Germination of Eucalyptus sieberi, L. Johnson seeds. I. Response to substrate and atmospheric moisture

Consistent germination of Eucalyptus sieberi L. Johnson seeds required a low vapor pressure deficit (< 5 x 10(-6) MPa) and a high matric water potential (> -5 x 10(-3) MPa). Eucalyptus sieberi seeds, under moist but less favorable conditions, were unable to germinate but underwent changes that enabled them to germinate more rapidly when suitable conditions occurred. Such pregerminative development was interrupted but not reversed by a dry period as long as eight months. This may explain how seeds of this species germinate successfully on the surface of exposed seedbeds subject to intermittent drying.     

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.     

Adaptations to intermittent drying in germinating Eucalyptus sieberi L. Johnson seeds and young seedlings

Before Eucalyptus sieberi L. Johnson seeds germinate, the protein reserves in a small group of cells in the collet are mobilized and the cells swell sufficiently to break the seed coat allowing further water uptake. If the seedling is desiccated at this stage, the embryo remains viable and when the seed is rewetted reserves are mobilized in the cells immediately behind those which expanded initially. Mobilization of reserves and subsequent cell elongation occur sequentially along the hypocotyl after successive dry periods until the reserves are exhausted. Early in the sequence, the distal end of the hypocotyl extends and is positively geotropic, whereas at the end of the sequence the proximal end of the hypocotyl extends and is negatively geotropic, raising the cotyledons rapidly. If the radicle is destroyed or unable to elongate, it is replaced by two adventitious roots, one below the petiole of each cotyledon. Indole acetic acid and sucrose can substitute for the cotyledons in the production of adventitious roots.     

Seed Development, Maturation and Storage Behaviour of Mimusops elengi L.

Mass maturity (end of the seed-filling phase) occurred at about 72 days after flowering (DAF) in developing seeds of Mimusops elengi, at which time seed moisture content had declined to about 55%. The onset of ability to germinate was detected at 56 DAF and seeds showed 98% germination by 84 DAF. Tolerance of desiccation to 10% moisture content was first detected at 70 DAF and was maximal by 84 DAF. Delaying collection by a further 14 days to 98 DAF, when fruits began to be shed, reduced seed viability, particularly for seeds first dried to 10% moisture content. Hence the best time for seed collection appears to be about 14 days before fruits shed. In a separate investigation with six different seed lots, desiccation below about 8–12% moisture content reduced viability (considerably in some lots). The viability of dry seeds (below about 10% moisture content) stored hermetically was reduced at cool temperatures (5 °C and below), and none survived storage at sub-zero temperatures. The results suggest that Mimusops elengi shows intermediate seed storage behaviour and that the optimal hermetic seed storage environment is about 10% moisture content at 10 °C, while short-term, moist, aerated storage at high (40%) moisture content is also feasible.     

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.     

预处理对巴西盾柱木种子吸涨、活力测试及其加速老化的影响

对巴西盾柱木(Peltophorum dubium)种子进行了4种处理的吸胀实验,即将种子分别置于10℃和27℃下0.2% Captan溶液中和-1.0MPa的PEG6000溶液中,每个处理有四个重复,40粒种子,置于培养皿中浸满实验溶液的双层过滤纸上,覆以透气良好的薄膜.种子在实验前均用98%的浓硫酸处理15分钟以打破机械休眠.吸胀曲线显示,种子在吸胀过程中最终重量的增加值为70%-150%,以后进入一个停滞期.在5种处理下(对照组,PEG6000溶液中10℃和27℃下预处理,Captan溶液中10℃和27℃下预处理),对种子萌发所受到的影响进行了实验.每一个处理分别进行3个次级处理,即在实验前,将种子用蒸馏水分别浸泡12、24和36小时.萌发率最高的是经过蒸馏水浸泡12小时对照组种子和PEG 27℃组的种子,萌发率达到100%;萌发率最低的是蒸馏水中浸泡36小时的PEG 27℃组的种子,萌发率为52%;经过蒸馏水浸泡24小时的PEG 10℃组种子的平均萌发时间为1.08天.蒸馏水中浸泡12小时的PEG 27℃组种子平均萌发时间为2.42天,其它处理的萌发时间值介于两者之间.对预处理和未经预处理种子通过加速老化实验,对其活力和生存力进行了测试.经72小时加速老化,种子萌发率低或没有萌发力.对照组种子在培养皿(27℃)和室温条件下蛭石中的萌发率都比处理组高,表现了对老化更强的抗性.     

Effects of priming treatments on germination and biochemicalcharacteristics of Pinus bungeana seeds

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of seed priming on the germination and physiology of Pinus bungeana seeds.Seeds were treated by hydropriming with distilled water,halopriming with potassium nitrate (KNO 3) at 0.3,0.6,1.2 MPa respectively (untreated dry seeds were taken as control).Properties of seed germination and physiology were determined and the effect of hydro-and halopriming on germination and physiology of P.bungeana seeds were investigated.The results showed that,compared with control,each priming treatment had increased the germination percentage (GP) and germination index (GI),shortened the mean germination time (MGT) and the time required for 50% of the seeds to germinate (G 50).Primed P.bungeana seeds significantly decreased the relative conductivity and the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA).Of all the treatments applied to seeds of P.bungeana,halopriming at 0.3 MPa KNO 3 produced the highest GP (65.0%) and the shortest MGT (18.8 d) and G 50 (18.2 d).     

