Germination Trials and Domestication Potential of Three Native Species With Edible Sprouts: Ruscus Aculeatus L., Tamus Communis L. And Smilax Aspera L.

Abstract

Ruscus aculeatus, Tamus communis and Smilax aspera are wild species whose young spring sprouts are consumed in some areas of Italy. Although sometimes abundant in the natural vegetation, these species are not common on a country basis. Sprouts are therefore only locally commercially available. Cultivation could contribute to make them better known and increase vegetable product differentiation. Seed germination was investigated by applying the following treatments: control, concentrated H 2 SO 4 for 5 or 10 minutes; GA 3 at 500 ppm coupled or not with H 2 SO 4 , ethrel 1 or 3 mM, KNO 3 0.2 or 0.4%, natural stratification. Germination was very low, and of no practical interest, for S. aspera, ranging from 0 to 65% for the two other species. The mean germination time was 140-220 days. KNO 3 and ethrel at low dose improved, GA 3 and H 2 SO 4 decreased, and stratification had no effect on germination. Germination time was shorter at higher germination rates. Domestication opportunities are discussed, considering growth habit, cultural traits and consumer acceptance.

Germination and seedling morphology of four South American <i>Smilax</i> (Smilacaceae).

“…We conducted preliminary tests to break the dormancy of seeds of Smilax polyantha collected in 2004, as described by several authors (Andreata 1980, Pogge & Bearce 1989, D'Antuono & Lovato 2003, Santos et al 2003, Shao et al 2006. We used chemical scarification (sulfuric acid) and mechanical (sandpaper), heat shock and gibberillic acid (GA 3 ), following the methodology described by Santos et al (2003).…”

“…Several authors carried out studies about germination of Smilax species (Holm 1890, Andreata 1980, Pogge & Bearce 1989, Andreata & Pereira 1990, Barnea et al 1991, Andreata & Menezes 1999, Rosa & Ferreira 1999, D'Antuono & Lovato 2003, Santos et al 2003, Palhares et al 2009, Martins et al 2011. These studies tested different treatments and they found different results in relation to responses to light, dormancy break and germination rates.…”

Biological Flora of the British Isles: Ruscus aculeatus

“…The shoots live for several years but do not grow after the first year. New shoots are produced annually from the underground rhizome (D'Antuono & Lovato ; Balica, Tămaş & Deliu ). The wood is typical of monocotyledons with the vascular bundles scattered through the sclerenchyma cylinder (Schweingruber ).…”

“…Ruscus aculeatus has geophyte properties in that it readily produces new shoots from the creeping rhizome, and this appears to be the main method of spread within a locality. D'Antuono and Lovato () in Italy found that seedlings planted out (after germination in climatically controlled chambers) had already produced several new shoots from the roots when 1 year old.…”

“…). Concomitantly, it does not appear to be able to perform well under high‐light fluxes; D'Antuono and Lovato () recorded that R. aculeatus plants in Bologna, Italy, almost stopped growth when kept in full sunlight during the summer. Light‐saturated rate of photosynthesis is low, measured by Pivovaroff et al .…”