Growth and development of Posidonia oceanica seedlings treated with plant growth regulators:: possible implications for meadow restoration

To provide more vigorous seedlings of Posidonia oceanica for re-seeding programs, we examined under controlled conditions the effects of application of (a) a plant growth stimulant on seed germination and (b) three different growth regulators on root initiation and development of seedlings. No significant differences on final percentages of germination were observed among seeds exposed for 24 h to Sprintene and those nontreated. Application of Naftal (active ingredient: alpha-naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA)) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for I h stimulated the initiation and growth of adventitious roots in seedlings; this resulted in two- to three-fold reduction of the time for root emergence, as well as in two- to three-fold longer seedling roots compared to the nontreated control. No dose-dependent effects were detected. If extrapolated to field conditions, the use of seedlings treated with auxins could result in a high probability of success following transplanting. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.