Effect of temperature and cold stratification on seed germination of the Mediterranean wild aromatic Clinopodium sandalioticum (Lamiaceae). (3rd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mattana, E.; Picciau, R.; Puddu, S.; Cuena Lombraña, A.; Bacchetta, G.
• Is Part Of: Plant biosystems. Volume 150:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 846
• Page End: 850
• Publication Date: 2016-07-03
• Subjects: Base temperature -- cold stratification -- endemic -- germination rate -- Mediterranean climate; Botany -- Periodicals; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Plants -- Periodicals; 581
• DOI: 10.1080/11263504.2016.1196760
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1126-3504

Abstract

Abstract: A germination study was carried out on seeds of Clinopodium sandalioticum (Bacch. & Brullo) Bacch. & Brullo ex Peruzzi & Conti (Lamiaceae), a wild aromatic plant endemic to Sardinia. Seeds were incubated at a range of constant (5–25°C) and an alternating temperatures regime (25/10°C), with 12 hours of irradiance per day. The results achieved at 10°C were also compared with those obtained after a period of cold stratification at 5°C for three months. Final seed germination ranged from ca. 28% (5°C) to ca. 72% (25/10°C). A base temperature for germination ( T b ) of ca. 5°C and a thermal constant for 50% germination ( S ) of 89.3°Cd were identified and an optimal temperature for germination ( T o ) was estimated to be comprised between 20 and 25°C. Cold stratification negatively affected seed viability and germination at 10°C. Although a typical "Mediterranean germination syndrome", could not be detected for C. sandalioticum seeds, these results were coherent with those previously reported for other Mediterranean Lamiaceae species.