Germination of mucilaginous seeds of Plantago albicans (Plantaginaceae): effects of temperature, light, pre-sowing treatments, osmotic stress and salinity
L. Veiga-Barbosa A and F. Pérez-García B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-290, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
B Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Escuela Universitaria de Ingeniería Técnica Agrícola, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040-Madrid, Spain.
C Corresponding author. Email: felix.perez@upm.es
Australian Journal of Botany 62(2) 141-149 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT14034
Submitted: 21 February 2014 Accepted: 31 March 2014 Published: 5 May 2014
Abstract
Plantago albicans L. (Plantaginaceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean region. The germination requirements (under different controlled conditions of light and temperature, and after two pre-sowing treatments) and tolerance to osmotic stress (polyethylene glycol, PEG 6000) and salinity (NaCl) of P. albicans seeds were studied. Seeds were germinated under constant temperatures (5°C, 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, 25°C and 30°C) and alternating temperature regimes of 20/10°C and 25/15°C with a 16 h/8 h light/dark photoperiod. The outer layer of seeds become mucilaginous when wetted and the presence of mucilage on seeds significantly increased germination percentages at all temperatures tested. P. albicans seeds were non-dormant and temperature significantly affected germination percentages and germination rate (germination velocity expressed as mean germination time, MGT). The final germination percentages ranged from 34% to 89% for intact seeds (seeds with mucilage) and from 9% to 62% for demucilaged seeds, depending on the temperature. Temperatures of 25°C and 25/15°C gave the highest germination percentages. Light did not affect seed germination at both temperature regimes assayed (25°C and 25/15°C). Germination percentages of seeds soaked for 24 h in distilled water or in a gibberellic acid (GA3) solution were not significantly higher than that of untreated seeds. In general, both the final germination percentage and germination rate were reduced by increasing salinity and PEG concentration. Seeds germinated in up to 35% PEG and 300 mmol·L–1 NaCl. Recovery of germination for seeds when transferred to distilled water after being in PEG or salinity treatments for 15 days was quite high, suggesting that P. albicans seeds are tolerant to osmotic and salt stresses.
Additional keywords: gibberellic acid, Plantago, polyethylene glycol, recovery germination, seed germination.
References
Albert MJ, Iriondo JM, Pérez-García F (2002) Effects of temperature and pretreatments on seed germination of nine semiarid species from NE Spain. Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 50, 103–112.| Effects of temperature and pretreatments on seed germination of nine semiarid species from NE Spain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Arnold S (1973) Interactions of light and temperature on the germination of Plantago maritima L. New Phytologist 72, 583–593.
| Interactions of light and temperature on the germination of Plantago maritima L.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barret GJ (2003) Seed dormancy and germinability in the halophyte Halosarcia pergranulata subsp. pergranulata. Seed Science and Technology 31, 289–299.
Baskin CC, Baskin JM (2001) ‘Seeds. Ecology, biogeography, and evolution of dormancy and germination.’ (Academic Press: San Diego, CA)
Baskin JM, Baskin CC (2004) A classification system for seed dormancy. Seed Science Research 14, 1–16.
| A classification system for seed dormancy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Blom CW (1992) Germination and establishment. In ‘Plantago: a multidisciplinary study. Ecological studies 89’. (Eds PJC Kuiper, M Bos) pp. 88–98. (Springer-Verlag: Berlin)
Bochet E, García-Fayos P, Alborch B, Tormo J (2007) Soil water availability effects on seed germination account for species segregation in semiarid roadslopes. Plant and Soil 295, 179–191.
| Soil water availability effects on seed germination account for species segregation in semiarid roadslopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXmsFKjtb0%3D&md5=a2236ae5605c34b94a75da29c7b34f1cCAS |
Chamorro D, Luna B, Moreno JM (2013) Germination response to various temperature regimes of four Mediterranean seeder shrubs across a range of altitudes. Plant Ecology 214, 1431–1441.
| Germination response to various temperature regimes of four Mediterranean seeder shrubs across a range of altitudes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
El-Keblawy A, Al-Shamsi N (2008) Effects of salinity, temperature and light on seed germination of Haloxylon salicornium, a common perennial shrub of the Arabian deserts. Seed Science and Technology 36, 679–688.
El-Keblawy A, Al-Ansari F, Hassan N, Al-Shamsi N (2007) Salinity, temperature and light affect germination of Salsola imbricada. Seed Science and Technology 35, 272–281.
