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GERMINATION RESPONSES TO LIGHT AND ALTERNATING TEMPERATURES IN EUROPEAN POPULATIONS OF DACTYLIS GLOMERATA L.
Author(s) -
PROBERT R. J.,
SMITH R. D.,
BIRCH P.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1985.tb03658.x
Subject(s) - dactylis glomerata , germination , biology , darkness , mediterranean climate , photoperiodism , phytochrome , botany , dormancy , poaceae , ecology , red light
S ummary Germination responses to light and alternating temperatures were investigated in a range of populations of Dactylis glomerata L. of contrasting origin. Despite quantitative variation, similar responses to both factors were recorded in 12 British populations. In 11 European populations, levels of response were dependant on original dormancy status and apparently related to climatic origin. Whereas northern European populations required both light and alternating temperatures for maximum germination, Mediterranean populations germinated to high levels in complete darkness at a constant temperature. In Mediterranean populations, germination capacity declined sharply with increasing daily photoperiod in light from warm white fluorescent tubes. It is postulated that different patterns of response in European populations were related to differences in a basic mechanism of germination control involving phytochrome.