Gibberellic acid stimulus on seed and seedling performance is dependent on pod position in Mimosa caesalpiniifolia

Author: Freitas R.M.O.   Pinto J.R. Souza   Praxedes S.C.   Nogueira N.W.   Ribeiro M.C.C.  

Publisher: International Seed Testing Association

ISSN: 1819-5717

Source: Seed Science and Technology, Vol.39, Iss.3, 2011-10, pp. : 660-665

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Abstract

Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. is a native tree of Caatinga, in the northeast region of Brazil. We have previously found high germination and vigour in seeds from the mid-region of pods. However, seeds formed at the stylar or basal pod ends of pods show the best performance in other legume species. If the differential performance of seeds is affected by dormancy, a gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment may improve germination and vigour, expressed as Germination Speed Index (GSI). To test this hypothesis, 2–4 seeds from three positions of collected pods were treated with 2 mmol L-1 GA3 or distilled water (control). After GA3 treatment, all positions had similar germination, while seeds from the stylar end had the highest vigour (GSI). GA3 treatment increased seedling leaf area mostly from seeds taken from the middle of pods, but had little effect on biomass partitioning, indicating that normal seedling growth was not affected. Thus, GA3 treatment was a simple and effective method with which to increase the speed and uniformity of germination in M. caesalpiniifolia, particularly for seeds of high quality.

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