Ellis RH, Roberts EH (1981) The quantification of ageing and survival in orthodox seeds. Seed Science and Technology 9, 373–409.
Engelbrecht M, García-Fayos P (2012) Mucilage secretion by seeds doubles the chance to escape removal by ants. Plant Ecology 213, 1167–1175.
| Mucilage secretion by seeds doubles the chance to escape removal by ants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fenner M, Thompson K (2005) ‘The ecology of seeds.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK)
Flowers TJ, Colmer TD (2008) Salinity tolerance in halophytes. New Phytologist 179, 945–963.
| Salinity tolerance in halophytes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtFWqur%2FE&md5=ce74aed5431022dad136c81c3e416cb9CAS | 18565144PubMed |
Fons F, Gargadennec A, Rapior S (2008) Culture of Plantago species as bioactive components resources: a 20-year review and recent applications. Acta Botanica Gallica 155, 277–300.
| Culture of Plantago species as bioactive components resources: a 20-year review and recent applications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Galmés J, Medrano H, Flexas J (2006) Germination capacity and temperature dependence in Mediterranean species of the Balearic Islands. Investigación Agraria: Sistemas y Recursos Forestales 15, 88–95.
Gul B, Webber DJ (1999) Effect of salinity, light, and temperature on germination in Allenrolfea occidentalis. Canadian Journal of Botany 77, 240–246.
| Effect of salinity, light, and temperature on germination in Allenrolfea occidentalis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gutterman Y (2002) ‘Survival, strategies and annual desert plants. Adaptations of desert organisms.’ (Springer: Berlin)
Gutterman Y, Shem-Tov S (1997) The efficiency of the strategy of mucilaginous seeds of some common annuals of the Negev adhering to the soil crust to delay collection by ants. Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 45, 317–327.
| The efficiency of the strategy of mucilaginous seeds of some common annuals of the Negev adhering to the soil crust to delay collection by ants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hammouda MA, Bakr ZY (1969) Some aspects of germination of desert seeds. Phyton 13, 183–201.
Harper J, Benton R (1966) The behaviour of seeds in soil. II. The germination of seeds on the surface of a water supplying substrate. Journal of Ecology 54, 151–166.
| The behaviour of seeds in soil. II. The germination of seeds on the surface of a water supplying substrate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huang Z, Gutterman DJ, Hu Z (2000) Structure and function of mucilaginous achenes of Artemisia monosperma inhabiting the Negev desert of Israel. Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 48, 255–266.
| Structure and function of mucilaginous achenes of Artemisia monosperma inhabiting the Negev desert of Israel.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huang Z, Boubriak I, Osborne DJ, Dong M, Gutterman Y (2008) Possible role of pectin-containing mucilage and dew in repairing embryo DNA of seeds adapted to desert conditions. Annals of Botany 101, 277–283.
| Possible role of pectin-containing mucilage and dew in repairing embryo DNA of seeds adapted to desert conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXisFCls7Y%3D&md5=2b5f784d93d6627e1fe0a053aa2f8511CAS | 17495979PubMed |
Keiffer CH, Ungar IA (1997) The effect of extended exposure to hypersaline conditions on the germination of five inland halophytes species. American Journal of Botany 84, 104–111.
| The effect of extended exposure to hypersaline conditions on the germination of five inland halophytes species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Khan MA, Gul B (2006) Halophyte seed germination. In ‘Ecophysiology of high salinity tolerant plants’. (Eds MA Khan, DJ Weber) pp. 11–30. (Springer: Dordrecht, The Netherlands)
Khan MA, Gulzar S (2003) Light, salinity and temperature effects on the seed germination of perennial grasses. American Journal of Botany 90, 131–134.
| Light, salinity and temperature effects on the seed germination of perennial grasses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21659088PubMed |
Khan MA, Ungar IA (1984) The effect of salinity and temperature on the germination of polymorphic seeds and growth of Atriplex triangularis Willd. American Journal of Botany 71, 481–489.
| The effect of salinity and temperature on the germination of polymorphic seeds and growth of Atriplex triangularis Willd.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Khan MA, Gul B, Weber D (2001) Germination of dimorphic seeds of Suaeda moquinii under high salinity stress. Australian Journal of Botany 49, 185–192.
| Germination of dimorphic seeds of Suaeda moquinii under high salinity stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kigel J (1995) Seed germination in arid and semiarid regions. In ‘Seed development and germination’. (Eds J Kigel, G Galili) pp. 645–699. (Marcel Dekker: New York)
Luna B, Moreno JM (2010) Range-size, local abundance and germination niche-breadth in Mediterranean plants of two life-forms. Plant Ecology 210, 85–95.
