Seed Germination Characteristics of a Critically Endangered Evergreen Oak—Quercus marlipoensis (Fagaceae) and Their Conservation Implications

Abstract

Seed germination is among the most crucial and vulnerable stages in plant life cycles. Quercus marlipoensis is a critically endangered sclerophyllous oak. Only one population has ever been found worldwide in the tropical montane cloud forests of southeastern Yunnan, China, and it has shown difficulties with regeneration. However, its seed biological traits and key restrictive germination factors remain unknown. We investigate the impacts of scarification, temperature, and water potential on the seed germination of Q. marlipoensis. Results show that the seeds show typical epicotyl dormancy. The seed germination increased when removing part or all of the pericarp and part of the cotyledon (one-third and two-thirds). The seeds can germinate at 5 to 30 °C, but the highest T50 was achieved at 25 °C. When the water potential decreased from 0 to −1.0 MPa, the germination rate decreased but the germination time increased. Q. marlipoensis seeds are typically recalcitrant and highly sensitive to moisture loss, but the species can tolerate animal predation and low germination temperatures. The more frequent climatic extremes and droughts in the Indo-China region will severely degrade its natural habitats. Therefore, ex situ conservation to preserve its germplasm and introduce seedlings into a suitable habitat are essential for its conservation management.