Temperature and storage time strongly affect the germination success of perennial Euphorbia species in Mediterranean regions

This study aims to explore the effect of environmental factors (temperature, light, storage time) on germination response and dormancy patterns in eight Mediterranean native wildplants, belonging to the Euphorbia L. genus. In detail, we considered E. amygdaloides subsp. arbuscula, E. bivonae subsp. bivonae, E. ceratocarpa, E. characias, E. dendroides, E. melapetala, E. myrsinites, and E. rigida. We collected seeds from natural plant populations and performed germination assays in climatic chambers at seven constant temperatures (from 5 to 35°C, with 5°C increments), and four fluctuating temperature regimes (8/15, 8/20, 8/25, and 8/30°C, with a 12/12 hr thermoperiod). Germination assays were set up both in dark (D) and in light/dark conditions (L/D, 12/12 hr photoperiod), after short and long seed storage (SS around 30 days and LS around 150 days). For all these species, except E. amygdaloides subsp. arbuscula, results show that the final germinated proportions were improved by a long storage period (>150 days), which supports the existence of nondeep physiological dormancy. Optimal temperature levels ranged from 14.3 to 21.3°C and base temperatures ranged from 5.6 to 12.1°C, while ceiling temperatures from 25.6 to 34.7°C. For none of these species, germinations were favored by an alternating daily temperature regime, while in several instances, germinations were quicker and more complete in darkness, than in an alternating light/dark regime. In some instances, extreme temperature levels (5 and 30°C) induced dormancy and germinations did not resume when seeds were exposed at optimal temperature levels. Results are discussed in terms of the dynamics of emergences and how this might be affected by climate changes.