Germination inhibits the growth of new roots and seedlings in Eugenia uniflora and Eugenia brasiliensis

Abstract:Seeds of Eugenia species can produce new roots and whole plants even when much of its reserves is removed. However, new roots and seedlings rarely are formed spontaneously, and after cutting, each seed fragment usually produces only one new seedling, suggesting some control of the formation of several seedlings. It is possible, therefore, that germination leads to the production of inhibitory substances avoiding the development of new embryonic tissues. In the present work we have analyzed the potential of germinating seeds of Eugenia uniflora and Eugenia brasiliensisto inhibit new roots and seedling growth. Seeds were germinated after totally or partially fractionated. This last one was also totally fractionated after the development of a seedling, and the halves were also germinated. The results showed that the germination of the E. uniflora and E. brasiliensis seeds have inhibited the formation of new roots and seedlings.

摘要：番樱桃属（Eugenia）的种子即使在大部分储藏养分被移除的情况下，仍可萌发新根并形成完整植株。然而，其自然状态下极少自发形成新根与幼苗，且经切割后的每块种子碎片通常仅能产生一株幼苗，这表明存在某种调控多株幼苗形成的机制。由此推测，种子萌发过程可能会产生抑制性物质，从而阻碍新生胚胎组织的发育。本研究针对红果仔（Eugenia uniflora）与巴西番樱桃（Eugenia brasiliensis）的萌发种子抑制新根及幼苗生长的潜力展开分析。实验中，我们将种子完全切割或部分切割后进行萌发；对于经部分切割的种子，待其萌发长出一株幼苗后，再将剩余部分完全切割，并将得到的两半种子分别进行萌发。结果显示，红果仔与巴西番樱桃的种子萌发过程均可抑制新根及幼苗的形成。