Full Length Research Paper

In vitro germination and structure of hard seed testa of natural tetraploid Trifolium pratense L.

H. Çölgeçen¹*, H. N. Büyükkartal² and M. C. Toker²

¹Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Faculty of Arts and Science, Department of Biology, 67100 İncivez, Zonguldak,Turkey.

²Ankara University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 06100 Tandoğan, Ankara,Turkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: colgecenhat@hotmail.com.

Accepted 3 March, 2008

Scarified and non-scarified seeds of natural tetraploid Trifolium pratense L. were germinated on in vitro and ex vitro germination media. The medium producing the best outcome was determined and germination media were compared. Additionally, testa of normal and hard seeds were examined. The media producing the best outcomes in both seed groups (scarified and non-scarified) were hormone-free MS medium, filter paper and soil respectively. Macrosclereid layer of normal seed testa was thicker than that of hard seed testa due to imbibitions. Whereas, epidermis walls in the macrosclereid layer of hard seed testa were thicker when compared to those of normal seed testa.

Key words: Trifolium, hard seed, in vitro, ex vitro, germination.