Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-r6qrq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T19:04:35.395Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy and storage behaviour of seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica, Strychnos potatorum and Strychnos benthamii (Loganiaceae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2020

Deshika L. Muthuthanthirige Open the ORCID record for Deshika L. Muthuthanthirige [Opens in a new window] ,
W.M.G. Asanga S.T.B. Wijetunga  and
K.M.G. Gehan Jayasuriya
Deshika L. Muthuthanthirige*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
W.M.G. Asanga S.T.B. Wijetunga
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka
K.M.G. Gehan Jayasuriya
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
*
Correspondence: Deshika L. Muthuthanthirige, E-mail: deshikalm@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We hypothesized that Strychnos nux-vomica and Strychnos potatorum in seasonal tropical ecosystems have dormant desiccation-tolerant seeds, while those of Strychnos benthamii growing in aseasonal wet habitats have non-dormant desiccation-sensitive seeds. Germination, imbibition, the effect of gibberellic acid on germination and changes in the embryo to seed length ratio (E:S) during incubation were determined for the three species. Seed storage behaviour was identified with the hundred seed test. Time taken for epicotyl emergence was recorded. Radicle emergence of S. nux-vomica, S. potatorum and S. benthamii at 25°C under light/dark conditions (12/12 h) was completed within 76, 49 and 11 d, respectively. S. nux-vomica and S. potatorum seeds incubated on GA3 germinated to a higher percentage than non-treated seeds. E:S of S. nux-vomica, S. potatorum and S. benthamii had increased by 38.2, 34.5 and 25.5%, respectively, at radicle emergence. Shoot emergence of S. nux-vomica, S. potatorum and S. benthamii was observed after 76, 74 and 45 d from radicle emergence, respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that the seeds of all three species have epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy. Hundred seed tests revealed that S. nux-vomica and S. potatorum seeds were desiccation-tolerant, while those of S. benthamii were desiccation-sensitive. Our study showed that species from seasonal habitats (S. nux-vomica and S. potatorum) have desiccation-tolerant morphophysiologically dormant seeds, while those from an aseasonal habitat (S. benthamii) have desiccation-sensitive morphophysiologically dormant seeds, revealing that their dormancy and desiccation tolerance behaviour are adaptations to their environment.

Keywords

epicotyl dormancyLoganiaceaespatulate underdeveloped embryoStrychnos
Type
Research Paper
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 30 , Special Issue 4: Functional Seed Ecology , December 2020 , pp. 284 - 292
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Athugala, YS, Jayasuriya, KMGG, Gunaratne, AMTA and Baskin, CC (2016) Morphophysiological epicotyl dormancy in seeds of three Psychotria species from Sri Lanka: first record for Rubiaceae. Seed Science Research 26, 171–181. doi:10.1017/S0960258516000027CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Athugala, YS, Jayasuriya, KMGG, Gunarathne, AMTA and Baskin, CC (2018) Diversity of epicotyl dormancy among tropical montane forest species in Sri Lanka. Plant Biology 20, 916–925. doi:10.1111/plb.12846CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baskin, JM and Baskin, CC (2004) A classification system for seed dormancy. Seed Science Research 14, 1–16. doi:10.1079/SSR2003150CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baskin, CC and Baskin, JM (2005) Seed dormancy in trees of climax tropical vegetation types. Tropical Ecology 46, 17–28.Google Scholar
Baskin, CC and Baskin, JM (2007) A revision of Martin's seed classification system, with particular reference to his dwarf-seed type. Seed Science Research 17, 11–20. doi:10.1017/S0960258507383189CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baskin, CC and Baskin, JM (2014) Seeds: Ecology, biogeography, and evolution of dormancy and germination (2nd edn). San Diego, Academic Press.Google Scholar
Baskin, CC, Chien, CT, Chen, SY and Baskin, JM (2009) Epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy in seeds of Daphniphyllum glaucescens, a woody member of the Saxifragales. International Journal of Plant Sciences 170, 174–181. doi:10.1086/595283.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Behpour, M, Ghoreishi, SM, Khayatkashani, M and Motaghedifard, M (2012) A new method for the simultaneous analysis of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica unprocessed and processed seeds using a carbon-paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Phytochemical Analysis 23, 95–102.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Burrows, CJ (1997) Reproductive ecology of New Zealand forests: 2. Germination behaviour of seeds in varied conditions. New Zealand Natural Sciences 23, 53–69.Google Scholar
