Germination characteristics of tropical and sub-tropical rangeland species
John G. McIvor A C and David J. Reid BA CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia.
B Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, PO Box 6014, Red Hill, Rockhampton, Qld 4701, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: john.mcivor@csiro.au
The Rangeland Journal 33(2) 195-208 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ10026
Submitted: 28 May 2010 Accepted: 17 May 2011 Published: 22 June 2011
Abstract
A study was made of the germination characteristics of a broad spectrum of rangeland species by studying their behaviour under different conditions. Seeds of common species (both native and exotic) were collected from tropical (north-east Queensland) (36 species) and sub-tropical areas (south-east Queensland) (47 species). The seeds were exposed to three storage treatments: in a shade-house for 60 months, in a seed store (tropical collection) or freezer (sub-tropical collection) for 60 months, or in an oven with fluctuating temperatures (25/60°C) for 3 (tropical collection) or 4 (sub-tropical collection) months. Germination was tested during and after storage under standard conditions of 30/25°C (tropical collection) or 30/20°C (sub-tropical collection) with light during the 12-h period of higher temperature. In addition, germination of the sub-tropical collection was tested in the dark and at lower temperature (20/10°C). The species were divided into groups on the basis of changes in germination during storage in a shade-house or in a seed store or freezer. The species showed a wide range of germination behaviour, changes during storage, and responses to germination conditions. Differences in the responses of seed lots of the same species in the two collections show that care is needed when extrapolating results from one experiment to other collections and regions.
Additional keywords: botanical groups, exotic, native, storage, viability.
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