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Effects of partial drying on seed germination in the aquatic grasses Zizania palustris L. and Porteresia coarctata (Roxb.) Tateoka

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

C. D. Aldridge  and
R. J. Probert
C. D. Aldridge
Affiliation:
Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
R. J. Probert*
Affiliation:
Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
*
* Correspondence
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Abstract

Partial drying of non-dormant seeds had little effect on germination behaviour compared with undried controls. In contrast, partial drying resulted in a marked increase in the germination response of freshly harvested (dormant) seeds of Z. palustris. Partial drying also resulted in a 100-fold reduction in the concentration of gibberellins (GA4+7) required for maximum germination. Although the concentration range of applied abscisic acid (ABA) that permitted germination was unaltered, partial drying increased the final germination percentage at all concentrations tested. The concentration of ABA above which germination was reduced in freshly harvested (dormant) seeds of Z. palustris was 3.16 × 10−7m compared with 10−4m in fresh (non-dormant) seeds of P. coarctata. Changes in the germination response of Z. palustris seeds to applied growth regulators, following partial drying or cold stratification might be explained by similar changes in hormonal status.

Keywords

desiccationdormancygerminationPorteresia coarctataseed storage physiologyZizania palustris
Type
Research Papers
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , December 1992 , pp. 199 - 205
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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