Physical dormancy in seeds of Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae) from India

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.S. Phartyal ◽  
J.M. Baskin ◽  
C.C. Baskin ◽  
R.C. Thapliyal

In contrast to reports in the literature that seeds of Dodonaea viscosa from China and Pakistan are non-dormant, or nearly so, we found that a high percentage of seeds of this species collected in north-western India have a water-impermeable seed coat at maturity, i.e. physical dormancy. Thus, seeds that were mechanically scarified and boiled (to open a ‘water gap’ in the seed coat) germinated to much higher percentages (84% and 77%, respectively) than did those that were non-scarified (24%). Our results agree with studies of seed dormancy in this species in various other parts of its large geographical range.

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry M. Baskin ◽  
Barbara H. Davis ◽  
Carol C. Baskin ◽  
Sean M. Gleason ◽  
Susan Cordell

Dormancy in seeds ofDodonaea viscosais due to a water-impermeable seed coat (physical dormancy, PY). Thus, mechanically scarified seeds imbibed water (c.95% increase in mass) and germinated to high percentages over a wide range of temperature regimes in both white light and darkness, whereas non-scarified seeds did not take up water. Dry heat at 80–160°C and dipping in boiling water for 1–60 s also broke dormancy in a high percentage of the seeds, and continuous far-red light was not inhibitory to germination. However, dry storage in the laboratory for >1 year did not overcome dormancy. Seeds made water-permeable by boiling imbibed water, and thus germinated, at a much slower rate than those made water-permeable by mechanical scarification. We suggest that boiling opened the ‘water gap’ in the seed coat (not yet described inSapindaceaebut present in other taxa with PY) and that water entered the seed only through this small opening, thereby accounting for the slow rate of imbibition and subsequent germination. Physical dormancy has now been shown to occur in seeds of this polymorphic, worldwide species from Australia, Brazil, Hawaii, Mexico and New Zealand. The low level of dormancy reported for seed lots ofD. viscosain China, India and Pakistan is probably due to collection of seeds before they dried to the critical moisture content for development of water-impermeability of the seed coat. Germination of non-dormant seeds over a wide range of temperatures and in white light, far-red (leaf-canopy shade) light and darkness are part of the germination strategy ofD. viscosaand of other taxa whose seeds have PY at maturity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Stephen I. Mensah ◽  
Chimezie Ekeke

<p class="1Body">The seed dormancy of <em>Senna obtusifolia</em> was investigated through various methods, namely pretreatments in concentrated sulfuric acid, 2% potassium nitrate (KNO<sub>3</sub>), 99% ethanol, 99% methanol, and in hydrogen perioxide; examination of the seed coverings; and the determination of water uptake by the seeds in order to ascertain the most effective technique for breaking dormancy and also determine the dormancy type. The results showed that sulfuric acid treatment recorded the highest germination (100%); followed by 2% hydrogen peroxide treatment (24%) in 15minutes immersion. The methanol and ethanol pretreatments gave 18.33% and 16.5% germinations respectively. Pretreatment in 2% potassium nitrate gave the lowest germination (8.50%), while the intact seeds of <em>S. obtusifiolia</em> (control) gave 0% germination. The anatomy of the seed coat indicated the presence of hard, thickened and specialized cells of cuticle, macrosclereids, osteoscereids, and disintegrated parenchyma layers. The water uptake of intact seeds was low (13.5%) after 24 hr imbibitions. These findings revealed that the seed coat acts as barrier to germination by preventing water absorption, possibly gaseous diffusion in and out of the seed and conferring mechanical resistance to the protrusion of embryo. Pretreatments, such as immersion in H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4 </sub>will soften the seed coat and permit germination. Seed dormancy in <em>S. obtusifolia </em>can be considered of physical nature and classified as physical dormancy. The results obtained in this study may serve as useful information in the production and improvement of <em>S. obtusifolia </em>seedlings, as knowledge on seed dormancy and germination is a critical factor and requirements to the understanding of the propagation of this plant either in situ or ex-situ, in view of the economic potentials/attributes of this species.</p>


Author(s):  
Caroline Palacio de Araujo ◽  
Rodrigo Sobreira Alexandre ◽  
Thuanny Lins Monteiro Rosa ◽  
Edilson Romais Schmildt ◽  
José Carlos Lopes ◽  
...  

