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Comparative in vitro germination ecology of Calopogon tuberosus var. tuberosus (Orchidaceae) across its geographic range

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Abstract

Seed responses to temperature are often essential to the study of germination ecology, but the ecological role of temperature in orchid seed germination remains uncertain. The response of orchid seeds to cold stratification have been studied, but the exact physiological role remains unclear. No studies exist that compare the effects of either cold stratification or temperature on germination among distant populations of the same species. In two separate experiments, the role of temperature (25, 22/11, 27/15, 29/19, 33/24°C) and chilling at 10°C on in vitro seed germination were investigated using distant populations of Calopogon tuberosus var. tuberosus. Cooler temperatures promoted germination of Michigan seeds; warmer temperatures promoted germination of South Carolina and north central Florida seeds. South Florida seed germination was highest under both warm and cool temperatures. More advanced seedling development generally occurred at higher temperatures with the exception of south Florida seedlings, in which the warmest temperature suppressed development. Fluctuating diurnal temperatures were more beneficial for germination compared to constant temperatures. Cold stratification had a positive effect on germination among all populations, but South Carolina seeds required the longest chilling treatments to obtain maximum germination. Results from the cold stratification experiment indicate that a physiological dormancy is present, but the degree of dormancy varies across the species range. The variable responses among populations may indicate ecotypic differentiation.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the following for collecting seed: Larry Richardson (Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Naples, FL), Jim Fowler (South Carolina populations), and Kip Knudson (Michigan population). We also thank Mary Bunch (South Carolina Heritage Preserve Program) for issuing collection permits. We thank Dr. Hector Perez (University of Florida, Gainesville, FL) for use of growth chambers. We also thank Timothy Johnson for providing insightful comments regarding the manuscript. Brand names are provided as references; the authors do not solely recommend or endorse these products. US Fish and Wildlife and the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge provided partial funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Restoration, Conservation and Propagation Biotechnology Program, Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110675, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Philip J. Kauth & Michael E. Kane

  2. Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 18905 SW 280th, St Homestead, FL, 33031, USA

    Wagner A. Vendrame

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  1. Philip J. Kauth
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Correspondence to Philip J. Kauth.

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Editor: P. Lakshmanan

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Kauth, P.J., Kane, M.E. & Vendrame, W.A. Comparative in vitro germination ecology of Calopogon tuberosus var. tuberosus (Orchidaceae) across its geographic range. In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.-Plant 47, 148–156 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-010-9316-5

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