Agronomy

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13 pages, 4482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seed Dormancy Class and Germination Characteristics of Berberis amurensis var. latifolia Nakai, Native to Korea

by Do-Hyun Kim, Da-Hyun Lee, Ji-Yoon Park, Hyeon-Min Kim, Jun-Hyeok Kim, Hoi-Jin Kim, Sang-Hoon Che, Chae-Sun Na and Do-Hyung Lee

Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14050956 - 2 May 2024

Viewed by 430

Abstract

Berberis amurensis var. latifolia Nakai is a plant native to the Ulleung Island in Korea. In this study, we aimed to identify seed dormancy-breaking and germination requirements of this species using water imbibition experiments, gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment (0, 10, 100, [...] Read more.

Berberis amurensis var. latifolia Nakai is a plant native to the Ulleung Island in Korea. In this study, we aimed to identify seed dormancy-breaking and germination requirements of this species using water imbibition experiments, gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment (0, 10, 100, or 1000 mg/L), cold stratification (0, 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks at 5 °C), move-along experiments, and phenological studies. In the water imbibition experiment, the seed weight increased by more than 120% after 24 h. Analysis of the internal morphological characteristics of the seeds revealed that the embryo in freshly matured seeds was fully grown and did not grow thereafter. The final germination percentages after 12 weeks of cold stratification at 5 °C were 49 ± 6.4% and 63 ± 3.4% under light and dark conditions, respectively. In move-along and phenological studies, a longer cold stratification treatment period resulted in a higher germination percentage; however, the warm stratification treatment did not affect germination significantly. The GA₃ treatment had little effect on seed germination. Therefore, we concluded that B. amurensis var. latifolia seeds have intermediate physiological dormancy, and pre-treatment with cold stratification for 12 weeks and incubation in the dark are required for effective seed propagation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Agronomic Treatment on Seed Germination and Dormancy)

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15 pages, 2939 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermodormancy and Germination Response to Temperature of Pyrus ussuriensis Seeds

by Zhuolin Liu, Mingyue Li, Meiru Zhu, Rosana López, Roberto L. Salomón and Peng Zhang

Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030475 - 27 Feb 2024

Viewed by 556

Abstract

To determine the optimal germination temperature for Pyrus ussuriensis seeds and whether they experienced the phenomenon of thermodormancy and its inciting factors, several germination tests were conducted using non-dormant P. ussuriensis seeds for comparison. The results showed that the highest germination rate of [...] Read more.

To determine the optimal germination temperature for Pyrus ussuriensis seeds and whether they experienced the phenomenon of thermodormancy and its inciting factors, several germination tests were conducted using non-dormant P. ussuriensis seeds for comparison. The results showed that the highest germination rate of P. ussuriensis seeds was reached at a constant temperature of 5 °C and variable temperature (night/day) of 5 °C/10 °C. Constant temperatures of 25 °C for three days induced thermodormancy, triggering significant drops in seeding emergence. Thermodormancy was related to the inhibitory effect of endogenous substances in the seed coat and an elevated abscisic acid concentration. The embryo, by contrast, remained non-dormant. Thermodormant and non-dormant seed embryos showed higher germination rates than dormant seed embryos when applied exogenous abscisic acid and gibberellic acid. We found that P. ussuriensis seeds showed thermodormancy; thus, during early spring sowing, high temperatures should be avoided to prevent low seed germination capacity. Additionally, applying exogenous gibberellic acid, shading and increasing soil moisture can be helpful to enhance the species seed germination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Agronomic Treatment on Seed Germination and Dormancy)

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12 pages, 2568 KiB

Open AccessArticle

GIS-Facilitated Germination of Stored Seeds from Four Wild-Growing Populations of Petromarula pinnata (L.) A. DC.—A Valuable, yet Vulnerable Local Endemic Plant of Crete (Greece)

by Ioannis Anestis, Elias Pipinis, Stefanos Kostas, Eleftherios Karapatzak, Eleftherios Dariotis, Veroniki Paradeisopoulou, Vasileios Greveniotis, Georgios Tsoktouridis, Stefanos Hatzilazarou and Nikos Krigas

Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020274 - 26 Jan 2024

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Abstract

The ex situ conservation and sustainable exploitation of neglected or underutilized plant species (NUPs) is an urgent and vital endeavor. To this end, we focused on Petromarula pinnata (Campanulaceae), a vulnerable local plant endemic to Crete (Greece) that has been garnering interest for [...] Read more.

