GERMINATION ECOLOGY OF CERATONIA-SILIQUA L (CAESALPINIACEAE), A MEDITERRANEAN TREE

The effects of age, high temperatures and passage through the gut of f ox and cow on germination of carob (Ceratonia siliqua) seeds were anal yzed. Seeds were collected from fruits and from faeces in the Nature R eserve of Sierra de Grazalema (S Spain); they were separated into vari ous sets which were subjected to different treatments before being sow n in Petri dishes to test their germination. Results showed that 1) ca rob seeds have physical dormancy afforded by their hard seed coat, con stituting a persistent seed bank in the soil; 2) fox and cow carry out a long distance dispersal of carob seeds without damaging the embryo, but they do not accelerate the germination. 3) Ceratonia siliqua is n ot dependent on fire for seed germination. Experiments simulating fire effect resulted in a decreased germination, the embryo remaining inta ct, which suggests a hardening of the seed coat by heat.