Habitat-related germination behaviour and emergence phenology in the woodland geophyte Anemone ranunculoides L. (Ranunculaceae) from northern Italy

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Mondoni ◽  
Robin Probert ◽  
Graziano Rossi ◽  
Fiona Hay
Keyword(s):  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Temperature Tolerance ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Nylon Mesh ◽  
Morphophysiological Dormancy ◽  
Radicle Emergence ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Germination Behaviour ◽  
Shoot Emergence

AbstractThis study examined whether the restricted habitat preference of the spring-flowering woodland geophyte Anemone ranunculoides L., compared with that of A. nemorosa growing in the same woodlands in northern Italy, could be explained by subtle differences in germination preference and emergence phenology. Immediately after harvest, seeds of A. ranunculoides were either sown on agar in the laboratory under simulated seasonal temperatures or placed in nylon mesh sachets and buried in the wild. Embryos, undifferentiated at the time of seed dispersal, grew during summer in the laboratory and in the wild, culminating in radicle emergence in the autumn, when temperatures fell to c. 15°C. Shoot emergence was delayed under natural conditions until soil temperature had dropped further to c. 10°C. Compared with populations of the closely related Anemone nemorosa L. occupying the same woodland habitat, which have been reported to have non-dormant radicles, A. ranunculoides displayed a narrower temperature tolerance for radicle emergence and high levels of germination were possible only after prolonged exposure to summer conditions, indicating physiological dormancy. However, unlike A. nemorosa, shoot emergence in A. ranunculoides was not dependent on winter temperatures, suggesting weaker epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy. Under a regime of diurnal temperature alternation, simulating the microclimate where there is little plant cover, germination failed almost completely; this could explain the absence of A. ranunculoides in open habitats.

Habitat-correlated seed germination behaviour in populations of wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa L.) from northern Italy

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Mondoni ◽  
Robin Probert ◽  
Graziano Rossi ◽  
Fiona Hay ◽  
Costantino Bonomi
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Mountain Site ◽  
Radicle Emergence ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Shoot Emergence ◽  
Mountain Population

AbstractAlthough various aspects of the biology of Anemone nemorosa have been examined, few studies present data on seed germination, and even then information tends to be rather contradictory. A. nemorosa L. is a spring-flowering, woodland geophyte, widely distributed across much of Europe. Germination phenology, including embryo development and radicle and shoot emergence, were investigated in one mountain and three lowland populations from northern Italy. Immediately after harvest, seeds were either sown on agar in the laboratory under simulated seasonal temperatures, or placed in nylon mesh sachets and buried in the wild. Embryos, undifferentiated at the time of dispersal, grew under summer conditions in the laboratory and in the wild. However, seeds did not germinate under continuous summer conditions. Radicle emergence in the field was first recorded at the beginning of autumn, when soil temperatures had dropped to c. 15°C in the case of the three lowland populations, and to c. 10°C at the mountain site. Shoot emergence was delayed under natural conditions until late autumn/early winter, when soil temperatures had dropped to c. 10°C in the lowlands and c. 6°C at the mountain site. In the laboratory, a period of cold stratification was required for shoot emergence, and this requirement was more pronounced in the mountain population. Seeds of the mountain population completed embryo development, radicle emergence and shoot emergence at cooler temperatures compared with the lowland populations. These results suggest that germination in A. nemorosa is highly adapted and finely tuned to local climate. We conclude that seeds of A. nemorosa display deep, simple epicotyl, morphophysiogical dormancy, and this is the first report of such dormancy for the genus Anemone. However, the continuous development and growth of embryos from the time of natural dispersal, and the lack of evidence of developmental arrest under natural conditions, suggests that radicles are non-dormant.

Morphophysiological epicotyl dormancy in seeds of threePsychotriaspecies from Sri Lanka: first record for Rubiaceae

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasoja S. Athugala ◽  
K.M.G. Jayasuriya ◽  
A.M.T.A. Gunaratne ◽  
Carol C. Baskin
Keyword(s):  
Rainy Season ◽  
First Record ◽  
Physical Dormancy ◽  
Seed Moisture Content ◽  
Seed Desiccation ◽  
Morphophysiological Dormancy ◽  
Seed Moisture ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Radicle Emergence ◽  
Shoot Emergence

