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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2020

Deshika L. Muthuthanthirige Open the ORCID record for Deshika L. Muthuthanthirige [Opens in a new window] ,
W.M.G. Asanga S.T.B. Wijetunga  and
K.M.G. Gehan Jayasuriya
Deshika L. Muthuthanthirige*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
W.M.G. Asanga S.T.B. Wijetunga
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka
K.M.G. Gehan Jayasuriya
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
*
Correspondence: Deshika L. Muthuthanthirige, E-mail: [email protected]
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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.

Keywords

epicotyl dormancyLoganiaceaespatulate underdeveloped embryoStrychnos
Type
Research Paper
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 30 , Special Issue 4: Functional Seed Ecology , December 2020 , pp. 284 - 292
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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