BA: 

19950316833

ET: 

Ecophysiology of germination in the aromatic plants thyme, savory and oregano (Labiatae).

AU: 

Thanos, C. A.; Kadis, C. C.; Skarou, F.

AA: 

Department of Botany, University of Athens, Athens 15784, Greece.

SO: 

Seed Science Research, 1995, Vol.5, No.3, pp.161-170, 36 ref.

AB: 

Ecophysiological aspects of seed germination were investigated in the widely distributed Mediterranean-endemics Coridothymus capitatus [Thymus capitatus ], Satureja thymbra and Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum (collected from Crete and Kalymnos). C. capitatus seed germination was light indifferent, whereas O. vulgare seeds had an absolute light requirement; seed germination could be promoted by green safelight or far-red light. Some S. thymbra seeds germinated in the dark, and germination could be either increased or decreased by the appropriate illumination. All 3 species germinated over a relatively low temperature range, with an optimum around 15-20 deg C. The small seeds of C. capitatus and O. vulgare germinated at a higher rate than the larger seeds of S. thymbra . In the latter species, germination was also dependent upon the age of the seeds; old seeds germinated to a higher percentage than fresh ones. The seeds of all 3 species are dispersed within the persistent fruiting calyces. Germination occurs within these calyces. Essential oils in the calyx strongly inhibit germination; the most potent inhibition was observed in C. capitatus . This essential oil-induced dormancy is overcome under natural conditions by leaching of the inhibitors by rainwater. It is suggested that this dormancy operates as an adaptation strategy that prevents germination and subsequent seedling establishment during the early phase of the rainy period, which is usually interrupted by drought spells in the Mediterranean climate.

DE: 

seed germination; essential oil plants; essential oils; inhibitors; seed dormancy; ecology; seeds; germination; light; temperature; dormancy; growth inhibitors

OD: 

Lamiaceae; Satureja; Thymus capitatus; Origanum vulgare; Lamiales

GL: 

Greece

ID: 

Satureja thymbra

UP: 

dicotyledons; angiosperms; Spermatophyta; plants; Lamiaceae; Thymus; Origanum; Mediterranean Region; Developed Countries; European Union Countries; OECD Countries; Southern Europe; Europe; Satureja

IS: 

0960-2585

CC: 

FF060;
FF040

NB: 

7 fig.

LA: 

English

DT: 

Journal article

SC: 

Review of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants; Horticultural Abstracts; Seed Abstracts; Crop Physiology Abstracts