Seed germination of coastal monsoon vine forest species in the Northern Territory, Australia, and contrasts with evergreen rainforest

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidushi Thusithana ◽  
Sean M. Bellairs ◽  
Christine S. Bach
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Storage ◽  
Pioneer Species ◽  
Physical Dormancy ◽  
Climax Species ◽  
Seed Biology ◽  
Light Requirements ◽  
Physiological Dormancy ◽  
Germination Traits ◽  
Prevalent Form

Seed germination traits of seasonal rainforest species differ from permanently moist evergreen rainforest species due to the prolonged seasonal drought. We investigated whether seed germination traits used to categorise evergreen rainforest species into pioneer and climax guilds were applicable to seasonal rainforest species. Seed dormancy, light requirements for germination and seed storage types of five climax and thirteen pioneer species of a coastal vine thicket were studied. Results were compared with published studies of evergreen rainforest species. Evergreen rainforest pioneer species are typically dormant, require light to germinate and tolerate desiccation, whereas climax species are typically non-dormant, tolerate shade during germination and are sensitive to desiccation. In seasonal rainforest we found that a high proportion of pioneer species had seeds that were non-dormant (62%), and a high proportion of pioneer species germinated equally well in light and dark conditions. In seasonal rainforest, we found that the majority of climax species had desiccation tolerant seeds, whereas in evergreen rainforest the proportion of climax species producing desiccation sensitive seeds is equal to or greater than the proportion of species with desiccation tolerant seeds. In seasonal rainforest species physical, physiological and epicotyl dormancy types were found. Generally, for seasonal rainforest species, the prevalent form of dormancy in pioneer species was physical dormancy whereas physiological dormancy was most common in evergreen rainforest pioneer species with dormancy. Our results suggest that the contrasting seed biology traits that typically apply to pioneer and climax species of evergreen rainforest species don’t typically apply to seasonal rainforest species.

Seed germination biology of sweet acacia (Vachellia farnesiana) and response of its seedlings to herbicides

Weed Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Bhagirath S. Chauhan ◽  
Shane Campbell ◽  
Victor J. Galea
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Seed Germination ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Physical Dormancy ◽  
Seed Biology ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Sweet acacia [Vachellia farnesiana (L.) Willd.]is a problematic thorny weed species in several parts of Australia. Knowledge of its seed biology could help to formulate weed management decisions for this and other similar species. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of hot water (scarification), alternating temperatures, light, salt stress, and water stress on seed germination of two populations of V. farnesiana and to evaluate the response of its young seedlings (the most sensitive development stage) to commonly available POST herbicides in Australia. Both populations behaved similarly to all the environmental factors and herbicides; therefore, data were pooled over the populations. Seeds immersed in hot water at 90 C for 10 min provided the highest germination (88%), demonstrating physical dormancy in this species. Seeds germinated at a wide range of alternating day/night temperatures from 20/10 C (35%) to 35/25 C (90%) but no seeds germinated at 15/5 C. Germination was not affected by light, suggesting that seeds are nonphotoblastic and can germinate under a plant canopy or when buried in soil. Germination was not affected by sodium chloride concentrations up to 20 mM and about 50% of seeds could germinate at 160 mM sodium chloride, suggesting its high salt tolerance ability. Germination was only 13% at −0.2 MPa osmotic potential and no seeds germinated at −0.4 MPa, suggesting that V. farnesiana seeds may remain ungerminated until moisture conditions have become conducive for germination. A number of POST herbicides, including 2,4-D + picloram, glufosinate, paraquat and saflufenacil, provided >85% control of biomass of young seedlings compared with the nontreated control treatment. Knowledge gained from this study will help to predict the potential spread of V. farnesiana in other areas and help to integrate herbicide use with other management strategies.

scholarly journals Seed Functional Traits Provide Support for Ecological Restoration and ex situ Conservation in the Threatened Amazon Ironstone Outcrop Flora

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcilio Zanetti ◽  
Roberta L. C. Dayrell ◽  
Mariana V. Wardil ◽  
Alexandre Damasceno ◽  
Tais Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperatures ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Niche Breadth ◽  
Seed Storage ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Seed Traits ◽  
Physical Dormancy ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
Germination Traits

