Differences In Germination Capacity Research Articles

Provenance influences seed germination and phenotypic responses to water restriction in the endemic Beilschmiedia miersii (Gay) Kosterm

The higher drought intensity recorded in the last decades in the Mediterranean zone of Chile increased the level of threats of the endemic Beilschmiedia miersii (Gay) Kosterm and has raised concern about its capacity to face drought. In this study, we assessed the effect of seed provenance and mother tree on seed germination traits, seedling growth, biomass allocation, presence of cotyledons, and survival responses of B. miersii cultivated under two water treatments (well-watered versus water stress. Average pre-dawn plant water potentials of −0.9 and −4.5 MPa, respectively). The germination stage of this trial showed significant differences in germination capacity, germination energy, and the maximum value of Czabator. Provenances from the southern range of the species, with higher precipitation (Cantillana and El Arbol) had a better germination performance, however, once germinated, the ability of the seedlings to survive in the nursery was high only in two of the five provenances under study. The coastal and interior provenances with lower precipitations (El Pobre, Longotoma, and Antumapu) were not able to survive to the seedling stage (<5% survival). Seedling growth and survival varied significantly between the two remaining provenances and the two watering treatments. The provenance El Arbol, exhibited a higher survival, growth, presence of cotyledons, and biomass traits. This provenance also exhibited a higher presence of cotyledons in both watering treatments and an unaltered root to shoot ratio between the well-watered and the water stress treatments. Our results suggests that there is important phenotypic variation for seed germination and seedling survival associated to the provenance origin, emphasizing the importance of a nursery-evaluation phase before the beginning of restoration projects at the landscape level.

The Influence of Substrate Types and Bio-phyto-modulators on Spruce Seed Germination and Seedling Development (Picea abies [L.] Karst.)


 Spruce is a European native coniferous species, spreading over the area in between The Carpathian Mountains and the Alps, up to the northern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In the future, spruce forests will have to cope with the growing climate change that is already threatening their natural habitats. This study has focused on the spruce seed germination process and seedlings growth under the influence of DEA (Water Energizing Device) bio-phyto-modulators. The biological material under analysis consists of spruce seeds selected from four Romanian sources included in the National Catalogue of Basic Materials for Generating Forestry Reproduction Material. Five different substrates were used for tasting germination capacity, with two different treatments (distilled water and energized water). Analyzing the treatments used it can be notice that subjecting the seeds to energized water treatment led to a higher germination capacity than in the case of those watered with distilled water (40-94%) and, respectively (24-84%). The seedlings growth was also higher in the case of those springing from the energized water treated seeds (2.45-4.23 cm) than from those springing from the distilled water treated seeds (2.07 cm-3.14 cm). The differences in germination capacity, growth and development were observed for all the provenances. Applying DEA bio-phyto-modulators has proven beneficial, with noticeable differences for both germination capacity and seedlings growth.

FRUIT AND SEED MORFOMETRY, SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING VIGOR of Parkia gigantocarpa

The objectives of this work were to characterize fruits and seeds and evaluate seed germination and seedling vigor from fifteen parent plants of Parkia gigantocarpa Ducke. The fresh weight, length, width, and thickness of fruits and seeds were determined. The germination was tested in a sand substrate, with four replications of 25 seeds per treatment (parent plants). The number of days for emergence, emergence percentage, emergence speed index, germination percentage, and seedling dry weight were evaluated. The fruits presented means for fresh weight, length, width, and thickness of 115.0 g; 621.3 mm; 60.8 mm, and 9.8 mm, respectively. The seeds presented means for fresh weight, length, width, and thickness of 1.1 g, 22.8 mm, 11.2 mm, and 7.0 mm, respectively. The emergence was fast and uniform, which occurred from the fifth to the sixth day after seeding, reaching 91% germination for the parent HB9, but not differing from the parents HB2, HB3, and HB6. The seedlings from the parents HB2, HB3, HB6, and HB9 were more vigorous due to their higher dry matter accumulation. The results found showed that, even belonging to the same species, P. gigantocarpa seeds from different parent plants present variability in biometric characteristics of fruits and seeds. The seed collected from different parent plants showed differences in germination capacity and seedling vigor.

Effect of salinity on Echinochloa crus-galli germination as affected by herbicide resistance

