Effect of Temperature Regimes on Germination of Dimorphic Seeds of Atriplex prostrata

Dimorphic seeds of Atriplex prostrata were removed from cold dry storage monthly over a one year period to test for fluctuations in seed dormancy and germination rate. For each seed type, four replicates of 25 seeds were exposed to four alternating night/day temperature regimes mimicking seasonal fluctuations in Ohio: 5/15 °C; 5/25 °C; 15/25 °C and 20/35 °C with a corresponding 12-h photoperiod (20 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹; 400 – 700 nm). We found a significant three-way interaction of seed size, temperature and month for both percent germination and the rate of germination. Large seeds showed the greatest germination at the 20/35 °C and 5/25 °C temperature regimes and small seeds at the 5/25 °C regime. Large seeds had greater germination at all temperatures as compared to small seeds. Large seeds had the fastest germination rates at 20/35 °C followed by 5/25 °C whereas small seeds had the fastest rates at 5/25 °C followed by 20/35 °C. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of Temperature of Mother-plant Environment on Yield and Germination of Seeds of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Experiments on the production of two separate crops of lettuceseeds, each in three different temperature environments, andsubsequent tests on the seed are described. Low production temperatures(20 °C day, 10 °C night) gave a low yield of large seeds,and high temperatures (30 °C, 20 °C) gave a higher yieldof much smaller seed; the highest yield came from medium temperatures(25 °C, 15 °C), which gave medium-sized seed. After-ripening,manifested as an increase in percentage germination at hightemperatures with increase in seed age, occurred in seed fromall three production environments of the first crop, thoughthere were differences in degree, and in that from the two higherproduction temperatures, but not the lowest, of the second crop.Measurements of the forces required to penetrate the layerssurrounding the embryo showed an inverse relationship with temperatureof the production environment for pericarps but not for endosperms,and a gradual reduction during storage for pericarps but notendosperms. Measurements of germination potential showed thatembryos from seeds produced in cool conditions were less ableto cope with high temperatures than those from warner conditions.These results are discussed in relation to the control of germinationin lettuce. Lettuce, Lactuca sativa (L.), seed production, germination, seed coverings, germination potential     

Some effects of temperature during seed development on carrot (Daucus carota) seed growth and quality

The growth and development of carrot seeds cv. Chantenay Red-cored Royal Chantenay at day/night temperatures of 20/10°C, 25/15°C and 30/20°C and subsequent seed performance were examined in 1984 and 1985. An increase in temperature from 20/10°C to 30/20°C reduced mean weight per seed by 20% in 1984 and by 13% in 1985. There were no effects of temperature on endosperm + embryo weight, or on endosperm cell number but the weight of pericarp decreased with an increase in temperature. Seeds grown at the highest temperature had the largest embryos and the highest nitrogen, DNA and rRNA content; they germinated and emerged earlier, and gave higher percentage seedling emergence than those grown at the lowest temperature. There were no effects of temperature during seed growth on the rate of imbibition of water by seeds during the germination process.     

On the Germination and Changes in Chemical Composition During Seedling Emergence and Development of Cotton Seeds

Seeds from two cotton varieties attained similar maximum germinationpercentages at 30°C. Failure of germination occurred at15 and 45°C. At lower and higher temperatures than 30°Cmaximum germination percentages were lower and the periods beforegermination was intiated longer. Fumigation of seeds with methylbromide decreased their maximum emergence percentages in thefield, but dressing seeds with mercuric compounds had no effecton emergence. During the first 20 days of seed development theaccumulation of total dry-matter and oil was rapid and thenit continued at a steady and slower rate till day 52. A linearrelationship existed between the oil and residual dry-mattercontent of developing seeds. The disappearance of oil from thecotyledons of germinating seeds was gradual over the periodof 5 days of germination while that of starch was very rapidduring the first day, thereafter very little starch was mobilizedfrom the cotyledons to the embryo.     

Germination ecology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scorpiurus subvillosus</Emphasis> L. seeds: the role of temperature and storage time

Scorpiurus subvillosus L., wide spread in pastures of Mediterranean basin, is disappearing in the native pastures of the Hyblean plateau (Sicily, southern Italy), because of overgrazing and intensive management techniques. Moreover, it exhibits seed coat dormancy, which delays and reduces germination preventing its diffusion. This paper represents a first attempt in order to investigate changing in germination determined by storage time and temperature on seeds of two populations of S. subvillosus. Germination of S.␣subvillosus seeds was tested in relation to four storage time (30, 130, 200 and 360 days after harvest (DAH)), eight constant temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°C) and two populations of different provenience (30 and 600 m above mean sea level). The experiments were conducted either on scarified and unscarified seeds. In S. subvillosus the failure of germination under favourable conditions must be attributed␣only to seed coat, since seed scarification enhanced germination percentage with values up to 100% at almost all tested temperatures. In both treatments, but with a grater incidence in unscarified, seed germination increased gradually as temperature raised, peaking at 20–25°C, then declined with further increases of temperatures. At 40°C no germination occurred. Storage time induced a softening effect, which is somewhat limited by the natural ageing of seeds occurring from about 6 months after harvest.     

