Seed germination and heteromorphy in Brassica insularis

What is it about?

Three Brassica insularis seed lots from Sardinia were analysed using an image analysis system to detect differences in seed morphology, both within and among populations. Germination requirements at constant (5–25 °C) and alternating temperatures (25/10 °C), both in light and in darkness, were evaluated for all populations. In addition, the effect of a dry after-ripening period (90 days at 25 °C) was also investigated.

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Why is it important?

Our results showed high differentiation and variability among Brassica insularis populations. B. insularis seed germination behaviour differs from that of other ‘typical’ Mediterranean plants, demonstrating that germination of this species covers a wide time window during the year. Seed heteromorphy was reported for the first time in this species and only in an isolated population probably due to an independent evolutionary divergence process.