Seed dormancy in bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.)

The germination of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) seeds wasexamined both in the laboratory and in the field during twoyears. Seeds were collected from a grove in a garden in the townof Drama, Northern Greece, by mid November in the first year andby late November in the second year. The seeds with and withoutpericarp were given a warm-moist (20 °C day/12 °C night) oncold-moist (4±1 °C) treatment in peat or sand. After treatment theseeds were placed in the germinator along with controls. Thegermination of seeds with and without pericarp was alsoinvestigated in the field (late fall sowing). It was found thatthe pericarp caused dormancy. In seeds without pericarp,cold-moist and warm-moist stratification both proved to besuccessful in breaking embryo dormancy (100% and 96% successrespectively). The required stratification duration was 50 daysfor the warm-moist and 60 days for the cold-moist treatments.During the cold-moist stratification no germination was observed.On the other hand, seeds started to germinate during thewarm-moist stratification by about the 50th day. In the fallsowing germination was 20% for seeds with pericarp and 41% for seeds without pericarp. Drying bay laurel seeds caused areduction of the seed germination.     

Storage of non-dormant seeds of Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl

The effects of drying and storage on the quality of Fraxinus angustifolia non-dormant seeds have been investigated. Mature seeds subjected to a 2-week warm stratification (20 °C) followed by a 2-week cold stratification (3 °C), were exposed to a gentle air stream at room temperature to dry them to 9.5% moisture content. After 4, 8 and 12 months of storage at –3 °C, in hermetically sealed containers, germination tests were conducted in darkness at 30/20 °C and 25/5 °C to evaluate possible changes in seed quality. The results obtained suggest the feasibility of drying non-dormant seeds. In fact, though causing a slight decrease in seed quality, such a process enables storage of ready to sow seeds for at least 12 months without any further loss. The temperature regime of 30/20 °C, prescribed by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), was found to be suboptimal for the particular conditions tested in this trial, the 25/5 °C cycle being more stimulating for germination.     

Promotion of germination of coniferous seeds by snow stratification combined with dehydration-rehydration treatment

Five chemical and four non-chemical presowing treatments were tested on seeds of three conifers (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr, Pinus sylvestris L. var. mongolica Litv, and Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.). By itself, cold stratification with snow for 60 days did not significantly improve the germination percentage over that of soaking the seed in warm water (45 °C) for 12 hours. However, including either one or two dehydration-rehydration cycles after the cold stratification did improve both the percentage and speed of germination of seed from all three species. Soaking seed for 12 hours in various chemicals (KNO₃, CaCl₂, CuSO₄, KMnO₄ and GA₃) before germination was less effective than the snow stratification followed by double dehydration-rehydration treatments (Chang and Lin, 1989).     

Variations in seed germination of Hippophae salicifolia with different presoaking treatments

Mature seeds of H. salicifolia, collected from five provenances (i.e. Hanuman Chatti, Helang, Lata, Rambara and Janggal Chatti) in west Himalaya, India, were treated with stratification (at 4°C for 15, 30 and 60 days) and in different concentrations of GA₃ (5, 10, 20 mM), KNO₃ (50, 100, 200 mM) and Thiourea (50, 100, 200 mM) solution to determine the variations in seed germination. Results reveal that the germination rates of seeds from different provenances under different pre-sowing treatments are significantly increased compared to those in control (24%–30%). The seeds treated with Thiourea (100 mM) have highest germination rate (76%–83% for different seed sources), followed by those (63%–71% for different seed sources) pretreated with stratification (4°C, 30 days). GA3 treatment significantly shortens the mean germination time (MGT) and improves seed germination percentage. Considering the practical applicability and cost effectiveness, thiourea (100 mM) and stratification (at 4°C) treatments for seed germination are recommended for mass multiplication through seeds of H. salicifolia in village/forest nurseries of the west Himalaya, India.     

