不同pH条件下CdCl2对紫花苜蓿种子萌发的胁迫效应

采用培养皿滤纸萌发试验,研究在3种pH(4.0、6.0和8.0)条件下,不同质量浓度(0、5、10、20、40和80mg/L)的CdCl₂溶液对紫花苜蓿种子萌发的胁迫效应. 结果表明,低质量浓度的CdCl₂(≤20mg/L)显著提高了紫花苜蓿种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数和活力指数,ρ(CdCl₂)为20mg/L、pH为6.0时活力指数与对照组相比明显增加,达到177.52±16.61;随着ρ(CdCl₂)的提高,CdCl₂对苜蓿幼苗生长的促进效应不断增强,ρ(CdCl₂)为20mg/L时,3种pH条件下的芽鲜质量分别为(6.60±0.11)、(6.68±0.20)和(9.51±0.16)mg,根鲜质量分别为(6.71±0.10)、(7.09±0.08)和(9.10±0.08)mg,达到最大; 当ρ(CdCl₂)达到40和80mg/L时,紫花苜蓿种子萌发和幼苗生长则受到显著抑制,ρ(CdCl₂)为80mg/L时发芽率和活力指数分别仅为对照组的14.8%和46.5%;ρ(CdCl₂)为80mg/L时芽鲜质量最低,3种pH条件下分别为(3.48±0.15)、(4.03±0.19)和(7.00±0.22)mg. 研究还发现,紫花苜蓿种子发芽率和活力指数随pH降低而降低,弱碱(pH=8.0)条件下紫花苜蓿在ρ(CdCl₂)为80mg/L时的发芽率为66.40%±3.19%,大于酸性条件(pH=4.0、6.0)下的发芽率(11.20%±3.61%、9.20%±4.22%),而活力指数(93.90±10.71)也高于酸性条件(pH=4.0、6.0)下的活力指数(49.77±3.25、56.67±3.48),表明pH由酸性到碱性的变化过程能够缓解CdCl₂对紫花苜蓿种子萌发和幼苗生长的毒性.      

废塑料再生产品对生菜种子萌发及根伸长影响

通过室内培养试验研究了三种废塑料再生产品对生菜种子萌发及根伸长的影响。结果表明:在生菜种子发芽阶段,再生塑料和再生建材对生菜种子发芽率影响都不大,但低浓度的再生油就已对生菜种子发芽率产生了很大的抑制效应,如500mg/kg处理时,发芽率为对照的61.5%,极显著地低于对照(P0.01)。在生菜生长阶段,随着废塑料再生产品处理浓度的增加,对生菜根长和芽长的抑制作用都呈上升趋势。其中,再生塑料和再生建材对生菜种子发芽率及根、芽长受抑制的敏感性依次为根长芽长发芽率,而对于再生油,根、芽长受污染胁迫抑制明显,当污染浓度为15000mg/kg时,根长抑制率已达到了67.1%±2.1%,芽长抑制率高达77.8%±2.2%,三项指标对再生油胁迫的敏感性则表现为发芽率芽长根长。     

Ecotoxicological effects of polycyclic musks and cadmium on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Single and joint toxic e ects of polycyclic musks including 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta[g]-2- benzopyran (HHCB) and 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronapthalene (AHTN) and cadmium (Cd) on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum) were investigated. The results showed that the toxicity sequence of HHCB toxic to wheat seed germination and seedling growth was similar to that of AHTN, that is, germination rate > shoot elongation > root elongation, while the toxicity of Cd was in the sequence of root elongation > shoot elongation > germination rate, according to the LC50 and EC50 values. It is suggested that polycyclic musks and Cd had di erent toxicological mechanisms. Root and shoot elongation of wheat might be good bioindicators for the contamination of polycyclic musks and Cd in soil. The mixture of polycyclic musks and Cd had synergistic e ects on T. aestivum according to the equi-toxic mixture approach when root elongation was selected as the toxicological endpoint. Thus, the joint toxicity of HHCB and Cd was significantly higher than the single toxicity of HHCB or Cd, which was also confirmed by the EC50 mix value of the mixture (EC50 mix = 0.530 TUmix). The EC50 mix value of the mixture of AHTN and Cd was 0.614 TUmix, which indicated that the mixture toxicity was strengthened when AHTN coexisted with Cd.     

