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International Seed Testing Association Ista, Seed Science and Technology, 2(37), p. 491-497

DOI: 10.15258/sst.2009.37.2.24

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Seed dormancy and germination ecology of Lamyropsis microcephala: a mountain endemic species of Sardinia (Italy)

Journal article published in 2009 by E. Mattana ORCID, Daws Mi, M. I. Daws, G. Bacchetta
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Preprint: policy unknown
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Postprint: policy unknown
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Published version: policy unknown
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Lamyropsis microcephala only occurs in a very restricted area in the Gennargentu massif (CE-Sardinia, Italy) at 1450-1700 m a.s.l. This rare species has been inserted in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red Lists under Critically Endangered. In this study, the effect of a pre-chilling period (90 days at 5°C) on germination was investigated as well as the ability of this species to form a soil seed bank. L. microcephala seeds exhibited type 2 non-deep physiological dormancy. Pre-chilling increased the final germination percentages, the germination speed and the temperature range at which high levels of germination were observed. The high optimal germination temperatures (ca. 70% germination at 30°C) demonstrate that this species is well adapted to a temperate climate and the lack of a persistent soil seed bank represents a rarity trait that likely exacerbates the threats to the survival of this species.