Seed germination protocols for six dune species from the Tyrrhenian coast (central Italy)

Abstract

Successful germination protocols for the following six dune species are presented: Centaurea sphaerocephala subsp. sphaerocephala, Jacobaea maritima subsp. maritima, Matthiola sinuata, Medicago marina, Pancratium maritimum, and Silene canescens. Seeds were collected in sand dunes along the Tyrrhenian coasts in south Tuscany and north Latium (central Italy). The germination ability was tested at the Tuscia Germplasm Bank (BGT) at six constant temperatures (from 5 to 30°C), under both light (with a 12/12h photoperiod) and total dark. Our results show a high germination ability and germination rate for the tested species. Germination dataPre-treatments: sterilization with a solution of 5% sodium hypochlorite + Tween 20 for 5 minutes, followed by 3 rinses in sterile distilled water.Germination medium: 1% agar.Sample size: 100 achenes for each test (20 × 5 replicates). Germination Thermoperiod Photoperiod [light/dark] T 1 [d] T 50 [d] T max [d] MTG [d]Germination data Pre-treatments: sterilization with a solution of 5% sodium hypochlorite + Tween 20 for 5 minutes followed by 3 rinses in sterile distilled water.Germination medium: 1% agar.Sample size: 100 achenes for each test (25 × 4 replicates).