BA: 

19920749939

ET: 

Photoinhibition of seed germination in Mediterranean maritime plants.

AU: 

Thanos, C. A.; Georghiou, K.; Douma, D. J.; Marangaki, C. J.

AA: 

Institute of General Botany, University of Athens, Athens 15784, Greece.

SO: 

Annals of Botany, 1991, Vol.68, No.5, pp.469-475, 41 ref.

AB: 

Photoinhibition of seed germination was found in Allium staticiforme, Brassica tournefortii, Cakile maritima and Otanthus maritimus inhabiting Mediterranean sandy coasts. Germination of A. staticiforme was typically Mediterranean in regard to its temp. range (>0-20 deg C), while B. tournefortii germinated optimally at intermediate temp. (15-25 deg ). Light sensitivity was more pronounced in the latter species and 50% inhibition of seed germination was obtained with photon flux densities of approx. 0.1 and 0.015 mol/m² d in A. staticiforme and B. tournefortii, resp. However, the slopes of the regression lines of germination plotted against the logarithm of white light flux density were similar in both species. From monthly experiments performed under fluctuating conditions of temp. and light, simulating the climate of Athens throughout the year, optimal germination response peaked in 'winter' conditions for A. staticiforme, while a bimodal pattern was observed for B. tournefortii (maxima at the warm ends of the rainy season). In contrast to the other plants, a 5th species tested, Crithmum maritimum, showed an absolute light requirement, probably related to the rocky habitats of the species; the optimum germination period coincided with the rainy season. Pot experiments with seeds of the 5 species buried at various depths confirmed that maximum emergence was favoured by shallow depths (0.5-1 cm). It was concluded that seed germination in maritime plants of the Mediterranean rim is mediated by a photoinhibition mechanism which can be considered an adaptation strategy against surface seedling establishment in the harsh sandy or shingle sea coast habitats.

DE: 

germination; light; temperature; buried seeds; seeds; plant genetic resources

OD: 

Brassica tournefortii; Otanthus maritimus

ID: 

Allium staticiforme; Cakile maritima; Crithmum maritimum; Cakile; Capparales; Crithmum; Araliales

UP: 

Brassica; Brassicaceae; Capparidales; dicotyledons; angiosperms; Spermatophyta; plants; Otanthus; Asteraceae; Asterales; Apiaceae

IS: 

0305-7364

CC: 

FF060;
PP720

LA: 

English

DT: 

Journal article

SC: 

Seed Abstracts; Plant Genetic Resources Abstracts