Seed Germination and Seedling Development in Cyclamen persicum

Cyclamen persicum Mill, seeds germinate in a narrow range oftemperature and germination is strongly inhibited by continuousirradiation with white light. The thermal optimum is approx.15 °C in both darkness and light. Seed germination is alsovery sensitive to oxygen deprivation and this sensitivity ismore pronounced at 20 °C than at the optimum 15 °C.Very immature seeds cannot germinate at any temperature, butgerminability increases during seed maturation Seedling development is unusual since seed reserves are usedimmediately for tuber formation. Tuberization is optimal at15–20 °C in light and in darkness. Supra-optimal temperatures(25–30 °C) or hypoxia inhibit tuber formation andlead to very elongated tubers These results allow the producers to improve the productionof homogeneous populations of cyclamen seedlings Wheat seeds, Triticum aestwum L., acetylcholinesterase, electrophoresis, germination, assay     

Combinational dormancy in seeds of Sicyos angulatus (Cucurbitaceae,tribe Sicyeae)

Seeds with a water‐impermeable seed coat and a physiologically dormant embryo are classified as having combinational dormancy. Seeds of Sicyos angulatus (burcucumber) have been clearly shown to have a water‐impermeable seed coat (physical dormancy [PY]). The primary aim of the present study was to confirm (or not) that physiological dormancy (PD) is also present in seeds of S. angulatus. The highest germination of scarified fresh (38%) and 3‐month dry‐stored (36%) seeds occurred at 35/20°C. The rate (speed) of germination was faster in scarified dry‐stored seeds than in scarified fresh seeds. Removal of the seed coat, but leaving the membrane surrounding the embryo intact, increased germination of both fresh and dry‐stored seeds to > 85% at 35/20°C. Germination (80–100%) of excised embryos (both seed coat and membrane removed) occurred at 15/6, 25/15 and 35/20°C and reached 95–100% after 4 days of incubation at 25/15 and 35/20°C. Dry storage (after‐ripening) caused an increase in the germination percentage of scarified and of decoated seeds at 25/15°C and in both germination percentage and rate of excised embryos at 15/6°C. Eight weeks of cold stratification resulted in a significant increase in the germination of scarified seeds at 25/15 and 35/20°C and of decoated seeds at 15/6 and 25/15°C. Based on the results of our study and on information reported in the literature, we conclude that seeds of S. angulatus not only have PY, but also non‐deep PD, that is, combinational dormancy (PY + PD).     

Influence of post-flowering temperature on seed development, and subsequent performance of crisp lettuce

Crisp lettuce plants cv. Saladin were grown from the time they started flowering, at 20/10°C (16 h day, 8 h night), 25/15°C and 30/20°C in glasshouses on two occasions in 1985. Yields of seed increased from, on average, 15 g to 27 g and then fell to 20 g per plant with progressive increases in temperature. The number of mature florets per plant increased with temperature but the number of seeds per mature floret was lower at 20/10°C and 30/20°C than at 25/15°C. An increase in temperature reduced mean seed weight by up to 45%, seed volume by 15%, cell numerical volume density (N_v) by 27% and the number of cells per seed by 39%. Percentage seed germination reached a maximum early in seed development at the stage when the pappus appeared through the involucral bracts. Differences in percentage germination and vigour of seeds (slope test) from different temperatures were accounted for largely by the effects on mean seed weight. However, when germinated at 30°C seeds produced at 30/20°C germinated more readily than those produced at 25/15°C or 20/10°C. Seed vigour gradually increased with an increase in the length of storage after harvest, reaching a maximum after 260 days. In general, seeds produced at 25/15°C exhibited a greater variation in numbers of seeds per floret, N_v, seed weight, times of seedling emergence, seedling and mature head weight than seeds produced at lower or higher temperatures.     

