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Ecophysiology of seed germination in Mediterranean geophytes. 1. Muscari spp

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Maria A. Doussi  and
Costas A. Thanos
Maria A. Doussi
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Athens 15784, Greece
Costas A. Thanos*
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Athens 15784, Greece
*
*Correspondence Fax: +30–10–7274702 Email: cthanos@biol.uoa.gr
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Abstract

Ecophysiological aspects of seed germination were investigated in four Mediterranean geophytes of the genus Muscari (Liliaceae): M. comosum (tassel hyacinth), M. neglectum (common grape hyacinth), M. commutatum and M. weissii. Experiments were performed at constant temperatures in the dark and under temperature and light conditions simulating those prevailing in nature during November–January, i.e. well into the rainy season of the Mediterranean climate. In all species, no primary dormancy was revealed, and germination occurred in a rather narrow range of cool temperatures (optimum at 10 or 15°C) and at a remarkably slow rate; both germination characteristics seem to be associated with autumn/winter seed germination and seedling establishment. Such a postulated strategy is ecologically advantageous within an unpredictable rainfall regime, known to prevail during the start of the rainy period of the Mediterranean climate. This strategy may also explain the spread of germination of M. comosum seeds over two consecutive years, observed by Theophrastus. Far-red light, simulating light conditions under a dense canopy, resulted in only a slight delay of germination compared to dark controls. Diurnal white light, qualitatively simulating natural daylight, caused a significant decrease of the germination rate in all four species studied. Moreover, white light was found to suppress considerably final seed germination (photoinhibition) in M. weissii and M. neglectum; in the latter species, prolonged imbibition under white light also led to the induction of secondary dormancy.

Keywords

common grape hyacinthfiregermination ratelightLiliaceaeMediterranean geophytesMuscari commutatumMuscari comosumMuscari neglectumMuscari weissiiphotoinhibitionsecondary dormancyseed coatseed germinationtassel hyacinthtemperature
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , September 2002 , pp. 193 - 201
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002

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