Seed development and dormancy characteristics in Lotus corniculatus L.

Abstract

This study investigated seed development in Lotus corniculatus L. Flowers were fine tagged with fme plastic rings so that seeds wIth known date of origin could be subsequently identified. The seed development sequence was monitored and seed viability, dormancy, and hardseededness were assessed. Pods were harvested from 18 to 42 days after flowering (DAP) and the results showed that 30–34 DAP were required for seeds to attain substantial viability. In all harvests a primary dormancy of 40–50% was detected when seeds were germinated immediately aftercollecbon. This primary dormancy, however, disappeared after drying the seeds under ambient conditions for less than 40 days. Germination results using chipped seeds showed that this primary dormancy was the only dormant period exhibited by L. corniculatus seeds. Hard seeds began to occur at 30 DAP and reached a peak of 98% at the final harvest at 42 DAP. Germination results on seeds from different maturity stages suggested that hardseededness in L. corniculatus was closely related to the degree of seed maturity.

Keywords:

• birdsfoot trefoil
• dormancy
• hardseededness
• seed development
• Lotus corniculatus