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Germination sensitivity to water stress of eight Cistaceae species from the Western Mediterranean

Germination sensitivity to water stress of eight Cistaceae species from the Western Mediterranean Abstract Water availability regulates timing of germination, especially in those environments where it is a limiting factor. However, the water requirements for germination of most wild Mediterranean species are unknown. In this work we analysed the germination response to water stress of eight Cistaceae species with hard-coated seeds, which are typical for the Mediterranean shrublands. Seeds were exposed to a heat shock in order to overcome physical dormancy and then incubated under five water potentials (0, −0.2, −0.4, −0.6 and −0.8 MPa). Ungerminated seeds following these treatments were transferred to water in order to evaluate the recovery of germination. Additionally, at the end of the experiment, viability of still ungerminated seeds was examined. We analysed final germination percentage, time to reach 50% of the final germination (t 50), recovery of germination and seed viability in relation to water stress treatments. Furthermore, hydrotime analysis was performed; sensitivity to water stress, as characterized by Ψb(50), was checked in relation to seed size of species. Overall, water stress delayed and decreased germination but species showed different germination sensitivities, which were not related to seed size. Recovery of germination was high after disappearance of water stress but seed viability decreased in some species. Consequently, post-fire germination of Cistaceae must be strongly regulated by water availability and their seeds can recover germination capacity when sufficient water is available after long periods of incomplete hydration. However, some seeds die during the wait. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Seed Science Research Cambridge University Press

Germination sensitivity to water stress of eight Cistaceae species from the Western Mediterranean

Seed Science Research , Volume 26 (2): 10 – May 16, 2016
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References (86)

Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 
ISSN
1475-2735
eISSN
0960-2585
DOI
10.1017/S096025851600009X
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract Water availability regulates timing of germination, especially in those environments where it is a limiting factor. However, the water requirements for germination of most wild Mediterranean species are unknown. In this work we analysed the germination response to water stress of eight Cistaceae species with hard-coated seeds, which are typical for the Mediterranean shrublands. Seeds were exposed to a heat shock in order to overcome physical dormancy and then incubated under five water potentials (0, −0.2, −0.4, −0.6 and −0.8 MPa). Ungerminated seeds following these treatments were transferred to water in order to evaluate the recovery of germination. Additionally, at the end of the experiment, viability of still ungerminated seeds was examined. We analysed final germination percentage, time to reach 50% of the final germination (t 50), recovery of germination and seed viability in relation to water stress treatments. Furthermore, hydrotime analysis was performed; sensitivity to water stress, as characterized by Ψb(50), was checked in relation to seed size of species. Overall, water stress delayed and decreased germination but species showed different germination sensitivities, which were not related to seed size. Recovery of germination was high after disappearance of water stress but seed viability decreased in some species. Consequently, post-fire germination of Cistaceae must be strongly regulated by water availability and their seeds can recover germination capacity when sufficient water is available after long periods of incomplete hydration. However, some seeds die during the wait.

Journal

Seed Science Research – Cambridge University Press

Published: May 16, 2016

Keywords: Cistus; Fumana; Halimium; heat shock; Helianthemum; hydrotime model; Tuberaria

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