Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T15:46:00.752Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Seed storage behaviour and seed germination in African and Malagasy baobabs (Adansonia species)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Juvet Razanameharizaka ,
Michel Grouzis ,
Didier Ravelomanana  and
Pascal Danthu
Juvet Razanameharizaka
Affiliation:
Université d'Antananarivo, Laboratoire de Physiologie Végétale / URP 70 ‘Forêts et Biodiversité’, B.P. 906, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Michel Grouzis
Affiliation:
IRD, B.P. 434, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Didier Ravelomanana
Affiliation:
Université d'Antananarivo, Laboratoire de Physiologie Végétale / URP 70 ‘Forêts et Biodiversité’, B.P. 906, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Pascal Danthu*
Affiliation:
Cirad / URP 70 ‘Forêts et Biodiversité’, B.P. 853, Antananarivo, Madagascar
*
*Correspondence Fax: +261 20 22 408 21, Email: danthu@cirad.mg
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The Adansonia (baobab) genus comprises seven species in Africa, six of which are endemic to Madagascar. Depending on the species, baobabs develop in widely varying ecosystems, including arid zones and savannahs, as well as dry and wet forests. Seeds from all species exhibited orthodox behaviour, tolerating dehydration to a moisture content of around 5%. There was no physical dormancy in the two species belonging to the Brevitubae section, A. grandidieri and A. suarezensis. Their seeds germinated without any prior scarification. The five other species, belonging to Adansonia and Longitubae section, have seeds with water-impermeable coats. In the case of A. digitata and A. za, the proportion of water-impermeable seeds was around two-thirds, whereas with A. rubrostipa, A. madagascariensis and A. perrieri, the proportion was >90%. Treatments allowing for the removal of physical dormancy needed to be markedly more severe with A. madagascariensis than with the other species. None the less, it seems impossible to link these characteristics and the interspecific differences to a strategy for adaptation by these species to their environment.

Keywords

AdansoniaAfricabaobabgerminationMadagascarseed storage behaviour
Type
Short Communication
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 16 , Issue 1 , March 2006 , pp. 83 - 88
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ballard, L.A.T. (1973) Physical barriers to germination. Seed Science and Technology 1, 285–303.Google Scholar
Baum, D.A. (1995) A systematic revision of Adansonia (Bombacaceae). Annals of Missouri Botanical Garden 82, 440–470.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baum, D.A. (1996) The ecology and conservation of the baobabs of Madagascar. Primate Report 46, 311–327.Google Scholar
Baum, D.A. (2003) Bombacaceae, Adansonia, Baobab, Bozy, Fony, Renala, Ringy, Za. pp. 339–342. in Goodman, S.M.;, Benstead, J.P. (Eds) The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago, University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Bonner, F.T. (1990) Storage of seeds: potential and limitations for germplasm conservation. Forest Ecology and Management 35, 35–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Booth, F.E.M. and Wickens, G.E. (1988) Non-timber uses of selected arid zone trees and shrubs in Africa. FAO conservation guide 19. Rome, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.Google Scholar
Danthu, P., Roussel, J., Gaye, A. El and Mazzoudi, E.H. (1995) Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seed pretreatments for germination improvement. Seed Science and Technology 23, 469–475.Google Scholar
Danthu, P., Guèye, A., Boye, A., Bauwens, D. and Sarr, A. (2000) Seed storage behaviour of four Sahelian and Sudanian tree species (Boscia senegalensis, Butyrospermum parkii, Cordyla pinnata and Saba senegalensis). Seed Science Research 10, 183–187.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Du Puy, B. (1996) The baobabs of Madagascar. Curtis's Botanical Magazine 13, 86–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Egley, G.H. and Paul, R.N. (1981) Morphological observations on the early imbibition of water by Sida spinosa (Malvaceae) seed. American Journal of Botany 68, 1056–1065.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Egley, G.H. and Paul, R.N. (1982) Development, structure and function of subpalisade cells in water impermeable Sida spinosa seeds. American Journal of Botany 69, 1402–1409.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Esenowo, G.J. (1991) Studies on germination of Adansonia digitata seeds. Journal of Agricultural Science 117, 81–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gardener, C.J., McIvor, J.G. and Jansen, A. (1993) Passage of legume and grass seeds through the digestive tract of cattle and their survival in faeces. Journal of Applied Ecology 30, 63–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gutterman, Y. (1994) Strategies of seed dispersal and germination in plant inhabiting deserts. Botanical Review 60, 373–425.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) (1999) International rules of seed testing. Seed Science and Technology 27 (supplement 1).Google Scholar
Jumelle, H. and Perrier de la Bâthie, H. (1912) Les baobabs du Sud-Ouest de Madagascar. Revue Générale de Botanique 24, 372–380.Google Scholar
Owen, J. (1974) A contribution to the ecology of the African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.). Savanna 3, 1–12.Google Scholar
Perrier de la Bâthie, H. and Hochreutiner, B.P.G. (1955) Bombacacées (Bombacaceae). pp. 1–20. in Humbert, H. (Ed.) Flore de Madagascar et des Comores, 129ème famille et 130ème famille. Paris, Gouvernement Général de Madagascar.Google Scholar
Roberts, E.H. (1973) Predicting the storage life of seeds. Seed Science and Technology 1, 499–514.Google Scholar
Rolston, M.P. (1978) Water impermeable seed dormancy. Botanical Review 44, 365–396.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schatz, G.E. (2001) Malvaceae Juss. pp. 253–269. in Generic tree flora of Madagascar. Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens and St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Garden Press.Google Scholar
Serrato-Valenti, G., Cornara, L., Lotito, S. and Quagliotti, L. (1992) Seed coat structure and histochemistry of Abelmoschus esculentus. Chalazal region and water entry. Annals of Botany 69, 313–321.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sharma, M.L. (1973) Simulation of drought and its effect on germination of five pasture species. Agronomy Journal 65, 982–987.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wickens, G.E. (1982) The baobab - Africa's upside-down tree. Kew Bulletin 37, 173–209.CrossRefGoogle Scholar