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Seed germination ecology and salt stress response in eight Mediterranean populations of Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach
Author(s) -
Santo Andrea,
Dessì Ludovica,
Ucchesu Mariano,
Bou Dagher Kharrat Magda,
Charbel Sakr Ramy,
Accogli Rita A.,
Buhagiar Joseph,
Kyratzis Angelos,
Fournaraki Christini,
Bacchetta Gianluigi
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plant species biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.419
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1442-1984
pISSN - 0913-557X
DOI - 10.1111/1442-1984.12244
Subject(s) - germination , biology , botany , ecology , population , mediterranean climate , salinity , stratum spinosum , demography , genetics , stratum corneum , sociology
This study aims to deepen the analysis of seed germination ecology and salinity tolerance of Sarcopoterium spinosum (Rosaceae). Germination tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of the fruit’s spongy tissue and the intraspecific variability in seed germination among eight populations of the species on responses to light and total darkness, constant and alternating temperatures, salt stress and germination recovery. The effect of the presence of the spongy tissue varied among populations, with significant results for seed germination. For all populations, optimum germination temperatures were observed in the range of 10–20°C, indicating that S. spinosum and its germination in the field might occur preferably in the period between autumn and early spring. The high water availability due to rainfall during this period could be a considerable advantage for the seed germination of this species. Seeds of S. spinosum showed the ability to germinate in up to 250 mM NaCl in the substrate, and their ability to recover after salt exposure may be interpreted as adaptation to the coastal habitats in which they generally grow. These results give this species a halo‐tolerant character. Great inter‐population variability is detected in this study in several aspects, which indicated that the Mediterranean populations of S. spinosum differ considerably and are adapted to their local conditions. This study provides new information about S. spinosum seed ecology, which could help to preserve and apply effective conservation measures for this species, which in several areas of its distribution range is endangered.