2000/07/01 by B Wang, Baoqing Wang · 1 citation
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Plant tissue culture and regeneration #Seed Germination and Physiology #Seedling growth and survival studies
paper · doi:10.1006/anbo.2000.1150
openalex publication_date 2000/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Moist chilling (cold stratification) is well-known as a simple and effective means of overcoming physiological seed dormancy and enhancing germination of many temperate tree and shrub species. However, the apparent activation of intracellular repair mechanisms in non-dormant black spruce ( Picea mariana ) seeds following moist chilling, has not previously been reported. The present contribution records the beneficial effects of moist chilling after accelerated ageing (40°C/98% relative humidity) for 3–10 d of black spruce seeds. This treatment was maximally effective after 7 d of accelerated ageing, increasing germination from 43 to 61%. Ultrastructural examination of embryo cells indicated that intracellular activation occurred during moist chilling even when seeds had not been subjected to accelerated ageing, and that the increasing levels of damage accumulating over the 3–7 d period of ageing were substantially reversed during subsequent moist chilling. The results of cold stratification of non-dormant seeds are discussed in terms of the value of this practice in nursery seedling production from seeds that are of less than the highest quality. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company