Lecythis pisonis produces edible seeds rich in nutritional and functional elements such as selenium and are a great alternative to Brazilian nuts. The seeds have low germination, which may be related to physical dormancy imposed by tegument, meaning that polyembryonic seedlings can be a strategy to increase final stand. The objective of this work was to study methods to overcome seed dormancy and auxin induction in polyembryonic seedlings of pisonis. The experiment to break dormancy consisted of seven treatments: T1: intact seeds; T2: seeds scarified on hilum’s opposite side; T3: seeds scarified hilum’s adjacent region; T4: seeds scarified in lateral region; T5: seeds scarified in both opposite and adjacent region to the hilum; T6: T2 + immersion in water at 40 °C/20 minutes; T7: T2 + immersion in water at 60 °C/5 minutes. The experiment to induce rooting was arranged in a 2 x 6 factorial randomized complete block design (environments: A. greenhouse and B. greenhouse covered with black polyolefin (80% shading) x concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA): 0; 1000; 2000; 3000; 4000 and 5000 mg L-1), with four replicates of eight polyembryonic seedlings. Seed coat scarification in hilum’s adjacent (T3) and lateral regions (T4) was the most efficient methods for breaking physical dormancy. IBA at 5000 mg L-1 promoted the greatest rhizogenesis of L. pisonis layers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-165
Author(s):  
Ganesha S. Liyanage ◽  
Catherine A. Offord ◽  
Karen D. Sommerville

We tested for dormancy in three species of Acronychia (Rutaceae) occurring in the rainforest in eastern Australia, A. imperforata, A. laevis and A. oblongifolia, by incubating fresh intact seeds on 0.8% water agar for one month at 25/10°C. Four different techniques were then tested for their effect on dormancy: (i) incubation of intact seeds on agar incorporating gibberellic acid (GA3); (ii) seed coat removal (decoating); (iii) scarification near the radicle emergence point (scarification-emergence point); and (iv) scarification opposite the radicle emergence point (scarification-back). Imbibition tests were performed to determine whether dormancy was due to an impermeable seed coat. Germination differed among treatments, but all three species showed a similar pattern. Intact seeds showed < 6% germination after one month indicating the presence of dormancy. Highest germination (> 65%) was observed following scarification-emergence point treatment. Seed coat removal also resulted in increased germination (40-47%), in comparison with intact seeds, but GA3 and scarification-back treatments did not (< 12%). Though the seedcoats of all species were permeable, increased germination responses to decoating and scarification-emergence point treatments suggest scarification is required to clear the radicle emergence point. This may be a useful dormancy-breaking technique for Acronychia spp. and may be suitable for related Rutaceae species.


2017 ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Gilberto Martínez-Pérez ◽  
Alma Orozco-Segovia ◽  
Carlos Martorell

When restoring highly degraded areas such as the Mixteca Alta (Oaxaca State, Mexico), it is important to use native species that promote natural succession. To do so, we need to know whether their seeds have dormancy and how to break it. We compared different pre-germination treatments of eight species relevant for restoration. The results were analyzed with a new method that solves some of the statistical problems that arise when examining these experiments. In Acacia schaffneri, Ipomoea murucoides, Mimosa aculeaticarpa and Dodonaea viscosa wearing off the seed coat by means of abrasion or heating promotes rapid germination, proving the presence of physical dormancy. Despite belonging to families that show physiological dormancy only, the seeds of Arctostaphylos pungens and Juniperus flaccida germinate after immersion in acid. This procedure may have weakened the seed coat, allowing the immature embryo to break it. We found weak physiological dormancy in Quercus deserticola, and no apparent dormancy in Quercus castanea.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Jerry M. Baskin ◽  
Carol C. Baskin

Abstract This review provides a revised and expanded word-formula system of whole-seed primary dormancy classification that integrates the scheme of Nikolaeva with that of Baskin and Baskin. Notable changes include the following. (1) The number of named tiers (layers) in the classification hierarchy is increased from three to seven. (2) Formulae are provided for the known kinds of dormancy. (3) Seven subclasses of class morphological dormancy are designated: ‘dust seeds’ of mycoheterotrophs, holoparasites and autotrophs; diaspores of palms; and seeds with cryptogeal germination are new to the system. (4) Level non-deep physiological dormancy (PD) has been divided into two sublevels, each containing three types, and Type 6 is new to the system. (5) Subclass epicotyl PD with two levels, each with three types, has been added to class PD. (6) Level deep (regular) PD is divided into two types. (7) The simple and complex levels of class morphophysiological dormancy (MPD) have been expanded to 12 subclasses, 24 levels and 16 types. (8) Level non-deep simple epicotyl MPD with four types is added to the system. (9) Level deep simple regular epicotyl MPD is divided into four types. (10) Level deep simple double MPD is divided into two types. (11) Seeds with a water-impermeable seed coat in which the embryo-haustorium grows after germination (Canna) has been added to the class combinational dormancy. The hierarchical division of primary seed dormancy into many distinct categories highlights its great diversity and complexity at the whole-seed level, which can be expressed most accurately by dormancy formulae.


