Search results for "Germination"
showing 10 items of 251 documents
Opportunistic Germination Behaviour of Gypsophila (Caryophyllaceae) in Two Priority Habitats from Semi-arid Mediterranean Steppes
2011
Gypsophila tomentosa and G. struthium are closely related species, characteristic of two European priority habitats, salt and gypsum inland steppes, respectively. Germination strategies of the two taxa were investigated in plants from two nearby populations, growing under the same climatic conditions but on different types of soil, and belonging to different plant communities. Their germination patterns were studied at five constant temperatures in darkness: 5oC, 10oC, 15oC, 20oC and 25oC, and the base temperature and the thermal time requirement were calculated. As the distribution area of both species is subjected to a Mediterranean continental climate with significant differences between…
Effect of Sowing Time on Coriander Performance in a Semiarid Mediterranean Environment
2006
In semiarid environments, time of sowing is one of the most important factors influencing seed yields. For coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), the most commonly recommended cropping technique is spring sowing (March–April), since the optimum soil temperature for seed germination ranges between 20 and 23 °C, and the crop shows a remarkable sensitivity to frost and cold. In many semiarid areas of southern Italy, however, the occurrence of prolonged dry periods in summer and spring does not allow for the scheduling of summer crops without irrigation. However, the generally mild winter temperatures and the typical rainfall distribution, which is mostly concentrated over the winter months, could …
Plant growth promoting potential of bacterial endophytes from three terrestrial mediterranean orchid species
2020
Orchids are highly dependent on symbiotic microorganisms during their entire life cycle. Whereas an important role in orchid seed germination and early plant development is well established for mycorrhizal fungi, the influence of endophytic bacteria on orchid growth has been less investigated. Here, we report the isolation of endophytic bacteria from different organs of three terrestrial Mediterranean orchid species (Spiranthes spiralis, Serapias vomeracea and Neottia ovata), the investigation of their potential Plant Growth-Promoting (PGP) traits and their interaction with the orchid mycorrhizal (OM) fungus Tulasnella calospora in vitro. Little overlap was found among endophytic bacteria i…
Effects of salt stress on the reproductive biology of the halophyte Plantago crassifolia
2005
Floral phenology, pollen quality and seed set of Plantago crassifolia plants, grown in the presence of increasing NaCl concentrations, were studied to test how this Mediterranean halophyte responded to salt stress during the reproductive phase of its life cycle. "Reproductive success" was maximal in plants grown in non-saline conditions, or in the presence of 100 mM NaCl, but it was negatively affected by higher salinities, due to a progressive reduction of pollen fertility, seed set, and seed viability.
Mediterranean plant germination reports – 4
2022
This is the fourth issue of the series of germination reports from Mediterranean areas (sensu Med-Checklist). It comprises germination protocols for 17 taxa: Centaurea from central Italy by V. Di Cecco & L. Di Martino (No. 86); Limonium from Sardinia by M. E. Boi & al. (No. 87); Glaucium, Helichrysum, and Plantago from Central Italy by S. Magrini & al. (Nos. 88-90); Anthemis from Sicily by C. Blandino & al. (Nos. 91-97); Silene from Sicily and Calabria by C. Brullo & C. Salmeri (Nos. 98-102); lastly, Armeria from North Italy by Vuerich & al. (2022).
A new model for germination of fungi.
2010
Abstract The objective of this study was to design a germination model dedicated to fungi. The percentage of germinated spores, P(%), depended on the maximum percentage of germination P max (%), the germination time, τ (h) and a design parameter, d (-) according to : P = P max 1 − 1 1 + t τ d . The model was capable to fit satisfactorily either apparent symmetric and asymmetric shapes of germination curves. The accuracy of τ determined by using the logistic or the present model was at least twice that obtained by the Gompertz equation. In contrast to the logistic model, the new model is by essence asymmetric. Therefore, its use is consistent with skewed distributions of the individual germi…
Understanding the Effects of High Pressure on Bacterial Spores Using Synchrotron Infrared Spectroscopy
2020
International audience; Bacterial spores are extremely resistant life-forms that play an important role in food spoilage and foodborne disease. The return of spores to a vegetative cell state is a three-step process, these being activation, germination, and emergence. High-pressure (HP) processing is known to induce germination in part of the spore population and even to inactivate a high number of Bacillus spores when combined with other mild treatments such as the addition of nisin. The aim of the present work was to investigate the mechanisms involved in the sensitization of spores to nisin following HP treatment at ambient temperature or with moderate heating leading to a heterogeneous …
Seed morphology and seed coat structure in Mediterranean plants: implication for evolution, taxonomy and germinative performance.
2015
A better understanding of morphological, ultra-structural and anatomical seed coat characteristics can contribute to explain and predict seed performance under certain environmental conditions and select the most suitable treatments promoting seed germination. The Seed Banks at the Botanic Gardens of Catania and Palermo (Sicily) are particularly involved in research studies aimed to detect and describe macro- and micro-morphological features of seeds from different plant families and genera, using both light and scanning electron microscopy. These studies mainly aim to 1) recognize and compare inter- and intra-specific variation of seed coat traits, with particular attention on rare and thr…
Ecotoxicity of halloysite nanotube-supported palladium nanoparticles inRaphanus sativusL
2016
Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are natural nanomaterials that are biocompatible and available in large amounts at low prices. They are emerging nanomaterials with appealing properties for applications like support for metal nanoparticles (NPs). The potential environmental impacts of NPs can be understood in terms of phytotoxicity. Current research has been focusing on HNT applications in cell or animal models, while their use in plants is limited so their ecotoxicological impact is poorly documented. To date there are no studies on the phytotoxic effects of functionalized halloysites (functionalized-HNTs). To develop a quantitative risk assessment model for predicting the potential impact of H…
Pythium terrestris, a new species isolated from France, its ITS region, taxonomy and its comparison with related species
2002
Pythium terrestris (F-78) was isolated from soil samples taken in Lille in northern France. Its morphology resembles that of Pythium rostratum, and Pythium longandrum, a recently described species. However the antheridial and sporangial characteristics of this new species are unique. The fungus does not sporulate, the sporangium germinates directly into mycelium through germ tubes. The oogonia of P. terrestris are normally provided with hypogynous and monoclinous antheridia, at times the monoclinous antheridial branches wrap around the oogonia forming a complicated knot. Morphological features of this new species, together with the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region o…