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Effects of environmental factors on seed germination of Anthyllis barba-jovis L

2008; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 142; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/11263500802150514

1724-5575

Massimiliano Morbidoni, Elena Estrelles, Pilar Soriano, Isabel Martínez‐Solís, Edoardo Biondi,

Botany and Plant Ecology Studies

Abstract The influence of the main environmental factors on seed germination of Anthyllis barba-jovis L. were analysed. This work is part of a broader investigation aimed at the reintroduction of this species on Mount Conero, Ancona (central Italy), where it is at present extinct. The seeds were collected from the Gargano headland (southern Adriatic coast). Experimental analyses were carried out to determine: (i) dormancy levels of seeds collected in successive years, and also collected from the soil seed bank; (ii) effects of usual pre-treatments for overriding the physical dormancy of the seeds; (iii) optimal temperature range for maximum germination; (iv) effects of fire on seed germination; and (v) effects of NaCl on germination and on early stages of seedling development. Our results confirm that A. barba-jovis seeds have a physical dormancy due to their teguments, which are water-impermeable. This barrier persists in naked seeds that remain in the soil. Regularly water-drenched seeds show a high germinative ability. The optimal seed germination temperature is 20°C, with germination decreasing progressively at lower temperatures, and falling drastically over 20°C. Fire and high temperatures positively affected germination. The seeds were shown to be strongly resistant to salt stress, thus enabling the plants to colonize a habitat suitable for halophytes. Key words: Anthyllis barba-jovis ecosystem restorationfire speciesgerminationsalt toleranceseed dormancy Acknowledgements We are very grateful to the staff of Servicio Central de Soporte a la Investigación Experimental (SCSIE) – Universidad de Valencia, for help in preparing the samples investigated and in subsequent observations.