AbstractTo increase our knowledge of the diversity of seed dormancy and germination in Rubiaceae, we investigated seed desiccation sensitivity and germination of threePsychotriaspecies. Seeds ofP. gardneri, P. nigraandP. zeylanicagerminated to high percentages at <15% seed moisture content. Intact seeds ofP. zeylanicaandP. nigraimbibed water and thus do not have physical dormancy. More than 50% of the seeds ofP. zeylanica, P. nigraandP. gardneritook 33, 53 and 110 d, respectively, at 25°C for the radicle to emerge, and embryo growth occurred before and after radicle emergence. Thus, seeds have morphophysiological dormancy. Shoot emergence ofP. nigraandP. zeylanicaseeds was delayed 50 and 80 d after radical emergence, respectively; thus, seeds have epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy (eMPD). This is the first report of eMPD in Rubiaceae. Since warm stratification promoted both radicle and shoot emergence in seeds ofP. zeylanicaandP. nigra, the level of eMPD is non-deep simple. Hence, dormancy of the studiedPsychotriaspp. can be described as C1bBb(radicle)–C1bBb(epicotyl), i.e. the embryo is underdeveloped and grows prior to radicle emergence and epicotyl emergence under warm temperatures (Bb), and both the radicle and epicotyl have non-deep simple physiological dormancy broken by warm temperatures (C1b). In twoPsychotriaspecies studied in detail, radicle emergence occurs at the beginning of the rainy season and plumule emergence at the peak rainy season when conditions are most favourable for rapid seedling development.

Post-dispersal embryo growth and acquisition of desiccation tolerance inAnemone nemorosaL. seeds

2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Ali ◽  
Robin Probert ◽  
Fiona Hay ◽  
Hannah Davies ◽  
Wolfgang Stuppy
Keyword(s):  
Desiccation Tolerance ◽  
Seed Storage ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Initial Increase ◽  
Developmental Arrest ◽  
Morphophysiological Dormancy ◽  
Radicle Emergence ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Usual Concept ◽  
Natural Dispersal

AbstractA UK seed conservation collection ofAnemone nemorosaL. seeds held at the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) showed low viability in its first post-storage test. Because achenes ofA. nemorosaare naturally dispersed when they are green, we tested the hypothesis that seeds may not be fully desiccation tolerant and storable at the time of natural dispersal, and that a post-harvest treatment could increase the proportion of desiccation-tolerant seeds. Achenes harvested at the point of natural dispersal in late May in 2003 and 2004 were either placed immediately on 1% water agar at 20°C (‘laboratory’ treatment), or placed in nylon sachets and buried in leaf litter among plants growing in the wild (‘field’ treatment). Samples were withdrawn at intervals over a period of 168 d and tested for desiccation tolerance (drying to 0.059 g H2O (g DW)− 1) and longevity (controlled ageing at 60% relative humidity and 45°C). An initial increase, followed by a decline, in the proportion of seeds surviving desiccation and in the longevity of both laboratory- and field-treated samples coincided with the development of embryos from globular to heart- and then torpedo-shaped. Developmental arrest was not required for the acquisition of desiccation tolerance, and continued growth and development of the embryo resulted in a loss of desiccation tolerance, similar to that seen in orthodox seeds upon radicle emergence. Furthermore, whileA. nemorosaseeds, like many from theRanunculaceaefamily, might be described as having morphological or morphophysiological dormancy, this lack of developmental arrest does not fit with the usual concept of dormancy. The implications of these results for the classification systems of seed-storage behaviour and dormancy, and for the long-term conservation of seeds ofA. nemorosa, are discussed.

Non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy in seeds of Cheirodendron trigynum (Araliaceae) from the montane zone of Hawaii

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol C. Baskin ◽  
Jerry M. Baskin ◽  
Alvin Yoshinaga
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
First Report ◽  
Morphophysiological Dormancy ◽  
Temperature Regimes ◽  
Physiological Dormancy ◽  
Montane Zone ◽  
Radicle Emergence ◽  
Shoot Emergence

AbstractThe Araliaceae is known to have seeds with underdeveloped embryos that must grow prior to radicle emergence, and thus they have morphological (MD) or morphophysiological (MPD) dormancy. Araliaceae is one of about 15 families with woody species in the tropical montane zone, and in Hawaii 15 species occur in the montane. Our purpose was to determine if seeds of the Hawaiian Araliaceae species Cheirodendron trigynum subsp. trigynum have MD or MPD and, if MPD, what level. In a move-along experiment, some seeds were incubated continuously at 15/6, 20/10 or 25/15°C, while others were moved sequentially from low to high or from high to low temperature regimes. Germination percentages and embryo growth were monitored. Also, the effects of cold and warm stratification on dormancy break were determined. Seeds had physiological dormancy (PD) in addition to small embryos that grew prior to germination, and thus MPD. PD was broken slowly ( ≥ 12 weeks), after which embryos grew rapidly, followed by root and shoot emergence. Embryos grew at temperatures suitable for warm stratification; thus, seeds have Type 1 non-deep simple MPD; the dormancy formula is C1bBb. Seeds from Oahu germinated to 94–100% at 15/6, 20/10 and 25/15°C, while those from the Big Island germinated to high percentages only at 15/6 and 20/10°C. Temperature shifts improved germination of seeds from the Big Island, and movement from either low to high or from high to low temperature regimes was effective in promoting germination. This is the first report of non-deep simple MPD in the Araliaceae.

