[en] Two hypotheses were tested with respect to the germination of Diplolophium marthozianum, an endemic plant species of the copper-cobalt outcrops in Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo: (1) germination of copper-endemics is limited by fungal infection in the absence of pathogen control and (2) the germination success of this copper-endemic species is copper-dependent. Seed lots of twenty seeds were weighed, soaked in different disinfection treatments and then placed in a germination medium containing four distinct copper concentrations for 30 days. Seed viability was measured at the beginning and at the end of the experiment by a cut test. Final germination percentage (15.2 ± 8.2 %) and seed viability (24.2 ± 10.3 %) were not affected by copper concentration or disinfection treatments. D. marthozianum is able to germinate in a substrate without added copper, despite pervasive fungal infection. However, seed mass had a significant positive effect on seed germination suggesting that selecting the largest seeds may ensure the highest germination success in ex situ conservation programs.
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Boisson, Sylvain ; Université de Liège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Biodiversité et Paysage
Ortmans, William ; Université de Liège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Biodiversité et Paysage
Maréchal, Justine
Majerus, Marie
Mahy, Grégory ; Université de Liège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Biodiversité et Paysage
Monty, Arnaud ; Université de Liège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Biodiversité et Paysage
Language :
English
Title :
No copper required for germination of an endangered endemic species from the Katangan Copperbelt (Katanga, DR Congo): Diplolophium marthozianum
Alternative titles :
[fr] La germination de l'espèce endémique menacée de l'arc cupro-cobaltifère (Katanga, RDC), Diplolophium marthozianum, ne nécessite aucune teneur en cuivre
Publication date :
January 2017
Journal title :
Tropical Ecology
ISSN :
0564-3295
Publisher :
Scientific Publishers
Volume :
58
Issue :
1
Pages :
193-198
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
FRIA - Fonds pour la Formation à la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture [BE] F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
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