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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 29(2)

Effect of seed treatment on the emergence of Cassia brewsteri and Lysiphyllum carronii seeds stored in soil

S. M. Reichman A B D , S. M. Bellairs A C and D. R. Mulligan A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.

B Present address: Division of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, PO Box 84, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand.

C Present address: School of Science and Primary Industries, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0815, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: s.reichman@lincoln.ac.nz

The Rangeland Journal 29(2) 133-137 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ07004
Submitted: 22 January 2007  Accepted: 4 May 2007   Published: 24 October 2007

Abstract

Dormancy-breaking treatments are applied to seeds of many Australian species used for mine-site restoration in arid and semi-arid regions of Australia. Once seeds are sown, several months may pass before a rain event sufficient for germination. Therefore, it is important that treated seeds are able to survive in soil until conditions are hospitable for germination and growth. However, little is known about the effects of seed dormancy-breaking treatments on the longevity of seeds in soil. Two species that are potential candidates for use in mine site restoration programs in Queensland were trialed viz., Cassia brewsteri (F.Muell.) Benth and Lysiphyllum carronii (F.Muell.) Pedley. Untreated, boiled and acid treated seeds of the two species were sown in soil in a glasshouse. Seeds were watered immediately or kept dry for one or three months before watering and emergence was assessed. When applied to seeds incubated on filter paper in a germination cabinet, boiling and acid treatments were effective methods of breaking dormancy and increasing germination for both C. brewsteri and L. carronii seeds. However, in soil, seedling emergence from boiled seeds was the same or less than that of untreated seeds. Storage time in soil before watering had little effect on seedling emergence in the glasshouse, suggesting that most decreases in emergence compared with laboratory germination occurred after the input of water to the system. Treatments that promote germination in the laboratory can reduce seedling emergence in soil. Thus, treated seeds should be tested for survival in soil before use in mine-site restoration programs.

Additional keywords: dormancy, germination, legume, mine rehabilitation, seed bed.


Acknowledgement

Thanks to David Bell for comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript.


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