Mucilage affects seed water imbibition and germination time of subtropical monsoonal forbs

Abstract

The role of seed mucilage in the moist environments of monsoonal subtropics is poorly understood. We studied germination of six forb species from subtropical monsoonal China. Mucilage presence had little to no effect on germination percentage (G%), except for a significant decline for the large-seeded Prunella vulgaris. Dark treatments reduced G% for all species, while the combination of mucilage removal and high temperatures delayed the mean germination time (MGT). Seed fresh mass was negatively correlated with G%, but only for intact seeds incubated at 12/12 hours of 25/35 °C. The MGT of de-mucilaged seeds varied with seed shape index, also under the warmer temperature regime. Temperature and light are fundamental to drive germination processes, and the presence of mucilage influences MGT of subtropical monsoonal species. Presence or absence of mucilage had little to no difference in germination percentage, but can be important to drive germination timing, also promoting water uptake and seed adhesion to soil.