A comparative study of seed dormancy and germination in an annual and a perennial species of Senna (Fabaceae)

Abstract

AbstractSeed dormancy and germination ofSenna marilandicaandS. obtusifoliawere compared in greenhouse and laboratory studies. About 90% of theS. obtusifoliaseeds were green and had hard seed coat dormancy, whereas the other 10% were brown and nondormant. Seed-colour morphs did not occur inS. marilandica, and nearly 100% of the seeds had hard seed coat dormancy. Seeds ofS. obtusifoliawere significantly heavier than those ofS. marilandica. Mechanical scarification was very effective in overcoming dormancy in seeds of both species. However, concentrated sulfuric acid, absolute ethanol and boiling water were less effective in breaking dormancy in seeds ofS. marilandicathan in those ofS. obtusifolia. Further, incubating seeds at 30/15 to 40/25°C and dry-heat treatments at 80–100°C were ineffective in breaking dormancy inS. marilandica, but significantly increased germination percentages inS. obtusifolia. In neither species were simulated daily/seasonal temperature shifts effective in breaking dormancy. Scarified seeds of both species germinated over a wide range of temperatures in both light and darkness. Under near-natural temperature conditions, seeds ofS. marilandicagerminated in spring only, whereas those ofS. obtusifoliaemerged in late spring and throughout summer. Both species can form a long-lived seed bank. Dormancy break by high field temperatures in seeds ofS. obtusifoliaallows this species to germinate throughout the warm growing season and thus contributes to its success as a weed in arable crops.