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses that may affect yield and quality of crops. Salinization, in combination with the presence of aggressive weeds, such as barnyard grass (Echinochloa spp.), can be considered one of the factors responsible for reducing yield in rice fields. The aims of the study were to evaluate the salt effect on germination and first seedling growth of six different Italian common barnyard grass (E. crus-galli) populations (three sensitive and three resistant to ALS-inhibitor herbicides) and to verify the presence of differences in salt response between populations sensitive and resistant to the ALS-inhibitor herbicides. Germination tests were conducted under nine different NaCl concentrations (from 0 mM to 400 mM). Significant differences in germination capacity were found between sensitive and resistant populations from 0 mM to 250 mM NaCl; in particular, germination capacity of the sensitive populations was higher (up to 90%) than that of the resistant ones (about 70%). The increase in salinity over 250 mM reduced progressively the germination capacity: from 300 mM onwards, no significant differences were found between sensitive and resistant populations and the germination resulted inhibited for two of them (one sensitive and one resistant). Speed of germination and root and shoot length of seedlings were also inversely related to salt concentration. Time required for achieving 50% of final germination capacity was extended from about three days at 0 mM NaCl up to about 10-12 days at 400 mM NaCl. Root length and shoot length ranged from 9.88 cm and 6.16 cm, at 0 mM NaCl, to 0.36 cm and 0.41 cm, at 400 mM NaCl. According to the results, there is no a clear evidence that response to saline conditions was related to resistance towards ALS-inhibitor herbicides, as in some cases significant differences were found between populations showing a similar herbicide sensitivity. Responses of barnyard grass to salinity are may play a role in the importance of this weed in future scenarios of salt intrusion: for example, a lower speed of germination at increasing salt levels could suggest a delayed emergence of this weed during crop establishment and first growth. To evaluate the real consequences in terms of competitions towards the crop, future studies are needed for assessing the response to salinity of the main rice varieties cultivated in the environment in which the E. crus-galli populations tested in this study were collected.

Differences in germination capacity and seedling growth between different seed morphotypes of Afzelia africana Sm. in Benin (West Africa)

SummaryAfzelia africana is a multi-purpose woody species threatened by a lack of natural regeneration in the wild. In the present study, differences in seed germination capacity and seedling growth between morphotypes of the seeds of A. africana Sm. were evaluated. A total of 600 seeds were collected in the Sudanian and Guinean climatic zones of Africa and their lengths, widths, thicknesses, and weights were recorded. A hierarchical classification and canonical discriminant analysis were applied to the above traits of seeds from the different climatic zones. An analysis of variance with repeated measures was applied to seed morphotypes identified by hierarchical classification to test for the effect of these morphotypes on seed germination and seedling growth. Hierarchical classification helped to identify three seed morphotypes. Canonical discriminant analysis performed on these morphotypes revealed highly significant differences. Morphotype 1 consisted of seeds from the Guinean zone, while seeds from the Sudanian zone were clustered in morphotypes 2 and 3. Morphotype 1 had the longest and heaviest seeds, while the shortest and lightest seeds were from morphotype 3. Morphotype 1 and morphotype 3 seeds showed rapid germination, while only morphotype 1 seedlings displayed rapid growth. Morphotype 1, consisting of large seeds, was superior in terms of its germination ability and seedling growth, and represents the best choice for species restoration purposes.

Organic production of leek (Allium porrum L.) seeds in the Northeast of the Province of Buenos Aires, 2: Phenology, yield and quality

The aim of this work was to determine whether the local agroecological conditions of the northeast of the Province of Buenos Aires (33 deg 41 min S, 59 deg 41 min W) permit the organic production of leek (cv. Monstruoso de Carentan) seeds. In the 2000/01, 2001/02 and 2002/03 growth seasons, percentage flowering and seed yield (g m-2) and quality were recorded, the latter by determining the thousand grain weight and germination capacity. In the 2001/02 and 2002/3 seasons, the phenological stages of the crop were also determined, as well as the number of hours of cold temperatures experienced and the number of degree days. Significant differences between years were found in the number of days from 50% fruit setting to harvest, probably because three harvests were collected during the first season whereas only one was collected during the second and third. A total of 1,116 and 1,019 hours of cold temperatures and 925 and 1,127 degree days were recorded for 2001/2 and 2002/3 respectively. There were no significant differences between years for yield, percentage flowering or thousand seed weight (average values 78.53 gm-2, 93.36% and 3.55 g respectively). Differences in germination capacity were recorded, but Argentine legislative requirements were always surpassed. Seed yield and quality were comparable to figures cited in the literature. In conclusion, the agroecological conditions of the northeast of the Province of Buenos Aires allow the normal, organic cultivation of this leek cultivar for seed.

Composição elementar e caracterização da fração lipídica de seis cultivares de caupi

A composição bioquímica elementar de sementes de seis cultivares de feijão de corda (Vigna unguiculata) foi determinada e a fração lipídica de cada cultivar, caracterizada. Os resultados sugerem que todas as farinhas de semente compartilham composição bioquímica similar, embora as cultivares Br-14 e CE-315 difiram das Br-9 e Br-17 no teor de umidade. As frações lipídicas purificadas foram caracterizadas quanto ao teor e tipos de ácidos graxos presentes. A cultivar Br-17 possui alto conteúdo de ácido palmítico (58,2%) e o menor conteúdo de ácido linoléico (6,4%) enquanto a Vita 7 apresenta alto conteúdo de ácido linoléico (21,8%) e relativamente baixo conteúdo de ácido palmítico (41%) em uma base comparativa. Os ácidos graxos pentacosanóico e eicosanóico representam a fração lipídica menor e o primeiro não ocorre em CE-315. Os resultados sugerem que diferentes cultivares obtidas por melhoramento genético podem apresentar diferenças quantitativas e qualitativas na composição bioquímica; assim, diferenças na capacidade germinativa, resistência a predadores no campo de plantio e no armazenamento, poderiam estar relacionadas à inibição ou estímulo da expressão de genes codificadores da síntese de moléculas relevantes, que refletem diferenças de composição, como demonstrado neste trabalho.