Effects of variation in seed sources and pre-sowing treatments on seed germination of Tamarindus indica: a multi-purpose tree species in Bangladesh

We investigated the morphology and germination of Tamarindus indica seeds in order to discover the effects of variation in seed sources and pre-sowing treatments on germination. The experiment was carried out in the nursery of the Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh. Seeds were collected from different but healthy trees from various locations in Bangladesh and subjected to four pre-sowing treatments, i.e., control, immersion in cold water (4°C for 24 h), immersion in hot water (80°C for 10 min) and scarification with sand paper. Seed germination was carried out in poly-bags with a mixture of topsoil and cow dung in the ratio of 3:1. The average length of the fresh seeds was 1.35±0.26 cm, their width 1.07 ±0.20 cm and thickness 0.69±0.11 cm. The results revealed that pre-sowing treatments affected the germination process of seeds, which significantly increased the germination percentage with the cold water (81.67%) and scarification with sand paper (82.33%) treatments, compared with those in the control (58.33%) and hot water treatment (59.00%). In all treatments germination started on average within 5 to 7 days after the start of the treatments and were completed from 13 to 19 days later. The greatest success in germination (82.33%) was found in scarification with sand paper, followed with 81.67% in the cold water treatment. The results of analyses of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences (p<0.05) in germination closing dates, seed germination periods and germination percentages among the treatments but no significant difference among seed sources. However, the effect of the interaction between seed source variation and pre-treatment differed significantly in seed germination closing dates and germination percentages. We recommend cold water treatment (submersion of seed at a temperature of 4°C for a 24-h period) for seed germination of T. indica in rural Bangladesh.     

不同浸种处理对柳叶沙棘种子萌发变异性影响(英文)

为了确定不同浸种处理对柳叶沙棘种子萌发变异性影响,印度西部五个种源(Hanurnan Chatti,Helang,Lata,Rambara和Janggal Chatti)的成熟的柳叶沙棘种子分别浸在不同浓度的赤霉素(GA3,50、100、200mM)和硫代尿素(50、100、200mM))溶液中,进行冷层积(4℃)处理15,30和60天。结果表明:被预处理的种子萌发率比对照的提高24.66%～35.34%。经硫代尿素(100mM)和冷层积(4℃)处理30天的预处理后,种子萌发率最高,分别为63%～71%和76%～83%。赤霉素(GA3)可以明显缩短种子萌发率时间。鉴于考虑到实际操作和费用问题,经硫代尿素(100mM)和冷层积处理(4℃)是最好的组合处理之一,可促进柳叶沙棘种子繁殖,并可应用于印度西部的喜马拉雅地区的林木育种。     

The influence of heat and mechanical scarification on the germination capacity of Quercus pyrenaica seeds

The germination capacity of Quercus pyrenaica seeds subjected to different temperatures (60°C, 100°C and 150°C for 1 and 5 minutes) and mechanical scarification was studied. Germination increased after mechanical scarification and heat treatment at 60°C for 1 minute. Germination percentages for the rest of the treatments were lower than those for the control, but statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were only observed between 150°C for 5 minutes and the other treatments (except for 150°C for 1 minute). These results show that seed germination of Quercus pyrenaica would not be affected by soil temperatures reached during a low intensity fire or by the action of agents which can mechanically damage the external coat.     

浸泡和冷预处理对喜马拉雅长叶松不同种源种子萌发的作用

对喜马拉雅长叶松种子进行24小时GA3和H2O2浸泡预处理和15d的2-3℃低温预处理后,研究了在20℃,25℃和30℃萌发条件下,21个不同种源的喜马拉雅长叶松种子的萌发情况。结果表明,H2O2（1%v/v）和GA3（10mg/L）浸泡预处理,种子萌发率分别是82.39%和78.19%,而未经预处理的种子平均萌发率为70.79%。GA3和H2O2浸泡预处理分别使种子萌发时间缩短了8d和10d。在超过21天的20℃萌发条件下,湿冷处理提高了种子萌发率和缩短了萌发时间 而在25℃和30℃萌发条件下,总的萌发率未受到影响。喜马拉雅长叶松种子因缺少休眠而表现出很好的萌发,但是因为越来越多的造林项目需要大量的种子,播种预处理有利于提高种子萌发率和萌发速率,有助于满足种子需求。     

