RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Ethylene Improves Germination of Arrow-leaved Balsamroot Seeds
JF Native Plants Journal
JO NATIVE PLANTS JOURNAL
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 108
OP 113
DO 10.1353/npj.2006.0023
VO 7
IS 2
A1 Chambers, Kimberlee J
A1 Bowen, Pat
A1 Turner, Nancy J
A1 Keller, Peter C
YR 2006
UL http://npj.uwpress.org/content/7/2/108.abstract
AB Preliminary research indicates that treating arrow-leaved balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt. [Asteraceae]) seeds with ethylene before stratification increases germination without affecting seedling morphology. Arrow-leaved balsamroot is one of the most dominant forbs in sagebrush and grassland ecosystems of the Interior Plateau of northwest North America. Widely used as a food and medicinal plant by indigenous peoples of this region, this plant has shown in recent research that it has potential as a medicinal herb, as a source of inulin, for ecological restoration purposes, and in horticulture. The significance of this species in native ecosystems and the difficulty inherent in wild harvesting of balsamroot identifies it as a candidate for crop development to meet future needs. Improving germination is the first step to meeting the objectives of economic development in First Nations communities and for environmental conservation.