Effect of harvest date,drying, short-term storage and freezing after chilling on the germination of rowan seeds

The effects of seed pretreatment and harvest date on the germination of European rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L) seeds were examined. In one experiment, seeds were subjected to drying, storage, soaking, warm and chilling treatments after harvesting in mid- and late August. In another experiment, fully imbibed (FI) seeds were given warm treatment for six weeks and then various durations of chilling (4?±?1°C) for up to 24 weeks. Thereafter, the seeds were adjusted to target moisture content of 35% and 30% or remained in the FI state and were then subjected to either subsequent chilling or freezing (?3°C) for up to 32 weeks. The treated seeds were allowed to germinate at a constant 15°C with 8 hours of lighting per day. Treatment effects were generally consistent for each harvest date. Seeds did not germinate unless they were chilled and germination rates were low unless the seeds were soaked. Warm treatment applied before chilling appeared to induce dormancy. The effect of storage varied with harvest date and storage treatment, with germination being highest for seeds harvested in late August. Mild freezing of ≥16 weeks duration following 16–24 weeks initial chilling resulted in >80% germination, more than could be achieved using chilling alone.     

Effects of storage conditions on dormancy and vigor of Picea abies seeds

The dormancy and vigor of Picea abies seeds were studied after five months of storage at 25 and 75% relative humidity (RH) and 5 and 12 °C. Dormancy was evaluated by studying germination response to light and moist chilling at 12 and 21 °C. Dormancy causing germination reduction in the dark was induced in seeds during storage at 25% RH (5–6% moisture content, MC) in darkness. The dormancy was greater when seeds were germinated at 12 than at 21 °C and after storage at 12 than at 5 °C. The effective dormancy relief by light indicates that germination was under phytochrome control. Moist chilling could partly replace light. According to accelerated aging and leachate conductivity tests, dry seeds could be stored at 12 °C for five months without affecting their vigor. After storage at 75% RH (11% MC) and 5 °C, the seeds germinated slowly and incompletely. The decreased germination response to light indicates that other processes than those mediated directly by phytochrome restricted germination of these seeds. The positive germination response to moist chilling suggested that secondary dormancy was induced in the seeds. However, vigor tests gave some evidence of simultaneous decrease of vigor. Storage at 75% RH and 12 °C decreased germination nearly to 0%. Germination of seeds stored at 75% RH could be stimulated by a short accelerated aging period.     

Seed storage behavior of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Knema attenuata</Emphasis>, an endemic species of Western Ghats,India

We performed desiccation and storage trials to better under- stand storage behavior of Knema attenuata seeds. Mature seeds with moisture content (MC) of 31% exhibited 73% germination. During the period of desiccation (open lab condition) seeds with MC 23% showed 40% germination. After further drying to MC 21% germination was reduced to 16%. Complete loss in viability resulted when seed moisture was reduced to 18%. The seeds stored at -10°C, 0°C, 10°C and 28±2°C (open lab condition) lost their viability within 10 days. Seeds stored in sealed polythene bags and moist sand retained viability for more days than did seeds stored under all other storage conditions. Sensitivity of seeds to lower temperature and desiccation suggest that the storage be- havior of K. attenuata seeds is recalcitrant. Seeds stored in moist condi- tions can, at best, be stored for a period of two months.     

Effect of Temperature on the Induction of Bud Dormancy in Ecotypes of Betula pubescens and Betula pendula

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of temperature applied during short day-induced budset on induction of dormancy in six ecotypes of Betula pubescens Ehrh. and two ecotypes of Betula pendula Roth. Seedlings were grown in a phytotron at constant temperatures of 9–21°C under a 12 h photoperiod (SD) during dormancy induction. Induction of dormancy was monitored by following bud flushing and shoot growth after transfer to long photoperiod conditions (24 h) at 18°C. Chilling requirement was studied in seedlings exposed to 10 weeks of SD. In both species induction of bud dormancy developed most rapidly at 15–18°C, and both 9–12°C and 21°C delayed the induction of dormancy. Raising the temperature (from 9 to 21°C) applied during induction of dormancy significantly increased the chilling requirement. These responses were noted for all ecotypes tested, but in general the northern ecotypes entered dormancy more quickly than the southern ones. No such trend was recorded for chilling requirement, although a B. pubescens ecotype from Iceland and another from the coast of northern Norway appeared to require a longer chilling treatment than the other ecotypes. In conclusion, induction and depth of bud dormancy in birch are significantly affected by temperature conditions and these effects may explain some of the annual variation in dormancy and chilling requirement observed in nature.     