The Effect of Sodium Hypochlorite on Germination of Lettuce Seed at High Temperature

Investigations into the effects of treatment with sodium hypochloritesolution on high-temperature germination of lettuce seed aredescribed. A 2 h treatment in a solution with 10% availablechlorine enabled up to c. 70% of seeds to germinate at 35 °C,without impairing germination and normal seedling developmentat 20 °C. A 10 min rinse in 0.01 N HCI following such treatmentenhanced its effect and treated seeds retained their abilityto germinate at high temperature for at least 18 months. Seedlingdevelopment at 20 °C following treatment was influencedby treatment temperature and batch of hypochlorite solution.Emergence from compost in a cycling (30/15 °C) temperatureregime was improved in three out of five cultivars tested, andthere were indications that hypochlorite treatment enabled oneof the other cultivars to escape induced thermodormancy. Key words: Lactuca sativa L., Sodium hypochlorite, Thermo-inhibition     

Effects of Temperature and dl-Strigol on Seed Conditioning and Germination of Witchweed (Striga asiatica)

Seed conditioning and germination in witchweed (Striga asiatica(L.) Kuntze) were temperature-dependent. With higher conditioningtemperatures, shorter conditioning time was required for germinationwith terminal dl-strigol (strigol) treatment at 30 °C. Maximumgermination (80–100%) was obtained by conditioning inwater at 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C for 14, 7, 5 and 3 d, respectively,and terminally treating with 10^–6 M strigol at 30 °C.Seeds conditioned in 10^–8 M strigol instead of water germinatedmuch less with the same terminal strigol treatment. Generally,conditioning was slower when seeds were conditioned in strigolrather than water. The reduction in germination rate by pretreatmentin strigol or pretreatment at low temperatures could be overcomeby increasing the terminal strigol concentration in the germinationtest. Conditioned seeds did not germinate at 10 and 15 °Cwith a terminal 10^–6 M strigol treatment but yielded closeto maximum germination at 25, 30 and 35 °C with the sameterminal strigol treatment. To obtain maximum germination, boththe minimum conditioning temperature and the minimum germinationtemperature for conditioned seeds were 20 °C. Factors suchas conditioning time, and strigol concentration and temperatureduring conditioning and/or germination determine whether seedsremain in the conditioning phase or shift to a germination phase. dl-Strigol, germination stimulation, parasitic plants, seed conditioning, seed germination, Striga asiatica, temperature, weed control     

Storage Behaviour of Salix alba and Salix matsudana Seeds

Effects of dehydration, storage temperature and humidificationon germination of Salix alba andS. matsudana seeds were studied.Newly released seeds showed 100% germination before and afterdehydration to 11–12% moisture content. Germination ofthe high vigour lot (100% initial normal germination) was notaffected by dehydration to 6.7% moisture content but germinationdecreased with further dehydration to 4.3%. The lower vigourlot (75% initial normal germination) was more susceptible todehydration and germination decreased following dehydrationto 6.7% moisture content. Dry seeds of both species survivedimmersion in liquid nitrogen without loss of viability. Thegermination of seeds stored with 9% moisture content decreasedto 35–40% in 5 months at -20°C or in 2 months at 5°C.However, at 25°C seeds entirely lost viability within 2weeks. Seeds showed improved performance when stored at -70°C> - 20°C > 5°C > 25°C and tolerated dehydrationto a moisture content in equilibrium with 15% relative humidity.Results suggest that they are orthodox in storage behaviouralthough they are short-lived. Humidification treatment of lowvigour seed lots resulted in a remarkable increase in germinationpercentage. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Salix alba, Salix matsudana, willow, seed storage behaviour, dehydration, humidification, cryopreservation     

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     

Evidence for Repair Processes in Onion Seeds during Storage at High Seed Moisture Contents

Survival curves of four seed lots of onion held at 15%, 20%and 25% seed moisture content (me) and 45 ° C for 24 h showeda fall in seed germination at all moisture contents. The rateof loss of viability was less for seeds held at 20% and 25%me than that of seeds held at 15% me, with low vigour seedsshowing the greatest reduction in the rate of deteriorationat the high moisture contents. This is interpreted as evidencefor the activation of repair processes in seeds during periodsof partial seed hydration and discussed in relation to seedinvigoration treatments. Key words: Seed moisture content; Storage, Repair, Priming, Invigoration     

Effect of maturation conditions on light and temperature requirements during seed germination of Citrullus colocynthis from the Arabian Desert

