Study of peculiarities of morphology and germination of seeds of Scabiosa ochroleuca from the Central Kazakhstan

Abstract

The study of the biology and morphology of seed germination of medicinal plants is an important aspect of species introduction. This article investigated the features of the biology of germination and seed germination of a perspective medicinal plant Scabiosa ochroleuca depending on various factors. It is determined that seeds of some geographical origin differ in size and weight, the morphology of seedlings, which is explained by the difference in soil and climatic conditions. The best values of germination (90.5 %) and germination energy (80.3 %) of seeds were recorded in large samples collected in the Buiratau mountains, the minimum — in small seeds collected in the Karkaraly mountains (germination 14.0 %, germination energy 8.5 %). The maximum morphological parameters of seedlings, such as the length of the root, the length of the hypocotyl, the length and width of the cotyledon leaf, are revealed in seeds from the Karkaraly mountains; the minimum — from the vicinity of the village Karagaily. This aspect indicates the need to select seeds for introduction from certain habitats and to separate them before sowing. Stages of germination of seed material of this medicinal plant are defined, including the following: swelling of seeds, tilting, appearance of root, appearance and bending of hypocotyl, removal of cotyledon leaves, and deployment of cotyledon leaves. Dynamics of seeds germination during storage (from freshly harvested seeds up to 3 years) was determined, positive influence of stratification during 3 months was revealed to increase seed germination and germination energy. According to the results of the studies, it was determined that the seeds of Scabiosa ochroleuca are characterized by the lack of drainage during wetting, the terrestrial type of germination, shallow physiological rest, by the type of germination are assigned to the group of seeds with accelerated germination.