Effects of presowing treatments, desiccation and storage conditions on germination of Strychnos nux-vomica seeds, a valuable medicinal plant

Seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica have slow and erratic germination; thus different presowing treatments were applied to enhance the germination of its seeds collected from Tamaraikulam, Tamil Nadu, India. In addition, the effects of desiccation and different storage conditions on the germination of S. nux-vomica seeds were investigated. The results show that soaking in 500 ppm gibberellic acid (GA₃) for 24 h, incubation of seeds at 40 °C for 3 days and alternate water soaking (16 h) and drying (8 h) for 14 days significantly increased the percentage germination compared to the control. Desiccation of seeds down to 10% moisture content resulted in better germination. Germination of S. nux-vomica seeds differed significantly between different storage periods, moisture contents of the seed and for first and second order interactions (p<0.001). The highest germination (92%) was achieved when seeds with 10% moisture content were stored at ambient temperature for 30 weeks. Evidence from the present study indicates that S. nux-vomica seeds possess physiological dormancy that can be broken effectively by after-ripening. As seeds of S. nux-vomica are found to be desiccation tolerant, dry seed (10% moisture content) can be hermitically stored at ambient temperature for 30 weeks without losing their viability.     

Germination and storage characteristics of Prunus africana seeds

Prunus africana, from the moist highlands of sub-Saharan Africa, is subject to great exploitation because its bark is used in the treatment of prostate-related diseases. A better understanding of the biology of its seed could help the ex situ and in situ conservation of the species. Fifty per cent of fresh seeds (46.8% MC) from mature purple fruits harvested in Kenya germinated after 10 days incubation at 25°C. The germination rate was linearly related to constant temperature, giving a prediction for the minimum temperature for germination at ca. 0.6°C. All seeds germinated at 5°C during 4 months fully hydrated storage. P. africana seed is, thus, neither dormant nor chilling sensitive. The relationship between equilibrium moisture content and relative humidity was used to construct a sorption isotherm, against which seed desiccation and storage responses were assessed. Seventy six per cent of mature seeds survived drying to 4.5% MC (22% RH) compared to 17% of seeds from immature purple-green fruits. Although, 25–45% of mature seeds survived at 8–12% MC after 2 months, only 10% remained viable after 6-month storage at 5°C. This study proposes optimum conditions for the artificial regeneration of P. africana seeds and highlights the need for further experiments storing dry seeds at sub-zero temperatures.     

Morphological and biochemical changes of Aesculus chinensis seeds in the process of maturation

Morphological and biochemical changes of Chinese horse chestnut (Aesculus chinensis Bge.) seeds were studied during the process of maturation. Fruit and seed diameter increased linearly from DPA (Days Post Anthesis) 60 to DPA 150 and were stable thereafter. The weight of fruit and seed increased sigmoidally between DPA 100 and DPA 160. The water contents of whole seeds, axes and cotyledons had a sharp reduction from DPA 110 to DPA 130 but changed little after DPA 130. The water contents of whole seeds, axes and cotyledons were 1.42, 1.93 and 1.30?g?g^?1DW, respectively at the end of maturation. The starch content of cotyledons from mature seeds was high on a dry weight basis (31.4%) while the total soluble sugar content varied between 12 and 20%. In both axes and cotyledons, the total soluble sugar content decreased during the process of maturation, as did all five soluble sugar components measured (glucose, sucrose, trehalose, raffinose and stachyose). Sucrose and stachyose contents remained relatively high at the time of seed maturation, followed by glucose and a trace level of trehalose. The oligosaccharide/disaccharide (O/D) ratio in the axes was 3.1 at DPA 140. The high level of sucrose and stachyose might contribute to the greater desiccation tolerance of Aesculus chinensis seeds relative to typical recalcitrant tropical seeds. High levels of ABA content in seed coats and a low GA₃/ABA ratio in both seed coats and axes might also influence the desiccation tolerance and shallow dormancy of mature Aesculus chinensis seeds.     

Calophyllum inophyllum: recalcitrant or intermediate seed?

We studied seed storage behaviour of a multipurpose tree Calophyllum inophyllum (Clusiaseae). Seeds were collected at Roslyn bay (23°7′60″ S, 150°43’60″ E) Central Queensland. Seed drying and desiccation tolerance tests were carried out according to International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) rules. We found C. inophyllum seeds to be recalcitrant and vulnerable to chilling injury, hence, unsuited for cold storage. C. inophyllum seeds maintained their viability for an appreciable period (> 8 months) if stored in warmer environments.     

