Central European Journal of Biology * E-mail: nkrigas@bio.auth.gr Research Article 1 Forest Department of Arnea, 63074 Arnea, Chalkidiki, Greece 2 Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece 3 Laboratory of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece 4 Laboratory of Conservation and Evaluation of Native and Floricultural Species-Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia, Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Dimitra”, 57001 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece Paraskevi I. Gkika 1 , Nikos Krigas 2, * George Menexes 3 , Ilias G. Eleftherohorinos 3 , Eleni Maloupa 4 Effect of temperature and light on seed germination of Erysimum naxense and Erysimum krendlii 1. Introduction Under the Convention of Biological Diversity, the updated Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 2011-2020 (http://www.cbd.int/gspc/) prioritizes scientifc research on rare and threatened species. More specifcally, target 8 suggests the development of species-specifc propagation and cultivation protocols aiming to achieve “at least 75% of the threatened plants under ex situ conservation, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20% available for recovery and restoration programs” (https://www.cbd.int/gspc/). In order to approach this global target in the European context, it has been estimated that 60% of threatened species should be stored in seed banks and research should be initiated into storage and propagation methods [1]. Cent. Eur. J. Biol. • 8(12) • 2013 • 1194-1203 DOI: 10.2478/s11535-013-0229-2 1194 Received 19 March 2013; Accepted 18 June 2013 Keywords: Propagation • Ex situ • Brassicaceae • Greece • Endemic • Geographic Information Systems • GIS Abstract: Seed germination of two local Greek endemics was studied (Erysimum naxense, Erysimum krendlii). Seed viability was determined by using the tetrazolium method and germination was studied in synchronized cycles of fve and four alternating temperatures [10/5 (for E. naxense only) and 15/10, 20/15, 25/20, and 30/25°C for both species, in cycles of 16 h day/8 h night], and in fve light regimes (red, blue, green, white, and dark). Germination of E. naxense and E. krendlii seeds was determined daily for six and fve weeks, respectively, with the data analyzed as viability adjusted accumulative seed germination at the end of each week. E. naxense’s seed viability was higher (90%) than that of E. krendlii (64%); seed germination (%) of both increased at low alternating temperatures (10/5°C, 15/10°C, 20/15°C). Germination of E. naxense seeds at low temperatures was light-independent, whereas at high temperatures it was increased with red light. Germination of E. krendlii seeds was inconsistently affected by light at the temperatures studied. Percentages of seed germination of both species were higher in experimental conditions similar to the ones of their natural habitats during autumn and/or spring (facilitated with Geographic Information Systems). These conclusions provide guidelines for species-specifc propagation protocols and ex situ conservation. © Versita Sp. z o.o. Unauthenticated Download Date | 7/23/18 6:26 PM