Early Growth Stages of the Rare Acridocarpus orientalis in the UAE—A First Step towards Conservation

Ksiksi Taoufik, Chedia Guenaoui, Nael Fawzi

Arid Regions Institute, Medenine, Tunisia.
Biology Department, Faculty of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE.
Flora & Phyto-Taxonomy Research Department, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.

DOI: 10.4236/nr.2012.31001                

Abstract

The seed germination and seedling establishment of the rare Acridocarpus orientalis were investigated to understand its requirements for further seedlings establishment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is an important first step in order to try to conserve the species and prevent its disappearance. The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse and in a laboratory under a temperature of about 25?C ± 4?C. Seeds were soaked in water or kept in cold conditions. A control treatment was also included. Only a total of 9 seeds emerged during a period that exceeded eight months. Percent germination in the laboratory experiment reached a maximum of 32%, 75 days into the trial. The rate of seed mortality was 64%. It may be a problem of acclimation to the greenhouse environment. The results of this study showed that A. orientalis seeds were not dormant. About 32% of seeds germinated and all others were viable. Soaking seeds in water proved to be the best treatment for A. orientalis to emerge. Further investigations of the species germination and establishment are needed in order to improve our chances of protecting A. orientalis in the wild.

Keywords

Qafas; Seed Germination; Seed Mortality

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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