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Germination of fresh seeds of the rare arid zone shrub Grevillea kennedyana F. Muell. (family Proteaceae) is most successful at 10°C with light, and 15°C with or without light. The seeds were non-dormant and did not require further germination enhancing substances, such as smoke or fire to achieve > 80% success. These results do not support the role of fire in the management strategies suggested in the Recovery Plan for this species. Grevillea kennedyana seeds are orthodox and can be dried at 15°C and 15% RH and stored at 4 and -18°C for a short period. In relating the results of this trial to the germination requirements of Grevillea kennedyana in the field, it appears that successful germination will require low temperatures (i.e. < 15°C in winter) at the time of seasonal rainfall. Further studies are required to determine the cause of the poor seedling recruitment observed in the field.
Fresh seeds of the endangered Hakea dohertyi Haegi (Proteaceae) germinated at 15°C (with 12 hour light) within 14 days. At higher temperatures (20°, 25°C) seeds were slower to germinate. After 28 days only 5% of seeds germinated at 30°C, but when moved to 15°C, close to 100% of seeds germinated within 14 days. Having established optimum germination conditions, the effects of ex situ storage conditions and duration were examined. Storage at low moisture content appeared to have little effect on the germinability of Hakea dohertyi seeds and this species can be considered orthodox in that respect. Seeds stored at 4.5 or 9% moisture content, 5 or -20°C and tested after 1 and 7 years of storage achieved close to 100% germination. Issues relating to the in situ and ex situ conservation of Hakea dohertyi are discussed.