Dormancy and germination in three Acacia (Fabaceae) species from central Argentina

FUNES, G. Y VENIER, P.

SEED SCIENCE RESEARCH

CABI Publishing

Lugar: Wallingford UK; Año: 2006 p. 77 - 82

0960-2585

Abstract We studied dormancy and germination requirements of seeds of Acacia aroma, A. caven and A. furcatispina from a semiarid region of central Argentina. Imbibition experiments to determine the rate of water uptake in seeds were performed. To determine optimal temperature for germination seeds were incubated at three temperature regimes (15/5 ºC, 25/15 ºC and 35/20 ºC) at a 12/12 hours daily photoperiod and at total darkness. Additionally, differences in dormancy and germination in seed color morphs of A. aroma were studied. A. aroma and A. caven seeds showed an impermeable coat, while A. furcatispina did not. Seeds of the three species showed the same pattern of germination. Germination percentages were significantly lower at 15/5ºC than at either 25/15ºC or 35/20ºC. The pattern of temperature germination found for these species is probably related to the seasonal nature of rainfall in the study area. In A. aroma, seeds of the two color morphs showed a similar pattern of germination. This result suggests that seeds heteromorphy does not influence eco-physiological traits. We studied dormancy and germination requirements of seeds of Acacia aroma, A. caven and A. furcatispina from a semiarid region of central Argentina. Imbibition experiments to determine the rate of water uptake in seeds were performed. To determine optimal temperature for germination seeds were incubated at three temperature regimes (15/5 ºC, 25/15 ºC and 35/20 ºC) at a 12/12 hours daily photoperiod and at total darkness. Additionally, differences in dormancy and germination in seed color morphs of A. aroma were studied. A. aroma and A. caven seeds showed an impermeable coat, while A. furcatispina did not. Seeds of the three species showed the same pattern of germination. Germination percentages were significantly lower at 15/5ºC than at either 25/15ºC or 35/20ºC. The pattern of temperature germination found for these species is probably related to the seasonal nature of rainfall in the study area. In A. aroma, seeds of the two color morphs showed a similar pattern of germination. This result suggests that seeds heteromorphy does not influence eco-physiological traits. We studied dormancy and germination requirements of seeds of Acacia aroma, A. caven and A. furcatispina from a semiarid region of central Argentina. Imbibition experiments to determine the rate of water uptake in seeds were performed. To determine optimal temperature for germination seeds were incubated at three temperature regimes (15/5 ºC, 25/15 ºC and 35/20 ºC) at a 12/12 hours daily photoperiod and at total darkness. Additionally, differences in dormancy and germination in seed color morphs of A. aroma were studied. A. aroma and A. caven seeds showed an impermeable coat, while A. furcatispina did not. Seeds of the three species showed the same pattern of germination. Germination percentages were significantly lower at 15/5ºC than at either 25/15ºC or 35/20ºC. The pattern of temperature germination found for these species is probably related to the seasonal nature of rainfall in the study area. In A. aroma, seeds of the two color morphs showed a similar pattern of germination. This result suggests that seeds heteromorphy does not influence eco-physiological traits.