Seeds of Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae), a common shrub occurring in the Mediterranean area, are char- acterized by the presence of an elaiosome. This structure is a fleshy and edible appendage responsible of seed dispersal by ants, a phenomenon known as myrmecochory. The involve- ment of the elaiosome in the germination of seeds of M. com- munis was studied. Germination tests were carried out on three different stocks of seeds for two different periods of harvesting (November 2002 and March 2003): control seeds, seeds without elaiosome and scarified seeds. During the first days of the experiment, it seems that the removal of the elaio- some or the abrasion of the seed coat could lead an early ger- mination, probably due to a faster imbibition. However, at the end of the experiment the seeds of the two different peri- ods of harvesting showed similar germination rates (final percentage germination) for all the three treatments. Further investigations are in progress to verify the presence of inhibitory substances in the elaiosome of M. communis.
The role of the elaiosome in the germination of seeds of Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae)
CICCARELLI, DANIELA;ANDREUCCI, ANDREA;
2004-01-01
Abstract
Seeds of Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae), a common shrub occurring in the Mediterranean area, are char- acterized by the presence of an elaiosome. This structure is a fleshy and edible appendage responsible of seed dispersal by ants, a phenomenon known as myrmecochory. The involve- ment of the elaiosome in the germination of seeds of M. com- munis was studied. Germination tests were carried out on three different stocks of seeds for two different periods of harvesting (November 2002 and March 2003): control seeds, seeds without elaiosome and scarified seeds. During the first days of the experiment, it seems that the removal of the elaio- some or the abrasion of the seed coat could lead an early ger- mination, probably due to a faster imbibition. However, at the end of the experiment the seeds of the two different peri- ods of harvesting showed similar germination rates (final percentage germination) for all the three treatments. Further investigations are in progress to verify the presence of inhibitory substances in the elaiosome of M. communis.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