单壁碳纳米管材料对水稻幼苗的毒性效应

随着碳纳米管材料(CNTs)被广泛地应用于工业和商业等多个领域,其将不可避免地进入到大气、水和土壤环境中,从而对生态系统结构和功能产生一些负面影响.为明确进入水环境中的碳纳米管材料对农业生产的潜在危险,本实验采用水培法,研究了不同浓度(10、20、40mg·L~(-1))的单壁碳纳米管材料(SWCNTs)对萌发期内水稻的发芽率、根长耐性指数和幼苗生长期内水稻的鲜重、叶绿素和可溶性蛋白的影响,以及单壁碳纳米管材料在水稻根部的累积.结果表明,在萌发期,胁迫处理4 d后,与对照相比,10、20、40 mg·L-1SWCNTs处理组对水稻发芽率没有任何抑制作用,但会延迟种子的发芽时间;水稻根长耐性指数随着单壁碳纳米管材料浓度的增加而下降.在幼苗生长期,胁迫处理30 d后,与对照相比,水稻鲜重随着单壁碳纳米管材料浓度的增加而分别下降14.2%、21.0%和38.8%;与此相类似,水稻叶绿素和可溶性蛋白质含量随着单壁碳纳米管材料浓度的增加而下降;另外,通过透射电镜观察(TEM)发现,SWCNTs颗粒分布在水稻幼苗根尖表皮细胞的细胞壁中.SWCNTs对水稻生长起抑制作用,且随着浓度的增加抑制作用逐渐增强.     

不同微塑料赋存环境对小麦萌发与幼苗生长影响研究

为揭示不同微塑料赋存环境对小麦（Triticum aestivum L.）种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响,选取聚丙烯（Polypropylene,PP）、高密度聚乙烯（HDPE）和聚乳酸生物可降解塑料（PLA）3种微塑料,并分别设置3种微塑料粒径（150μm、1000μm和4000μm）和质量浓度（0.1g/kg、0.5g/kg和1g/kg）在自然环境条件下开展盆栽试验,通过统计分析和方差分析对不同微塑料组合处理下小麦种子的发芽率、发芽抑制率、生长特征及幼苗生长趋势进行分析.结果表明：不同微塑料胁迫下均降低了小麦种子平均发芽水平,小麦种子平均发芽抑制率呈现出HDPE>PLA>PP;微塑料的粒径和质量浓度处于中粒径和中浓度条件下对小麦种子的平均发芽抑制率最大分别为5.65%和4.55%,而处于低或高粒径和质量浓度条件下微塑料对小麦种子发芽的抑制作用有所减弱;微塑料粒径对小麦种子发芽率的影响作用较大,微塑料类型和质量浓度次之.与对照组相比微塑料HDPE和PLA对小麦种子生长特征指标（发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和平均发芽时间）的影响作用比微塑料PP的影响作用更加显著,其中小麦种子活力指数受微塑料类型、粒径和质量浓度的影响最为显著.对照组和不同微塑料类型对小麦幼苗平均生长速率呈现出CK>PP>HDPE>PLA,而不同微塑料对小麦幼苗生长的抑制作用呈现为PLA>HDPE>PP,微塑料类型对小麦幼苗生长的影响作用最显著.     

土壤镉暴露对玉米和大豆的生态毒性评估

以中国东北黑土为培养基,通过室内急性毒性实验,采用Trimmed Spearman-Karber方法计算EC50值(半抑制浓度),并分析作物的生物累积系数(BAF),定量化评估了土壤中镉对玉米和大豆的生态毒性及生物有效性.测量终点为种子发芽率、根长和幼茎长.结果表明,土壤镉暴露给农作物带来一定的负生长效应.种子发芽率不是评估土壤镉生态毒性的敏感因子,根生长是敏感的毒性测量终点.镉在植株体内的累积及迁移与作物种类和土壤镉浓度有关.玉米植株体内累积了较大量的镉,而大豆植株体内镉由根向幼茎的迁移较为显著.     