Burrows, CJ (1999) Germination behaviour of seeds of the New Zealand woody species Alseuosmia macrophylla, A. pusilla, Cordyline banksii, Geniostoma rupestre, Myrtus bullata, and Solanum aviculare. New Zealand Journal of Botany 37, 277–287.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chien, CT, Chen, SY, Chien, TY, Baskin, JM and Baskin, CC (2011) Nondeep simple morphophysiological dormancy in seeds of Ilex maximowicziana from northern (subtropical) and southern (tropical) Taiwan. Ecological Research 26, 163–171.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Choi, YH, Sohn, YM, Kim, CY, Oh, KY and Kim, J (2004) Analysis of strychnine from detoxified Strychno nux-vomica seeds using liquid chromatography–electrospray mass spectrometry. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 93, 109–112. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.03.038CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dalling, JW, Davis, AS, Schutte, BJ and Elizabeth, AA (2011) Seed survival in soil: interacting effects of predation, dormancy and the soil microbial community. Journal of Ecology 99, 89–95. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2745.2010.01739.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Daws, MI, Garwood, NC and Pritchard, HW (2005) Traits of recalcitrant seeds in a semi-deciduous tropical forest in Panama: some ecological implications. Functional Ecology 19, 874–885. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2435.2005.01034.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Casas, RR, Donohue, K, Venable, DL and Cheptou, PO (2015) Gene-flow through space and time: dispersal, dormancy and adaptation to changing environments. Evolutionary Ecology 29, 813–831. doi:10.1007/s10682-015-9791-6CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dhyani, A, Phartyal, SS, Nautiyal, BP and Nautiyal, MC (2013) Epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy in seeds of Lilium polyphyllum (Liliaceae). Journal of Biosciences 38, 13–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Donohue, K, Rubio de Casas, R, Burghardt, L, Kovach, K and Willis, CG (2010) Germination, postgermination adaptation, and species ecological ranges. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 41, 293–319. doi:10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-102209-144715CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elliott, S, Anbusarnsunthorn, V, Kopachon, S, Maxwell, JF, Blakesley, D and Garwood, NC (1996) Research toward the restoration of northern Thailand's degraded forests. pp. 1–16 in Symposium on accelerating native forest regeneration on degraded tropical lands, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Foster, SA (1986) On the adaptive value of large seeds for tropical moist forest trees: a review and synthesis. The Botanical Review 52, 260–299.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frédérich, M, Choi, YH and Verpoorte, R (2003) Quantitative analysis of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica using 1H-NMR. Planta Medica 69, 1169–1171. doi:10.1055/s-2003-818014Google ScholarPubMed
Gunatilleke, N, Pethiyagoda, R and Gunatilleke, S (2008) Biodiversity of Sri Lanka. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka 36, 25–61. doi:10.4038/jnsfsr.v36i0.8047CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gunda, T, Hornberger, GM and Gilligan, JM (2016) Spatiotemporal patterns of agricultural drought in Sri Lanka: 1881–2010. International Journal of Climatology 36, 563–575. doi:10.1002/joc.4365CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hidayati, SN, Baskin, JM and Baskin, CC (2005) Epicotyl dormancy in Viburnum acerifolium (Caprifoliaceae). The American Midland Naturalist 153, 232–245.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hong, TD and Ellis, RH (1996) A protocol to determine seed storage behaviour. IPGRI Technical Bulletin No. 1. (Engels, JMM and Toll, J, vol. eds) Rome, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy.Google Scholar
Hong, TD, Linington, S and Ellis, RH (1996) Seed storage behaviour: a compendium. Handbooks for Genebanks: No. 4. Rome, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute.Google Scholar
Jayamaha, G (1975) An analysis of droughts in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy 42A, 133–148.Google Scholar
Jayasuriya, KMGG, Wijetunga, ASTB, Baskin, JM and Baskin, CC (2013) Seed dormancy and storage behaviour in tropical Fabaceae: a study of 100 species from Sri Lanka. Seed Science Research 23, 257–269. doi:10.1017/S0960258513000214CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jayaweera, DMA (1981) Medicinal plants (indigenous and exotic) used in Ceylon: Part III (Flacouratiaceae – Lythraceae). Colombo, National Science Council of Sri Lanka.Google Scholar
Kullmann, WH (1981) Seed germination records of Western Australian plants. Kings Park Research Notes No. 7 Perth, Western Australia.Google Scholar
Lan, QY, Xia, K, Wang, XF, Liu, JW, Zhao, J and Tan, YH (2014) Seed storage behaviour of 101 woody species from the tropical rainforest of southern China: a test of the seed-coat ratio–seed mass (SCR–SM) model for determination of desiccation sensitivity. Australian Journal of Botany 62, 305–311.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leverett, LD, Schieder, GF and Donohue, K (2018) The fitness benefits of germinating later than neighbors. American Journal of Botany 105, 20–30.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Martin, AC (1946) The comparative internal morphology of seeds. The American Midland Naturalist 36, 513–660.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mkonda, A, Akinnifesi, FK and Mafongoya, P (2001) Effect of storage period and temperature on the viability of Strychnos cocculoides seeds from four Zambian provenances, pp. 3–7 in Proceedings of the 14th Southern Africa Regional review and Planning Workshop.Google Scholar
