Mechanisms involved in delayed germination of Quercus nigra L. seeds

Neither the pericarp nor the seed coat impose significant barriers to passage of water in Quercus nigra seeds. The pericarp eventually becomes limiting to continued swelling due to its mechanical strength. During stratification trapped gasses escape and continued swelling of the cotyledons causes ex...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of botany 1983-07, Vol.52 (1), p.81-92
Main Author: Peterson, J.K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cotyledons
Dormancy
Embryos
forestry
Germination
Imbibition
Moisture content
Pericarp
plant biochemistry
plant physiology
Quercus nigra L
seed germination
stratification
Swelling
Testa
water oak
Water uptake
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Summary:Neither the pericarp nor the seed coat impose significant barriers to passage of water in Quercus nigra seeds. The pericarp eventually becomes limiting to continued swelling due to its mechanical strength. During stratification trapped gasses escape and continued swelling of the cotyledons causes expansion of the pericarp. Vigorous acorns need around 105 days of combined stratification and germination time to reach maximum germination. This additivity phenomenon is true for stratification times between 4 and 10 weeks. Delayed germination is caused by at least three factors: (1) Mechanical strength of the pericarp, which was constant during the observation period of 13 weeks; (2) Chemical inhibition by the pericarp, which was alleviated by stratification for approximately 4 weeks; (3) Slowly increasing capacity to imbibe water required for pericarp rupture. This component was apparently not dependent on temperature within the range of 5 to 30 °C, and operates during the entire stratification and germination period.
ISSN:0305-7364
1095-8290
DOI:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a086555