Radicle emergence could overestimate the prediction of seed longevity in wild plants.

Wijayasinghe, Malaka M.; Hay, Fiona R.; Isanta, Maria Tudela; Balestrazzi, Alma; Colville, Louise; Pritchard, Hugh W.; Mondoni, Andrea

Radicle emergence could overestimate the prediction of seed longevity in wild plants.

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Creator (person)

Wijayasinghe, Malaka M.

Hay, Fiona R.

Isanta, Maria Tudela

Balestrazzi, Alma

Colville, Louise

Pritchard, Hugh W.

Mondoni, Andrea

Date published

December 18, 2024

Abstract

Seed longevity influences the success of storage and preservation of plant genetic diversity and is thus a critical factor in conservation efforts. Rapid seed ageing experiments at high temperature and high humidity have been widely used to classify seed longevity for hundreds of plant species, with potential implications for longevity in conservation. In this approach, radicle emergence (R) is normally used as a measure of the viability of the seeds. However, R could overestimate the level of normal seedling development and, consequently, the perceived longevity of seeds. Here, seed lifespan for 33 alpine species was compared to assess whether germination criteria could affect seed longevity parameters. Seeds were exposed to controlled ageing [45°C, 60% relative humidity (RH)] and regularly sampled for germination assessment as both radicle emergence (R) and radicle plus cotyledon emergence (R + C). The time taken in storage for viability to fall to 50% ( ) was determined using probit analysis, including either R or R + C data. A coefficient of overestimation of seed longevity (OESL, %) was determined. The results highlight significant differences in seed longevity estimates both across species and the germination criteria. For 17 species, seed longevity estimated by R was significantly higher than that estimated using R + C, resulting in large variation in OESL (0.54–9.01 d). The introduction of OESL facilitates effective screening for seed longevity and recovery, enhancing the overall efficiency of conservation strategies for diverse species.

Project(s)

Priority 2: Trait Diversity and Function

Funder

Funder name	Awards
FP7 People, European Union	People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013/ under REA grant agreement no607785 (NASSTEC).