| Range-size, local abundance and germination niche-breadth in Mediterranean plants of two life-forms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Martínez-García F, Guerrero-García S, Pérez-García F (2012) Evaluation of reproductive sucess and conservation strategies for Senecio coincyi (Asteraceae), a narrow and threatened species. Australian Journal of Botany 60, 517–525.
| Evaluation of reproductive sucess and conservation strategies for Senecio coincyi (Asteraceae), a narrow and threatened species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Martins N, Gonçalves S, Palma T, Romano A (2012) Seed germination of two critically endangered plantain species, Plantago algarbiensis and P. almogravensis (Plantaginaceae). Seed Science and Technology 40, 144–149.
Michel BE, Kaufmann R (1973) The osmotic potential of polyethylene glycol 6000. Plant Physiology 51, 914–916.
| The osmotic potential of polyethylene glycol 6000.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE3sXktVGkt7o%3D&md5=8ced95695d4a1a40dd6e747e32d0ce2dCAS | 16658439PubMed |
Milberg P, Andersson L, Thompson K (2000) Large-seeded species are less dependent on light for germination than small-seeded ones. Seed Science Research 10, 99–104.
| Large-seeded species are less dependent on light for germination than small-seeded ones.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mohammad Esmaeili M, Sattarian A, Bonis A, Bouzillé JB (2009) Ecology of seed dormancy and germination of Carex divisa Huds.: effects of stratification, temperature and salinity. International Journal of Plant Production 3, 27–40.
Montes-Recinas S, Márquez-Guzmán J, Orozco-Segovia A (2012) Temperature and water requirements for germination and effects of discontinuous hydration on germination seed survival in Tillandsia recurvata L. Plant Ecology 213, 1069–1079.
| Temperature and water requirements for germination and effects of discontinuous hydration on germination seed survival in Tillandsia recurvata L.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mott JJ (1974) Factors affecting seed germination in three annual species from an arid region of Western Australia. Journal of Ecology 62, 699–709.
| Factors affecting seed germination in three annual species from an arid region of Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pedrol J (2009) Plantago L. In ‘Flora Iberica. Vol. XIII’. (Eds C Benedi, E Rico, J Güemes, A Herrero) pp. 4–38. (Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC: Madrid)
Pons TL, Van Der Toorn J (1988) Establishment of Plantago lanceolata L. and Plantago major L. among grass. I. Significance of light for germination. Oecologia 75, 394–399.
| Establishment of Plantago lanceolata L. and Plantago major L. among grass. I. Significance of light for germination.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Puech S, Rascol JP, Michel V, Andary C (1998) Cytogenetics and adaptation to increasingly arid environments: the example of Plantago albicans L. (Plantaginaceae). Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 26, 267–283.
| Cytogenetics and adaptation to increasingly arid environments: the example of Plantago albicans L. (Plantaginaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXjvFWksb8%3D&md5=6295032a07d3b112cc1584fc050a4f38CAS |
Pujol JA, Calvo JF, Ramírez-Díaz L (2000) Recovery of germination from different osmotic conditions by four halophytes from southeastern Spain. Annals of Botany 85, 279–286.
| Recovery of germination from different osmotic conditions by four halophytes from southeastern Spain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Qu XX, Baskin JM, Wang L, Huang ZY (2008) Effects of cold stratification, temperature, light and salinity on seed germination and radicle growth of the desert halophyte shrub, Kalidium capsicum (Chenopodiaceae). Plant Growth Regulation 54, 241–248.
| Effects of cold stratification, temperature, light and salinity on seed germination and radicle growth of the desert halophyte shrub, Kalidium capsicum (Chenopodiaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXitl2js7Y%3D&md5=baa7c47e59eaecbe83786d410d00ccfcCAS |
Sun Y, Tan DY, Baskin CC, Baskin JM (2012) Role of mucilage in seed dispersal and germination of the annual ephemeral Alyssum minus (Brassicaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 60, 439–449.
| Role of mucilage in seed dispersal and germination of the annual ephemeral Alyssum minus (Brassicaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thapliyal RC, Phartyal SS, Baskin JM, Baskin CC (2008) Role of mucilage in germination of Dillenia indica (Dilleniaceae) seeds. Australian Journal of Botany 56, 583–589.
