Examining the interaction of light, nutrients and carbohydrates on seed germination and early seedling development of Bletia purpurea (Orchidaceae)

The effects of carbohydrate availability, carbohydrate source, nutrient availability and illumination on germination and early development of Bletia purpurea (Orchidaceae) seeds were investigated using asymbiotic seed germination. Of special interest was determining the minimum nutritional and light requirements for the completion of germination. Germination and development was limited when seeds were cultured in darkness without sucrose. Seeds were able to germinate under illuminated conditions even in the absence of sucrose and this effect was enhanced when mineral nutrients were incorporated into media. Sucrose, fructose, glucose and trehalose enhanced germination and seedling development while mannitol and sorbitol did not. These data suggest that carbohydrates, either as products of photosynthesis, from symbiotic fungi in situ or as exogenously supplied sugars in vitro, play an important role in regulating seed germination by fulfilling an energy requirement. This hypothesis has been often expressed but rarely satisfactorily tested. Mineral nutrients appear to be less important for germination than carbohydrates. The differential effect of sucrose, fructose, glucose and trehalose at two different concentrations on rhizoid production indicates carbohydrates may play a role in regulating rhizoid production.