The levels of GA3 and GA20 may be associated with dormancy release in Onopordum nervosum seeds

Endogenous levels of two gibberellins, GA3 andGA20, were quantified in unimbibed Onopordumnervosum seeds collected from two different populations, whichshoweddifferences in their germination capacity. After purifying the seed extracts,gibberellin levels were evaluated by gas chromatography mass spectrometry byusing selected ion monitoring (GC-MS-SIM) adding deuterated gibberellins asinternal standards. The intraspecific differences in germination capacity wereassociated with differences in the endogenous levels of both gibberellins. Thecontents of GA3 and GA20 in seeds with high germinationrate were twice and five times higher, respectively, than those from seeds witha low germination rate, indicating a possible role of gibberellins in dormancyrelease in this plant species.

Fruit, seed and seedling variation in Uapaca kirkiana from natural populations in Malawi

Uapaca kirkiana is a miombo fruit tree with a long history of human use. In Malawi, the species is rapidly gaining attention as an agroforestry tree for fruit production. Accordingly, a formal study to explore variations in fruit, seed and seedling traits within the species was undertaken at the Forestry Research Institute of Malawi. Fruits from 12 natural populations in Malawi were collected in November and December, 1994. Fresh fruit weight and dependent parameters (exocarp, mesocarp and seeds) and seed length, width, thickness and weight (following processing) varied significantly among the populations. When seedlings were raised at Zomba, there were significant differences in germination capacity and height, root collar diameter and biomass production at six months of age. None of these traits was correlated with source latitude, longitude or elevation. Variations in the traits reported emphasize the importance of selecting suitable seed sources before commencing domestication programmes. The levels of variation observed suggest useful gains might be obtained through a breeding programme following careful provenance selection.

Einfluß des Chlorotischen Kirschenringflecken-Virus (prune dwarf virus) auf Werteigenschaften des von infizierten Samenspenderbäumen der Vogelkirsche [Cerasus avium (L.) Moench] geernteten Saatgutes

The effects of infection by prune dwarf virus (PDV) upon seed germination were studied in mazzard cherry [Cerasus avium (L.) Moench] seed trees. The mean germination capacity of seeds gathered from PDV-infected seed trees belonging to two different mazzard clones was found to be 69.6% for clone Nr. 53 and 31.1% for clone Nr. 170, respectively. The mean germination capacity of seeds obtained from healthy seed trees of the same both mazzard clones was proved to be 74.5% for clone Nr. 53 and 41.6% for clone Nr. 170, respectively. The differences in germination capacity between seeds obtained from PDV-infected and healthy seed trees were found to be statistically significant in both mazzard clones. The difference in mean germination speed between seeds gathered from PDV-infected and healthy seed trees was statistically significant only with that mazzard clone the seed germination capacity of which has been more strongly diminished by virus infection. In that mazzard clone Nr. 170, the mean germination speed was pointed out to be 139.4 d for PDV-infected seed trees and 123.5 d for virus-free trees. Saatgut von Samenspenderbäumen zweier Klone der Vogelkirsche [Cerasus avium (L.) Moench], die vom Chlorotischen Kirschenringflecken-Virus (prune dwarf virus, PDV) befallen waren, wies eine Keimfähigkeit von 69,6 bzw. 31,1% auf. Für Saatgut von virusfreien Samenspendern der gleichen Vogelkirschenklone wurde eine Keimfähigkeit von 74,5 bzw. 41,6% ermittelt. Die Differenzen in der Keimfähigkeit des Saatgutes zwischen PDV-befallenen und gesunden Samenspenderbäumen erwiesen sich bei beiden Klonen als signifikant. In der Keimschnelligkeit trat ein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen Saatgut PDV-infizierter und virusfreier Samenspenderbäume nur bei demjenigen Vogelkirschenklon in Erscheinung, dessen Keimfähigkeit des Saatgutes durch den PDV-Befall der Samenspender stärker vermindert worden war. Saatgut von PDV-infizierten Samenspenderbäumen dieses Klones wies eine mittlere Keimzeit von 139,4 d auf, Saatgut von virusfreien Bäumen eine solche von 123,5 d.

Sowing Sized Seed of Western White Pine in a Containerized Nursery

Abstract Sorting seed by size has been reported as a potential method to improve seedling uniformity and increase crop yields. Seeds of rust-resistant western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl. ex D. Don), harvested in 1983 at the Moscow, Idaho, White Pine Breeding Arboretum, were separated by screens into diameter classes. Seedlings from each size class were grown in containers in greenhouses. Differences in seed diameter were associated with differences in germination capacity and germination energy (P < 0. 01). Seed diameter was unrelated to final height and stem diameter of seedlings (p < 0.05). Separate sowing of sized seed could not be justified for production containerized nurseries as similar numbers of quality seedlings were produced by sowing bulk seed. West. J. Appl. For. 2(4):128-130, October 1987.