Restoring dry Afromontane forest using bird and nurse plant effects: Direct sowing of Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata seeds

To identify the perspectives of seed sowing for reforestation of degraded dry Afromontane savanna in exclosures in northern Ethiopia, seeds of a fleshy-fruited, secondary climax tree, Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata, were placed under two pioneer shrub species (Euclea racemosa and Acacia etbaica) and in open microhabitats. Seed removal and germination rates were examined. The effects of bird ingestion, manual pulp removal and mechanical endocarp treatments on germination rates were also studied.

Pulp removal promoted seed germination, in particular in seeds without endocarp manipulation. Seed removal, presumably by rodents, was concentrated in narrow strips along linear soil conservation structures, and not different between shrubs and open microhabitats. In the absence of water stress, humus types did not have a significant effect on germination rates. Under field conditions however, germination was higher under Euclea canopies. The observed facilitative effect of Euclea shrubs on germination may be attributed to moisture retention effects, related to the deep humus layer and canopy architecture, preventing desiccation and promoting imbibition of seeds. When readily available Olea seeds are not used for seedling production, direct sowing of seeds in the humus under dense Euclea shrubs could offer a cheap complement to planting of nursery-raised seedlings for forest restoration projects in recovering Afromontane savanna.     

Effects of logging, liana tangles and pasture on seed fate of dry forest tree species in Central Brazil

We assessed seed fate of six tree species in a seasonally deciduous forest of Central Brazil. Seed germination, predation, removal and death caused by pathogens or dessication were followed in an undisturbed forest site, a logged forest site, and an active pasture. In both forest types we sowed seeds under patches of liana tangles (Low Forest habitat) and under patches of mature forest (High Forest habitat). Seeds were monitored weekly for up to 8 months. Overall, small-seeded species (Astronium fraxinifolium and Tabebuia impetiginosa) had high germination, although germination was lower in the pasture due to insect predation. The hard-coated seeds of Erythrina sp. had higher germination rates in the pasture. The large-seeded Cavanillesia arborea and Swartzia multijuga had high seed removal (ca. 90%) in the pasture and under High Forest, but only 23–34% under Low Forest in the logged site. Lower removal of large seeds in Low Forest suggests that this habitat conceals the seeds and constrains the movement of large mammals. Both species were favored in Low Forest, suggesting that caution should be used when managing lianas. When protected from predation, seeds with a soft coat and high water content, such as the seeds of Eugenia dysenterica and S. multijuga, died from desiccation in the pasture. Restoration efforts must take into consideration high mortality caused by desiccation or insect predation in abandoned pastures of dry forests.     

耐旱植物南岭荛花种子繁殖生物特性研究

试验研究了南岭荛花种子品质及温度对种子发芽的影响,结果表明,南岭荛花种子的含水量11.71%;种子净度为98.89%,种子千粒重为14.163 g。南岭荛花种子发芽的生物学特性主要表现在以下几个方面：①种子成熟时间在8～10月,②温度是影响种子发芽的主要因素,温度26℃种子发芽,种子发芽的最适温度为27.5℃。③种子发芽前不需要经过冬季休眠或低温过程。④种子发芽率不高,仅为8.4%。     

任豆种子发芽对干旱胁迫的响应

为研究任豆种子的耐旱特性,配置不同浓度的聚乙二醇模拟干旱亏缺环境,对任豆种子萌芽进行干旱胁迫。结果表明,任豆种子萌发的水势范围是0~(-0.60)MPa,随着干旱胁迫加剧,种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、芽长和活力指数呈明显下降的趋势;当水势为-0.86 MPa时,种子便不能发芽。干旱胁迫对任豆种子发芽的影响较大。     

Freezing tolerance of conifer seeds and germinants

Survival after freezing was measured for seeds and germinants of four seedlots each of interior spruce (Picea glauca x engelmannii complex), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Donn). Effects of eight seed treatments on post-freezing survival of seeds and germinants were tested: dry, imbibed and stratified seed, and seed placed in a growth chamber for 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 days in a 16-h photoperiod and a 22/17 degrees C thermoperiod. Survival was related to the water content of seeds and germinants, germination rate and seedlot origin. After freezing for 3 h at -196 degrees C, dry seed of most seedlots of interior spruce, Douglas-fir and western red cedar had 84-96% germination, whereas lodgepole pine seedlots had 53-82% germination. Freezing tolerance declined significantly after imbibition in lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir and interior spruce seed (western red cedar was not tested), and mean LT50 of imbibed seed of these species was -30, -24.5 and -20 degrees C, respectively. Freezing tolerance continued to decline to a minimum LT50 of -4 to -7 degrees C after 10 days in a growth chamber for interior spruce, Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine, or after 15 days for western red cedar. Minimum freezing tolerance was reached at the stage of rapid hypocotyl elongation. In all species, a slight increase in freezing tolerance of germinants was observed once cotyledons emerged from the seed coat. The decrease in freezing tolerance during the transition from dry to germinating seed correlated with increases in seed water content. Changes in freezing tolerance between 10 and 30 days in the growth chamber were not correlated with seedling water content. Within a species, seedlots differed significantly in freezing tolerance after 2 or 5 days in the growth chamber. Because all seedlots of interior spruce and lodgepole pine germinated quickly, there was no correlation between seedlot hardiness and rate of germination. Germination rate and freezing tolerance of Douglas-fir and western red cedar seedlots was negatively correlated. There was a significant correlation between LT50 after 10 days in the growth chamber and minimum spring temperature at the location of seedlot origin for interior spruce and three seedlots of western red cedar, but no relationship was apparent for lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir.     