• Seed germination of Citrullus colocynthis, as in many other species of Cucurbitaceae, is inhibited by light, particularly at low temperatures. Germination response to light and temperature has been attributed to day length and temperature during seed maturation. This study assessed the effects of these factors on the germination response of C. colocynthis to temperature and light quality.
• Ripe fruits were collected from natural habitats during December and February and germinated at three temperatures (15/25, 20/30 and 25/35 °C) in five light treatments (dark, white light and Red:Far Red (R:FR) ratios of 0.30, 0.87 and 1.19). Additionally, unripe fruits were also collected from natural habitats and completed their maturation in growth chambers under different day lengths (6, 16 and 24 h of darkness) at 10/20 °C, and in darkness at both 10/20 °C and 25/35 °C. Mature seeds of the different treatments were germinated in the same five light treatments at 15/25 °C.
• Germination was significantly higher in the dark than that in any light treatment. Seeds matured at higher temperatures (i.e. seeds from the December collection and those matured at 25/35 °C) had significantly higher germination than those matured at lower temperatures (i.e. seeds from the February collection and those matured at 10/20 °C). Dark germination was significantly higher for the December collection than for the February collection. Seeds of the two collections germinated in the dark only at 15/25 °C. However, seeds matured in a growth chamber at 10/20 °C in darkness germinated at 15/25 °C in all light treatments, except for the R:FR ratio 0.30. Seeds of the different treatments failed to germinate in FR‐rich light.
• This study demonstrates that both temperature and day length during seed maturation play significant roles in the germination response of C. colocynthis. Additionally, the dark requirement for germination is likely beneficial for species with the larger seeds, such as C. colocynthis, which produce bigger seedlings that are able to emerge from deep soils and are competitively superior under dense vegetation and resource‐limited conditions.

     

Osmoconditioning as a Means of Counteracting the Ageing of Pepper Seeds during High-temperature Storage

Sweet pepper seeds were osmotically conditioned in 0.4 M mannitolsolution for 4 d (at 25 °C, in darkness) before or afterstorage at 35 °C for up to six months, and their germinationand viability was compared with that of untreated seeds storedunder the same conditions. Seeds that had been osmoconditionedprior to storage retained a high rate of germination and germinatedto a high final percentage (from 80 to 50 per cent) at both15 and 25 °C throughout the storage period. By contrast,both the rate and total level of germination of untreated pepperseeds declined rapidly at both germination temperatures, andby three months of storage the total level of seed viabilitywas already less than 10 per cent. Seeds that were first storedat 35 °C, and then osmoconditioned just prior to germination,showed a decline in germinability which when tested at 25 °Cwas the same as for untreated seeds, while tested at 15 °Coccurred at a slightly slower rate than for untreated seeds. It is evident that osmoconditioning prior to storage, in additionto the acceleration of germination, resulted in a dramatic delayof the ageing rate, thus increasing considerably the longevityof seeds. On the other hand, osmoconditioning after storagedid not seem to have any significant effect on seed viability,though it enhanced the germination rate. Capsicum annuum, sweet pepper, seed, germination, osmoconditioning, priming, storage, viability, ageing, longevity     

Seed Germination of a Halophytic Grass Aeluropus lagopoides

Aeluropus lagopoides(Linn.) Trin. Ex Thw. (Poaceae) is a perennialgrass distributed from coastal Sindh and Balochistan to salineflats of Punjab, Pakistan. Seeds collected from an inland populationofA. lagopoides located on the University of Karachi campuswere germinated under various levels of salinity (0, 100, 200,300, 400 and 500 m M NaCl) and temperature regimes (10/20, 15/25,20/30 and 25/35 °C) in a 12 h dark/12 h light photoperiod.Highest germination was obtained under non-saline conditions,and an increase in NaCl concentration progressively inhibitedgermination. Inhibition of germination was greater at coolertemperatures (10/20 °C) when no seed germinated above aconcentration of 300 m M NaCl. The germination response at moderatetemperatures (20/30 °C) was optimal, with 30% of seeds germinatingin 500 m M NaCl. The rate of germination decreased as salinityincreased. Germination rate was highest at 20/30 °C andlowest at 10/20 °C. Seeds were transferred from salt solutionsto distilled water after 20 d and those from high salinitiesrecovered quickly at warmer temperatures with an optimal responseat 20/30 °C. Copyright 2001 Annals of Botany Company Aeluropus lagopoides, germination, halophyte, Karachi, salinity, temperature     

An Investigation of the Influence of Constant and Alternating Temperature on the Germination of Cassava Seed using a Two-dimensional Temperature Gradient Plate

