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Seed dormancy break and germination by a rare relict of the Würmian glaciation in the Iberian Peninsula: Euonymus latifolius (Celastraceae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2023

A. Santiago Open the ORCID record for A. Santiago [Opens in a new window] ,
J. M. Herranz Open the ORCID record for J. M. Herranz [Opens in a new window]  and
P. Ferrandis Open the ORCID record for P. Ferrandis [Opens in a new window]
A. Santiago*
Affiliation:
Botanic Garden of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de La Mancha s/n, Albacete 02006, Spain Botanic Institute of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de La Mancha s/n, Albacete 02006, Spain
J. M. Herranz
Affiliation:
Botanic Garden of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de La Mancha s/n, Albacete 02006, Spain Botanic Institute of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de La Mancha s/n, Albacete 02006, Spain
P. Ferrandis
Affiliation:
Botanic Garden of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de La Mancha s/n, Albacete 02006, Spain Botanic Institute of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de La Mancha s/n, Albacete 02006, Spain
*
*Author for Correspondence: A. Santiago, E-mail: conservador@jardinbotanico-clm.com
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Abstract

Southern European peninsulas have repeatedly played notable roles as refuges in the natural history of flora during periods of glaciation. Euonymus latifolius (Celastraceae) is a relict species from the last Würmian glaciation in the Iberian Peninsula. It still lives with isolated populations in favourable, cool mountainous microhabitats, being an extremely rare, critically endangered species. These Iberian populations are often high-priority targets for conservation due to their long-term persistence and unique evolutionary trajectory. Previously, it has not been feasible to promote significant programmes for reintroduction and/or population reinforcement of this singular plant species due to the great difficulties of conventional propagation. In this study, we analysed the effects of temperature, light and gibberellic acid (GA3) on the germination responses of E. latifolius to develop an effective protocol for seed germination as a main outcome. The results are coherent with the climatic temperature conditions recorded broadly in the Iberian Peninsula in the past and in the current refuge locations for the taxon. The germination responses of E. latifolius are compatible with those of seeds with intermediate physiological dormancy. In particular, the seeds required a 10-week warm period (20/7°C + 15/4°C) followed by 20 weeks of cold period (5 + 1.5°C) to break dormancy and achieve germination values over 90%. GA3 also promoted germination (80%). Therefore, we developed the first effective protocol for promoting E. latifolius seed germination and, thus, sexual propagation, to facilitate urgent ex situ actions in the current climate change context.

Keywords

Euonymus latifoliusglacial relict plant speciesIberian Peninsulaintermediate physiological seed dormancyseed germination
Type
Research Paper
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , June 2023 , pp. 101 - 106
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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