| Abstract Detail
Ecological Section Jernegan, Marissa [1], Coons, Janice M. [1]. Seed Longevity of Lesquerella ludoviciana, an Endangered Species of Illinois Sand Prairies. LESQUERELLA ludoviciana (Nutt) S. Wats. (silvery bladderpod) is an endangered species of Illinois sand prairies. The only naturally occurring Illinois population is in Mason County. Numerous vigorous seeds are produced on elongating stalks. Seeds mature first on lower portions of stalks, and maturity affects germination. Few viable seeds were found in soil cores. Our objective was to determine how seed longevity in silvery bladderpod affects ability of seeds to germinate and to establish vigorous plants. Seeds of L. ludoviciana were collected in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 from Mason County, and stored at 4oC until 2006. Germination was tested with seed lots from upper and lower portions of stalks and from different harvests each year. Four replications of 50 seeds were germinated in petri dishes with filter paper at 25oC with continuous light. Germinated and contaminated seeds were counted for 4 weeks. Emergence was tested using one seed lot for each year. Three replications of 25 seeds were planted using soilless mix at 26oC with 16 hrs light. Emerged seedlings were counted for 4 weeks. Width of rosettes and number of leaves were measured weekly. Fresh and dry weights were taken at the end. For seeds from 1999 and 2000, germination was significantly lower for first harvests (26-43%) than for second harvests (66-78%), which was similar to 2001 seed (68-76%). For 2002, germination was 44%, being similar to first harvests in 1999 and 2000, possibly because seed from entire stalks were mixed and contained more immature seed. Emergence was significantly different in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, being 86, 63, 57 and 19%, respectively. Seedlings from different years had significantly different widths and weights, but similar leaf numbers. Several factors affected germination and seedling development including years in storage, harvest date and seed maturity.
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1 - Eastern Illinois University, Department of Biological Sciences, 600 Lincoln Ave, Charleston, Illinois, 61920-3099, USA
Keywords:
Lesquerella ludoviciana
germination
seedling development
Physaria ludoviciana.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: 48-37
Location: Auditorium/Bell Memorial Union
Date: Tuesday, August 1st, 2006
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:277 |
