Impact of Gaseous Smoke Treatment on Germination and Seedling Emergence of the Cape Flats Sand Fynbos Species

The Cape Flats Sand Fynbos (CFSF) is critically endangered vegetation because of many factors which affect them negatively such as urbanisation, agricultural production and invasive alien species. To help inform us better on the protection and conservation of this critically endangered group of plants, an understanding of smoke derived pregermination cues on their seeds could be an invaluable contribution towards their restoration on the landscape. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the impact of smoke on pre-germination of seeds directly or indirectly through soil by mimicking field conditions after burn. Three different smoke treatments were evaluated based on their effects on germination of many CFSF plant species especially critically endangered groups. Our results showed that plant-derived smoke enhanced seed germination of a couple of native Fynbos plant species, and that, treatment success was species-specific, with pre-smoked seeds, soil pre-germination treatment and the two combined all capable of significantly boosting germination. We therefore recommend that Fynbos seeds be pre-smoked before sowing, especially in the absence of a prescribed burn.

Author(s): Mukundi Mukundamago, Samuel Adu-Acheampong and Moleseng Claude Moshobane

Abstract | PDF

Share This Article