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Temperature control of seed germination in Fritillaria tubiformis subsp. moggridgei (Liliaceae) a rare endemic of the South-west Alps

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Valentina Carasso ,
Fiona R. Hay ,
Robin J. Probert  and
Marco Mucciarelli
Valentina Carasso
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology, University of Torino, Via Leonardo da Vinci, 44, 10095Grugliasco (TO), Italy
Fiona R. Hay
Affiliation:
Seed Conservation Department, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West SussexRH17 6TN, UK
Robin J. Probert
Affiliation:
Seed Conservation Department, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West SussexRH17 6TN, UK
Marco Mucciarelli*
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology, University of Torino, Via Leonardo da Vinci, 44, 10095Grugliasco (TO), Italy
*
*Correspondence Fax: +39 011 6709138 Email: marco.mucciarelli@unito.it
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Abstract

Fritillaria tubiformis subsp. moggridgei (Liliaceae) is a rare, endemic species that inhabits open mountains and alpine grasslands of the Ligurian Alps. At the time of seed dispersal, the underdeveloped embryos were 27% the length of the seed. Here we report the results of laboratory experiments carried out to determine the temperature preferences for embryo growth and radicle emergence. Embryo growth commenced immediately after sowing at 4°C. Once the embryo had grown the length of the seed, the radicle emerged. The time required for embryo growth and radicle emergence was longer when seeds were placed through a seasonal sequence of temperatures, commencing with late summer (10/20°C), compared with seeds immediately placed at a temperature to simulate winter conditions (4°C). Prematurely transferring seeds from winter to spring temperatures (5/10°C) also slowed the progress of germination. Radicle emergence did not occur at 10 or − 5°C and less than 20% germination occurred in seeds placed at constant 0°C. Addition of gibberellic acid (GA3) did not promote embryo growth of seeds placed at 20°C. Overall, the temperature preferences for embryo growth and subsequent radicle emergence are such that, in situ, seed germination may occur during the winter under snow cover or at the end of winter to coincide with snow melt and warming temperatures.

Keywords

alpine habitatembryo growthFritillaria tubiformisLiliaceaeseed germination
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , March 2011 , pp. 33 - 38
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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