SEED GERMINATION PLASTICITY OF TWO ENDANGERED SPECIES OF FERULA IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE


Abstract

Ferula assa-foetida and F. gummosa, Apiaceae, are important endemic and endangered medicinal plants. Survival of the species is threatened by climate change, overexploiting (as source of oleo-gum resin and forage) and lack of organized cultivation. Cultivation of these valuable medicinal plants is restricted by insufficient domestication knowledge. Germination characteristics of different popula-tions of Ferula taxa were studied with the aim of describing and comparing their responses to continu-ous cold stratification condition. Germination cues for the species were complex, with dormancy mechanisms present to restrict germination until cold stratification are fulfilled. Results indicated that a period of 4 weeks of stratification is sufficient for germination of F. assa-foetida, but optimal germi-nation of F. gummosa require stratification for periods of 8 weeks. Both species were able to germi-nate at very low temperatures (4°C). Within-taxon differences in dormancy breaking and seedling emergence may interpret as local adaptations. The continued regeneration and propagation of the species in the wild will depend on the temperature and moisture status of the soil during winter and the maintenance of conditions suitable for stratification for an appropriate length of time.


Keywords

dormancy; global warming; highland; Iran; local adaptation

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Published : 2020-06-30


Shanjani, P. S., Mousavi, A., & Farsad, F. R. (2020). SEED GERMINATION PLASTICITY OF TWO ENDANGERED SPECIES OF FERULA IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE. Plant Breeding and Seed Science, 79, 71-90. https://doi.org/10.37317/pbss-2019-0007

Parvin Salehi Shanjani  psalehi1@gmail.com
Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, P.O. Box 13185-116, Tehran, Iran  Iran, Islamic Republic of
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4537-2791
Amir Mousavi 
National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran  Iran, Islamic Republic of
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0067-4294
Faeze Rasoulzadeh Farsad 
Islamic Azad Universities, Tehran, Iran  Iran, Islamic Republic of
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6887-1636