Germination Response of Different Castor Bean Genotypes to Temperature for Early and Late Sowing Adaptation in the Mediterranean Regions

Abstract

Germination of castor seeds of seven dwarf hybrid genotypes, compared to a ‘Local’ genotype, selected from a Tunisian population by the University of Catania well adapted to the Mediterranean environment, were studied at six different temperatures (8, 12, 16, 25, 32, and 40 °C). The results indicate that the optimal temperature (25 °C) and near-optimal temperature (32 °C) are the best temperatures for ensuring castor germination (final germination percentage (FGP) ≥ 82.81%). Furthermore, these temperatures positively influenced the vigour index (VI) and the radicle elongation. At a temperature of 8 °C, no germination occurred, while temperatures of 12 and 40 °C negatively affected the seed germination, which, in some genotypes, was null or negligible (<21.25%). A temperature of 16 °C allowed good results to be reached for the FGP and the other considered parameters. Overall, the dwarf hybrids performed better at high temperatures than at low temperatures, thus, making them suitable for late sowings, with the exception of the genotype ‘C1020’, which resulted the best performance at 16 and 40 °C, being suitable for both early and late sowings. On the other hand, the ‘Local’ castor genotype, being the best-performing genotype at 12 and 16 °C, and the most tolerant to low temperature (base temperature (Tb) 12.1 °C), could be used in the early sowing in spring.