Influence of Temperature and Precipitation on the Morphology, Growth, and Stress Resistance of Seeds of Some Representatives of Northern Flora

Abstract

The effect of the temperature and precipitation of three growing seasons (2014–2016) on the morphology, mass, germination, and stress resistance of seeds of Oxytropis candicans, Melilotus albus, Rumex aquaticus, Allium ramosum, Plantago canescens, and Aster alpinus was studied. The vegetation seasons were estimated by the value of the hydrothermal coefficient (HTC): 2014—arid (HTC = 0.76), 2015—very arid (0.66), and 2016—arid (1.05). It was shown that more developed seeds formed in the most favorable temperature and humidity conditions of the growing season of 2016. Seed germination differed by the years of observation in five species (M. albus, A. alpinus, R. aquaticus, A. ramosum, and P. сanescens). The 2016 seeds had high germinative ability and/or germination rates. Significant changes in the physiological response of the seeds of A. alpinus, R. aquaticus, A. ramosum, and O. candicans after the action of acute provocative irradiation in different vegetative seasons were revealed.