Effect of temperature and light on seed germination of Erysimum naxense and Erysimum krendlii

Abstract

Seed germination of two local Greek endemics was studied (Erysimum naxense, Erysimum krendlii). Seed viability was determined by using the tetrazolium method and germination was studied in synchronized cycles of five and four alternating temperatures [10/5 (for E. naxense only) and 15/10, 20/15, 25/20, and 30/25°C for both species, in cycles of 16 h day/8 h night], and in five light regimes (red, blue, green, white, and dark). Germination of E. naxense and E. krendlii seeds was determined daily for six and five weeks, respectively, with the data analyzed as viability adjusted accumulative seed germination at the end of each week. E. naxense’s seed viability was higher (90%) than that of E. krendlii (64%); seed germination (%) of both increased at low alternating temperatures (10/5°C, 15/10°C, 20/15°C). Germination of E. naxense seeds at low temperatures was light-independent, whereas at high temperatures it was increased with red light. Germination of E. krendlii seeds was inconsistently affected by light at the temperatures studied. Percentages of seed germination of both species were higher in experimental conditions similar to the ones of their natural habitats during autumn and/or spring (facilitated with Geographic Information Systems). These conclusions provide guidelines for species-specific propagation protocols and ex situ conservation.

GIS-Facilitated Germination of Stored Seeds from Five Wild-Growing Populations of Campanula pelviformis Lam. and Fertilization Effects on Growth, Nutrients, Phenol Content and Antioxidant Potential

“…Furthermore, conservation efforts have been increased to date to achieve effective protection for local endemic NUPs, especially for those threatened with extinction [2]. Significant information on both the economic and biological value of threatened local endemic NUPs has been gathered through species-specific studies [2,[11][12][13], and basic research gaps related to their propagation and ex-situ cultivation protocols have been addressed during the last decade [2,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29].…”

“…However, this has also been often coupled by potential economic benefits associated with their sustainable utilization and concomitant exploitation [2,11,12]. The effectiveness of these two research directions can be facilitated by information on the environmental conditions associated with targeted NUPs reflecting their adaptation in natural habitats and their ecological preferences [2,[15][16][17][18][19][20][22][23][24][25][26]28]. Such data can be utilized to adjust or improve their propagation conditions, for example, through seed propagation [30], which is the most economical and efficient propagation method for many plant species [31].…”

Vegetative propagation of three prioritized Greek endemics with potential commercial interest: Erysimum naxense Snogerup, Erysimum krendlii Polatschek and Centaurea paxorum Phitos & Georgiadis

“…Erysimum naxense Snogerup and Erysimum krendlii Polatschek (Brassicaceae), two species of section Cheiranthus(L.) Wettst. and Erysimum L., respectively [9]. Both of the studied Erysimum species (E. naxense, E. krendlii) are local endemics of Greece that are restricted to a single island of the Aegean Archipelago [Naxos and Samothraki, respectively].…”

Analysis of Photosynthetic Characteristics and UV-B Absorbing Compounds in Mung Bean Using UV-B and Red LED Radiation

“…Previous studies indicated that the LED light sources were used in the research of photomorphogenesis [ 15 ], chlorophyll synthesis [ 16 ], and photosynthesis [ 17 ]. Recently the studies of this field attract more and more researchers focusing on the work [ 18 , 19 ].…”