Comparative longevity and low-temperature storage of seeds of Hydatellaceae and temporary pool species of south-west Australia
R. E. Tuckett A B F , D. J. Merritt A B , F. R. Hay C D , S. D. Hopper A E and K. W. Dixon A BA School of Plant Biology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
B Kings Park and Botanic Garden, West Perth, WA 6005, Australia.
C Seed Conservation Department, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TN, UK.
D Present address: International Rice Research Institute, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines.
E Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK.
F Corresponding author. Email: renee.tuckett@graduate.uwa.edu.au
Australian Journal of Botany 58(4) 327-334 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT10011
Submitted: 13 January 2010 Accepted: 16 April 2010 Published: 22 June 2010
Abstract
The comparative longevity of seeds of species from the early-angiosperm group, Hydatellaceae, along with other temporary wetland aquatics from the South-west Australian Floristic Region were tested under standard experimental storage conditions. In contrast to recent hypotheses proposing that seeds from basal angiosperm species may be short-lived in storage, seeds of the Hydatellaceae species (Trithuria submersa Hook.f. and T. austinensis D.D.Sokoloff, Remizowa, T.Macfarlane and Rudall) were longer-lived than the other temporary wetland aquatic species tested. Seeds of Glossostigma drummondii Benth. (Scrophulariaceae), Myriophyllum petreaum Orchard and M. balladoniense Orchard (Haloragaceae), lost viability quickly and are thus predicted to be short-lived in seed bank storage. To assist seed bank conservation programs, the effect of seed moisture content on the viability of seeds stored for 1, 6 and 12 months at −18°C or in vapour phase cryopreservation (−150°C) was determined. Seeds of all species survived storage at both temperatures for up to 12 months, provided seed equilibrium relative humidity was below ~50%. Given the high conservation value of Hydatellaceae species and the potential short-lived nature of seeds of some of the species, we recommend that ex situ conservation programs for these aquatic species should consider cryopreservation as a means to maximise the longevity of their seeds.
Acknowledgements
Funding for this research was provided by The University of Western Australia and the Millennium Seed Bank Project, Kew. In addition, RET received a postgraduate scholarship from the ANZ Trustees Foundation-Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment and the Australian Federation of University Women (WA) Inc. DJM was supported by the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority – Alcoa of Australia Limited Seed Conservation Partnership. This research was conducted under the auspices of the Millennium Seed Bank Project, Kew, which is supported by the UK Millennium Commission, the Wellcome Trust and Orange plc.
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