Articles
Seed germination of seven Mediterranean aromatic species for the establishment of an herbaceous meadow mix
Article number
1417_23
Pages
185 – 190
Language
English
Abstract
Wildflower meadows contribute to increasing biodiversity in terms of both plant and animal species and are generally established by sowing.
The use of aromatic species in herbaceous meadow mixes can offer additional benefits such as contributing to the conservation of aromatic plant species, the attraction of pollinators as well as the dispersal of a complex mixture of volatile molecules known as essential oils that can positively affect the health of urban residents.
Information on seed germination to develop herbaceous meadow mixes is limited.
This study examines the germination of six perennial (Calamintha nepeta, Origanum majorana, Origanum vulgare, Satureja montana, Sideritis syriaca, Thymus vulgaris) and one annual (Matricaria chamomilla) aromatic species for their potential use in establishing a herbaceous meadow mix through sowing.
Commercially obtained seeds were placed without pretreatment in Petri dishes (9 cm) lined with moistened filter paper.
Germination took place in growth chambers, under a 16-h photoperiod at constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, and 25°C. The results showed that the species C. nepeta, O. majorana, S. montana, and S. syriaca did not germinate at 10 or 25°C. Both species C. nepeta and O. vulgare showed low percentage rates (≤11%) at 15 or 20°C. On the other hand, the species M. chamomilla, O. majorana, S. montana, S. syriaca, and T. vulgaris showed medium to high germination percentages at 15 or 20°C, ranging from 53 to 76%. Overall, most of the species studied showed the greatest germination percentages and the least time to 50% germination (T50) at 20°C.
The use of aromatic species in herbaceous meadow mixes can offer additional benefits such as contributing to the conservation of aromatic plant species, the attraction of pollinators as well as the dispersal of a complex mixture of volatile molecules known as essential oils that can positively affect the health of urban residents.
Information on seed germination to develop herbaceous meadow mixes is limited.
This study examines the germination of six perennial (Calamintha nepeta, Origanum majorana, Origanum vulgare, Satureja montana, Sideritis syriaca, Thymus vulgaris) and one annual (Matricaria chamomilla) aromatic species for their potential use in establishing a herbaceous meadow mix through sowing.
Commercially obtained seeds were placed without pretreatment in Petri dishes (9 cm) lined with moistened filter paper.
Germination took place in growth chambers, under a 16-h photoperiod at constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, and 25°C. The results showed that the species C. nepeta, O. majorana, S. montana, and S. syriaca did not germinate at 10 or 25°C. Both species C. nepeta and O. vulgare showed low percentage rates (≤11%) at 15 or 20°C. On the other hand, the species M. chamomilla, O. majorana, S. montana, S. syriaca, and T. vulgaris showed medium to high germination percentages at 15 or 20°C, ranging from 53 to 76%. Overall, most of the species studied showed the greatest germination percentages and the least time to 50% germination (T50) at 20°C.
Authors
A. Paraskevopoulou, K. Bertsouklis, D. Tsouna
Keywords
aromatic herbaceous plant species, Calamintha nepeta, Matricaria chamomilla, Origanum majorana, Origanum vulgare, Satureja montana, Sideritis syriaca, Thymus vulgaris, wildflower meadows
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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