scholarly journals Deep simple morphophysiological dormancy in seeds of the basal taxad Cephalotaxus

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia Ju Yang ◽  
Ching-Te Chien ◽  
Yue Ken Liao ◽  
Shun-Ying Chen ◽  
Jerry M. Baskin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Cold Stratification ◽  
Warm Temperature ◽  
Cold Temperatures ◽  
Morphophysiological Dormancy ◽  
Medicinal Value ◽  
Radicle Emergence ◽  
Mature Seeds ◽  
Shoot Emergence ◽  
Seeds Germination

AbstractAlthough mature seeds of the monogeneric conifer family Cephalotaxaceae sensu stricto have underdeveloped embryos, no definitive studies have been done to classify dormancy in this family. Our primary purpose was to determine the kind of dormancy in seeds of Cephalotaxus wilsoniana and to put the results into a broad phylogenetic context for gymnosperms. The species is of horticultural and medicinal value, and information is needed on how to propagate it efficiently from seeds. Embryo growth and germination were monitored for seeds at warm, cold and warm plus cold temperatures, and germination was monitored for seeds subjected to: (1) cold →  warm →  cold →  warm; and (2) warm →  cold →  warm →  cold →  warm temperature sequences. The effects of gibberellic acids GA3 and GA4 were tested on radicle emergence in ungerminated seeds and on shoot emergence in root-emerged seeds. Germination was promoted by ≥ 36 weeks of warm stratification followed by ≥ 8 weeks of cold stratification, but only if seeds were returned to high temperatures. The underdeveloped embryo must increase in length by >120% before the radicle emerges. Neither GA3 nor GA4 was effective in promoting radicle emergence; however, both plant growth regulators increased rate (but not percentage) of shoot emergence in root-emerged seeds. We conclude that seeds of C. wilsoniana have the deep simple level of morphophysiological dormancy (MPD), C1b-C3-B1b; thus, warm stratification followed by cold stratification and then warm-temperature incubation are required for germination. In gymnosperms, MPD is known in cycads, Ginkgo and now in three families of conifers.

Non-deep complex morphophysiological dormancy in seeds of the Iberian Peninsula endemic geophyteMerendera montana(Colchicaceae)

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Copete ◽  
José M. Herranz ◽  
Miguel A. Copete ◽  
Jerry M. Baskin ◽  
Carol C. Baskin
Keyword(s):  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Cool Temperature ◽  
Full Size ◽  
Morphophysiological Dormancy ◽  
Temperature Requirements ◽  
Radicle Emergence ◽  
Whole Seed ◽  
Incubation Temperatures ◽  
Shoot Emergence ◽  
Embryo Length

AbstractHeretofore, no detailed account was available on seed dormancy and germination of a member of the Colchicaceae (Liliales). Thus, the primary aim of this study was to do an in-depth investigation of the temperature requirements for dormancy break and germination in seeds ofMerendera montana(Colchicaceae) at the embryo and whole-seed levels under near-natural temperatures in a non-heated frame shade-house and under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Mean embryo length in fresh seeds wasc. 0.57 mm and embryos had to grow to at least 1.30 mm before radicle emergence. Embryos grew to full size and seeds completed germination (radicles emerged) when they were stratified at 28/14°C for 60 d followed by a cool temperature for 60 d and then incubated at a cool temperature for 30 d. The optimum cool stratification temperature for dormancy-break was 10°C. Thus, after the moist pretreatment at 28/14°C+10°C, radicle emergence was>93% at all incubation temperatures (5, 15/4 and 20/7°C). In its natural habitat,M. montanaseeds are dispersed in June, the embryo elongates to full size in autumn and radicles emerge from early November to early February. Although the shoot does not emerge until March and April, it is not physiologically dormant. The shoot emerged from 80% of the radicle-emerged seeds in 13 d at 20/7°C without a previous cold pretreatment. Seeds ofM. montanahave non-deep complex morphophysiological dormancy, C1b1aB-C1a. This is the first study on seeds with complex MPD to show a delay in shoot emergence following root emergence despite the shoot being physiologically non-dormant.

