The role of GA 3 in the germination process of high-mountain endemic and threatened species: Leontopodium nivale Pinguicula fiorii and Soldanella minima subsp. samnitica (central Apennines, Italy).

Theex situconservation of biodiversity is an essential tool for environmental protection interventions. Germination studies of seeds that belong to endangered species are essential forex situconservation strategies. In this study, we investigate the germination responses of three high-altitude endemic and vulnerable species (Leontopodium nivale,Pinguicula fioriiandSoldanella minimasubsp.samnitica). Specifically we identified potential dormancy mechanisms by investigating the responses of germination percentage and rate to different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3), by performing a general linear model.L. nivalereached a germination percentage of 98.0 ± 2.0% (mean ± SE) under control conditions (20°C; 12/12 photoperiod; no GA3addition).P. fioriishowed the highest germination percentage (78.0 ± 2.0%) in the treatment with GA3500 ppm.S. minimasubsp. samniticadid not show sensitivity to GA3but responded positively to cold stratification (6 month at 5°C) with a germination percentage of 90 ± 6%. This study made it possible to acquire important information on the germination process of threatened and rare endemic taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]