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Seven plants native to the moist habitats of the pine savannas, woodlands, and Hillside Bog natural area at the Crosby Arboretum, Picayune, MS, were evaluated under laboratory and nursery conditions to determine seed germination percentage, optimal germination temperature, and the effect of substrates on germination. These native plants include: titi (Cyrilla racemiflora L.), buckwheat tree (Cliftonia monophylla Britt.), flameflower (Macranthera flammea (Bartr.) Pennell), deertongue (Carphephorus odoratissimus (Gmel.) Herb. var. odoratissimus), pink coreopsis (Coreopsis nudata Nutt.), tall ironweed (Vernonia angustifolia Michx.), and swamp bay (Persea palustris (Raf.) Sarg.). Laboratory experimentation concluded with germination and determination of optimal temperature regimes. Tall ironweed had the highest rate of success in the nursery. Black Kow compost had suboptimal performance compared to Sunshine Mix 1 and pine bark / sand under nursery conditions. Several of the species tested had minimal germination and require further research to optimize germination and nursery growth.

This item was digitized as part of the Million Books Project led by Carnegie Mellon University and supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Cornell University coordinated the participation of land-grant and agricultural libraries in providing historical agricultural information for the digitization project; the University of Arizona Libraries, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Office of Arid Lands Studies collaborated in the selection and provision of material for the digitization project.

Free radical and aldehydic breakdown product content were determined, by EPR and UV / visible spectroscopy, primarily in intermediate (desiccation tolerant) seeds of <i>Carica papaya</i> L. (Papaya) and recalcitrant (desiccation intolerant) seeds of <i>Aesculus hippocastanum</i> L. (Horse chestnut), but also in other species covering a range of desiccation tolerances, with a view to determining the role of oxidative stress as a diagnostic marker for desiccation tolerance. Axes of non-senescent highly viable recalcitrant seeds of horse chestnut were metabolically active, contained products of lipid peroxidation, displayed low levels of enzymatic protection against activated oxygen and peroxides, and a two-peak free radical EPR signal. During fully hydrated storage at 16 °C for up to 18 months, seeds exhibited, sequentially, an increase in germination rate, a transient increase in intensities of both the low field and high field EPR peaks, a significant increase in membrane leakage and decrease in seed viability, germination rate, and SOD and peroxidase activities. Drying 'unstored' seeds below and embryonic axis moisture content of 40 to 50 % initiated viability loss. At < 25 % moisture content all axes were inviable and displayed a 2- to 4-fold increase in solute leakage, lipid peroxidation products and the low field EPR signal. Seed desiccation sensitivity increased with hydrated storage. The accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and free radicals on drying generally occurred to a greater extent, or at a higher moisture content, than observed with unstored seeds. The results indicate a mediating role for oxidative stress in recalcitrant seed viability loss which is differentially expressed during hydrated, 'natural' ageing and desiccation. Similar trends were seen in other recalcitrant species with the increase in lipid peroxidation products occurring around the point of viability loss. However the study of a more orthodox species (papaya) revealed no such trends.

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a warm season herb usually propagated from seeds. Establishment of basil is difficult as seed germination may be limited, particularly during field seeding at cold soil temperatures. The germination of six cultivars (\'Italian Large Leaf\', \'Italian Large Leaf\' 35X, \'Nufar\', \'Genovese\', \'Genovese Compact Improved\' and \'Aroma 2\') of sweet basil seeds were tested on a one dimensional thermo-gradient table over temperatures ranging from 0 to 50"C. At temperatures below 20"C, germination among cultivars was more variable and the mean time to germination (MTG) increased to greater than 25 days for some cultivars. Germination declined sharply and had a sudden termination at high temperatures above 40"C for all six cultivars.  There were statistical differences among the cultivar base temperatures, which ranged between 10.1 and 13.3"C. The optimal and ceiling temperatures for germination were similar and did not differ statistically among the cultivars compared in this study. The average optimal temperature for all cultivars was 35 ± 0"C, while the average ceiling temperature was 43 ± 1.3"C. Stored seeds (> 5 years) had lower seed vigor and lower germination percentage, also lower ceiling temperature compared with the fresh seeds of the same cultivar (\'Italian Large Leaf\'), but the base temperatures were the same for both new and old seeds. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seeds produce a thick layer of mucilage around the pericarp within minutes after hydration. Mucilage is most prevalent among plant species adapted to surviving in arid sandy soils, though its significance in determining ecological fitness is unclear. The mucilage produced by seeds is reported to be composed of cell-wall polysaccharides that are deposited in testa pericarp cells during development. In this study, sweet basil seeds were examined using light and environmental scanning electron microscopy. The mucilage of basil seeds is held together by columnar structures that unfolded from the pericarp and helped hold and stabilize the mucilage to the outer surface. The mucilage was removed using diluted hydrochloric acid to compare performance of seeds with and without mucilage. Mucilage removal did not inhibit seed germination under ideal laboratory conditions but decreased the water content of seeds significantly. The water content of intact seeds was almost 4 times greater than seeds without mucilage. Mucilage enabled seeds cling to an incline board set to a steeper angle than seeds without mucilage. The fully hydrated seeds approached zero water potential, so the mucilage did not prevent seeds from fully hydrating. Soil (media) germination testing showed the seeds with mucilage had higher germination percentage than the seed without mucilage on several different types of media. Seeds with mucilage also had higher survival percentages after 10 days on different types of media. Basil seeds mucilage acts as a reservoir to hold loosely bound water at high water potential so it is available for seed germination and early seedling development. / Master of Science