Cangas (ironstone outcrops) host a specialized flora, characterized by high degree of edaphic endemism and an apparent lack of natural history knowledge of its flora. Due to intense pressure from iron ore mining this ecosystem is under threat and in need of restoration. We studied seed functional traits that are relevant for restoration, translocation and ex situ conservation in 48 species from cangas in eastern Amazon. Were determined the thermal niche breadth, classified seed dormancy and determined methods to overcome it, determined the effect of seed storage on germination, tested the association between germination traits and functional groups, and tested whether seed traits are phylogenetically conserved. We found a broad interspecific variation in most seed traits, except for seed water content. Large interspecific variation in the temperature niche breadth was found among the studied species, but only four species, showed optimum germination at high temperatures of 35–40°C, despite high temperatures under natural conditions. Only 35% of the studied species produced dormant seeds. Mechanical scarification was effective in overcoming physical dormancy and application of gibberellic acid was effective in overcoming physiological dormancy in five species. For the 29 species that seeds were stored for 24 months, 76% showed decreases in the germination percentage. The weak association between germination traits and life-history traits indicate that no particular plant functional type requires specific methods for seed-based translocations. Exceptions were the lianas which showed relatively larger seeds compared to the other growth-forms. Dormancy was the only trait strongly related to phylogeny, suggesting that phylogenetic relatedness may not be a good predictor of regeneration from seeds in cangas. Our study provides support to better manage seed sourcing, use, storage and enhancement techniques with expected reduced costs and increased seedling establishment success.

Seed storage behaviour and seed germination in African and Malagasy baobabs (Adansonia species)

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juvet Razanameharizaka ◽  
Michel Grouzis ◽  
Didier Ravelomanana ◽  
Pascal Danthu
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Seed Storage ◽  
The Other ◽  
Arid Zones ◽  
Physical Dormancy ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Wet Forests

The Adansonia (baobab) genus comprises seven species in Africa, six of which are endemic to Madagascar. Depending on the species, baobabs develop in widely varying ecosystems, including arid zones and savannahs, as well as dry and wet forests. Seeds from all species exhibited orthodox behaviour, tolerating dehydration to a moisture content of around 5%. There was no physical dormancy in the two species belonging to the Brevitubae section, A. grandidieri and A. suarezensis. Their seeds germinated without any prior scarification. The five other species, belonging to Adansonia and Longitubae section, have seeds with water-impermeable coats. In the case of A. digitata and A. za, the proportion of water-impermeable seeds was around two-thirds, whereas with A. rubrostipa, A. madagascariensis and A. perrieri, the proportion was >90%. Treatments allowing for the removal of physical dormancy needed to be markedly more severe with A. madagascariensis than with the other species. None the less, it seems impossible to link these characteristics and the interspecific differences to a strategy for adaptation by these species to their environment.

Mechanisms of seed dormancy in an annual population of Zostera marina (eelgrass) from The Netherlands

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (9) ◽  
pp. 1972-1976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Garth Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Dormancy ◽  
Seed Coat ◽  
Zostera Marina ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Physical Dormancy ◽  
Physiological Dormancy ◽  
Annual Population ◽  
Effects Of Temperature ◽  
Viable Seeds

Mechanisms of dormancy of seeds from an annual population of the seagrass Zostera marina L. (eelgrass) in the SW Netherlands were investigated in the laboratory. Both physiological dormancy (a requirement for reduced salinity for germination) and physical dormancy (imposed by the seed coat) existed in recently shed seeds. Physiological seed dormancy was partly released in the seed bank by early winter, but physical dormancy lasted longer. By March seeds germinated quickly in the dark in full-strength seawater without artificial weakening of the seed coat. Viable seeds were released with coats that ranged from green (easily ruptured by the embryo) to brown (not easily ruptured); this variation may account for the occasional seedlings that appear during winter. No significant effects of temperature or light on germination were detected. A reexamination of the literature suggests that the observed variation in timing of germination in eelgrass populations may be a result of hitherto overlooked aspects of dormancy. Key words: eelgrass, seagrass, seed coat, seed dormancy, seed germination, Zostera marina.

Versatility in the timing of seed germination of the cold desert herbaceous perennial Leontice incerta (Berberidaceae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Jannathan Mamut ◽  
Cai-Yun Zhang ◽  
Dun-Yan Tan ◽  
Carol C. Baskin ◽  
Jerry M. Baskin
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Desert Plants ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Cold Desert ◽  
Physiological Dormancy ◽  
Natural Temperature ◽  
Germination Traits ◽  
Ephemeral Species ◽  
Herbaceous Perennial ◽  
Low Precipitation

