Germination studies on three critically endangered endemic angiosperm species of the Kashmir Himalaya, India

Abstract

The critically endangered and perennial alpine endemic angiosperms, namely, Aquilegia nivalis, Lagotis cashmeriana and Meconopsis latifolia inhabit such habitats in the Kashmir Himalaya that are characterised by short growing season and heavy snow cover for about 3-4 months during winter season. The seeds of these species under natural conditions experience a long period of pre-chilling during winter prior to their germination in following spring season. Taking cue from such a requirement, present study investigated the effect of chilling and exogenous application of growth hormones, NO 3 -and NH 4 + on total percent germination of otherwise deep-dormant seeds of these species, under alternate light/dark and continuous dark light regimes. Prolonged pre-chilling followed by treatment of seeds with different doses of GA 3 had a pronounced stimulatory effect on the total germination percentage in all the three species. In fact, highest germination percentage in A. nivalis was recorded only when prechilled seeds were treated with 1.5 mM GA 3 under alternate light/dark conditions. Likewise, germination of pre-chilled seeds of L. cashmeriana with ruptured seed coats was improved when treated with various concentrations of GA 3 . Seed germination in M. latifolia was also favourably influenced by treatment of pre-chilled seeds with GA 3 or nitrogen applied either as NO 3 -or as NH 4 + under alternate light/dark conditions. Treatment of seeds with kinetin (6-furfuryl-aminopurine) had no significant influence on germination percentage in any of the three species. Thus, prolonged chilling of seeds followed by their treatment with GA 3 under alternate light/dark conditions are the requirements necessary for seed germination in these species.

Germination Studies of Critically Endangered Medicinal Angiosperm Plant Species Meconopsis Aculeta Royle Endemic to Kashmir Himalaya, India: A Multipurpose Species

“…Explants originally cultured on benzyl adenine or kinetin containing medium produced more shoots than those originally cultured on isopentenyladenine containing media. Dar et al [30] also reported seed germination in Meconopsis latifolia, when treated with GA3. Our results are in confirmation with Kuris et al [36] who reported that increased percentage of shoots was achieved in Origanum vulgare L. when cultured on MS medium supplemented with IAA and IBA treatments and showed that the IAA and IBA has higher potential of in vitro root development.…”

“…Treatment of seeds with kinetin (6-furfuryl-aminopurine) had a significant influence on germination percentage in Meconopsis latifolia. Thus, prolonged chilling of seeds followed by their treatment with GA3 under alternate light/dark conditions are the requirements necessary for seed germination in Meconopsis aculeta [30].…”

Variation in Adaptive Traits of an Endemic Meconopsis napaulensis DC. along an Elevation Gradient in Alpine Himalaya, Central Nepal

“…Germination and seedling recruitment have also been reported to be very low both in natural habitat and under laboratory conditions (Xie et al, 2002). Several studies conducted for different species of genus Meconopsis revealed the existence of physiological dormancy hindering seed germination (Sulaiman 1993;Dar et al, 2009). …”

“…In this process, seeds of M. napaulensis, collected from different populations, were cut into two equal halves in such a way that each part got a portion of the embryo. Then treated with 1% solution of TTC (Dar et al, 2009) and observed under stereo-microscope. Seed viability was revealed by pink TTC precipitation produced by dissected seeds.…”

Dormancy and germination in Stachys germanica L. subsp. bithynica (Boiss.) Bhattacharjee seeds: Effects of short-time moist chilling and plant growth regulators

“…Dunn (1997) reported that nutlets of S. germanica have been found unshed for up to 12 months in nature and our results suggest that S. germanica seeds may persist also for long periods of time in the soil. A mechanism that delays germination until the next spring, when conditions become optimal for reproductive success, could be advantageous in harsh habitats (Dar et al, 2009). After seed dispersal, some species, like S. germanica, will experience moist chilling during the colder winter months and subsequently germinate in the next season.…”