Sphaerophysa

Abstract: A clear understanding of germination requirements a nd dormancy breaking methods of species has a direct impact on the success of the programs for th e conservation of rare and endemic species. Sphaerophysa kotschyana is a halophytic endemic species naturally growing in the vicinity of Salt Lake. Due to the seed coat having hard, thick and water i mpermeable, the germination rates of the seeds are very low. This is a significant problem for the sur vival of the species. In this study, it was investi gated that the effects of different methods on the germin ation of S.kotschyana seeds including acid (soaking in H2SO 4, HNO 3 and HCl for 15, 30, 60, 90 and 180 minutes), hot wa ter (soaking in dIH 2O at 50, 70 and 90 ˚C for 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes) and mechanical scarification with sandpaper. The fastest and most effective seed germination was obtained by exposing to H 2SO 4 and thinning of the coat by sandpapering. When compared to the control, HCl and HNO 3 treatments for 180 minutes increased germination a nd germination rates were determined as 17.33% and 26.67% respectively. It was observed that hot water treatments generally encouraged germination and the highest germination observed in the seeds soaked for 10 minutes at 90 ˚C (22.67%). Based on the result s of the study, it can be suggested that H 2SO 4 treatments and sandpapering were the most effective methods in germination of S.kotschyana seeds.

Abstract: Sphaerophysa kotschyana is a threatened endemic species in Turkey and according to the Bern Convention, it is on the absolute preservation plant list. In vitro propagation methodologies were evaluated as an ex situ conservation strategy for this species. Nodal segments were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media with different cytokinins (benzyladenine, thidiazuron (TDZ) and zeatine), with or without auxin (α-naphthaleneacetic acid; NAA), to investigate shoot initiation. TDZ produced the highest number of shoots (11.0 shoots per explant) on MS medium at a concentration of 0.05 mg L–1. Rooting reached 100% when 0.5 mg L–1 NAA was combined with half strength MS and 1.5% sucrose and rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatised. Somaclonal variation of a mother plant and 10 regenerants was assessed using ISSR analysis. The same banding profiles were exhibited by all plants. In vitro response to salinity stress (NaCl) was also investigated in this halophytic species. Higher concentrations of NaCl negatively affected shoot multiplication, whereas shoot height was enhanced at 50 mM NaCl. These results suggest that the established protocol is an efficient and reliable system of in vitro propagation for ex situ conservation of S. kotschyana.

Abstract: In 1843, H. F. Jaubert & E. Spach described a new species based on a herbarium specimen (Aucher-Eloy s.n., from mountains near Teheran in Persia). It was placed in Sphaerophysa DC. as Sphaerophysa microphylla Jaub. & Spach. The description of the species was accompanied by a very good, precise illustration of a leafy shoot in fruit, together with good enlarged drawings of leaf, calyx, dehisced fruit and seed. As the herbarium specimen lacked flowers, the authors placed the plant in Sphaerophysa mainly because of the shape and size of the fruit, which, at first glance, is reminiscent of that of Sphaerophysa salsula DC. Some twenty years later, G. Bentham (in Benth. & Hook. f., Gen. Pl.) mentioned this species and showed that it differed from the other species of the genus Sphaerophysa in having trifoliate leaves, few-flowered inflorescences and the style bent on top. In spite of such markedly distinct characters, he could not decide to place Sphaerophysa microphylla into a distinct genus. In 1872, E. Boissier (Fl. Or.), basing his decision on herbarium specimens (Kotschy 292 and Bunge s.n.), included Sphaerophysa microphylla in the genus Colutea, changed its name unjustifiably to Colutea triphylla and founded a monotypic section, Oreophysa Bunge ex Boiss., for this species. The shape of the style and the presence of characteristic swellings at the base of the standard were the basic characters used to refer it to the genus Colutea. As sectional characters Boissier mentioned the suffruticose growth, obovate shape of the wings and the small number of ovules. J. Bornmuller (in Bull. Herb. Boiss.) in 1905, and later together with E. Gauba (in Fedde, Rep.) in 1936, mentioned this species twice, but under the name Oreophysa triphylla (Bunge pro sectione Colutea). In giving a reference to Boissier, Fl. Or., where Colutea triphylla is placed in a section Oreophysa, it is clear that Bornmiuller intended raising the section to generic rank. Under Article 41, clause 2 of the 'International Code of Botanical Nomenclature' (I96i), this indirect reference to an effectively published description in a different rank validates the generic name Oreophysa, a name which has, not unexpectedly, been omitted from the 'Index Kewensis'. In I907, C. K. Schneider also considered Sphaerophysa microphylla not to belong to the genus Colutea. When revising herbarium specimens of Colutea he wrote 'Oreophysa genus distinctum videtur' on specimens of J. & A. Bornmuller 6626 in both the Geneva and Vienna University herbaria. Schneider also failed to described the new genus. In this way, both in herbaria and in literature, both names, Colutea triphylla (Buhse, 1899; Parsa, 1948; A. C. Trott in sched.) and Oreophysa triphylla (K. H. Rechinger, E. Gauba in sched.) are met with. This species, although similar to Colutea in some respects, is so distinct from all species of that genus (about 25) in a number of characters, that I agree with Bornmtiller in segregating it in the genus Oreophysa. The genus Oreophysa differs from the genus Colutea mainly in suffruticose growth, subdichotomous branches of the shoots, considerable length of internodes, reduced foliage, broad wings, shape of fruit, and presence of only 4