EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SUBSTRATES ON SEED GERMINATION OF FOUR PROTECTED SPECIES FROM GENUS GONIOLIMON, FAM. PLUMBAGINACEAE

N. G. Zaprianova, D. M. Manolova, A. I. Kaninski

Abstract: The current study was undertaken in the Institute of Ornament Plants, Sofa during the period 2012-2014. The aim was to establish the influence of six different substrates on seed germination of four wild species of genus Goniolimon (G. besserianum, G. collinum, G. tataricum and G. dalmaticum) germinated under greenhouse conditions. The highest germination rate of 35-45%, for all studied species was recorded when the seeds were sown on perlite which was about 2 times higher compared to the control (soil). In enriched peat the percent of germination exceeded the control 1.5 times. The germination rate in other tested substrates (soil + enriched peat, in a ratio 1:1; soil + enriched peat + perlite, in a ratio 1:1:1; a layer of perlite on the top and a layer of soil beneath in a ratio 1:1) was similar to the control for all studied species (approximately 12-20%). An exception was found for G. tataricum which germination rate was 28% to 35% in the substrate perlite/soil. The obtained results suggest that the selection of proper substrate is a prerequisite for improving the germination potential of wild Goniolimon species.

Keywords: germination; perlite; seeds; wild species

Date published: 2017-09-19