The ex situ conservation and sustainable exploitation of neglected or underutilized plant species (NUPs) is an urgent and vital endeavor. To this end, we focused on Petromarula pinnata (Campanulaceae), a vulnerable local plant endemic to Crete (Greece) that has been garnering interest for its agro-alimentary, medicinal, and ornamental value. A GIS ecological profile was established herein based on the natural distribution of this species in Crete. This profile contains detailed information on the climatic conditions (minimum, maximum, and mean temperatures; precipitation), as well as information on 19 bioclimatic variables that shape its natural adaptations. This profiling contributed to a better understanding of the species’ ecological requirements and facilitated germination trials employing stored seeds from four distinct populations (two from lowlands and two from semi-mountainous areas) at four temperatures (10, 15, 20, and 25 °C) and two light conditions. The results presented here show that both incubation temperature and population of origin, as well as the interaction between these variables, significantly affected seed germination rates. Incubation temperatures of 10 and 15 °C were the most appropriate for the successful germination of this species (>81.25% for both temperatures in three out of four populations), with light conditions having no effect on seed germination (86% in light and 80% in darkness). The establishment of a protocol for the successful germination of P. pinnata seeds opens avenues for further sustainable exploitation of this valuable yet vulnerable NUP as a new Greek native crop. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Agronomic Treatment on Seed Germination and Dormancy)

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11 pages, 898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Thermal Time Basis for Comparing the Germination Requirements of Alfalfa Cultivars with Different Fall Dormancy Ratings

by Yi Wu, Hongxiang Zhang, Yu Tian, Yantao Song and Qiang Li

Agronomy 2023, 13(12), 2969; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13122969 - 30 Nov 2023

Viewed by 712

Abstract

Fall dormancy plays important roles in the evaluation of alfalfa’s winter hardiness and in the selection of alfalfa breeding. A rapid and effective method to estimate the fall dormancy rating of alfalfa will shorten the breeding cycle. The purpose of this study is [...] Read more.

Fall dormancy plays important roles in the evaluation of alfalfa’s winter hardiness and in the selection of alfalfa breeding. A rapid and effective method to estimate the fall dormancy rating of alfalfa will shorten the breeding cycle. The purpose of this study is to test the correlations between the germination thermal time model parameters and the fall dormancy ratings and to evaluate the potential of the thermal-based fall dormancy methodology. Alfalfa cultivars with a series of fall dormancy ratings were used to study the responses of seed germination at six constant temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 °C). The results showed that all cultivars had a relatively high germination percentage at all temperatures and the optimal temperature is 25 or 30 °C. Germination rate and base temperature significantly increased with the fall dormancy rating of alfalfa cultivars while thermal time (θ_T) decreased with the fall dormancy rating. The extremely significant linear regression relationships between the germination rate, base temperature (T_b), θ_T, and fall dormancy rating indicated that it is convenient and straightforward to predict the fall dormancy rating of unknown cultivars or lines using thermal time model parameters. This method can significantly shorten the selection and breeding cycles in alfalfa cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Agronomic Treatment on Seed Germination and Dormancy)

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15 pages, 2392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Ribonuclease Activity in the Testa of Common Bean Seedlings during Germination: Implication and Characterization of the Ribonuclease T2 PvRNS3

by Mercedes Diaz-Baena, Gregorio Galvez-Valdivieso, Elena Delgado-Garcia and Pedro Piedras

Agronomy 2023, 13(11), 2750; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112750 - 31 Oct 2023

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Abstract

T2 ribonucleases are endoribonucleases that are found in every organism and that carry out important biological functions. In plants, T2 ribonucleases are organized into multi-gene families, and each member is thought to have a specific function. In this study, the ribonuclease activity has [...] Read more.

