Germination strategies of some Allium species of the subgenus Melanocrommuyum from arid zone of Central Asia

Seed germination of six Allium species of subgenus Melanocrommyum was teste d. The plants occur in the Irano-Turanian floristic region of Central Asia, characterized by hot dry summers, after seed maturation, and cold and snow y winters, when seeds lie in the wet soil. Germination was low in seeds wet ted at 15 degrees C, but various periods at 4 degrees C promoted germinatio n. Scarification reduced dormancy at 15 degrees C but not at 4 degrees C. T he differing germination between two accessions of A. suworowii, may be rel ated to after-ripening. The ecological background of the natural habitat, a nd seed harvest time, seem to play predominant roles in seed germinability. (C) 2000 Academic Press.