Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-cfpbc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T10:51:58.966Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Physiological dormancy and germination requirements of seeds of several North American Rhus species (Anacardiaceae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Xiaojie Li
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506–0225, USA
Jerry M. Baskin*
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506–0225, USA
Carol C. Baskin
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506–0225, USA Department of Agronomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546–0091, USA
*
*Correspondence Fax: 606–257–1717 Email: jmbask0@ukcc.uky.edu

Abstract

Fourteen seedlots of five species of Rhus were surveyed for presence/absence of physiological dormancy and/or for germination requirements of non-dormant seeds. Physiological dormancy was present in the four seedlots of R. aromatica studied, but not in either of the two seedlots of its close relative R. trilobata, which is in contrast to previous reports. Neither were seeds of R. glabra, R. typhina, nor R. virens physiologically dormant. Stratification at 5oC for 1 week or incubation in 500 or 1000 mg/l solutions of gibberellic acid broke physiological dormancy in > 90% of the R. aromaticaseeds. Maturation desiccation acted as a switch from a developmental to a germinative mode in R. aromatica embryos, whereas it was not required for germination of R. glabra or R. virens (R. trilobata and R. typhinanot tested). Seeds of all five species incubated on a moist substrate became fully imbibed in 2 d, at which time moisture content was approx. 70–80%of their initial weight. In general, germination of non-dormant seeds was rather insensitive to temperature and light. Seeds germinated equally well in light and in darkness over a daily (12 h/12 h) temperature range of 15/6–35/20oC. Over a 4 week period, the best germination percentages were obtained at 25/15 and 20/10oC, whereas 35/20oC appeared to be supraoptimal, though not always significantly so. If the incubation period was extended to 30 weeks, germination percentages were as high at 15/6oC as at 25/15 and 20/10oC.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

