Abstract
(Germinability after desiccation, storage and cryopreservation of seeds from endemic Encholirium Mart. ex Schult. & Schult. f. and Dyckia Schult. & Schult. f. species (Bromeliaceae)). Seed storage procedures require previous determination of optimal temperature and light conditions for germination, as well as of tolerance to desiccation and low temperatures. The aim of this paper was to study the effects of desiccation, storage at low temperatures and cryopreservation on the germinability of seeds of six Encholirium and two Dyckia species, which were selected according to vulnerability criteria. Initial germinability of newly harvested seeds varied from 35 to 95%. Seeds presented photoblastic behaviour since light was necessary to induce or increase germination. Except for E. heloisae and E. scrutor, desiccation did not affect significantly the germinability of tested seeds. Storage for one year at 4 and -20 ºC did not affect the germinability of desiccated seeds, except for E. pedicellatum. Germinability after freezing in liquid nitrogen was higher than or similar to control seeds for all species. However, freezing tolerance of E. pedicellatum seeds was only achieved after desiccation to 2.5% moisture content. As regards tolerance to desiccation and to storage at low temperatures, the seeds studied here can be classified as orthodox and conserved ex situ.
Highlights
Pitcairnioideae is one of the three subfamilies of Bromeliaceae, including 16 genera that are represented in Brazil by two endemic taxa, Dyckia and Encholirium (Forzza & Wanderley 1998)
Seeds of Encholirium reflexum, E. magalhaesii, E. subsecundum, E. scrutor and E. pedicellatum were harvested at Diamantina city and E. heloisae, Dyckia sordida and D. ursina at Serra do Cipó National Park, Espinhaço mountain range, Minas Gerais State, in May and July 2003
No further germination was observed after four weeks and nongerminated seeds were often infected by fungi
Summary
Pitcairnioideae is one of the three subfamilies of Bromeliaceae, including 16 genera that are represented in Brazil by two endemic taxa, Dyckia and Encholirium (Forzza & Wanderley 1998). Great part of the Brazilian species of this subfamily is concentrated in Espinhaço mountain range (Minas Gerais, Brazil), a region characterized by rupestral field vegetation (Forzza & Wanderley 1998), in which the Bromeliaceae family plays an important part. Devastation of habitats by urbanization, many endemic species of Espinhaço mountain range are seriously threatened, requiring protection by conservation programs. The rupestral field vegetation of Espinhaço mountain range has been studied for many years, there is lack of information about seed biology of native species (Madeira & Fernandes 1999)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