黑樱桃种子休眠机理及处理方法的研究

对黑樱桃种子处理方法进行研究的结果表明,生理后熟和抑制物质的存在是造成黑樱桃种子休眠的主要原因,暖温层积90天后再冷温层积120天可以有效打破种子的休眠,其中暖温层积是种胚后期发育的主要时期,而冷温层积是消除抑制物抑制作用的关键。     

Effect of solid matrix priming during moist chilling on dormancy breakage and germination of seeds of four fir species

The ability of solid matrix priming (SMP) to overcome seed dormancy ofseeds of four fir species (Pacific silver fir, subalpine fir, grand fir andnoble fir), was examined. Seeds were subjected to treatments that combinedmoistchilling and SMP (SMP-chilling) and their germination compared to that elicitedby traditional moist chilling. For the SMP-chilling, six solid matrices withdifferent water holding capacities were tested (sphagnum, cat litter, peatmoss,Agro-Lig Greens Grade, Agro-Lig Micro Fine and sand). For each of the speciestested, germination performance was significantly improved by SMP-chilling; theresults were dependent on the type of solid matrix, the matrix water contentandthe treatment duration. SMP-chilling, using the best solid matrices for each ofthe species tested, resulted in germination percentages and rates that were24–35% and 8–21% higher, respectively, as compared with thatyieldedfrom control moist-chilling. High germination percentages (79% or greater) ofthree of the four species (Pacific silver fir, subalpine fir, and grand fir)were promoted after just four weeks (grand fir in sand) or eight weeks oftreatment (Pacific silver fir in peat moss and subalpine fir in Agro-Lig GreensGrade). The germination rate of grand fir seeds benefited from SMP-chillingperiods longer than four weeks, but this resulted in germination during thedormancy-breaking treatment. The water contents of the solid matrices that wereoptimal in terms of eliciting the best germination performance were 320% (w/w)for peat moss, 40% for Agro-Lig Greens Grade and 5–15% for sand.Conducting SMP at chilling temperatures (4 °C) is a practicalapproach to shorten the time required for effective dormancy termination ofAbies seeds; treatment times were shortened by 27 days forPacific silver fir and subalpine fir and more vigorous seedling growth wasexhibited by grand fir and noble fir.     

Climatic control of bud burst in young seedlings of nine provenances of Norway spruce

Detailed knowledge of temperature effects on the timing of dormancy development and bud burst will help evaluate the impacts of climate change on forest trees. We tested the effects of temperature applied during short-day treatment, duration of short-day treatment, duration of chilling and light regime applied during forcing on the timing of bud burst in 1- and 2-year-old seedlings of nine provenances of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). High temperature during dormancy induction, little or no chilling and low temperature during forcing all delayed dormancy release but did not prevent bud burst or growth onset provided the seedlings were forced under long-day conditions. Without chilling, bud burst occurred in about 20% of seedlings kept in short days at 12 degrees C, indicating that young Norway spruce seedlings do not exhibit true bud dormancy. Chilling hastened bud burst and removed the long photoperiod requirement, but the effect of high temperature applied during dormancy induction was observed even after prolonged chilling. Extension of the short-day treatment from 4 to 8 or 12 weeks hastened bud burst. The effect of treatments applied during dormancy development was larger than that of provenance; in some cases no provenance effect was detected, but in 1-year-old seedlings, time to bud burst decreased linearly with increasing latitude of origin. Differences among provenances were complicated by different responses of some origins to light conditions under long-day forcing. In conclusion, timing of bud burst in Norway spruce seedlings is significantly affected by temperature during bud set, and these effects are modified by chilling and environmental conditions during forcing.     

Effect of seed coverings and seed pretreatments on the germination response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alnus glutinosa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula pubescens</Emphasis> seeds

The germination of common alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) and downey birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) seeds is often poor in bare-root nurseries. The effect of a variety of seed coverings and a few seed pretreatments on seedling emergence was examined in this study in an attempt to address this problem. Seeds of each species were sown in trays containing nursery soil, covered with grit, gravel, sand, combinations of these coverings, a hydromulch or a sealed plastic cloche and then incubated for 6 weeks at 17–20°C. The grit combined with sand or gravel, the hydromulch and the cloche increased seedling emergence when compared with the standard grit. In another experiment, seeds of each species were fully imbibed (FI) (>50% moisture content, MC), as per standard practice, or adjusted to target MC (TMC) (30–35% MC) levels, and then chilled to release dormancy. Some seeds of each MC treatment were primed at 20°C for 2 days following chilling, after which all seeds were evaluated in laboratory tests and a nursery trial. Germination potential of the FI seeds declined in the lab tests by the second test date, which was reflected in low seedling emergence in the nursery in birch. The primed FI seeds of alder germinated most rapidly in the nursery, but other effects were not significant. Seedling emergence was better in the nursery in response to the TMC than the FI pretreatment in birch.

