Articles
Effect of temperature on seed germination of five local endemic species of Crete (Greece)
Article number
1417_21
Pages
171 – 176
Language
English
Abstract
This study was addressed to evaluate the effect of the incubation temperature on seed germination of five local endemic and endangered plants of Crete (Greece): Asperula idaea Halácsy and Asperula rigida Sm. (Rubiaceae), Centaurea idaea Boiss. & Heldr. (Asteraceae), Erysimum raulinii Boiss. (Brassicaceae), and Lomelosia albocincta (Greuter) Greuter & Burdet (Dipsacaceae). Seeds were kept in temperature-controlled growth chambers at four constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, and 25°C. The seed germination was affected by the incubation temperature.
In four species, the highest germination percentages were observed at lower temperatures.
Specifically, the seeds of A. idaea, A. rigida, and C. idaea showed the highest germination percentages at 10 and 15°C (A. idaea: 71.7 and 66.7% at 10 and 15°C, respectively; A. rigida: 93.3% at 10°C and 90.0% at 15°C; C. idea: 81.7% at 10°C and 75.0% at 15°C). L. albocincta seeds best germinated (28.3%) at 15°C. The highest incubation temperatures (20 and 25°C) resulted in a significant decrease in germination percentages, with no seed germination of A. idaea, A. rigida, and L. albocincta seeds at 25°C. When seeds of E. raulinii were incubated at 20°C, a higher germination percentage (36.7%) was scored compared to 10 and 25°C incubation conditions (germination percentage: 21.7 and 18.3%, respectively). The knowledge of species-specific seed germination requirements is expected to support their effective in situ conservation by propagating target genotypes ex-situ for re-introduction purposes and may allow their sustainable exploitation as new native plants of ornamental value.
In four species, the highest germination percentages were observed at lower temperatures.
Specifically, the seeds of A. idaea, A. rigida, and C. idaea showed the highest germination percentages at 10 and 15°C (A. idaea: 71.7 and 66.7% at 10 and 15°C, respectively; A. rigida: 93.3% at 10°C and 90.0% at 15°C; C. idea: 81.7% at 10°C and 75.0% at 15°C). L. albocincta seeds best germinated (28.3%) at 15°C. The highest incubation temperatures (20 and 25°C) resulted in a significant decrease in germination percentages, with no seed germination of A. idaea, A. rigida, and L. albocincta seeds at 25°C. When seeds of E. raulinii were incubated at 20°C, a higher germination percentage (36.7%) was scored compared to 10 and 25°C incubation conditions (germination percentage: 21.7 and 18.3%, respectively). The knowledge of species-specific seed germination requirements is expected to support their effective in situ conservation by propagating target genotypes ex-situ for re-introduction purposes and may allow their sustainable exploitation as new native plants of ornamental value.
Authors
E. Pipinis, G. Tsoktouridis, N. Krigas, S. Hatzilazarou, C. Peroni, I. Nikolaou, V. Koubi, S. Kostas
Keywords
biodiversity, incubation temperature, native ornamental plants, seed germination
Groups involved
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Working Group Vaccinium Species and Management
- Working Group Rubus and Ribes Species and Management
- Working Group Kiwifruit Culture and Management
- Working Group Strawberry Culture and Management
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