Predispersal seed predation in Acacia macrostachya,its impact on seed viability,and germination responses to scarification and dry heat treatments

Predispersal seed predation among individual Acacia macrostachya trees over two sites in Burkina Faso was assessed. In addition, the effects of seed predation on seed viability; germination responses to scarification (mechanical, hot water at 60, 70 and 80°C, and sulphuric acid for 10, 20 and 30 min) and dry heat (at 60, 70 and 80°C for 15, 30 and 60 min each) treatments were investigated under laboratory conditions. The results indicated a large difference in predation intensity among individual trees, as well as between sites. Predispersal predation significantly decreased seed germination, particularly when the number of insect larvae per seed increased. Scarified and unscarified seeds germinated equally well, except for hot water treatments of high temperature. This indicates lack of physical dormancy and dispersed seeds can readily germinate provided that conditions for germination are conducive. Seeds exposed to dry heat treatments also germinated close to 97% under low intensity and short exposure times. This suggests that fire, under natural condition, plays a key role in triggering germination of A. macrostachya seeds.     

濒危树种极东锦鸡儿(Caragana fruticosa)种子的萌发特性

以濒危树种极东锦鸡儿成熟种子为材料,研究极东锦鸡儿种子物理性状和温度对其种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:极东锦鸡儿种荚结实率较低,且约有1/4种子受虫害;成熟种子含水量为6.6%,千粒重18.6 g。种子长、宽和厚存在一定变异。种子长度平均为0.42 cm,宽度平均为0.27 cm,厚度平均为0.24 cm,长宽比为0.64。种皮透水性良好。不同温度条件对种子发芽率具有极显著影响。25℃条件下种子发芽率最高,为38.33%。随着温度的升高或降低,种子发芽率降低。发芽试验的第八天是计算种子发芽势的适宜时期。不同温度条件对极东锦鸡儿幼苗高度的影响极显著,对胚根长度影响显著。25℃有利于幼苗高度和胚根长度的增加,较高温度(30℃)有利于幼苗生物量增加。     

Effects of osmopriming and hydropriming on vigour and germination of China aster (Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees.) seeds

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of osmopriming and different hydropriming treatments on the vigour and germination of China aster (Callistephus chinensis) seeds. Seed vigour and germination tests were conducted at 10, 20 and 30°C in darkness for untreated, osmoprimed and hydroprimed seeds. The following parameters and categories of seeds and seedlings were evaluated: the mean germination time (MGT), T10, T50, U75–25, U90–10, the percentage of germinating seeds (Gmax), germination capacity, percentage of abnormal seedlings and dead seeds. The results showed that osmopriming accelerated seed germination to the largest extent and improved the uniformity of germination at 10 and 30°C. Among the hydropriming treatments the highest speed of germination was observed for seeds hydrated in 500 μL of water per 1 g of seeds for 48 h at 15°C. This treatment accelerated seed germination at 10°C compared with the control. Osmopriming increased seed germination capacity at 30°C. None of the applied hydropriming treatments improved this parameter.     

Effects of artificial environmental conditions on anatomical and physiological ripening of Pinus sylvestris L. seeds

To determine suitable conditions for artificial ripening of Scots pine seeds, cones collected on seven occasions between August 6 and November 26, 1990, in northern Sweden, were subjected to artificial ripening at different temperatures (+5°–+15°C) and cone moisture contents for 3–9 weeks. Complete physiological ripening and improved seed vigour were attained after artificial ripening if collection occurred no earlier than the beginning of September. The highest germination percentage after artificial ripening, ca 90%, was achieved for seeds collected after the anatomical ripening in nature had ceased and was at least as high as for seeds ripened in nature. Temperature did not influence ripening, whereas a low cone moisture content impaired ripening of those seeds collected earliest. The germination percentage was not influenced by 2–6 months of cone storage subsequent to artificial ripening, but seed vigour was impaired. Anatomical ripening during artificial ripening was very limited.     