A probabilistic model for tropical tree seed desiccation tolerance and storage classification

Knowledge of seed desiccation tolerance is fundamental for conservation and use of forest species. The protocol used for classification of seed desiccation tolerance and storage is time consuming and many times limited by the lack of information about optimum conditions for seed germination and treatments to overcome seed dormancy. This study evaluated 66 Brazilian tree species aiming to correlate seed characteristics with desiccation tolerance. For this purpose, a model was established to explain the relationship of tegument/seed mass ratio (SCR), seed mass, and water content of embryo + endosperm with desiccation tolerance. The principal component analysis showed the establishment of two groups, indicating the interaction between desiccation tolerance and seed characteristics. Recalcitrant seeds are more often associated with the water content of embryo + endosperm and water content of tegument + endocarp, while orthodox seeds are more associated with SCR and number of seeds per kilogram. The classification found using the model proposed was significantly correlated with desiccation tolerance and storage, with 92% confidence for the analyzed species. Seeds morphological characteristics can be used for prediction of desiccation tolerance and storage behavior; however, the use of a model that combines more variables increases the chance of accurate classification.     

银杏种子后熟生理与内源激素变化的研究

研究银杏种子后熟期间的生理变化以及内源激素对种子休眠与萌发过程的调控作用.结果表明:银杏种胚分化不完全、发育不充分是种子休眠的主要原因,银杏种子的后熟过程实质上是种胚不断分化生长的过程.在此过程中,物质代谢、酶活性的变化均有利于种胚发育和种子发芽,种子内部经历了一系列生理生化变化去调整内源激素平衡、完成种胚发育.研究发现,内源激素在银杏种子休眠与萌发过程中起着重要的作用:GA1 3是银杏种胚后熟的关键物质;ZRs对银杏种子生长起重要的促进作用;GA1 3/ABA及ZRs/ABA相对比例的变化对种子发育、胚的后熟及种子萌发均有重要的影响.     

Primary metabolite mobilization and hormonal regulation during seed dormancy release in Cornus japonica var. chinensis

The combination of gibberellin acid (GA) soaking with moist chilling plays a pivotal role in seed dormancy breaking. However, knowledge involving physiological and biochemical mechanisms for such a response is limited. This work focused on the effects of GA₃ and moist chilling on overcoming seed dormancy as well as the response of endogenous hormones and nutrient reserves to dormancy release in Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa var. chinensis). Seeds subjected to GA₃ soaking and moist chilling exhibited a high germination percentage (average 97%), and the combination of 500 mg·L^?1 GA₃ soaking for 3 days followed with moist chilling for 50 days was more effective than other treatments. For GA₃ treatments, lipids were initially hydrolyzed during the first stage of moist chilling (0–20 days), resulting in the increase of starch and soluble sugars, while proteins were kept relatively stable. During the second stage (20–50 days), contents of lipids, starch, soluble sugars, and proteins decreased by 46%, 82%, 61% and 59%, respectively. Abscisic acid (ABA) contents and ratios of ABA to GA₃ in GA₃ treatments decreased by nearly 70% and over 90%, respectively, when dormancy was terminated. However, endogenous GA₃ contents in all treatments significantly increased with prolonged moist chilling. The present results provide insight into the metabolic mechanism involving hormonal regulation and mobilization of reserves during the release of seed dormancy in Chinese dogwood.     

Temperature Relations of Germination in Acer platanoides L. Seeds

The aim of this study was to describe the effect of temperature on the germination response of Acer platanoides L. seeds and the possible influence of dormancy. Moist chilled seeds (fruits) from eight trees were germinated at eight constant temperatures from 3 to 32C for 30 days. The highest germination was obtained at temperatures below 10C and the highest rate of germination was between 22 and 28C. The critical lower temperature for germination was estimated to be -2.6C, and the critical upper temperature between 30 and 35C. Temperatures above 10-15C increasingly inhibited the germination of seeds. Some of the non-germinated seeds were able to germinate after a second chilling period, possibly as a consequence of further release of primary dormancy and an indicated secondary dormancy. Seed survival decreased with increasing temperatures above 15C. The rate of germination was correlated with the accumulated thermal time at suboptimal temperatures. In conclusion, a constant temperature of 10C is recommended for testing the germination of seeds of A . platanoides.     