2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafaella C. Ribeiro ◽  
Denise M.T. Oliveira ◽  
Fernando A.O. Silveira

AbstractDetermining the phylogenetic and biogeographic distribution of physical dormancy remains a major challenge in germination ecology. Here, our goal was to describe a novel water-impermeable seed coat mechanism causing physical dormancy (PY) in the seeds of Chaetostoma armatum (Melastomataceae). Although seed coat permeability tests indicated a significant increase in seed weight after soaking in distilled water, anatomical and dye-tracking analyses showed that both water and dyes penetrated the seed coat but not the embryo, which remained in a dry state. The water and dye penetrated the lumen of the exotestal cells, which have a thin outer periclinal face and thickened secondary walls with U-shaped phenolic compounds. Because of this structure, water and dye do not penetrate the inner periclinal face of the exotestal cells, indicating PY. Puncturing the seeds increased germination more than tenfold compared to that of the control, but GA3 did not increase germination further. A significant fraction of the seeds did not germinate after puncturing, indicating that embryos are also physiologically dormant (PD). This paper constitutes the first report of the water-impermeable seed coat in the Myrtales and the first report of physiophysical (PD+PY) dormancy in a shrub from a tropical montane area.


1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (9) ◽  
pp. 1972-1976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Garth Harrison

Mechanisms of dormancy of seeds from an annual population of the seagrass Zostera marina L. (eelgrass) in the SW Netherlands were investigated in the laboratory. Both physiological dormancy (a requirement for reduced salinity for germination) and physical dormancy (imposed by the seed coat) existed in recently shed seeds. Physiological seed dormancy was partly released in the seed bank by early winter, but physical dormancy lasted longer. By March seeds germinated quickly in the dark in full-strength seawater without artificial weakening of the seed coat. Viable seeds were released with coats that ranged from green (easily ruptured by the embryo) to brown (not easily ruptured); this variation may account for the occasional seedlings that appear during winter. No significant effects of temperature or light on germination were detected. A reexamination of the literature suggests that the observed variation in timing of germination in eelgrass populations may be a result of hitherto overlooked aspects of dormancy. Key words: eelgrass, seagrass, seed coat, seed dormancy, seed germination, Zostera marina.


2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 666-673
Author(s):  
Yunpeng Gao ◽  
Mingwei Zhu ◽  
Qiuyue Ma ◽  
Shuxian Li

The seeds of Cercis chinensis Bunge are important for reproduction and propagation, but strong dormancy controls their germination. To elucidate the causes of seed dormancy in C. chinensis, we investigated the permeability of the hard seed coat and the contribution of the endosperm to physical dormancy, and we examined the effect of extracts from the seed coat and endosperm. In addition, the effectiveness of scarification methods to break seed dormancy was compared. Cercis chinensis seeds exhibited physical and physiological dormancy. The hard seed coat played an important role in limiting water uptake, and the endosperm acted as a physical barrier that restricted embryo development in imbibed seeds. Germination percentage of Chinese cabbage [Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (L.) Hanelt] seeds was reduced from 98% (control) to 28.3% and 56.7% with a seed-coat extract and an endosperm extract, respectively. This demonstrated that both the seed coat and endosperm contained endogenous inhibitors, but the seed-coat extract resulted in stronger inhibition. Mechanical scarification, thermal scarification, and chemical scarification had positive effects on C. chinensis seed germination. Soaking non-scarified seeds in gibberellic acid (GA3) solution did not promote germination; however, treatment with exogenous GA3 following scarification significantly improved germination. The optimal method for promoting C. chinensis seed germination was soaking scarified seeds in 500 mg·L−1 GA3 for 24 h followed by cold stratification at 5 °C for 2 mo.


2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 565 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Turner ◽  
D. J. Merritt ◽  
J. M. Baskin ◽  
C. C. Baskin ◽  
K. W. Dixon

Seeds of the endemic Western Australian species Diplopeltis huegelii Endl. were successfully germinated after the presence of combinational dormancy was identified, following the observation of selected seed characteristics. D. huegelii seeds were found to have large, fully developed, peripheral coiled embryos (with no endosperm) that are 7–8 mm long when uncoiled. Seed-coat dormancy was overcome by dipping seeds in hot water for ≥15 s, but seeds also required a period of after-ripening before they would germinate readily. After-ripening occurred while intact seeds were stored dry at ambient laboratory conditions for 13 months or when scarified (hot-water treated) seeds were stored at 13, 23 or 50% RH at 23°C for 6 weeks. Scarified 13-month-old seeds germinated readily at 7/18, 13/26 and 18/33°C in a 12-h photoperiod and in constant darkness, whereas scarified 1-month-old seeds germinated to ≤43%. Thus, seed dormancy in this species is caused by a water-impermeable seed coat (physical dormancy, PY) and a (non-deep) physiologically dormant embryo (PD), i.e. combinational dormancy (PY + PD). This is only the second report of combinational dormancy in seeds of Sapindaceae and the first report in this family of the PD component of (PY + PD) being broken during dry storage.


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