scholarly journals Epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy and storage behaviour of seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica, Strychnos potatorum and Strychnos benthamii (Loganiaceae)

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Deshika L. Muthuthanthirige ◽  
W.M.G. Asanga S.T.B. Wijetunga ◽  
K.M.G. Gehan Jayasuriya
Keyword(s):  
Seed Storage ◽  
Test Time ◽  
Seed Length ◽  
Morphophysiological Dormancy ◽  
Radicle Emergence ◽  
Seasonal Habitats ◽  
Strychnos Potatorum ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Shoot Emergence ◽  
Seeds Germination

Abstract We hypothesized that Strychnos nux-vomica and Strychnos potatorum in seasonal tropical ecosystems have dormant desiccation-tolerant seeds, while those of Strychnos benthamii growing in aseasonal wet habitats have non-dormant desiccation-sensitive seeds. Germination, imbibition, the effect of gibberellic acid on germination and changes in the embryo to seed length ratio (E:S) during incubation were determined for the three species. Seed storage behaviour was identified with the hundred seed test. Time taken for epicotyl emergence was recorded. Radicle emergence of S. nux-vomica, S. potatorum and S. benthamii at 25°C under light/dark conditions (12/12 h) was completed within 76, 49 and 11 d, respectively. S. nux-vomica and S. potatorum seeds incubated on GA3 germinated to a higher percentage than non-treated seeds. E:S of S. nux-vomica, S. potatorum and S. benthamii had increased by 38.2, 34.5 and 25.5%, respectively, at radicle emergence. Shoot emergence of S. nux-vomica, S. potatorum and S. benthamii was observed after 76, 74 and 45 d from radicle emergence, respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that the seeds of all three species have epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy. Hundred seed tests revealed that S. nux-vomica and S. potatorum seeds were desiccation-tolerant, while those of S. benthamii were desiccation-sensitive. Our study showed that species from seasonal habitats (S. nux-vomica and S. potatorum) have desiccation-tolerant morphophysiologically dormant seeds, while those from an aseasonal habitat (S. benthamii) have desiccation-sensitive morphophysiologically dormant seeds, revealing that their dormancy and desiccation tolerance behaviour are adaptations to their environment.

9. Monitoring zoonotic diseases in the wild boar (Sus scrofa) population of the Emilia-Romagna Region (Northern Italy)

2014 ◽  
pp. 145-150
Author(s):  
Gianluca Rugna ◽  
Paolo Bonilauri ◽  
Chiara Garbarino ◽  
Elio Licata ◽  
Marco Tamba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wild Boar ◽  
Sus Scrofa ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
Emilia Romagna Region ◽  
In The Wild

Underdeveloped embryos and kinds of dormancy in seeds of two gymnosperms: Podocarpus costalis and Nageia nagi (Podocarpaceae)

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shun-Ying Chen ◽  
Carol C. Baskin ◽  
Jerry M. Baskin ◽  
Ching-Te Chien
Keyword(s):  
Seed Plants ◽  
Cold Stratification ◽  
Morphophysiological Dormancy ◽  
Seed Maturity ◽  
Basal Clade ◽  
Radicle Emergence ◽  
Primitive Condition ◽  
Morphological Dormancy

AbstractAlthough it has been speculated that seeds of the gymnosperm family Podocarpaceae have an underdeveloped embryo, no detailed studies have been done to definitively answer this question. Our purpose was to determine if embryos in seeds of two species of Podocarpaceae, Podocarpus costalis and Nageia nagi, from Taiwan are underdeveloped and to examine the kind of dormancy the seeds have. Embryos in fresh seeds of P. costalis were 4.6 ± 0.5 mm long, and they increased in length by about 54% before radicle emergence (germination), demonstrating that the embryo is underdeveloped at seed maturity. Seeds germinated to >90% at 30/20, 25/15 and 25°C in light in ≤ 4 weeks, without any cold stratification pretreatment. Thus, seeds of P. costalis have morphological dormancy (MD). Embryos in fresh seeds of N. nagi were 7.4 ± 0.8 mm long and they increased in length by about 39% before radicle emergence (germination) occurred, indicating that the embryo is underdeveloped at seed maturity. Seeds germinated to < 25% at 30/20 and 25°C in light in 4 weeks but to >90% at the same temperatures in 12 weeks. Thus, most seeds of N. nagi have morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). Although underdeveloped embryos are considered to be a primitive condition in seed plants, they also occur in the most advanced orders. The occurrence of underdeveloped embryos in Podocarpaceae documents that they are not restricted to a basal clade in gymnosperms.

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