Effects of moist chilling and solid matrix priming on germination of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seeds

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seeds from sources with a mild climate under maritime influence (North Carolina) required shorter moist chilling to achieve maximum germination vigor than seeds from sources with a harsher continental climate (Oklahoma). Solid matrix priming (SMP) for 6 d achieved as much as 60 d of moist chilling to improve rapidity, synchrony and completeness of germination for three of the four families studied. SMP after moist chilling increased the rapidity, synchrony and completeness of germination. The benefit of SMP was greatest for non-stratified seeds and the benefit decreased with length of moist chilling. In general, delaying planting for one week after SMP had minor effects on germination when seeds were kept in the SMP matrix at 4°C. Delayed planting after SMP can increase germination rapidity and synchrony of seeds that have received long moist chilling and reduce the benefit of SMP in non-moist-chilled seeds.     

Ultrastructural analysis of the loss of desiccation tolerance in germinating Eremanthus erythropappus seeds

Eremanthus erythropappus(DC.)MacLeish is an important forest species native to the Brazilian savanna biome,an environment with well-defined rainy and dry seasons.Its seeds are desiccation tolerant,non-dormant and dispersed at the end of dry season.This exposes them to the first sporadic rains that can trigger germination but the subsequent dry days can compromise survival of the newly germinated seed.This study evaluates if the damages caused by drying of germinating E.erythropappus seeds,at the stage when they have lost desiccation tolerance,are lethal.The percentage of normal seedlings was evaluated when seeds with different imbibition times were dried to their initial water content and then pre-humidified and rehydrated.Desiccation tolerance was fully lost after 0.5 mm of hypocotyl-radicle protrusion(approximately 72 h)when the radicle had root hairs,a possible indicator of sensitivity to desiccation.Disintegration of cell contents and ultrastructural damage to the seeds subjected to drying were observed by electron scanning microscope.Root hairs disappeared after drying,reappearing after pre-humidification,possibly an attempt to increase the surface area of the radicle for water uptake.However,the hypocotylradicle axis became darkened,probably by antioxidant system failure,causing seed death.     

自然脱水过程中七叶树种子生理特性的变化

于 2003 年研究了自然脱水过程中七叶树种子生理特性的变化。结果表明:七叶树种子对脱水高度敏感,为顽拗性种子。种子成熟采收时含水量高达 60.3%,种子在室温下自然干燥 30 天后,含水量下降到 30.2%,此时种子生活力完全丧失。在脱水初期,种子发芽率有所上升,但随后种子发芽率迅速降低。随着含水量的下降,种子浸出液相对电导率上升,但当含水量在 53.7% 到 50.9%之间时,种子浸出液相对电导率出现异常升高。同时种子超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性随脱水时间的延长而下降,只有种子含水量在 53.7% 到 50.9%之间时出现例外。丙二醛(MDA)含量在脱水初期缓慢上升,在含水量下降到低于 50.9%时,丙二醛(MDA)含量快速上升。可溶性糖含量随脱水时间的延长缓慢上升。当种子含水量为 47%–60%时,种子发芽率较高,说明这一含水量区间有利于种子生活力的保持。图 6 参 13。     

Desiccation and storage behavior of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) seeds

The effect of seed moisture content (m.c.) and seed storage conditions of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) was investigated in relation to seed viability. In the first experiment, the effect of drying rate on seed moisture and seed germination was investigated. Fresh seeds, with their original moisture content displayed a germination percentage of 55.1%. When the seed moisture content was reduced by 2.0% in an oven, the germination percentage rose to 81.0%. When the seed moisture content was reduced even more by using the same method, the germination percentages decreased dramatically. Reducing the seed moisture content to 28.7 and 23.5% by drying the seeds in alternating room conditions resulted in an increase of seed germinability to 84.3 and 90.9%, respectively. The drying of the seeds for 45, 60 and 75 days reduced their seed germination to 66.8, 49.4 and 48.0%, respectively. Reducing seed moisture content below 15.0% resulted in practically nullifying seed germinability. The fact that bay laurel seeds cannot retain their germinability at lower moisture contents demonstrates that it is a species with recalcitrant seeds. In the second experiment, moist and dry storage conditions were tested under different temperatures and moisture contents. The storage experiment showed that the most effective way of conserving the bay laurel seeds is moist storage at 0 ± 1°C for 4 months without previous drying of the seeds.