Heat pre-treatment and the germination of soil- and canopy-stored seeds of south-western Australian species

The role of heat (shock) in stimulating the germination of soil-stored hard seeds from fire-following species is well known. However, the effects of high temperatures on germination of canopy-stored (serotinous) seeds are less well understood. In this study, we examined the effect of heat shock at four temperatures (60, 80, 100 and 120 degreesC) applied for 10 min on the germination of ten co-occurring Western Australian fire-following species (five hardseeded, five serotinous). Unlike previous studies, we distinguished between the effects of heat shock on germination rate, as well as total seedling emergence. In comparison with unheated controls, a heat pulse at one or more temperatures increased total germination and germination rate for three of the hardseeded species (Acacia pulchella, Daviesia cordata and Trymalium ledifolium). The precise pattern of germination response for D. cordata was influenced by whether we examined total germination or germination rate. Germination of four serotinous species (Calothamnus quadrifidus and three Hakea species) was unaffected by pre-treatments at one or more above-ambient temperatures. Only Allocasuarina humilis displayed both increased rate and total germination at higher temperatures. Our results show that germination in some serotinous species may respond favourably to, or at least be unaffected by, the passage of fire. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.