Germination requirements and conservation of an endangered Hawaiian plant species (Silence lanceolata)
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abstract
Silene lanceolata A. Gray (Caryophyllaceae), a rare shrub endemic to Hawaii, is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an endangered species. Several populations are known to occur at Pohakuloa Training Area, a Department of Army installation on the island of Hawaii. In compliance with the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Army must develop an Endangered Species Management Plan for this species. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influences of seed source, seed dormancy, and scarification on germination of S. lanceolata with the objective of establishing a set of germination protocols for use in the development of an effective Endangered Species Management Plan. Germination conditions of 20C constant temperature and 8 h light/16 h dark per 24-h period were determined to be optimal. Hormonal (GA 3) and salt (KNO 3) treatments were of limited effectiveness in stimulating germination in the populations evaluated. Scarification enhanced germination in non-after-ripened seeds; however, most forms of scarification also significantly increased both the proportion of abnormal germinants and the incidence of fungal infection. The length of the after ripening period in the populations evaluated was relatively short (40-60 days). Therefore, we concluded that when planting seeds or establishing seedlings for population augmentation, it may be more efficient to wait until seeds pass through their natural after ripening phase, rather than attempt to stimulate earlier germination through scarification or chemical pretreatments.
