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Germination ecology of eleven species of Geraniaceae and Malvaceae, with special reference to the effects of drying seeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2007

Jozef. A. Van Assche  and
Filip E.A. Vandelook
Jozef. A. Van Assche*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Plant Ecology, K.U. Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
Filip E.A. Vandelook
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Plant Ecology, K.U. Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
*
*Fax: +32 16 321968 Email: jozef.vanassche@bio.kuleuven.be
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Abstract

Germination and survival of water-impermeable seeds of 11 species of Geraniaceae and Malvaceae were monitored during dry storage and during burial in soil for up to 2.5 years. During dry storage, seeds of annual Geraniaceae became permeable and also lost their physiological dormancy. However, during burial in natural conditions, most seeds remained impermeable and viable, with no seasonal change in germination capacity. Germination in only one species (Geranium robertianum) was enhanced by daily alternating temperatures when seeds were exhumed in spring. Drying of exhumed seeds broke physical dormancy. Seeds of the perennial Geranium pratense gradually became permeable in a prolonged germination test of 31 weeks. Most seeds of Malva remained impermeable during dry storage. Buried seeds gradually germinated in situ, and exhumed seeds had a low germination capacity in all seasons. We concluded that dormancy of hard seeds in natural conditions may be broken by drying during summer, by specific temperature regimes or by gradual softening of the seed coat, ensuring the spread of germination over many seasons.

Keywords

activated carbonafter-ripeningdormancyErodiumGeraniumMalvawinter annuals
Type
Research Analysis
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 16 , Issue 4 , December 2006 , pp. 283 - 290
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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