Rowarth et al.—Germination requirements of NZ native seeds

New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

New Zealand native seed germination requirements: a review

J. S. Rowarth

Office for Environmental Programs
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010, Australia

Present address: Institute of Natural Resources, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand

J. G. Hampton

Bio-Protection and Ecology Division
PO Box 84
Lincoln University
Lincoln 7647
Canterbury, New Zealand

M. J. Hill

Seed Technology Institute Australia Pty Ltd.
PO Box 410
Blackwood
South Australia 5051, Australia

Abstract The value of New Zealand’s unique flora is acknowledged in many sectors, as is the fact that it is vulnerable because of isolation, global warming, land-use intensification, and biosecurity incursion. Concerns are increasing as native regeneration appears to be decreasing. Preservation of plant species is usually possible through seeds, but success requires knowledge of optimal harvest, storage, and germination requirements. Despite the diligence of a few researchers, this information is still scarce. This review brings together information on native seeds published in the last two decades, building on the previous review published in this journal in 1991. Suggestions for research in the future, in both approach and priorities, are made.

Keywords dormancy; scarification; seed germination; stratification; viability

B06009 : Online publication date 4 September 2007; Received 13 March 2006; accepted 31 July 2007

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