Temperature and light influence on marcela germination (Achyrocline satureioides)

Abstract

The aim of this work was to understand better the marcela (Achyrocline satureioides) germination process. This is a very common herb in the Brazilian folk medicine. The temperature influence under continuous light and dark conditions on seed germination was tested. The best germinability and the least average germination time occurred at 20 and 25ºC under light. Temperatures of 30 and 35ºC induced inhibition or secondary dormancy. The seeds were positively photoblastic at 20, 25, 30ºC. There was a significative decrease on germinability after ten months from the harvest.