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

Adams, C.A. and Rinne, R.W. (1981) Seed maturation in soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.) is independent of seed mass and of the parent plant, yet is necessary for the production of viable seeds. Journal of Experimental Botany 32, 615620.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barkley, F.A. (1937) A monographic study of Rhus and its immediate allies in north and central America, including the West Indies. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 24, 263460.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baskin, C.C. and Baskin, J.M. (1998) Seeds: ecology, biogeography, and evolution of dormancy and germination. San Diego, Academic Press.Google Scholar
Bewley, J.D. and Black, M. (1994) Seeds: physiology of development and germination. (2nd edition) New York, Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bewley, J.D. and Oliver, M.J. (1992) Desiccation tolerance in vegetative plant tissues and seeds: protein synthesis in relation to desiccation and a potential role for protection and repair mechanisms. pp 141160 in Somero, G.N.; Osmond, C.B.; Bolis, C.L. (Eds) Water and life. Berlin, Springer-Verlag.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boyd, I.L. (1943) Germination tests on four species of Sumac. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 46, 8586.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brinkman, K.A. (1974) Rhus L. Sumac. pp 715719in Schopmeyer, C.S. (Technical Coordinator). Seeds of woody plants in the United States. USDA Forest Service Agriculture Handbook 450.Google Scholar
Cornford, C.A., Black, M., Chapman, J.M. and Baulcombe, D.C. (1986) Expression of a-amylase and other gibberellin-regulated genes in aleurone tissue of developing wheat grains. Planta 169, 420428.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dasgupta, J. and Bewley, J.D. (1982) Desiccation of axes of Phaseolus vulgaris during development causes a switch from a developmental pattern of protein synthesis to a germination pattern. Plant Physiology 70, 12241227.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Farmer, R.E., Lockley, G.C. and Cunningham, M. (1982) Germination patterns of the sumacs, Rhus glabra and R. copallina: effects of scarification time, temperature and genotype. Seed Science and Technology 10, 223231.Google Scholar
Hall, L.K. (1977) Southern fruit-producing woody plants used by wildlife. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report SO-16.Google Scholar
Heit, C.E. (1967) Propagation from seeds. Part 7: Germinating six hardseeded groups. American Nurseryman 125(12), 1012, 3741, 4445.Google Scholar
Heit, C.E. (1970) Germinative characteristics and optimum testing methods for twelve western shrub species. Proceedings of the Association of Official Seed Analysts 60, 197205.Google Scholar
Hubbard, A.C. (1986) Native ornamentals for the U.S. southwest. Combined Proceedings of the International Propagators' Society 36, 347350.Google Scholar
Keeley, J.E. (1987) Role of fire in seed germination of woody taxa in California chaparral. Ecology 68, 434443.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Keeley, J.E. (1991) Seed germination and life history syndromes in the California chaparral. The Botanical Review 57, 81116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kermode, A.R. and Bewley, J.D. (1985) The role of maturation drying in the transition from seed development to germination. I. Acquisition of desiccation-tolerance and germinability during development of Ricinus communis L. seeds. Journal of Experimental Botany 36, 19061915.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kermode, A.R. and Bewley, J.D. (1989) Developing seeds of Ricinus communis L., when detached and maintained in an atmosphere of high relative humidity, switch to a germinative mode without the requirement for complete desiccation. Plant Physiology 90, 702707.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
King, R.W. (1976) Abscisic acid in developing wheat grains and its relationship to grain growth and maturation. Planta 132, 4351.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Li, X. and Xu, Y. (1989) Dormancy break and germination requirements of non-dormant seeds in Rhus typhina L. Seeds 41, 2324. (Chinese)Google Scholar
Li, X., Baskin, J.M. and Baskin, C.C. (1999a) Seed morphology and physical dormancy of several North American Rhus species (Anacardiaceae). Seed Science Research 9, 247258.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, X., Baskin, J.M. and Baskin, C.C.Anatomy of two mechanisms of breaking physical dormancy by experimental treatments in seeds of two North American Rhus species (Anacardiaceae). American Journal of Botany (in press).Google Scholar
Little, E.L. Jr. (1977) Atlas of United States trees. Vol. 4. Minor eastern hardwoods. USDA Miscellaneous Publication 1342.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Long, S.R., Dale, R.M.K. and Sussex, I.M. (1981) Maturation and germination of Phaseolus vulgaris embryonic axes in culture. Planta 153, 405415.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lovell, J.F. (1964) An ecological study of Rhus glabra. PhD Dissertation, Kansas State University, Manhattan.Google Scholar
Miles, D.F., Tekrony, D.M. and Egli, D.B. (1988) Changes in viability, germination, and respiration of freshly harvested soybean seed during development. Crop Science 28, 700704.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nokes, J. (1986) How to grow native plants of Texas and the Southwest. Austin, Texas Monthly Press.Google Scholar
Norton, C.R. (1985) The use of gibberellic acid, ethephon, and cold treatment to promote germination of Rhus typhina L. seeds. Scientia Horticulturae 27, 163169.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Norton, C.R. (1986) Seed germination of Rhus typhina L. after growth regulator treatment. The Plant Propagator 32(2), 5.Google Scholar
Norton, C.R. (1987) Seed technology aspects of woody ornamental seed germination. Acta Horticulturae 202, 2334.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rasmussen, G.A. and Wright, H.A. (1988) Germination requirements of flameleaf sumac. Journal of Range Management 41, 4852.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rosenberg, L.A. and Rinne, R.W. (1986) Moisture loss as a prerequisite for seedling growth in soybean seeds (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Journal of Experimental Botany 37, 16631674.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SAS Institute. (1989) SAS/STAT User's Guide. Version 6, 4th edition, vol. 2, Cary, North Carolina, SAS Institute, Incorporation.Google Scholar
Smith, H.K. (1970) The biology, wildlife use and management of sumac in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. PhD Dissertation. Michigan State University, East Lansing.Google Scholar
Stone, E.C., and Juhren, G. (1951) The effect of fire on the germination of the seed of Rhus ovata Wats. American Journal of Botany 38, 368372.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tipton, J.L. (1992) Requirements for seed germination of Mexican redbud, evergreen sumac, and mealy sage. HortScience 27, 313316.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vines, R.A. (1960) Trees, shrubs, and woody vines of the southwest. Austin, University of Texas Press.Google Scholar
Wallis, A.L. Jr. (ed. and compiler) (1977) Comparative climatic data through 1976. U.S. Department of Commerce. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Environmental Data Service. Asheville, North Carolina, National Climatic Data Center.Google Scholar
Washitani, I. and Takenaka, A. (1986) “Safe sites” for the seed germination of Rhus javanica: a characterization by responses to temperature and light. Ecological Research 1, 7182.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wellington, P.S. (1956) Studies on the germination of cereals. I. The germination of wheat grains in the ear during development, ripening, and after-ripening. Annals of Botany 20, 105120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Young, J.A. and Young, C.G. (1992) Seeds of woody plants of North America. Revised and enlarged edition. Portland, Oregon, Dioscorides Press.Google Scholar