O potencial fisiológico de sementes, determinado pela germinação e vigor, é diretamente responsável pelo desempenho das sementes em campo, podendo até se refletir na produtividade de diversas espécies de hortaliças de importância econômica. Diante disto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de diferentes métodos para determinação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de cebola (Allium cepa L.), visando destacar procedimentos adequados para utilização em programas de controle de qualidade; procurou-se, também, verificar a relação dos resultados obtidos em laboratório com a emergência das plântulas e o desempenho das plantas em campo. Para tanto, utilizaram-se seis lotes de sementes dos cultivares Aurora e Petroline, avaliados, em laboratório, quanto ao grau de umidade, germinação e vigor (primeira contagem de germinação, classificação do vigor de plântulas, condutividade elétrica, frio sem terra, envelhecimento acelerado tradicional e com solução salina e deterioração controlada). O desempenho das plantas foi verificado em ensaios de campo, utilizando-se dois sistemas de cultivo: semeadura direta e transplante de mudas; durante o desenvolvimento das plantas avaliaram-se, periodicamente, a altura, o diâmetro na região do colo e a massa de matéria seca das plantas. Após a colheita, determinou-se o rendimento final e efetuou-se a avaliação comercial dos bulbos. Concluiu-se que os testes de envelhecimento acelerado com solução salina (41ºC/72h), de deterioração controlada (ajuste do grau de umidade das sementes para 24% de água/45ºC/24h) e de classificação do vigor de plântulas, são considerados eficientes para avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de cebola. As relações entre o vigor de sementes de cebola e o desempenho das plantas manifestam-se apenas durante a fase inicial do desenvolvimento da cultura, principalmente quando as diferenças entre o potencial fisiológico dos lotes são mais acentuadas, mas não afetam diretamente a produção de bulbos. / Research has emphasized the relationship of laboratory germination and vigor to seedling emergence and stand establishment. In contrast, information relating seed vigor to plant performance is less available. This study was conducted to identify reliable procedures to rank onion ( Allium cepa L.) seed lots according to their physiological potential and to select the most adequate procedures to be used in quality control programs. In addition, it was verified whether the differences in seed vigor influence plant performance in field conditions. Six seed lots of cultivars Aurora and Petroline were evaluated in laboratory for germination and vigor (first count, seedling vigor classification, electrical conductivity, cold test, traditional and saturated salt accelerated aging and controlled deterioration). Field experiments to detect differences in plant development were performed by direct sowing and transplant systems; after the determination of seedling emergence, plant vegetative development was evaluated by plant height, pseudo stem width and dry matter accumulation measurements. After harvest, the bulbs commercial classification and yield evaluation were provided. It was concluded that saturated salt accelerated aging (41ºC/72h), controlled deterioration (24% of water/45ºC/24h) and seedling vigor classification tests were the best procedures to assess the physiological potential of onion seeds. The initial plant development as measured by plant height and dry matter accumulation was affected by seed vigor mainly when the differences of seed physiological potential became wider as a result of the storage period. Influence of seed vigor did not persist during plant vegetative growth and yield was not related to seed vigor level. It was therefore concluded that the use of high vigor seed lots is justified to ensure adequate stand establishment under different environmental conditions.

