An Investigation into Improving the Germination Rates of Aloe Polyphylla Schönland Ex Pillans

A germination technique trial was carried out to improve the germination of Aloe polyphylla Schönland ex Pillans (common name spiral aloe). These germination trials involved different media and temperatures, increased oxygen levels, and light and dark environments. The best results (90% germination)...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Carl Berthold
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 2014-10-01
Series:Sibbaldia
Online Access:https://journals.rbge.org.uk/rbgesib/article/view/29
_version_ 1797640129510113280
author Carl Berthold
author_facet Carl Berthold
author_sort Carl Berthold
collection DOAJ
description A germination technique trial was carried out to improve the germination of Aloe polyphylla Schönland ex Pillans (common name spiral aloe). These germination trials involved different media and temperatures, increased oxygen levels, and light and dark environments. The best results (90% germination) were obtained by vernalising the seeds for two weeks and then placing them in a sunny, but not bright, area with varying temperatures on a water-based medium of either 10% recommended fertiliser solution or in distilled water. The germination of Aloe polyphylla was also compared to three other species in the genus: A. branddraaiensis Groenew, A. castanea Schönl and A. elegans Tod.. The results from this trial showed that, like A. polyphylla, these species can also germinate in water-based media. The success of finding the key requirements for germination show that techniques of this type are important methods for conserving this threatened species and can also be a useful propagation tool for the horticulture industry. The lack of research on this plant highlights the importance of this work for conserving this spectacular species which is listed as Vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Plant Red Data list and is registered on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
first_indexed 2024-03-11T13:27:29Z
format Article
id doaj.art-68b89a63f7d1480c92616694b93f9582
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2513-9231
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-11T13:27:29Z
publishDate 2014-10-01
publisher Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
record_format Article
series Sibbaldia
spelling doaj.art-68b89a63f7d1480c92616694b93f95822023-11-03T05:49:50ZengRoyal Botanic Garden EdinburghSibbaldia2513-92312014-10-011210.24823/Sibbaldia.2014.29An Investigation into Improving the Germination Rates of Aloe Polyphylla Schönland Ex PillansCarl Berthold0Royal Botanic Garden EdinburghA germination technique trial was carried out to improve the germination of Aloe polyphylla Schönland ex Pillans (common name spiral aloe). These germination trials involved different media and temperatures, increased oxygen levels, and light and dark environments. The best results (90% germination) were obtained by vernalising the seeds for two weeks and then placing them in a sunny, but not bright, area with varying temperatures on a water-based medium of either 10% recommended fertiliser solution or in distilled water. The germination of Aloe polyphylla was also compared to three other species in the genus: A. branddraaiensis Groenew, A. castanea Schönl and A. elegans Tod.. The results from this trial showed that, like A. polyphylla, these species can also germinate in water-based media. The success of finding the key requirements for germination show that techniques of this type are important methods for conserving this threatened species and can also be a useful propagation tool for the horticulture industry. The lack of research on this plant highlights the importance of this work for conserving this spectacular species which is listed as Vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Plant Red Data list and is registered on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).https://journals.rbge.org.uk/rbgesib/article/view/29
spellingShingle Carl Berthold
An Investigation into Improving the Germination Rates of Aloe Polyphylla Schönland Ex Pillans
Sibbaldia
title An Investigation into Improving the Germination Rates of Aloe Polyphylla Schönland Ex Pillans
title_full An Investigation into Improving the Germination Rates of Aloe Polyphylla Schönland Ex Pillans
title_fullStr An Investigation into Improving the Germination Rates of Aloe Polyphylla Schönland Ex Pillans
title_full_unstemmed An Investigation into Improving the Germination Rates of Aloe Polyphylla Schönland Ex Pillans
title_short An Investigation into Improving the Germination Rates of Aloe Polyphylla Schönland Ex Pillans
title_sort investigation into improving the germination rates of aloe polyphylla schonland ex pillans
url https://journals.rbge.org.uk/rbgesib/article/view/29
work_keys_str_mv AT carlberthold aninvestigationintoimprovingthegerminationratesofaloepolyphyllaschonlandexpillans
AT carlberthold investigationintoimprovingthegerminationratesofaloepolyphyllaschonlandexpillans