T2 ribonucleases are endoribonucleases that are found in every organism and that carry out important biological functions. In plants, T2 ribonucleases are organized into multi-gene families, and each member is thought to have a specific function. In this study, the ribonuclease activity has been analyzed in common bean seedlings during germination and it was found that the activity was very high in the testa during this process. This high activity correlated with a high level of expression of the S-like ribonuclease T2 PvRNS3. The protein encoded by this gene was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and characterized. The purified protein showed ribonuclease activity with RNA and not with DNA, confirming that PvRNS3 encodes a ribonuclease. PvRNS3 is an acidic ribonuclease with remarkable heat stability, of which activity is inhibited by Cu and Zn, as well as by ditiotreitol (DTT). PvRNS3 expression was also selectively induced in some stress situations, such as salt stress in radicles and wounded leaves. The high level of expression in the testa and high ribonuclease activity suggest an additional role for the testa in common bean germination, apart from being a protective barrier for embryos in seeds. The putative role of this ribonuclease in the extracellular space after seed hydration and release to the surrounding space to improve seedling fitness is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Agronomic Treatment on Seed Germination and Dormancy)

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12 pages, 854 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Pre-Treatments on Seed Dormancy and Germination of Endemic Muscari bourgaei Baker

by Serap Kırmızı

Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2438; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092438 - 21 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1137

Abstract

M. bourgaei Baker is an endemic plant that grows in Türkiye. It has the potential to be an ornamental plant, so it is important to know its germination characteristics and seed morphological characteristics. We evaluated the effects of moist chilling (3 to 12 [...] Read more.

M. bourgaei Baker is an endemic plant that grows in Türkiye. It has the potential to be an ornamental plant, so it is important to know its germination characteristics and seed morphological characteristics. We evaluated the effects of moist chilling (3 to 12 months) and application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) (250 to 1000 mg/L⁻¹) on seed germination under two different light regimes (light phase and dark phase) and four temperature regimes (20, 20/10, 25/15, and 15/10 °C). Seeds were collected from the subalpine belt of Mount Uludağ at an altitude between 2200 and 2300 m. M. bourgaei seeds were dormant and reached the highest germination percentage after 12 months of moist chilling. GA₃ applications only have a limited effect on the breaking of dormancy in most cases. Maximum germination of 28 percent was obtained by the GA₃ application of 1000 mg/L under dark phase with incubation at 15/10 °C. Scarification with sulfuric acid did not result in any germination. Seed germination of above 80 percent was obtained after 6 months of moist chilling and above 90 percent after 9 and 12 months of moist chilling. Intermediate physiological dormancy was determined as the type of dormancy. Our findings on seed germination and dormancy characteristics of M. bourgaei, which is an endemic alpine meadow plant, will contribute to the protection and development of the germplasm of this species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Agronomic Treatment on Seed Germination and Dormancy)

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11 pages, 791 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pelleting of Physical Dormancy Small-Seeded Species in Astragalus sikokianus Nakai

by Yea-Jung Jin, Han-Jin Jeong, Soo-Young Kim, Seong-Hyun Cho, Jin-Hwan Lee and Du-Hyun Kim

Agronomy 2023, 13(1), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13010206 - 10 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1368

Abstract

Astragalus sikokianus is a rare Japanese perennial of the seashore that was reported to be extinct in the wild. The small seed size and deep dormancy of A. sikokianus make it difficult for direct seeding restoration in aspects of seed handling, transport, planting, [...] Read more.

