Influence of harvesting seasons on germination requirements and seed vigour of Lasiurus sindicus (Henr.)

Abstract

Successful seed-based vegetation restoration and conservation efforts in arid sandy desert ecosystems rely heavily on the quality of seeds sourced from native plant species. This study examines how seasonal variation influences seed germination, dormancy, and ecological strategies in Lasiurus sindicus, an important desert-adapted grass. Findings indicate that seeds collected during the summer (new) possess greater seed mass, germination synchrony, and germination percentage compared to winter-collected seeds (old), which exhibited higher levels of dormancy. Physical structures, such as spikelets encasing the caryopsis (dispersal unit), were found to impede germination, while the removal of these structures (naked seeds) significantly enhanced germination rates. L. sindicus exhibited a neutral photoblastic response, though light sensitivity for germination was more pronounced at moderate temperatures. Overall, these results highlight the adaptive strategies employed by L. sindicus to regulate germination timing and improve seedling establishment under desert conditions. The study provides valuable insights for rangeland restoration and management, underscoring the need to understand seed dormancy mechanisms and germination behaviour to enhance ecological rehabilitation in arid ecosystems.