The Effect of Heat Shock on Seed Dormancy Release and Germination in Two Rare and Endangered L. Species (Fabaceae).

Many species exhibit seeds with physical dormancy (PY), but little is known about the ecological context of this dormancy. We focused on and , two threatened Sardinian endemic species inside the subgenus Bunge. Fresh seeds collected from the only two respective known populations were used to investigate the effect of mechanical scarification, heat shock, and water imbibition processes on PY release and germination.

Fire and summer temperatures work together breaking physical seed dormancy.

Fire and high summer soil temperatures can break physical seed dormancy in Mediterranean fire-prone ecosystems. Their independent effect is somewhat recognized but both factors may act together with a synergistic effect yet unknown. This study aims to determine the isolated and combined effects of fire and summer temperatures on the release of physical seed dormancy in Cistaceae species.

Germination responses to current and future temperatures of four seeder shrubs across a latitudinal gradient in western Iberia.

Premise Of The Study: Species differ in their temperature germination niche. Populations of a species may similarly differ across the distribution range of the species. Anticipating the impacts of climate variability and change requires understanding the differential sensitivity to germination temperature among and within species.

Effect of a long-term fire retardant (Fire Trol 934) on the germination of nine Mediterranean-type shrub species.

Fire Trol 934 is a long-term fire retardant commonly used in fire prevention and extinction. Our objective was to determine the effect of this chemical on seed germination of nine plant species from Mediterranean-type shrublands, where these chemicals are potentially used. Seeds were exposed to five different Fire Trol concentrations, (0 (control) to 10%, on a log scale) and monitored in a germination chamber for nine weeks.