The germination of cassava seed in response to various constantand alternating temperature regimes within the range 19–40°C was investigated using a two-dimensional temperaturegradient plate. It was found that almost all seeds were incapableof germination unless the temperature for part of the day exceeded30 °C and the mean temperature was at least 24 °C. However,dormant seeds required environments where the temperature forpart of the day exceeded 36 °C, the mean temperature wasat least 33 °C, and the amplitude of the diurnal temperaturealteration was within the range 3–18 °C. Providingthese conditions were met, the times spent at the upper andlower temperatures within a diurnal cycle were not critical.Hermetic storage of the seed for 77 days at 40 °C with 7.9per cent moisture content did not influence the pattern of germinationin response to constant and alternating temperatures. It issuggested that an alternating temperature regime of 30 °Cfor 8 h/38 °C for 16 h applied for a minimum of 21 daysis appropriate for cassava seed viability tests. Manihot esculenta Crantz, cassava, germination, dormancy, temperature     

Seed Germination and Radicle Growth of a Halophyte, Kalidium caspicum(Chenopodiaceae)

Effects of temperature, light, NaCl and polyethylene glycol(PEG)-6000 on seed germination and radicle growth in a halophyticshrub, Kalidium caspicum(L.) Ung.-Sternb. were investigated.When seeds were incubated in deionized water at constant temperaturesbetween 10 and 30°C, the percentage germination in the darkexceeded 75%; light suppressed seed germination at alternatingtemperatures. Incubating seeds with a hypersaline solution ofNaCl for 30 d had no adverse effect on their germinability.The percentage germination of seeds incubated with a –0.8MPa NaCl solution was 73, 80 and 54% at 10, 20 and 30°C,respectively, but all radicles died before their length exceeded5 mm. In contrast, when seeds were incubated with a –0.8MPa PEG solution at 20°C, 68% of seeds germinated, and 95%of the emerging radicles survived beyond 5 mm. The high sensitivityof small radicles of this species to salinity indicated thatsalt must be removed from the soil surface for seedling establishment.Copyright2000 Annals of Botany Company Chinese desert, radicle growth, germination, halophyte, Kalidium caspicum, salinity     

Interactions between seed priming treatments and nine seed lots of carrot, celery and onion. I. Laboratory germination

Samples of three seed lots of each of three cultivars of carrot, celery and onion were primed in polyethylene glycol solution for 2 weeks at 15 °C. Priming reduced the mean germination times (recorded at 15 °C) of all seed lots (compared to the untreated control) by 3–4 days in carrot, 6–10 days in celery and 3–5 days in onion. The largest reductions in mean germination time occurred in the slowest-germinating seed lots. There were highly significant interactions between priming and cultivars, and between priming and seed lots within cultivars for each species. Drying back the primed seeds at 15 °C increased the mean germination times (compared to primed seed which had not been dried) by 0·6 day in carrot and 1·4 days in celery, and there was no interaction with cultivars or seed lots. The corresponding increase for onion was either 1·0 or 1·8 days, according to the cultivar, but this variation was largely attributable to differences in time taken for the dried seeds to re-imbibe. Seeds dried back at 30 °C germinated 0·2·0·7 day (depending on the species) later than those dried at 15 °C. Percentage germination was not affected by either priming or drying back. Priming reduced the spread of germination times in all cultivars. For primed and dried-back seed, the spread of germination times was larger than that of primed seed in certain cultivars, but was always smaller than that of untreated seeds.     

The germination characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scrophularia marilandica</Emphasis> L. (Scrophulariaceae) seeds

Investigations on seeds of Scrophularia marilandica L. were undertaken to determine their germination requirements. Seeds were collected from three naturally occurring sites and one greenhouse-grown population in London, Ontario in September and October of 1997. Some were set to germinate immediately after collection; others were stored in or on soil outside and/or under controlled laboratory conditions before testing. Germination was assessed under two light/temperature regimes (35°C 14 h light, 20°C 10 h dark and 25°C 14 h light, 10°C 10 h dark), in continuous darkness, and in the presence of two germination-promoting chemicals (GA₃ and KNO₃). Fresh seeds germinated best at 35/20°C, while stored seeds germinated best at 25/10°C. No differences in percent germination were found among three seed-maturity stages. All chemical treatments, except 0.01 M KNO_3, increased percent germination. Significant differences were found both among and within sites for most chemical treatments, but exposure to 3 × 10⁻⁴ M GA₃ caused almost every seed to germinate. When compared to the control, both the gibberellic acid and the soil-storage treatments contributed to faster germination. Exposure of seeds to naturally prevailing conditions on the soil surface followed by testing under the 25/10°C regime produced the highest percent germination. No seeds germinated in the dark. In summary, seeds of S. marilandica exhibit physiological dormancy, which can be alleviated by exposure to light, after-ripening and/or cold stratification. It is probable that the differences in germination response among sites can be attributed to differences in environmental conditions during seed production. These experiments indicate that the seeds of S. marilandica must be buried shortly after dispersal in order to form a persistent seed bank.