Delayed germination in seeds of Phacelia dubia var. dubia

Abstract

Not all seeds of a particular seed crop of the winter annual Phacelia dubia var. dubia germinate the first autumn after their dispersal in spring, and germination of a given seed crop is spread over several years. Nondormant seeds that do not germinate in autumn are induced into secondary dormancy by low winter temperatures and must afterripen again during summer before they are capable of germinating. Seeds that do not afterripen the first summer after dispersal are prevented from doing so until at least the next summer because winter temperature conditions prevent afterripening. These responses of the seeds to the environment insure that germination will occur only in autumn, the only season of the year that is suitable for seedling establishment and eventual completion of the life cycle.