐like temperatures (greatest at 15 °C in G. nivalis and 10 °C in N. pseudonarcissus). As the warm temperature duration increased, so did germination at subsequent cooler temperatures; further germination occurred in subsequent ‘years’ at cooler temperatures following a second, and also third, warm period. Germination was significantly greater in darkness, particularly in G. nivalis. Dormancy increased with seed maturation period in G. nivalis, because seeds extracted from green capsules germinated more readily than those from yellow capsules. Desiccation increased dormancy in an increasing proportion of N. pseudonarcissus seeds the later they were dried in ‘summer’. Seed viability was only slightly reduced by desiccation in N. pseudonarcissus, but was poor and variable in G. nivalis. Shoot formation occurred both at the temperature at which germination was greatest and also if 5 °C cooler. In summary, continuous hydration of seeds of both species during warm summer‐like temperatures results in the gradual release of seed dormancy; thereafter, darkness and cooler temperatures promote germination. Cold temperatures, increased seed maturity (G. nivalis) and desiccation (N. pseudonarcissus) increase dormancy, and light inhibits germination. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 177 , 246–262.     

Apoptosis-like degradation of pollen grains in siberian squill related to the lack of low temperatures during their development

Low temperature is necessary for completing the cycle of anther development in early-spring ephemeroids. Pollen grains were investigated in Scilla sibirica L. growing under natural conditions in a park and taken to a greenhouse for the cold season. In control plants grown in the open ground, the development of microspores was normal. The plants transferred to the greenhouse sharply differed from control material. By the middle of November, the aggregations of condensed chromatin were formed near the nucleus envelope of their generative cells. In some mitochondria, the system of cristae was reduced. In December, all the mitochondria showed a reduced system of cristae. In the matrix of some mitochondria with ruptured envelopes, rather large vesicles were detected. In the vegetative and generative cells, autophagic vacuoles were formed. They also occurred in the nucleus itself; as a result, the cells of pollen grains became much more vacuolated. In January, only the products of protoplast lysis were detected in all the pollen grains. It was concluded that the lack of low temperatures induced apoptosis-like degradation of the cells of Siberian squill pollen grains.     

The relation between light and temperature effects in the induction and release of dormancy in the aerial tuber of Begonia evansiana

The effect of light quality on the induction and release ofbud dormancy in aerial tubers of Begonia evansiana ANDR. andthe relation in controlling the mechanism of dormancy betweenlight and temperature were investigated using aerial tubersin different dormant states; immature tubers which were sproutedby irradiation and mature ones which were sprouted only afterchilling. Blue or far-red light induced photo-sprouting in immature tubersat higher temperatures and also promoted release of dormancyin mature tubers caused by chilling (2–5°C). Blueor far-red light, however, failed to break mature tuber dormancyat room temperature. The induction of dormancy in immature tubers was advanced atlow temperatures (15–17°C) which were inoperativefor photo-sprouting. Lower temperatures showed conflicting dualeffects of inducing and breaking dormancy. Red light inhibitednot only photo-sprouting in immature tubers but also dormancyrelease in mature tubers at low temperatures. These light- and temperature-dependent reactions are independentlyinvolved in dormancy regulation, the former is overcome by thelatter with dormancy development. (Received December 3, 1968; )     

Effect of Diurnally Fluctuating vs. Constant Temperatures on Flower Induction and Sex Expression in the Olive (Olea europaea)

Olive trees must be exposed to a period of winter chilling temperatures in order to form inflorescences the following spring. The effects of diurnally fluctuating and constant temperatures on flower induction and sex expression in the olive were compared under controlled environment conditions. The effect on flowering of diurnally fluctuating temperatures depends upon the length of time at the higher temperatures. While daily exposure to the high temperatures (21° to 26°C) for a short period (four hours) intensified the effectiveness of the low temperatures (7° to 12.5°C), when the high temperature duration was 12 hours it counteracted the low temperature action. Possibly, daily low temperatures act to stimulate reactions leading to floral hormone synthesis, while daily short exposures to high temperatures act to maintain metabolic activity, promote energy-yielding reactions, and possibly stimulate cell-division activity. In the olive, an intermediate constant temperature (12.5°C) favors both types of reactions and induces flowering; however, in this case, the pistils fail to develop. The olive has very specific temperature requirements for flowering and neither the mean temperature nor the accumulated number of hours below a given value, e.g. 7°C, adequately characterizes these requirements.     

Dormancy and Flowering in Anemone coronaria L. as Affected by Photoperiod and Temperature

The effects of day-length and temperature on flowering and dormancyinduction were studied in Anemone coronaria L., with plantsraised either from corms or achenes. An Israeli hybrid sourcewas used (de Caen cv. Hollandia x Israeli wild type). Dormancy onset is characterized by the cessation of foliageleaf production, the appearance of leaf scales protecting theperennating bud, and leaf senescence. Dormancy was induced byhigh temperature and long days but increasing temperatures (from17/12 °C to 32/12 °C) induced earlier dormancy thanprolonging the photoperiod (range 8–16 h). A significant(P = 0.01) interaction was found between these factors, withsmaller photoperiodic effects the higher the temperature. At22/17 °C the critical day-length for dormancy inductionwas between 11 and 12 h. The transition from the vegetative to the reproductive stageappears to be an autonomous process that occurs with developmentin plants raised from either corms or achenes and does not requireenvironmental induction. Photo- and thermoperiodic effects onflowering were indirect, being mediated through their influenceon dormancy induction. Anemone coronaria L., dormancy, flowering, photoperiod, thermoperiod     

The Influence of Temperature on Floral Initiation in the Olive

Floral initiation is completely inhibited when the olive is grown in a glasshouse at a minimum temperature of 16°C and a maximum temperature of 27°–30°C but occurs when it is grown at natural winter conditions in California. This study was undertaken to determine more specifically the temperature requirements for flowering and to show the relation of temperature treatment to hud development and floral initiation. Results of experiments performed with trees in containers grown at constant temperatures in controlled environment growth rooms show that the optimum temperature for flowering is 10°–13°C. Either higher (18°C) or lower (4°C) temperatures inhibit flowering completely. Morphological studies show that axis elongation and floral initiation occur in buds during temperature treatment at 10°C and 13°C but fail to occur during 4°C or 18°C treatments, or following these treatments when the temperature is raised to 21°C. When plants were exposed to 13°C for varying durations, it was found that no inflorescences formed after a 7.5 week exposure but that many formed after an 11-week exposure. A subsequent experiment showed that many more inflorescences formed after a 10-week exposure at 13°C than after 9 weeks exposure. Morphological changes in the bud seem to be associated with this increase in flowering affected by duration of treatment.     

The ecology of germination and reproduction of less frequent and vanishing species of Czechoslovak flora

The ripened seeds show no marked dormancy and germinate within wide limits of temperature, where the temperatures of 6–10/25°C represent the optimum. 18 months old seeds germinated at the temperature of 10/25°C by 69% 13 year old seeds did not germinate. This annual winter species reproduces only in the generative way, the seeds sown in the middle of October 1987 and 1988 sprouted at the end of October, and the seedlings with 1–2 pairs of true leaves survived successfully the winter.