Bhatt, Bhat, Phartyal and Gallacher (2020). Seed Science and Technology, 48, 2, 247-255. https://doi.org/10.15258/sst.2020.48.2.12 Research Note Dry-storage and light exposure reduce dormancy of Arabian desert legumes more than temperature Arvind Bhatt1,2, N.R. Bhat1, Shyam S. Phartyal3* and David J. Gallacher4 1 Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885 Safat, 13109, Kuwait 2 Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lushan, Jiujiang City, China 3 Nalanda University, School of Ecology and Environment Studies, Rajgir, 803116, India 4 School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Narrabri NSW 2390, Australia * Author for correspondence (E-mail:
[email protected]) (Submitted January 2020; Accepted May 2020; Published online May 2020) Abstract Propagation and conservation of desert plants are assisted by improved understanding of seed germination ecology. The effects of dry-storage on dormancy and germination were studied in seven desert legumes. Mature seeds were collected in summer 2017 and germinated within one week of collection (fresh) and after six months (dry-storage) under two temperature and two light regimes. Seed weight of two species increased 22-55% within 24 hours of water imbibition but others increased ≤ 7%. Germination ranged from 0-32% in fresh and 2-92% in dry-stored seeds, indicating a mix of non- and physically-dormant seeds at maturity. Dry-storage at ambient room temperature was effective at relieving dormancy, though the extent was species-dependent. Germination percentage increased in response to light exposure during incubation, while the effect of temperature was species-dependent.