Evaluation of seed germination ability of native calamine plant species on different substrata

The purpose of our work was to evaluate the seed germination ability of native species representing calamine populations of Alyssum montanum, Biscutella laevigata (Brassicaceae), and Dianthus carthusianorum (Caryophyllaceae). As substrata for germination, calamine substrate on which populations of examined plant species were grown in natural conditions, and horticultural substrate constituting a mixture of sand and garden soil were used. A. montanum and B. laevigata seeds demonstrated a high ability to germinate on calamine substrate, which was characterized by large contents of soluble forms of zinc (115.1 mg·kg⁻¹), lead (0.91 mg·kg⁻¹), and cadmium (3.12 mg·kg⁻¹), and low water capacity (18.95% g/g). The seed germination ability of calamine Dianthus carthusianorum ecotype was comparable on both studied substrata types.