| Role of mucilage in germination of Dillenia indica (Dilleniaceae) seeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsVGltLbI&md5=895f0876a2b697ade8e89b13c6627511CAS |
Tlig T, Gorai M, Neffati M (2008) Germination responses of Diplotaxis harra to temperature and salinity. Flora 203, 421–428.
| Germination responses of Diplotaxis harra to temperature and salinity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tobe K, Li X, Omasa K (2000) Seed germination and radicle growth of a halophyte, Kalidium capsicum (Chenopodiaceae). Annals of Botany 85, 391–396.
| Seed germination and radicle growth of a halophyte, Kalidium capsicum (Chenopodiaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tormo J, Bochet E, García-Fayos P (2006) Is seed availability enough to ensure colonization success? An experimental study in road embankments. Ecological Engineering 26, 224–230.
| Is seed availability enough to ensure colonization success? An experimental study in road embankments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ungar IA (1978) Halophyte seed germination. Botanical Review 44, 233–264.
| Halophyte seed germination.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1MXhtVSjt74%3D&md5=9bfa685b1301a48f1ec47c78ba02f2cdCAS |
Ungar IA (1995) Seed germination and seed-bank ecology in halophytes. In ‘Seed development and germination’. (Eds J Kigel, G Galili) pp. 599–628. (Marcel Dekker: New York)
Ungar IA (2001) Seed banks and seed population dynamics of halophytes. Wetlands Ecology and Management 9, 499–510.
| Seed banks and seed population dynamics of halophytes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vallejo AJ, Yanovsky MJ, Botto JF (2010) Germination variation in Arabidopsis thaliana accessions under moderate osmotic and salt stress. Annals of Botany 106, 833–842.
| Germination variation in Arabidopsis thaliana accessions under moderate osmotic and salt stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtlCltL7K&md5=32d2e559c8958305b9cd361c8afd69c3CAS | 20861274PubMed |
Verdú M, Traveset A (2005) Early emergence enhances plant fitness: a phylogenetically controlled meta-analysis. Ecology 86, 1385–1394.
| Early emergence enhances plant fitness: a phylogenetically controlled meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Werner JE, Finkelstein RR (1995) Arabidopsis mutants with reduced response to NaCl and osmotic stress. Physiologia Plantarum 93, 659–666.
| Arabidopsis mutants with reduced response to NaCl and osmotic stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXovFCnu70%3D&md5=e1a5af86e2c7aded9f7550082266e19bCAS |
Western TL (2012) The sticky tale of seed coat mucilages: production, genetics, and role in seed germination and dispersal. Seed Science Research 22, 1–25.
| The sticky tale of seed coat mucilages: production, genetics, and role in seed germination and dispersal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhsFGku7k%3D&md5=46e5f1a826049b125ebe07ab1dcdae34CAS |
Yang X, Dong M, Huang Z (2010) Role of mucilage in the germination of Artemisia sphaerocephala (Asteraceae) achenes exposed to osmotic stress and salinity. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 48, 131–135.
| Role of mucilage in the germination of Artemisia sphaerocephala (Asteraceae) achenes exposed to osmotic stress and salinity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXjtVCktro%3D&md5=dbc08b96ea4a7c86cce8c9985cb3f94cCAS | 20093038PubMed |
Zaady E, Gutterman Y, Boeken B (1997) The germination of mucilaginous seeds of Plantago coronopus, Reboudia pinnata, and Carrichtera annua on cyanobacterial soil crust from the Negev Desert. Plant and Soil 190, 247–252.
| The germination of mucilaginous seeds of Plantago coronopus, Reboudia pinnata, and Carrichtera annua on cyanobacterial soil crust from the Negev Desert.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXltVKgs7s%3D&md5=c0ea4ddb6daf9f8933488ff26fc158afCAS |
Zaidi CA, González-Benito ME, Pérez-García F (2010) Morphological and physiological seed heterogeneity in the Mediterranean annual plant Tuberaria macrosepala (Cistaceae). Plant Species Biology 25, 149–157.
| Morphological and physiological seed heterogeneity in the Mediterranean annual plant Tuberaria macrosepala (Cistaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zia S, Khan MA (2004) Effects of light, salinity, and temperature on seed germination of Limonium stocksii. Canadian Journal of Botany 82, 151–157.
| Effects of light, salinity, and temperature on seed germination of Limonium stocksii.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zia S, Khan MA (2008) Seed germination of Limonium stocksii under saline conditions. Pakistan Journal of Botany 40, 683–695.
