Could Microalgae Enhance the Germination of Tribulus Terrestris L. Seeds?

ABSTRACT

Seeds of Tribulus terrestris L. were sown in transparent plastic leaky boxes, at a depth of 4–5 mm in sand. The transparent pots were put on plates, where water has been added through the bottom holes and capillary ascending to the surface. The temperature of soil was 20–37 °C, temperature of air 20–40 °C. Either the soil microalgae, or preliminary grown microalgal suspension, single added with the water has been thriving at these conditions. At all experiments, the first seeds germinated exactly 3 days after they have been sown. Above 90% of the seeds germinated to 7–9 day and single of them to 20 day. Inside, on the wall of the pots, green collour appeared due to microalgae and significantly later mosses appeared, too. Having worked with seeds from Pazardzhik a germination of 31 ± 12% was achieved (74 seeds). Seeds gathered from nature, Black Sea coast, Zarevo, have germinated 7 of 10 in a single experiment. The manner of work is in consistency with a possible breeding of the plant as greenhouse seedlings.

Keywords:

• Tribulus terrestris
• seeds
• microalgae
• germination