Duarte et al. 2015 (Conference Paper) Vriesea

Influence of light, temperature and storage time on seed germination of Vriesea crassa Lindl. (Bromeliaceae)

Author(s):—A. Duarte, M. Oliveira, B. Freitas, J. Lemos-Filho & A. Marques in Benko-Iseppon, A.M.; Alves, M. & Louzada, R. (2015) An overview and abstracts of the First World Congress on Bromeliaceae Evolution. Rodriguésia 66(2): A1-A66.

Publication:— (2015).

Abstract:—Seeds storage has been suggested as an efficient, long-term method for conservation of plant genetic resources.For successful seed conservation, knowledge of seed storage behavior is a prerequisite. This work studied the effects of storage time, light and temperatures on seed germinability of Vriesea crassa Lindl., from campos rupestres of Serra da Piedade, Brazil. Seeds were stored in a black plastic box at room temperature for 6, 12 and 18 months. The effects of light and temperature on germination of stored seeds were evaluated under constant temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30°C) for both light (photoperiod 12-hr) and dark conditions. The germinability of seeds, after 6 mo., varied from 56.0% (15°C) to 76.0 % (30°C) in light and from 36.0% (15°C) to 72.0% (20°C) in dark, while after 12 mo., it varied from 34.7% (15°C) to 62.7% (25°C) in light and from 21.3% (35°C) to 50.7% (25°C) in dark. However, the germinability of seeds after 18 months varied from 2.67% (15°C) to 8.0% (20°C) in light and from 5.3% (30°C) to 10.67% (25°C) in dark. Seed germination was not observed for V. crassa at 15°C in dark. The preliminary results obtained for these bromeliads suggest the storage of seeds does not contribute to their ex situ conservation.

Keywords:—Storage Time; Seed Germination; Vriesea crassa