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A temperate rhamnaceous species with a non-enclosing stone and without physical dormancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2012

Jeffrey L. Walck ,
M. Shea Cofer ,
K.M.G. Gehan Jayasuriya ,
M. Thilina R. Fernando  and
Siti N. Hidayati
Jeffrey L. Walck*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN37132, USA
M. Shea Cofer
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN37132, USA
K.M.G. Gehan Jayasuriya
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
M. Thilina R. Fernando
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN37132, USA
Siti N. Hidayati
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN37132, USA
*
*Correspondence Fax: +1 615-898-5093 Email: Jeffrey.Walck@mtsu.edu
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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the dormancy break and germination requirements of seeds from the rhamnaceous vine Berchemia scandens. The fleshy fruit contains a two-locular stone with an endocarp described as ‘bony, thickish’. Scarified and non-scarified stones increased by about 30–50% in mass during imbibition over a 24-h period. The endocarp of the stone does not completely enclose the seeds and a soft tissue region is present. This region is the primary area of water entrance to the seed, as shown by dye-tracking and by sealing it. Freshly matured and overwintered seeds of B. scandens germinated to low percentages at all temperatures during 2 weeks of incubation in light, and they germinated from moderate to high percentages during 12–14 weeks of incubation in light. While cold stratification had a relatively modest effect on the promotion of total germination across most temperatures assessed (if seeds were left for long enough), it had a somewhat stronger effect on germination rate. Cold-stratified seeds germinated equally well in light and darkness. The class of dormancy found in seeds of B. scandens would be physiological. The anatomy of the stones readily allows water imbibition, showing that seeds of B. scandens lack physical dormancy, an uncommon trait in Rhamnaceae.

Keywords

Berchemiaendocarpimbibition testphysical dormancyphysiological dormancyRhamnaceaestone
Type
Research Papers
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 22 , Issue 4 , December 2012 , pp. 269 - 278
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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