Journal of Plant Physiology & PathologyISSN: 2329-955X

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Effect of dormancy regulating compounds on seed dormancy and germination of some desert annuals of the United Arab Emirates


Ali El-Keblawy and Sanjay Gairola

University of Sharjah, UAE
Sharjah Research Academy, UAE

: J Plant Physiol Pathol

Abstract


To survive and perpetuate under harsh desert conditions, seeds of many annual plants adopt the strategy of acquiring innate dormancy and wait for favorable conditions for germination. Treatment of seeds with certain dormancy regulating compounds (DRCs) is considered as an effective tool in breaking innate dormancy and improving seed germination of desert plants. We assessed the effects of four DRCs (gibberellic acid, nitrate, thiourea and kinetin) and light and their interaction on alleviating innate dormancy of seeds of 16 UAE desert annuals belonging to eight families. Results showed that three-monthstored seeds of all species had very deep dormancy. In four Plantago species, kinetin alleviated seed germination in three, nitrate in two and thiourea in only one species. In three grass species, the alleviation was partial (≤50 of the seeds germinated) and was greater in light, compared to darkness. The different DRCs had limited effects on the alleviation of seed dormancy in two species of Brassicaceae, but great effect on a third species. In two Residaceae species, none of the DRCs succeeded to alleviate innate dormancy. In Senecio desfontainei (Asteraceae) and Silene villosa (Caryophyllaceae), the different DRCs partially alleviated the dormancy in both light and dark. Seeds of Viola cinerea (Violacea) treated with the different DRC were able to germinate in darkness. It could be concluded that treating seeds of these species with DRCs would help in using them in different restoration and rehabilitation programs in desert ecosystems.

Biography


akeblawy@sharjah.ac.ae 

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