Response of three species of globemallow to germination treatments

TitleResponse of three species of globemallow to germination treatments
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication1983
AuthorsRoth TE
Number of Pages55
Date Published1983
UniversityNew Mexico State University
CityLas Cruces, New Mexico
Thesis TypeM.S. Thesispp
Call Number00573
Keywordsdissertation, dissertations, germination, Sphaeralcea, plant, globemallow, plant, Sphaeralcea, Sphaeralcea, germination, theses, thesis
AbstractA greenhouse and field study were conducted to test the effects of chemical and mechanical scarification treatments on the germination of three species of globemallow. Of the three species tested, both scarlet and orange globemallow possessed carpels surrounding the seed. A separate experiment was conducted to determine any effect the carpel might have on germination. The organic solvent dioxane proved to be the best treatments to stimulate germination. Mechanical scarification proved to be very detrimental to the germination of these species of globemallow. Compared to the dioxane treatment, removing the carpel increased the germination of scarlet globemallow but decreased the germination of orange globemallow. Due to extreme fluctuation in precipitation, the field study was a failure. It is concluded that if the inhibitory properties of the seed coat are altered, germination of globemallow can be enhanced.