果翅、盐分及干旱胁迫对白梭梭种子萌发的影响

从生态学角度研究了果翅、温度、盐分和干旱胁迫等因素对白梭梭种子萌发的影响,结果表明:去除种翅能显著促进种子萌发,无翅种子比有翅种子萌发速率快(P<0.05),提早1 d达最高萌发率。变温条件有利于种子萌发。白梭梭种了萌发率随着NaCl浓度增加而降低,但在0.9 mol.L-1的浓度中仍有2%的种子萌发;将未萌发的种子移至蒸馏水中后,部分种子可以萌发,在较低浓度盐溶液(0.05～0.6 mol.L-1)中培养的种子其萌发恢复率低,而高浓度(0.7～1.0 mol.L-1)中培养的种子其萌发恢复率高。在较低程度的干旱胁迫下,白梭梭种子迅速萌发,而较高程度的干旱胁迫下种子萌发受抑制,在PEG浓度50%时不萌发;同等干旱胁迫程度下,无翅种子比有翅种子萌发率高。     

Induction of tolerance to desiccation and cryopreservation in silver maple (Acer saccharinum) embryonic axes

Twenty percent of of the world's flowering plants produce recalcitrant seeds (i.e., seeds that cannot withstand drying or freezing). We investigated whether the embryonic axis from the normally recalcitrant seeds of silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) can be made tolerant to desiccation (10% water content) and low temperature (-196 degrees C, cryopreservation) by pretreatment with ABA or the compound tetcyclacis, which enhances endogenous ABA concentrations. Pretreatment of axes with both ABA and tetcyclacis increased germination after desiccation and freezing to 55% from a control value of zero. Pretreatment of axes with ABA and tetcyclacis increased the ABA content of the axes, as measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay, and stimulated the synthesis of storage and dehydrin-like proteins, believed to have a role in the desiccation tolerance of orthodox seeds.     

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.     

Germination ecology of twelve indigenous and eight exotic multipurpose leguminous species from Ethiopia

The germination requirements of seeds of 20 leguminous species were studied in three experiments. In the first experiment, seeds were subjected to mechanical scarification, sulphuric acid and boiling water treatments. In the second experiment, they were treated with dry heat at 60, 80 and 100°C. In the third experiment, seeds were placed at different temperature regimes (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C) on a thermogradient. Sulphuric acid treatment improved germination in all the species while mechanical scarification improved germination in 18 out of 20 species. Boiling water treatment improved germination in 15 species but proved to be lethal to five species. Similarly, germination was significantly improved in 11 out of 16 species treated with dry heat. Germination was faster and higher at both 25°C and 30°C and the optimum temperature for germination was between 20°C and 30°C for all the species. Mechanical scarification, sulphuric acid and boiling water treatments as well as dry heat were effective to overcome seed coat imposed dormancy in the species studied. It was not possible to recommend a treatment which is equally effective for all the species. However, boiling water is a practical method for achieving rapid, uniform and high germination except in five of the species for which it proved to be lethal. In the latter case, either mechanical scarification or sulphuric acid treatment should be used. Seeds of Millettia ferruginea should be sown when they are fresh to get high germination as they tend to lose their viability during storage. Results from the present study show that once the dormancy in leguminous species with hard seed coats is broken, the seeds germinate in wide ranges of temperature.     

Effect of artificially accelerated aging on the vigor of Metasequoia glyptostroboides seeds

Metasequoia glyptostroboides is an endangered relict plant native to China that has been widely introduced into many countries and areas around the world. However,its seeds germinate at a very low percentage. Consequently,population regeneration by seed is low under natural conditions, which probably contributes to the endangered status of this plant species. The present study aimed to describe the aging mechanism of M. glyptostroboides seeds. Our objective was to elucidate causes of the low germination rate in an effort to enhance potential for conservation of the species. We used germination tests,relative electrical conductivity and malondialdehyde content determination, ultrastructural observation of embryo cells, and analysis of superoxide dismutase, catalase,ascorbate peroxidase, and dehydroascorbate reductase activities during accelerated aging treatment. We found that M. glyptostroboides seeds have a low level of vigorand poor ability to maintain vigor, which is probably associated with the inefficiency of its enzymatic antioxidative system.     

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.     

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.     

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。