MOE (2012) The national red list of Sri Lanka; conservation status of the Fauna and Flora. Colombo, Sri Lanka, Ministry of Environment.Google Scholar
Msanga, HP (1998) Seed germination of indigenous trees in Tanzania. Edmonton, Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre.Google Scholar
Pammenter, NW and Berjak, P (1999) A review of recalcitrant seed physiology in relation to desiccation-tolerance mechanisms. Seed Science Research 9, 13–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pammenter, NW and Berjak, P (2000) Some thoughts on the evolution and ecology of recalcitrant seeds. Plant Species Biology 15, 153–156.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Patel, K, Laloo, D, Singh, GK, Gadewar, M and Patel, DK (2017) A review on medicinal uses, analytical techniques and pharmacological activities of Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.: a concise report. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine 2017, 1–13. doi:10.1007/s11655-016-2514-1Google Scholar
Pearson, RS (2005) The germination of teak and other seeds. Indian Forester 131, 1509.Google Scholar
Perera, GAD (2001) The secondary forest situation in Sri Lanka: a review. Journal of Tropical Forest Science 13, 768–785.Google Scholar
Perera, GAD (2012) Present status of dry-zone flora in Sri Lanka, pp. 165–174 in Weerakoon, DK and Wijesundara, S (Eds) The national red list 2012 of Sri Lanka; conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Ministry of Environment.Google Scholar
Philcox, D (1996) Loganiaceae, pp. 264–282 in Dassanayake, MD, Fosberg, FR and Clayton, D (Eds) A revised handbook to the flora of Ceylon, Vol. X, New Delhi, Oxford IBH Publishing.Google Scholar
Pritchard, HW, Wood, CB, Hodges, S and Vautier, HJ (2004) 100-seed test for desiccation tolerance and germination: a case study on eight tropical palm species. Seed Science and Technology 32, 393–403.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saatkamp, A, Poschlod, P and Venable, DL (2014) The functional role of soil seed banks in natural communities, pp. 263–295 in Fenner, M (Ed) Seeds: the ecology of regeneration in plant communities, Wallingford, CAB International.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sautu, A, Baskin, JM, Baskin, CC, Deago, J and Condit, R (2007) Classification and ecological relationships of seed dormancy in a seasonal moist tropical forest, Panama, Central America. Seed Science Research 17, 127–140. doi:10.1017/S0960258507708127CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Senaratne, LK (2001) A check list of the flowering plants of Sri Lanka. Colombo, Sri Lanka, National Science Foundation.Google Scholar
Silva, VDF, Sales, JDF, Silva, FG, Campos, RC, Branquinho, ADC and Silva, VA (2012) Cryopreservation of quina seeds (Strychnos pseudoquina A. St. Hil). International Research Journal of Biotechnology 3, 55–60.Google Scholar
Singh, AK and Dhar, DN (1977) Studies on the chemical constituents of the seeds of Strychnos potatorum L. Part I. Planta Medica 32, 362–367.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Singh, SP, Phartyal, SS and Rosbakh, S (2017) Tree seed traits’ response to monsoon climate and altitude in Indian subcontinent with particular reference to the Himalayas. Ecology and Evolution 7, 7408–7419.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sivakumar, V, Anandalakshmi, R, Warrier, RR, Tigabu, M, Odén, PC, Vijayachandran, SN, Geetha, S and Singh, BG (2006) Effects of presowing treatments, desiccation and storage conditions on germination of Strychnos nux-vomica seeds, a valuable medicinal plant. New Forests 32, 121–131.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Subbiah, A, Woodenberg, WR, Varghese, B and Pammenter, NW (2019) The influence of seed morpho-physiological and meristematic cell wall traits on seed desiccation sensitivity in three angiosperm tree species. Flora 261, 151490. doi:10.1016/j.flora.2019.151490CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tweddle, JC, Dickie, JB, Baskin, CC and Baskin, JM (2003) Ecological aspects of seed desiccation sensitivity. Journal of ecology 91, 294–304.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wagmann, K, Hautekèete, NC, Piquot, Y, Meunier, C, Schmitt, SE and Van Dijk, H (2012) Seed dormancy distribution: explanatory ecological factors. Annals of Botany 110, 1205–1219.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Warrier, RR, Anandalakshmi, R, Sivakumar, V and Singh, BG (2017) Seed dormancy and storage behavior of Strychnos potatorum - a fast depleting tree resource. Journal of Tree Sciences 36, 52–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Xu, J, Li, W, Zhang, C, Liu, W and Du, G (2014) Variation in seed germination of 134 common species on the eastern Tibetan plateau: phylogenetic, life history and environmental correlates. PLoS ONE 9, e98601. doi:10.1371 /journal.pone.0098601CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yadav, KN, Kadam, PV, Patel, JA and Patil, MJ (2014) Strychnos potatorum: phytochemical and pharmacological review. Pharmacognosy Reviews 8, 61–66. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.125533CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed