Seed germination responses to varying environmental conditions and provenances in Crucianella maritima L., a threatened coastal species.
Seed germination (effects of light, temperature, NaCl and KNO(3)) of the coastal endangered species Crucianella maritima was investigated by testing seeds from three different populations. Data were analyzed by means of Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM). The principal results showed that germination of C. maritima seeds was characterized by photoinhibition, absence of primary dormancy and salt-induced secondary dormancy, with no need for high nutrient availability (KNO(3)). Intraspecific differences in germination pattern emerged, apparently due to a different seed mass. These results show important germination traits of C. maritima which should be taken into account in possible reintroduction attempts aimed at restoring threatened populations of this species.
Environmental Biology Department, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy. sdelvecchio@uniroma3.it
Silvia
S
Del Vecchio
Efisio
E
Mattana
Alicia T R
AT
Acosta
Gianluigi
G
Bacchetta
D003624:Darkness; D017753:Ecosystem; D056727:Endangered Species; D004777:Environment; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D016014:Linear Models; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D009566:Nitrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D019666:Rubiaceae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature
D009566:Nitrates; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C023844:potassium nitrate