R. Amooaghaie,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (10-2006)
Abstract
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.
R. Amoaghaei,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (7-2007)
Abstract
Ferula ovina Boiss. is one of grazing species whose seed germination faces certain problems. The dormancy characteristics of and optimum conditions for seed germination of this species have not been investigated so far. The present research was designed to investigate the effect of GA3 and moist chilling on seed germination of this plant. At first, a factorial the experiment in a completely randomized design with 6 replicates was performed to evaluate the factors: cold period in 0-3 °C (0,3,5,7,9 weeks), GA3 concentrations (0,500,1000 PPm) and time of GA3 (before cold, during cold, after cold). In the second experiment, the effect of cold duration and GA on T50 Ferula seed was investigated in 6 replications. The best treatment was moist chilling for 7 weeks at 3 C or 3 weeks of moist chilling together with soaking in 500 PPm GA3 solution for 12 h. These treatments significantly increased germination percentage and decreased the time of for germination by 50% (T50) compared to control. The addition of GA3, together with cold duration was more effective than its application before cold period, addition of GA3 after cold period, no further increase in germination occurred. Also increasing GA3 concentration (500 to 1000 PPm) did not have any significant effect on the percentage of germination and could not replace the total need for pre chilling. The results showed that Ferula ovina seeds display an endophysiological dormancy that can be released by GA3 and moist chilling treatment.
