Seed germination physiology of Ardisia crenata var. bicolor

摘要

Ardisia crenata var. bicolor (Myrsinaceae) is a tropical and subtropical understory shrub in China. In the present investigation its seed germination and storage characteristics were studied. Viable seeds are retained on plants until late spring and early summer the year after pollination and exhibit viviparous germination. The germination temperature ranged from 10 to 35 degrees C, and seeds Could germinate in full light and in the dark. The seeds had no significant maturation dehydration and had weak desiccation-tolerance, so their storage behaviour should be classified as recalcitrant. The seeds remained viable longer in moist storage than in dry storage. The seedling emergence was lower and slower when placed in deeper soil and the emergence percentage in sandy soil than that in clay soil. PEG treatment significantly reduced germination, this reduction rose as PEG concentration increased. These responses of seed germination to light, temperature and water stress indicate that this shrub is well adapted to the tropical and subtropical moist environments in South China.