O potencial fisiológico de sementes, determinado pela germinação e vigor, é diretamente responsável pelo desempenho das sementes em campo, podendo até se refletir na produtividade de diversas espécies de hortaliças de importância econômica. Diante disto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de diferentes métodos para determinação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de cebola (Allium cepa L.), visando destacar procedimentos adequados para utilização em programas de controle de qualidade; procurou-se, também, verificar a relação dos resultados obtidos em laboratório com a emergência das plântulas e o desempenho das plantas em campo. Para tanto, utilizaram-se seis lotes de sementes dos cultivares Aurora e Petroline, avaliados, em laboratório, quanto ao grau de umidade, germinação e vigor (primeira contagem de germinação, classificação do vigor de plântulas, condutividade elétrica, frio sem terra, envelhecimento acelerado tradicional e com solução salina e deterioração controlada). O desempenho das plantas foi verificado em ensaios de campo, utilizando-se dois sistemas de cultivo: semeadura direta e transplante de mudas; durante o desenvolvimento das plantas avaliaram-se, periodicamente, a altura, o diâmetro na região do colo e a massa de matéria seca das plantas. Após a colheita, determinou-se o rendimento final e efetuou-se a avaliação comercial dos bulbos. Concluiu-se que os testes de envelhecimento acelerado com solução salina (41ºC/72h), de deterioração controlada (ajuste do grau de umidade das sementes para 24% de água/45ºC/24h) e de classificação do vigor de plântulas, são considerados eficientes para avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de cebola. As relações entre o vigor de sementes de cebola e o desempenho das plantas manifestam-se apenas durante a fase inicial do desenvolvimento da cultura, principalmente quando as diferenças entre o potencial fisiológico dos lotes são mais acentuadas, mas não afetam diretamente a produção de bulbos. / Research has emphasized the relationship of laboratory germination and vigor to seedling emergence and stand establishment. In contrast, information relating seed vigor to plant performance is less available. This study was conducted to identify reliable procedures to rank onion ( Allium cepa L.) seed lots according to their physiological potential and to select the most adequate procedures to be used in quality control programs. In addition, it was verified whether the differences in seed vigor influence plant performance in field conditions. Six seed lots of cultivars Aurora and Petroline were evaluated in laboratory for germination and vigor (first count, seedling vigor classification, electrical conductivity, cold test, traditional and saturated salt accelerated aging and controlled deterioration). Field experiments to detect differences in plant development were performed by direct sowing and transplant systems; after the determination of seedling emergence, plant vegetative development was evaluated by plant height, pseudo stem width and dry matter accumulation measurements. After harvest, the bulbs commercial classification and yield evaluation were provided. It was concluded that saturated salt accelerated aging (41ºC/72h), controlled deterioration (24% of water/45ºC/24h) and seedling vigor classification tests were the best procedures to assess the physiological potential of onion seeds. The initial plant development as measured by plant height and dry matter accumulation was affected by seed vigor mainly when the differences of seed physiological potential became wider as a result of the storage period. Influence of seed vigor did not persist during plant vegetative growth and yield was not related to seed vigor level. It was therefore concluded that the use of high vigor seed lots is justified to ensure adequate stand establishment under different environmental conditions.

This thesis investigated aspects of plant recruitment across an altitudinal gradient of mountain tops in the Victorian Alps, Australia, and provides a baseline for the patterns and processes of alpine plant recruitment in the absence of large-scale disturbance. The patterns in alpine vegetation across the study sites were described in relation to abiotic environmental factors. Temperatures were lower and precipitation was higher at the high altitude sites. The vegetation did not differ significantly between the sites, although sites at low altitudes were shrubbier than those at high altitudes. Analysis of the soil seed bank revealed high mean densities of germinable seed (80 to 1400 seeds m-2) across the gradient of sites. The similarity between the seed bank samples and the standing vegetation was low (qualitative similarity: 0.08 to 0.2; quantitative similarity: 0.03 to 0.19). In laboratory germination experiments, I found rapid and substantial germination. Final percent germination was above 90% for most species. One species, Aciphylla glacialis, showed evidence of dormancy mechanisms. In subsequent experiments, I found that innate primary seed dormancy in this species could be broken with cold-wet stratification. There were no significant patterns in natural seedling recruitment across the altitudinal gradient. Similarities between the seedling flora and the standing vegetation were low (qualitative similarity: 0.18 to 0.45: quantitative similarity 0.04 to 0.09). Mean seedling density was best predicted by a combination of soil wilting point, altitude and plant litter. In some cases, seedling density was greater than 80 seedlings m-2. The relative importance of either negative (competitive) or positive (facilitative) interactions between seedlings with adjacent vegetation were investigated in relation to seed germination, seedling growth and seedling survival. Facilitative interactions were common at the higher altitude sites. At lower altitudes, facilitative and competitive interactions were common. Without close neighbours at high altitudes, seedlings were unlikely to survive into their second year. An understanding of plant recruitment can provide a useful basis for predicting species responses to large-scale disturbance and climate change.

