Germination behaviour of seeds of the New Zealand woody species Ascarina lucida, Coprosma grandifolia, Melicytus lanceolatus, and Solanum laciniatum

Abstract

Germination rates, percentage germination success, and phenomena related to germination delay were determined for seeds of Ascarina lucida, Coprosma grandifolia, Melicytus lanceolatus, and Solanum laciniatum, taken from freshly collected fruit. The experimental treatments simulated natural conditions that the seeds could experience after dispersal.

In a treatment where seeds were cleaned, kept moist, and well-lit, most germinated in autumn-winter and percentage germination success was high (91–100%) for all species. Seeds of each species germinated moderately to very well (56–100%) on soil. The same applied to Ascarina and Solanum seeds in the dark but success for Coprosma and Melicytus was lower (30% or less). Solanum and Melicytus seeds survived burial (5 cm depth) for nearly 18 months. Replanted at the soil surface, all Solanum and 44% of Melicytus seeds germinated. After being kept dry for c. 5 months most Solanum seeds germinated (96%), those of Melicytus moderately well (68%), and those of Coprosma poorly (8%). Success for seeds tested in-fruit was moderate (48%) for Ascarina, low (20%) for Melicytus, and very poor (4–12%) for the other two species.

Keywords:

• seeds
• germination tests
• simulating nature
• winter germination
• high percentage success