Abstract: (24520 Views)
Ferula ovina is one of forage species of Isfahan and Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari whose natural spreads are under destruction. Finding information about its seed dormancy, effective factors in the dormancy breaking and also about optimal conditions of seed germination is necessary for recovery of this plant spreads. To actieve that goal, two factorial experiments were performed in completely randomize design. First experiment was performed with 6 replications for evaluation of effect of seed age, light and cold duration factors on seed germination percentage. In the second experiment, the effect of cold duration and seed age on T50 Ferula seed was investigated in 3 replications. The results showed that one-year storage reduced seed germination percentage, but this reduction was not statistically significant. One-year-old seeds compared to freshly harvested seeds showed greater T50 which indicate the reduction of seed vigor and germination velocity. Data analysis showed that light effect was significant at 1% level. The germination rate in the light was 45.6% greater than in darkness. Therefore, Ferula seeds were positive photoblastic and their germination depended on light. Also, moist chilling had significant influence on Ferula seed germination. Moist prechilling for 7-9 weeks was the best treatment for dormancy breaking of Ferula seeds. This improved seed vigor and enhanced rate of germination but it could not replace light effect. In either situation, light was required during the germination test for optimal results. The need to cold and light may be in the direction of adaptation to ecologyical conditions naturally found in the habitat of this plant in Chaharmahal.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
Ggeneral Received: 2008/01/9 | Published: 2006/10/15