title: GA3-mediated dormancy alleviation in the reputed African potato, Hypoxis hemerocallidea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypoxis hemerocallidea, arguably the most well-known medicinal species in South Africa, has been the subject of intensive harvesting from the wild leading to recent conservation concerns. The seeds of this species do not propagate easily and can lie dormant for up to twelve months.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the in vitro germination experiments water, acid and chemical pre-sowing treatments were performed to determine the germination response of this species in both light and dark conditions. In the ex vitro experiment, intact seeds were sown and left to germinate in a potting soil mix under greenhouse conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Highest levels of germination (36.7-60.0% in the light and 36.7-46.7% in the dark) were achieved by treating mechanically scarified seeds with GA3 at various concentrations for 24 h. This was followed by scarified seeds soaked in water (26.7% in the light and 23.3% in the dark). Similar results (23.3 and 26.7%) were obtained in the 1% and 4% KNO3 treatments, respectively, under light conditions only. The fastest time to germinate was two days and was obtained in the 1200 ppm GA3 treatment in both light and dark conditions. Ex vitro germination of H. hemerocallidea seeds under greenhouse conditions was unsuccessful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  H. hemerocallidea displays physical and non-deep physiological dormancy where pre-sowing treatments are required before the seeds will germinate.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.
authors.forename: Shakira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shaik
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.
authors.forename: Kesigan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Govender
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.
authors.forename: Moeketsi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leanya
mesh_terms: D005875:Gibberellins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027802:Hypoxis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D057445:Plant Dormancy / Q000187:drug effects*; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D005875:Gibberellins; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; C007842:gibberellic acid
keywords: GA3; dormancy; medicinal plant; pre-sowing