乙酰甲胺磷和汞单一及复合污染对黄瓜发芽及幼苗生长的影响

有机磷农药和重金属是目前我国土壤中较常见的污染物。本文以黄瓜种子为供试作物,研究了重金属汞与农药乙酰甲胺磷单一污染及复合污染对其发芽率以及幼苗生长的毒害效应。结果表明,Hg2+与乙酰甲胺磷单一污染及复合污染对黄瓜种子的发芽率、芽长和根伸长的生态毒性敏感程度依次为:根伸长>芽长>发芽率,Hg2+与乙酰甲胺磷单一污染及复合污染对黄瓜幼苗的毒害效应均较明显。复合污染对黄瓜种子发芽指标和幼苗生长的抑制效应表现为协同作用,其结果是复合污染的整体生态毒性效应增强。研究结果为进一步研究农药和重金属复合污染的生态毒性提供基础资料。     

Intraspecific differences in effects of co-contamination of cadmium and

A hydroponic experiment was carried out to study intraspecific differences in the effects of different concentrations of cadmium (Cd)(0-10 mg/L) and arsenate (As(V)) (0-8 mg/L) on the growth parameters and accumulation of Cd and As in six wheat varieties Jing-9428, Duokang-1, Jingdong-11, Jing-411, Jingdong-8 and Zhongmai-8. The endpoints of wheat seedlings, including seed germination,biomass, root length and shoot height, decreased with increasing the Cd and As concentrations. Significant differences in seed germination, biomass, root length, shoot height and the accumulation of Cd and As were observed between the treatments and among the varieties (p ＜ 0.05). The lethal dosage 50% were about 20, 80, 60, 60, 80 and 20 mg As/L for Jing-9428, Duokang-1, Jingdong-11,Jing-411, Jingdong-8 and Zhongmai-8, respectively, and the corresponding values for Cd were about 30, 80, 20, 40, 60 and 10 mg Cd/L, respectively. Among the six varieties, Duokang-1 was found to be the most resistant to Cd and As toxicity, and Zhongmai-8 was the most sensitive to Cd and As co-contamination. The resistance of the six varieties was found dependant on the seedling uptake of Cd and As. Duokang-1 was the most suitable for cultivation in Cd and As co-contaminated soils.     

毛竹入侵对常绿阔叶林主要树种的化感作用研究

为探讨毛竹入侵对周边森林环境的影响,以毛竹浸提液处理苦槠、青冈种子,测定种子萌发效应.结果表明,两树种种子萌发与浸提液浓度和来源有关.浓度效应表现为高抑低促的作用规律,高浓度处理下苦槠的发芽率为对照的82.3%~102.2%,青冈为对照的80%~90.9%,而低浓度处理下分别为对照的101.7%~107.6%和94.9%~109.1%.除低浓度处理对苦槠发芽速度无影响外,其他处理均对两树种发芽速度有显著的延缓作用(P<0.05).高浓度浸提液对苦槠根系活力有显著的抑制作用(P<0.05),抑制率为41.1%~62.4%.不同来源浸提液处理间差异明显,根系浸提液处理的种子发芽率最低.苦槠芽苗的芽长与不同来源浸提液间差异不显著(P>0.05),而青冈芽苗芽长与不同来源浸提液间差异显著(P<0.05),茎叶、根系与枯落物浸提液高于土壤浸提液.这些结果说明毛竹具有潜在的化感作用,可能有利于其入侵周边森林,从而危害周边森林环境.     

聚苯乙烯纳米塑料(PSNPs)对大豆(Glycine max)种子发芽和幼苗生长的影响

为探讨微塑料对农作物的生态毒理效应，研究了两种粒径（20 nm和100 nm）聚苯乙烯纳米塑料（Polystyrene Nanoplastics，PSNPs）在6个浓度梯度（0、50、100、200、500和1000 mg·L^-1）下对大豆（Glycine max）种子发芽和幼苗生长的影响.结果表明，两种粒径PSNPs均抑制种子发芽能力（发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数、平均发芽速度和发芽率），其中，发芽抑制率在一定程度上与暴露时间呈负相关关系.20 nm和100 nm PSNPs对根长、芽长和苗长的影响整体呈"低浓度促进，中高浓度抑制"的规律.20 nm PSNPs对根尖数量无显著影响，而100 nm PSNPs则表现出促进作用.20 nm和100 nm PSNPs对根直径和干重均有抑制作用.综上，PSNPs的植物毒性与粒径和浓度密切相关，在中等浓度（200 mg·L^-1）时，其对大豆幼苗生长的毒害作用最大.     

