RESEARCH LITERATURE

Storage effects on dormancy and germination of native tickseed species

Author(s): J. G. Norcini and J. H. Aldrich

Month: Oct-Dec
Year: 2007

Publication Type: Article
Journal: Horttechnology
Journal Link: http://horttech.ashspublications.org/search.dtl
Volume: 17
Issue: 4
Pages: 505-512

Article Topic(s): Seed storage
Research Setting(s): Laboratory

Species Referenced: Coreopsis basalis (Goldenmane tickseed), Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf coreopsis),

Abstract

Evaluates factors affecting seed quality of four Coreopsis species as a result of storage. Seed quality of C. lanceolata and C. basalis was maintained during 24 weeks of dry storage and 24 weeks in commercial storage. Seed viability of C. floridana and C. leavenworthii declined under these storage conditions. The article also discusses the effects of after-ripening on seed dormancy of the four species. Fresh seeds of prevariety germplasms of goldenmane tickseed (Coreopsis basalis), Florida tickseed (Coreopsis floridana), lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata), and Leavenworth's tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii) were harvested from cultivated plants and stored under dry conditions for 1 to 24 weeks at 15 or 32 degrees C to alleviate dormancy, that is, to promote after-ripening. The relative humidity (RH) was 33% for all species except lanceleaf tickseed (23% RE). Seeds were subsequently stored for 24 weeks in a commercial storage facility at 23% RH/17 to 19 degrees C to determine whether after-ripened seeds could be stored without loss in quality (viability, germination velocity). The only substantial after-ripening occurred with seeds of lanceleaf tickseed, although most after-ripening of lanceleaf tickseed seeds occurred during the 24 weeks of dry storage in the commercial storage facility regardless of storage conditions for the previous 24 weeks. After the 24 weeks in commercial storage, germination of lanceleaf tickseed seeds was 48% to 80%, but germination was only 2% to 15% after 24 weeks of dry storage at 15 or 32 degrees C, respectively. Freshly harvested seeds of the other three species were much more nondormant than seeds of lanceleaf tickseed, but after-ripening effects were still evident because there were increases in germination or germination velocity (an indicator of after-ripening). Maintenance of seed quality was species-dependent. Seed quality of the two upland species, goldenmane tickseed and lanceleaf tickseed, was maintained during the initial 24 weeks of dry storage plus the subseque

Suggested Citation

J. G. Norcini and J. H. Aldrich. "Storage effects on dormancy and germination of native tickseed species." Horttechnology 17.4 (2007): 505-512.

Article Links

ISSN: 1063-0198