The effect of different pre-sowing seed treatments, temperature and light on the germination of five Senna species from Ethiopia

The germination requirements of five Senna species: S. bicapsularis, S. didymobotrya, S. multiglandulosa, S. occidentalis and S. septemtrionalis have been investigated. Seeds possess dormancy which is caused by their hard seed coats hampering maximum, uniform and rapid germination. To overcome this dormancy, seeds of the five species were pre-treated with (a) mechanical scarification, (b) concentrated sulphuric acid for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes and (c) boiling water for 15, 30, 45 and 60 seconds. To determine the effects of temperature on the germination of seeds, pre-treated seeds from each species were incubated at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Germination was also tested in the dark. Both acid treatment and mechanical scarification resulted in fast and uniform germination. The highest germination (95–100%) for all species was obtained from seeds treated with sulphuric acid for 60 minutes. Mechanical scarification resulted in 100% germination in all the species except S. septemtrionalis (59%). Boiling water improved germination significantly in S. didymobotrya (98%), S. occidentalis (82%) and S. septemtrionalis (97%), but had very little effect on S. multiglandulosa and reduced germination in S. bicapsularis. Senna seeds germinated over a wide range of temperatures with the optimum temperatures for germination falling around 20–25°C. Germination was either completely inhibited or very low at 10°C. Seeds of all species germinated both in light and dark conditions.     

Longevity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juniperus procera</Emphasis> seed lots under different storage conditions: implications for ex situ conservation in seed banks

Juniperus procera Endl. is economically important timber species, but its populations are extremely small and fragmented in its natural habitat, thus, calling for immediate ex situ conservation. Here we examined the effects of seed sources and storage temperature on the longevity of Juniperus procera seed lots through collection and preservation of seeds in seed banks. Seeds were collected from nine sites across the species natural distribution in Ethiopia and stored in four warehouses: modern cold room (5℃), mud house (15℃), concrete block house (17℃ or corrugated iron house (20℃) for 42 months. Every three months, a random sample of stored seeds were drawn and tested for germination. A highly significant variation (p < 0.01) in germination of stored seeds was observed among different storage environments, seed lots, and duration of storage. Over the storage period, seeds stored in the cold room had the highest mean percentage germination, followed by the mud house, corrugated house and blocket house. The cold room (41%) and the mud house (38%) maintained the same level of germination as the intitial germination of the seedlotds (42%). The variation in longevity of stored seeds was significnatly correlated with the initial germination of seed lots (r > 0.80; p < 0.01). Cold storage also resulted in enhancement of germination through its stratification effect that terminated the non-deepphysiological dormancy of juniper seeds. In conclusion, seed lots with good initial germination can be effectively stored in cold room (5℃) up to four years. In the absence of modern cold stores, mud houses can be used as a good alternative to store seeds at local level.     

白藓种子不同处理方法对出苗率的影响

以白藓种子为材料,采用不同处理方法进行播种试验,研究其对出苗率的影响,结果表明,以细河沙(含水率60%)与种子按31比例均匀混拌后在贮藏室内进行层积处理的出苗率最高,达到了95%以上,沙藏层积处理是打破种子休眠促进萌发的适宜方法。     

油松种子最佳低温层积时间的探究

不同时间的低温层积对打破油松种子休眠、促进发芽的效果不同。通过发芽试验,结果表明,低温层积时间不足4周,种子的发芽率、发芽势、平均发芽速度均不及低温层积4周的,低温层积时间超过4周的种子,其发芽势、发芽率都会降低,4周是油松种子最适的低温层积时间。     

