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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 56(6)

The effect of in situ seed burial on dormancy break in three woody-fruited species (Ericaceae and Proteaceae) endemic to Western Australia

Melanie A. Norman A and John M. Koch A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Alcoa World Alumina Australia, PO Box 172, Pinjarra, WA 6208, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: john.koch@alcoa.com.au

Australian Journal of Botany 56(6) 493-500 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT07175
Submitted: 20 September 2007  Accepted: 1 May 2008   Published: 16 September 2008

Abstract

The woody-fruited species Leucopogon propinquus R.Br., Styphelia tenuiflora Lindl. (Ericaceae) and Persoonia longifolia R.Br. (Proteaceae) need to be returned to restored mines in Western Australia. All species have physiological seed dormancy, however germination has been observed following the application of smoke to native habitats. We recorded seed viability, permeability to water, endocarp strength, morphology and germination ± gibberellic acid (GA3) every 3 months for 24 months of in-situ burial in the jarrah forest to determine the time of dormancy release and corresponding seed changes. The term ‘seed’ refers to the woody endocarp, plus the true seed. Persoonia longifolia reached 37% germination after burial in soil for 21 months, followed by chipping the endocarp and GA3 application. A minimum of 15 months soil burial was necessary for unchipped seeds to germinate; 22% germination was achieved after 18 months burial in soil followed by GA3 application. Viability of fresh seeds of all three species was 96–100% and remained unchanged for P. longifolia, but declined to 5 and 0% following 24 months of soil burial for L. propinquus and S. tenuiflora, respectively. Germination of the two Ericaceae species was negligible, despite the presence of viable seeds (30–63%, depending on the species) after 12 months of soil burial and substantial deterioration of the endocarp. To germinate large quantities of P. longifolia, for use in land restoration, drupes should be buried in-situ in forest soil for 18 months immediately following seed fall (early spring) and GA3 treated, following exhumation.


Acknowledgements

We thank Dr David Merritt from Kings Park and Botanic Gardens for assistance with data analysis and manuscript review. Three anonymous reviewers undertook comprehensive reviews to improve the manuscript. Professor Brendan Griffin and Sharon Platten at the University of Western Australia (UWA) Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis (CMCA) provided valuable assistance during microscopy sessions. Esther Cromer, Alex Noble and Dave Willyams at Alcoa’s Marrinup Nursery assisted with experimental work. We thank Greg Mullins at Marrinup Nursery for suggestions regarding the experimental design. The UWA Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences provided use of the penetrometer. Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd contributed financial support.


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