Astragalus sikokianus is a rare Japanese perennial of the seashore that was reported to be extinct in the wild. The small seed size and deep dormancy of A. sikokianus make it difficult for direct seeding restoration in aspects of seed handling, transport, planting, and seedling establishment. For the large-scale economic restoration of dormant small-seeded species, seed pelleting combined with the breaking of dormancy was studied. Physiological (prechilling and plant hormones) and physical (hot water, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid) seed dormancy break treatments were evaluated. The dormant broken seeds were used for pelleting. The effects of the substrate, pellet sizes, and their interactions on germination were measured. The scarification of five rubs of seeds placed between sandpapers completely broke the physical dormancy of A. sikokianus. Seed coat impermeability inhibited germination. Pelleted seeds ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 mm in diameter showed more than 90% germination on filter paper. The germination of the pelleted seeds was measured in commercial, field, and sand soil conditions. The highest germination was shown in sand (70–74% GP), regardless of the pellet size, whereas unpelleted scarified seeds germinated only 48%. These results suggest that small-seeded species with physical dormancy can be used for seed-based restoration after seed pelleting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Agronomic Treatment on Seed Germination and Dormancy)

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9 pages, 2498 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Acid Scarification Completes the Germination of Hovenia dulcis Seeds

by Seung-Hyuk Yang, Young-Hyun Kwon, Kil-Nam Kang, Seog-Gu Son and Yong-Ha Rhie

Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2801; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112801 - 10 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1622

Abstract

Seeds have been reported to have a combination of physical and physiological dormancy. However, this study revealed that H. dulcis seeds only have physical dormancy. The water absorption of the seeds after different periods of sulfuric acid scarification was measured, and the water [...] Read more.

Seeds have been reported to have a combination of physical and physiological dormancy. However, this study revealed that H. dulcis seeds only have physical dormancy. The water absorption of the seeds after different periods of sulfuric acid scarification was measured, and the water gap through which water was absorbed after scarification treatment was specified. Cold stratification treatment and gibberellic acid treatment were performed after sulfuric acid scarification to determine whether H. dulcis seeds had physiological dormancy. H. dulcis seeds could absorb water completely when scarified for more than 60 min, and water was absorbed only through the hilar fissure near the micropyle, indicating that H. dulcis seeds have physical dormancy. However, there was no synergistic effect on the final seed germination percentage after the cold stratification or gibberellic acid treatments, and germination was delayed under cold temperature conditions. Thus, it was concluded that H. dulcis seeds have no physiological dormancy but only physical dormancy. This study not only clarifies the kind of dormancy in H. dulcis seeds but also provides a method to expedite seed germination without a long cold stratification treatment period of 2 or 3 months. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Agronomic Treatment on Seed Germination and Dormancy)

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16 pages, 1027 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamics of the Ocimum basilicum L. Germination under Seed Priming Assessed by an Updated BBCH Scale

by Valentina Ancuța Stoian, Ștefania Gâdea, Roxana Vidican, Dan Vârban, Claudia Balint, Anamaria Vâtcă, Ancuța Rotaru, Vlad Stoian and Sorin Vâtcă

Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2694; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112694 - 30 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2059

Abstract

Germination of the medicinal and aromatic plant basil raises interesting questions due to its no seed periodicity and dormancy demand, and the seed priming could help to assure the permanent needs for this herb. The study aimed to provide an adapted BBCH (Biologische [...] Read more.

Germination of the medicinal and aromatic plant basil raises interesting questions due to its no seed periodicity and dormancy demand, and the seed priming could help to assure the permanent needs for this herb. The study aimed to provide an adapted BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt Bundessortenamt and CHemical industry) scale for the germination secondary stages of sweet basil Ocimum basilicum L. (var. MVSt). A standardized germination test was performed with hydropriming, electric field, and magnetic field as priming methods to assess the changes in the secondary stages of germination. The time range for each basil secondary stage was recorded and added to the adapted BBCH, to highlight the daily secondary stage changes. All the seed priming methods increased the germination capacity with 2–3% compared with the control, with the highest value for electropriming. The seed priming methods studied improved the germination and changed the pattern of secondary stages in the BBCH scale. The germination energy was set to more than 90% in all primed seeds, with a maximum of 91.75% in the magnetic field. The time needed for 50% germination of seeds was set to 6.5 days and 90% germinated seeds were recorded after 11.7 days. The 09a BBCH lasted for 9 days in control and hydropriming, 10 days in electric field conditions and 7 days for magnetoprimed seeds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Agronomic Treatment on Seed Germination and Dormancy)

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