Factors Affecting Germination of Myrica gale Seeds

1989

2 Abb., 3 Tab., 22 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

9716

200088362

Several factors affecting seed germination were investigated in Myrica gale L., a nitrogen fixing shrub common on wet soils. Light was essential: seeds failed to germinate in the dark and required four 16-h photoperiods (one per day) for maximum germination. There was no absolute requirement for prechilling, but prechilling increased germination by 75% in 2-month-old seeds and by 164% in 4.5 year-old seeds. Leaching did not affect germination and 500 ppm gibberellic acid enhanced germination only 20%. The seeds were long-lived: there was no decrease in percent germination during 6 years of dry storage at 5C and germination remained high after 1 year of wet storage at 5C. Because M. gale seeds often germinate on water-worked substrates, the requirement for extended exposure to light for germination may serve as a mechanism to prevent unsuccessful germination of seeds that are reburied after brief exposure to light as sediments are worked by water.