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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Guillermo Funes*
Affiliation:
Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV-CONICET), Av. Vélez Sársfield 299, CC 495, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina
Paula Venier
Affiliation:
Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales (UNC), Av. Vélez Sársfield 299, CC 495, 5000, Córdoba, Argentina
*
*Correspondence: Fax: +54 351 4332104, Email: gfunes@imbiv.unc.edu.ar

Abstract

We studied dormancy and germination requirements of seeds of Acacia aroma, A. caven and A. furcatispina from a semi-arid region of central Argentina. Imbibition experiments were performed to determine the rate of water uptake in seeds. To determine optimal temperature for germination, seeds were incubated at three temperature regimes (15/5, 25/15 and 35/20°C) with a 12/12 h daily photoperiod or in total darkness. Additionally, differences in dormancy and germination in seed colour morphs of A. aroma were studied. Seeds of A. aroma and A. caven had impermeable coats, while those of A. furcatispina did not. Seeds of the three species showed the same pattern of germination. Germination percentages were significantly lower at 15/5°C than at 25/15 or 35/20°C. The germination temperature pattern found for these species is probably related to the summer seasonal nature of rainfall in the study area. In A. aroma, seeds of the two colour morphs showed a similar pattern of dormancy and germination.

Type
Short Communication
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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