Germination of Deyeuxia angustifolia as affected by soil type, burial depth, water depth and oxygen level

Deyeuxia angustifolia is a dominant species in the Sanjiang Plain, the largest freshwater marsh wetland in China. However, this species has declined because of great environment changes. In the effects of sea-level rise and greenhouse gas, magnitude and frequency of flood and rate of deposit in wetland increased greatly. Thus, in this paper, effects of soil environment (soil type, burial depth, water depth and oxygen concentration) on seed germination of D. angustifolia were investigated. Both soil type and burial depth affected seedling emergence. Seedlings emerged through 1-, 2-, 4-mm sand, and at 1-and 2-mm mud. Regardless of soil, seedling emergence time increased and emergence percentage decreased with increasing burial depth. For example, seedlings started to emerge on the 4th day and the final emergence percentage was 30% when covered with1-mm mud, whereas the initial emergence time was on the 6th day and the final emergence percentage was only 8% when covered with 2-mm mud. At the same burial depth, emergence percentage was higher in sand than in mud. Increasing water depth inhibited seed germination. Germination percentage in 2-cm water level (20%) was 1.2 times higher than that in 12-cm water level (9%). Oxygen concentration also affected germination. In the 21% oxygen concentration, germination was started on the 2nd day and the germination percentage was 36%, while seed started to germinate on the 4th day and the germination percentage was only 3% at the 7% oxygen concentration. These data indicate that seed germination of D. angustifolia was highly sensitive to soil type, burial depth, water depth, oxygen concentration, and these responses may be an explicit indication of maladjustment to environment changes, and an important reason accounting for the decline of this species in the Sanjiang Plain.     

Allelopathic effects of extracts from Solidago canadensis L.against seed germination and seedling growth of some plants

To investigate the potential role of allelopathy in plant interference and in the successful invasion of alien species Solidago canadensis, aqueous and ethanolic extracts from rhizomes, stems and leaves of S. canadensis were prepared and used as treatment solutions to assess their effects on seed germination and seedling growth in four target species, mulberry （Morus alba）; morning glory （Pharbitis nil）, wheat （Triticum aestivum） and rape （Brassiea campestris）. Reduction and/or growth in germination and growth of the target plant species in the presence of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts at different concentrations indicated that the responses were species-specific and concentration-dependent. Generally, ethanolic extracts （especially from leaves） imposed stronger effects on both seed germination and seedling growth. Extracts with lower concentration at 0.001 g/ml dw could stimulate the seedling growth of rape and morning glory, whereas extracts at any given concentrations have inhibitory effects on wheat and mulberry. It is suggested that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of all the three parts of S. canadensis have significant allelopathic effects. Although both inhibition and stimulation occurred in the germination and growth of the target species, extracts with higher concentrations definitely inhibit seed germination and seedling growth of all target plants. We suggest that allelopathy plays a more important role than other mechanisms do in the out-competition ofS. canadensis over other plants, and make it invasive in new habitats.     

钒对水稻种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

通过室内培养的方法,研究了不同浓度钒处理对金优63、T优259两个不同品种水稻种子萌发、幼苗生长及部分生理生化指标的影响。结果表明:低浓度的钒处理能在一定程度上促进两种水稻种子的萌发及幼苗的生长,但随着钒污染浓度的增高,逐渐受到抑制,且根长受影响的程度大于芽长。从生长和生理生化各指标变化情况来看,不同浓度钒处理下,两种水稻幼苗根系脱氢酶活性与叶绿素含量均呈先升后降的变化趋势。T优259对钒污染的抗性大于金优63。     

Combined effects of cadmium and fluoranthene on germination, growth and photosynthesis of soybean seedlings

The single and combinational effects of cadmium (Cd) and fluoranthene (FLT) on germination, growth and photosynthesis of soybean seedlings were investigated. Exposure to 5, 10, or 15 mg Cd/L or 1, 5, or 10 mg FLT/L individually or in combination significantly decreased germination vigor (3 days) and final germination rate of soybean seeds, except at 1 and 5 mg FLT/L. The results of two-way ANOVA analysis and the Bliss independence model showed that at lower concentrations of FLT (1 mg/L), the interaction between Cd and FLT on germination was antagonistic, whereas the interaction was synergistic when the concentration of FLT was 5 or 10 mg/L and the concentration of Cd was 15 mg/L. Growth, expressed as dry weight, length of shoot and root, leaf area, and photosynthesis, expressed as net photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, chlorophyll contents and fluorescence of soybean seedlings were also reduced by exposure to 5 or 10 mg Cd/L or 1 or 5 mg FLT/L, singly or jointly. Significant antagonistic effects of exposure to 5 or 10 mg Cd/L or 1 or 5 mg FLT/L on shoot growth and photosynthesis were observed, whereas synergy and antagonism of Cd and FLT were both observed for root growth.     

