Seed germination in Genisteae (Fabaceae) from South-West Spain

The germination ability of 30 taxa of the tribe Genisteae (Fabaceae) from t he Iberian Peninsula was studied, revealing the existence of hardseededness . Different methods were tested to evaluate their effectiveness as dormancy breaking agents. The influence of light on germination was also analyzed, as well as the temporal evolution of the germinative process over the exper imental period. The study was carried out by subjecting the seeds to the ac tion of two agents: sulphuric acid and boiling water. The former showed a h igh effectiveness for scarification in the subtribe Genistinae, and the lat ter in Lupininae. It was also demonstrated that with respect to the effect of light, in general terms, the Genisteae studied here were indifferent. In the course of the experimental period (30 days), two different germinative patterns could be distinguished: (a) one with a very rapid germination rat e at the beginning of the process, which indicates a rapid imbibition phase , and (b) another with a delayed onset indicating a slower mode of imbibiti on.