Dependency of seed dormancy types on embryo traits and environmental conditions in Ribes species. (18th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mattana, E.; Stuppy, W. H.; Fraser, R.; Waller, J.; Pritchard, H. W.; Byers, D.
• Is Part Of: Plant biology. Volume 16:Number 4(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 740
• Page End: 747
• Publication Date: 2013-10-18
• Subjects: Botany -- Periodicals; Plants -- genetics -- Periodicals; Plants -- growth & development -- Periodicals; Plant Proteins -- Periodicals; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant -- Periodicals; Botanique -- Périodiques; 580
• DOI: 10.1111/plb.12115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1435-8603

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="plb12115-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The hypothesis that seed dormancy may be dependent on environmental conditions and seed morphological traits was tested for six <italic>Ribes</italic> species, across an altitudinal gradient of 1300 m and a longitudinal separation of 120°. Embryo measurements and seed germination experiments were conducted for <italic>R. alpinum</italic> L., <italic>R. hudsonianum</italic> Richardson var. <italic>petiolare</italic> (Douglas) Jancz., <italic>R. nevadaense </italic>Kellogg, <italic>R. roezlii </italic>Regel var<italic>. cruentum</italic> (Greene) Rehder and <italic>R. speciosum </italic>Pursh, and data taken from the literature for <italic>R. multiflorum</italic> Kit<italic>. ex </italic>Schult. ssp<italic>. sandalioticum </italic>Arrigoni. Germination was compared with seed viability to reveal proportional seed dormancy, which was then correlated to seed/embryo morphological traits and these traits related to the seed provenance environment. The embryos of all the investigated species are linear underdeveloped and all had a morphological component of seed dormancy (MD). Seeds of <italic>R. roezlii</italic>, <italic> R. hudsonianum</italic> and <italic>R. nevadaense</italic> required a temperature and/or hormone pre‐treatment in order to germinate, highlighting morphophysiological seed dormancy (MPD). Seed dormancy was found to be strongly negatively correlated with embryo length, but not with embryo to seed (E:S) ratio or seed mass. Initial embryo length was positively related to mean annual temperature. Seed dormancy in the investigated <italic>Ribes</italic> species could be quantified and predicted by the interaction of embryo traits and environmental conditions. This approach may be helpful in assessing and predicting seed dormancy in the <italic>Ribes</italic> genus and in other genera and families with underdeveloped embryos.</p> </abstract>