磺胺间甲氧嘧啶-镉复合污染对作物种子发芽的影响

测定了黄潮土中常用兽药磺胺间甲氧嘧啶(SMM)与重金属镉(Cd)单一及复合污染对小麦和西红柿种子发芽(根伸长、芽伸长和发芽率)的影响,分析了土壤中药物浓度与作物生长抑制的剂量-效应关系及复合污染的毒性效应.结果表明,在单一污染物作用下,根伸长抑制率和芽伸长抑制率与药物浓度显著相关(P0.05);药物对根伸长及芽伸长的抑制高于对种子发芽的抑制;SMM对2种作物的毒性效应明显强于Cd,SMM对小麦和西红柿根伸长的IC50(抑制率为50%时污染物浓度)分别为33.7,49.3mg/kg,而Cd为507.3,599.8mg/kg.SMM和Cd复合污染时,在低Cd(200mg/kg)的胁迫下,联合作用主要体现为协同作用,但随着SMM浓度的增加,协同效应不显著(P>0.05);在高Cd(500mg/kg)作用下,二者的联合效应中Cd起主要作用.     

微塑料与铅复合污染对玉米种子萌发与生长的影响

为探明微塑料和重金属复合污染对作物种子萌发与生长的影响,以玉米种子为对象,探究了铅(Pb)和3种微塑料[聚乙烯(PE)、聚丙烯(PP)、聚氯乙烯(PVC)]不同单一及复合浓度暴露对玉米种子萌发及其生长的影响.结果表明,Pb单一暴露对玉米种子发芽的抑制总体上随其浓度的升高而增强;与CK相比,500、 1 000和1 500 mg·L^-1PE暴露显著抑制玉米种子发芽,100 mg·L^-1和300 mg·L^-1暴露影响不显著(第5 d除外);所有PP浓度暴露均显著抑制玉米种子发芽;相比PP和PE,PVC单一暴露对玉米发芽抑制较轻.Pb和3种微塑料复合暴露均显著抑制玉米种子发芽,随着时间的增长,抑制逐渐减弱.玉米种子的发芽指数、发芽势和活力指数均随着Pb及3种微塑料单一暴露浓度升高而减小,且在Pb和PE复合暴露下较CK显著减小,但在Pb和PP、 Pb和PVC复合暴露下均无显著变化;3种微塑料中,PVC对玉米种子活力影响相对最轻.10 mg·L^-1Pb和100 mg·L^-1的3种微塑料单...     

气温和土壤湿度变化对3种典型荒漠植物种子发芽的影响

植物种子发芽对气温和土壤湿度变化的响应是气候变化对荒漠生态系统影响的关键. 为了分析荒漠植物种子发芽对气温和土壤湿度变化的响应趋势,选择典型荒漠植物沙拐枣(Calligonum mongolica)、泡泡刺(Nitraria sphaerocarpa)和麻黄(Ephedra przewalskii),在人工气候箱中分析在3种土壤湿度(3%,5%和15%),2种气温(16 ℃/22 ℃ 和21 ℃/27 ℃)和浸种(12 h)与不浸种处理下种子的发芽趋势. 结果显示:沙拐枣和泡泡刺种子的发芽率随土壤湿度的增加而增加,浸种下随气温的升高其发芽率增幅比不浸种下大;不浸种下气温升高麻黄种子发芽率增幅比不浸种下大,浸种下土壤湿度为3%时气温升高其发芽率增幅比土壤湿度为5%和15%时大(P<0.05). 3种植物种子发芽指数随气温的升高和土壤湿度的增加而增加,不浸种下气温升高沙拐枣和泡泡刺种子的发芽指数显著增加,浸种下其发芽指数增幅不大;不浸种下气温升高麻黄种子发芽指数增幅较小,浸种下其发芽指数增幅较大. 3种植物种子均在培养初期发芽速率增加较快. 荒漠植物种子发芽受气温和土壤湿度的共同影响,不同植物种子发芽对这些因素的变化有不同的响应.      