<i>Festuca hallii</i> [(Vasey) Piper] (plains rough fescue) is a dominant native grass species in the Fescue Prairie region of North America that has undergone dramatic range reduction in the past century. This research is undertaken to address the related issues associated with the effectiveness of sampling in capturing genetic diversity, the influence of habitat fragmentation on genetic variation, the geographic variation of seed germination characteristics, and the comparative genetic variation of differential germination. It was found that the tiller samples revealed slightly larger among-population variation than the seed samples. The fescue plant was genetically diverse, as revealed by the proportion of polymorphic bands, the mean band frequency, and the within-population variation. The genetic variation was not highly differentiated with only 6.5% of the total AFLP variation residing among populations. Mantel test revealed a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances and a spatial autocorrelation up to 60 km among populations was detected. Base temperatures (<i>T_b</i>, minimal or base temperature permitting germination) of the 15 populations fell into a narrow range within 2.2°C with an average of 1.1°C. High final germination percentage was reached at a wide temperature range from 5 to 20°C with the highest germination percentage at 10°C. Germination rate index increased with increasing temperature from 5 to 20°C. <i>T_b</i> was positively correlated with latitude and negatively with longitude and the thermal time requirement for 50% germination was negatively correlated with latitude. The AFLP variation and germination responses were significantly associated with environmental attributes related to moisture, indicating local adaptation. However, the AFLP variation and germination was not significantly associated with the estimated population size and geographic distance to the nearest neighbor, suggesting that fragmentation has not generated considerable genetic and germination impact on the fescue populations. Marked differences in estimates of mean band frequency were observed for various groups of germinating seeds under different test temperatures. Comparisons of AFLP variation among 27 groups of seeds representing population, germination timing and test temperature indicates seed genotypes respond slightly differently to environmental variation, resulting in significant but small impact of germination timing and temperature on the genetic diversity of populations. These findings are significant not only for understanding and predicting the ecological adaptation of the species, but also for formulating effective restoration strategies for remnant populations.

<i>Festuca hallii</i> [(Vasey) Piper] (plains rough fescue) is a dominant native grass species in the Fescue Prairie region of North America that has undergone dramatic range reduction in the past century. This research is undertaken to address the related issues associated with the effectiveness of sampling in capturing genetic diversity, the influence of habitat fragmentation on genetic variation, the geographic variation of seed germination characteristics, and the comparative genetic variation of differential germination. It was found that the tiller samples revealed slightly larger among-population variation than the seed samples. The fescue plant was genetically diverse, as revealed by the proportion of polymorphic bands, the mean band frequency, and the within-population variation. The genetic variation was not highly differentiated with only 6.5% of the total AFLP variation residing among populations. Mantel test revealed a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances and a spatial autocorrelation up to 60 km among populations was detected. Base temperatures (<i>T_b</i>, minimal or base temperature permitting germination) of the 15 populations fell into a narrow range within 2.2°C with an average of 1.1°C. High final germination percentage was reached at a wide temperature range from 5 to 20°C with the highest germination percentage at 10°C. Germination rate index increased with increasing temperature from 5 to 20°C. <i>T_b</i> was positively correlated with latitude and negatively with longitude and the thermal time requirement for 50% germination was negatively correlated with latitude. The AFLP variation and germination responses were significantly associated with environmental attributes related to moisture, indicating local adaptation. However, the AFLP variation and germination was not significantly associated with the estimated population size and geographic distance to the nearest neighbor, suggesting that fragmentation has not generated considerable genetic and germination impact on the fescue populations. Marked differences in estimates of mean band frequency were observed for various groups of germinating seeds under different test temperatures. Comparisons of AFLP variation among 27 groups of seeds representing population, germination timing and test temperature indicates seed genotypes respond slightly differently to environmental variation, resulting in significant but small impact of germination timing and temperature on the genetic diversity of populations. These findings are significant not only for understanding and predicting the ecological adaptation of the species, but also for formulating effective restoration strategies for remnant populations.