Applying the IDS method to remove seeds infested with the seed chalcid,Megastigmus spermotrophus Wachtl,in Douglas-fir,Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco

Douglas-fir seedlots were treated with the Incubation Drying Separation (IDS) method to test whether seeds infested with the seed chalcid, Megastigmus spermotrophus Wachtl, could be separated from non-infested seeds. Seeds were soaked in distilled water for 24 h, drained, placed in plastic bags and incubated at 15 °C for 3 days. The seeds were dried for either 0.5, 1, or 2 h at 25 °C, and then separated into floaters and sinkers in a water column. An average of 97% of the infested seed floated. The drying period did not affect the separation of infested seeds but significantly fewer sound seeds floated in the seedlots dried for 0.5 h than those dried for 1 h. Germination capacity of IDS-treated seeds did not differ from that of untreated seeds but the germination rate was significantly faster for IDS-treated seeds when all lots were stratified.     

Germination traits and adaptive regeneration strategies of the threeCarpinus species

Germination tests in the three sympatricCarpinus species,C. laxiflora, C. tshonoskii, andC. cordata, were carried out to clarify their germination traits in relation to the regeneration strategies. Seeds did not germinate just after ripening under any conditions in the three species. After one or two rounds of cold stratification, however,C. laxiflora andC. tshonoskii showed high germination percentages (>80%) at alternating temperature in light whileC. cordata did not. After a long-term (10 months) cold stratification, about 100% ofC. cordata seeds germinated, although about 70% of these seeds were in “conditional dormancy” and cannot germinate in the dark. Seed germination in the threeCarpinus species was enhanced by alternating temperature, but not by light exposure. These results suggest that the seeds of the three species are dormant just after ripening and the dormancy is broken by cold stratification. with intra-generic variations in the breakage. Germination traits in each species may be closely related to the regeneration strategy;C. cordata maintains a persistent seed bank with seed dormancy and regenerates after disturbances as a seed bank strategist, whereas the other two species germinate in the next spring after seedfall and regenerate depending either on existing disturbed-sites or sites of recent disturbances after seedling establishment as a seed rain strategist (C. tschonoskii) or seedling bank strategist (C. laxiflora). This study was supported by grants from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (BCP-97-III-A).     

Overcoming seed dormancy of mooseer (Allium hirtifolium) through cold stratification, gibberellic acid, and acid scarification

Mooseer(Allium hirtifolium Boiss.) is bulbous perennial herb widely used in pharmaceutical and food industry in Iran.We studied germination of mooseer seeds in two separate experiments.In the first experiment,we evaluated four treatments:sulfuric acid scarification,sandpaper scarification,cold stratification,and gibberellic acid(GA 3) application.In the second experiment,we evaluated combinations of these treatments.All treatments in the first experiment had no effect on seed germination,suggesting that mooseer seeds have physical and physiological dormancy.In the second experiment,the highest germination percentage(86.6%) was observed after five minutes scarification with sulfuric acid(75% v/v),followed by 60 days of cold stratification.Duration of sulfuric acid scarification(5,10,and 20 min) did not affect germination rates,but increasing duration of cold stratification(from 15 to 60 days),increased germination from 28.3% to 86.6%.Our study showed that mooseer seeds have both physical and physiological dormancy.     

肉桂种子水洗催芽的技术及效果

为了解决肉桂种子传统沙藏催芽法发芽率低、发芽不整齐的问题,进行了水洗催芽法和沙藏催芽法试验。结果表明,两种方法的发芽率、发芽势及发芽速度均达到显著差异,水洗催芽处理的发芽率95．28％、发芽势57．63％、发芽速度12．70d,比沙藏处理分别提高25．18,5．40个百分点和提前16．47d,水洗催芽法能有效促进肉桂种子发芽率,发芽速度快,发芽整齐,并利于育苗的田间管理,降低育苗成本。