Abstract
Seed germination is the basis for the proliferation of sexual-reproducing plants, efficient crop production, and a successful crop improvement research program. Cotton (Gossypium spp.), the subject of this review, can be often sensitive to germination conditions. The hardness of the cotton seed coat, storage, extreme temperatures, and dormancy are some of the factors that can influence cotton seed germination. Research programs conducting studies on exotic and wild cotton species are especially affected by those hurdles. Here, we briefly review the challenges of cotton seed germination and some of the approaches our cotton breeding program explored throughout the years.
Highlights
From requests for germinating exotic cotton species seeds for botanical illustrations to germinating heritage seeds from wild cotton plants found in an abandoned cattle ranch on a Caribbean Island, our lab have seen and tried unusual methods to germinate cotton seed from all over the world
This paper will focus on cotton seed germination challenges in the context of small-scale research
In greenhouse studies when different cotton species and seed sources are often used, it is important to consider that standardizing water treatments may result in variable seed germination responses
Summary
From requests for germinating exotic cotton species seeds for botanical illustrations to germinating heritage seeds from wild cotton plants found in an abandoned cattle ranch on a Caribbean Island, our lab have seen and tried unusual methods to germinate cotton seed from all over the world. This is a compilation of our experiences and methodologies to germinate cotton seeds. One of the major survival adaptations of seeds is dormancy This phenomenon allows the seed to delay and coordinate germination according to environmental conditions and it is essential to the conservation and proliferation of a species [2,3,4,5]. Often referred to as physical dormancy, hard seeds are water impermeable and prevent gas exchange and water uptake by the embryo [8,9]
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