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Desiccation, Moisture Content and Germination of Zostera marina L. Seed
Author(s) -
Pan Jinhua,
Han Houwei,
Jiang Xin,
Zhang Wenfeng,
Zhao Nan,
Song Shaofeng,
Li Xia,
Li Xiaojie
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
restoration ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1526-100X
pISSN - 1061-2971
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-100x.2011.00857.x
Subject(s) - zostera marina , germination , desiccation , relative humidity , recalcitrant seed , seagrass , biology , humidity , water content , agronomy , horticulture , seedling , desiccation tolerance , botany , environmental science , ecology , habitat , geography , geotechnical engineering , engineering , meteorology
Zostera marina is the only seagrass species whose seeds have been successfully used in large‐scale restoration. Although progress has been made in refining Z. marina restoration protocols, additional information on Z . marina seed physiology is necessary as the science of seagrass restoration evolves. We tested the germination rates of Z. marina seeds under different relative humidities and temperatures for different periods of time. Z. marina seed moisture content (MC) and germination rates were also tested when seeds were exposed to a temperature of 25°C and relative humidity of 50%. Z. marina seeds suffered higher mortality when exposed to lower relative humidity and higher temperature for longer period of exposure time. A significant negative correlation was detected between seed germination rate and MC. Z. marina seeds are sensitive to desiccation exposure and long periods of exposure to air should be prevented to minimize seed mortality when seeds are used in restoration projects.