菌渣中青霉素对蔬菜种子萌发的生态毒性效应

为推动青霉素菌渣环境安全利用技术规范的建立,以油麦菜、油菜、白菜和生菜4种蔬菜为研究对象,以种子发芽率、幼苗鲜质量、芽长和根长为毒性敏感指标,研究了不同处理组〔ρ（PG）分别为10、100、200、400、800、1 200、1 600、2 000、2 400、3 200和4 000 mg/L〕和对照组的青霉素（Penicillin,简称“PG”）对4种蔬菜种子萌发的生态毒性响应关系.结果表明:①与对照组相比,各处理组4种蔬菜种子发芽率之间均无显著性差异（P>0.05）;当ρ（PG）≥1 200 mg/L时,油菜种子的芽长增长率在60%左右,且与对照组相比具有显著差异（P < 0.05）;在ρ（PG）为200 mg/L时,生菜鲜质量达到最大值（0.29 g）,较对照组增加了10.37%,白菜鲜质量在ρ（PG）为400 mg/L时达到最大值,较对照组增加了5.76%,而在试验浓度范围内,各处理组4种蔬菜种子的根长均随着ρ（PG）的增大表现出逐渐增强的抑制作用.②PG对4种蔬菜的根长抑制率剂量-效应关系均符合Allometric模型,即y=axb〔其中,x为ρ（PG）,y为根长抑制率,a和b均为常数〕.③油麦菜、油菜、白菜和生菜4种蔬菜对PG的根长半抑制浓度（IC₅₀）分别为1 675.11、995.67、3 736.40和2 510.24 mg/L,4种蔬菜根长抑制率对PG的敏感程度表现为油菜>油麦菜>生菜>白菜（P < 0.05）.研究显示,与油麦菜、白菜和生菜相比,油菜更适合作为PG的生态毒性指示植物.      

Resistance of the grain mite Acarus siro L. (Acarina,Acaridae) to unfavourable physical conditions beyond the limits of its development

The resistance of the grain mite Acarus siro to unfavourable physical conditions was studied to determine how long some members of a population might survive so that development and increase could continue if conditions became favourable. Preliminary experiments showed that: (i) the eggs formed the most resistant stage, both to extreme temperatures and to desiccation; (ii) the most resistant eggs were those in an early stage of development, and that resistance declined with age; and (iii) environmental conditions prior to oviposition influenced resistance, resistance being greater in eggs from populations reared at near threshold conditions than in those reared at ecologically more favourable temperatures and humidities.Experiments with eggs exposed to lethal high and low temperatures and to both favourable and desiccating humidities show that above 30°C and below 0°C, relative humidity ceased to affect survival, the eggs being killed by heat or cold before the effects of desiccation became important. Eggs were fairly susceptible to high temperatures; none survived longer than 10 h at 35°C or 35 min at 40°C. They showed greater tolerance to low temperatures, surviving up to a maximum of 12–14 days at ?10°C and 24–26 days at ?5°C. At 0°C, the maximum survival period varied from 80 days at 20% RH to 180 days at 90% RH. For eggs exposed at temperatures within the developmental temperature range to relative humidities from 20 to 50%, survival appeared to be directly related to humidity and inversely to temperature, maximum survival periods ranging from 20 days (20% RH) to 45 days (50% RH) at 5°C, and from 1 day (20% RH) to 3 days (50% RH) at 30°C.     

Factors affecting in vitro plant regeneration of the critically endangered Mediterranean knapweed (Centaurea tchihatcheffii Fisch et. Mey)

Habitat destruction has resulted in the extinction of many plant species from the earth, and many more face extinction. Likely, the annual endemic Mediterranean knapweed (Centaurea tchihatcheffii) growing in the Golbasi district of Ankara, Turkey is facing extinction and needs urgent conservation. Plant tissue culture, a potentially useful technique for ex situ multiplication, was used for the restoration of this ill-fated plant through seed germination, micropropagation from stem nodes, and adventitious shoot regeneration from immature zygotic embryos. The seeds were highly dormant and very difficult to germinate. No results were obtained from the micropropagation of stem nodes. However, immature zygotic embryos showed the highest adventitious shoot regeneration on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, containing 1 mg l⁻¹ kinetin and 0.25 mg l⁻¹ NAA. Regenerated shoots were best rooted on MS medium containing 1 mg l⁻¹ IBA and transferred to the greenhouse for flowering and seed set. As such, the present work is the first record of in vitro propagation of critically endangered C. tchihatcheffii, using immature zygotic embryos, and is a step forward towards conservation of this indigenous species.