AbstractOnly a few studies have been performed on seed germination of perennial ephemeral species native to the cold deserts of central Asia. We hypothesized that seeds of the cold desert perennial ephemeral Leontice incerta exhibit versatility in the timing of germination, that is, having the capacity to germinate at any time in summer, autumn and next spring. At dispersal in late May, only about 30% of the seeds could germinate; thus, a high percentage of the seeds was dormant. Seeds had a fully developed embryo, and dry storage, cold stratification, warm stratification and gibberellin promoted germination; we concluded that they have non-deep physiological dormancy. Seeds buried under natural conditions during summer germinated to 57–86% in autumn (late October) when exhumed and incubated at 5/2–25/15°C. However, seeds were sown in soil exposed to natural temperature and (low) precipitation did not germinate until next spring when the soil was moist. Thus, like various cold desert annuals, seeds of the perennial L. incerta can germinate in summer, autumn and next spring, depending on the availability of soil moisture (rainfall). Rainfall in cold deserts can play an important role in shaping seed germination traits of desert plants.

scholarly journals Promoting Germination in Ornamental Palm Seeds through Dormancy Alleviation

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 682-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector E. Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Dormancy ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Physical Dormancy ◽  
Physiological Dormancy ◽  
Morphological Dormancy

Delayed and inconsistent seed germination often hampers commercial production of palms (Arecaceae). Such sporadic germination is commonly due to seed dormancy. Mature, freshly shed seeds of palms typically display a combination of underdeveloped embryos (morphological dormancy) and the inability of developing embryos to rupture covering structures (physiological dormancy). Fruit and seedcoats are capable of imbibing water. Therefore, dormancy due to water-impermeable fruit or seedcoats (physical dormancy) does not occur. Removal of embryo covering structures, such as the pericarp and operculum, followed by incubation under moist, warm (25–35 °C) conditions promotes rapid and complete germination. Complete burial in soil promotes germination of seeds in intact fruit of loulu palm (Pritchardia remota).

Dormancy breakage in Cercis chinensis seeds

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 666-673
Author(s):  
Yunpeng Gao ◽  
Mingwei Zhu ◽  
Qiuyue Ma ◽  
Shuxian Li
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Dormancy ◽  
Seed Coat ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Physical Dormancy ◽  
Optimal Method ◽  
Hard Seed ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Physiological Dormancy ◽  
Hard Seed Coat

The seeds of Cercis chinensis Bunge are important for reproduction and propagation, but strong dormancy controls their germination. To elucidate the causes of seed dormancy in C. chinensis, we investigated the permeability of the hard seed coat and the contribution of the endosperm to physical dormancy, and we examined the effect of extracts from the seed coat and endosperm. In addition, the effectiveness of scarification methods to break seed dormancy was compared. Cercis chinensis seeds exhibited physical and physiological dormancy. The hard seed coat played an important role in limiting water uptake, and the endosperm acted as a physical barrier that restricted embryo development in imbibed seeds. Germination percentage of Chinese cabbage [Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (L.) Hanelt] seeds was reduced from 98% (control) to 28.3% and 56.7% with a seed-coat extract and an endosperm extract, respectively. This demonstrated that both the seed coat and endosperm contained endogenous inhibitors, but the seed-coat extract resulted in stronger inhibition. Mechanical scarification, thermal scarification, and chemical scarification had positive effects on C. chinensis seed germination. Soaking non-scarified seeds in gibberellic acid (GA3) solution did not promote germination; however, treatment with exogenous GA3 following scarification significantly improved germination. The optimal method for promoting C. chinensis seed germination was soaking scarified seeds in 500 mg·L−1 GA3 for 24 h followed by cold stratification at 5 °C for 2 mo.

Seeds in space

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Musgrave
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Advanced Life Support ◽  
Seed Storage ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Hydration Kinetics ◽  
Growth Environment ◽  
Seed Biology ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Seedling Roots

Since experimentation with plants began in space, a wide range of information has been gained regarding how this unique environment affects the biology of seeds. Seed biology experiments in this milieu have addressed aspects of seed storage, seed germination and metabolism, seedling orientation and seed production by flowering plants. Construction of hardware that provides a suitable growth environment in microgravity has been especially challenging because of the consequences posed by microgravity for fluid and gas distribution around the plant. Fluid shifting causes seed hydration kinetics to occur at a faster rate in microgravity than in 1 g; however, it also induces hypoxic metabolism during the seed germination process. In the absence of a detectable gravitational force, seedling roots grow according to their embryonic orientation and then initiate random walk movements. Light and oxygen gradients are the primary stimuli that orient root growth in this environment. For seed development to occur in spaceflight, well-ventilated growth chambers are necessary to support the carbohydrate supply needs of the developing embryos, and to provide the necessary humidity gradient for anthers to successfully dehisce and release pollen. The dry weight of seeds formed in space is lower than that in ground controls, and seed storage reserves are altered. Seed storage phenomena in spaceflight depend on whether or not oxygen and moisture are present – if not, viability exceeds that of seeds stored under comparable conditions on the ground. Because of the key role to be played by seeds in future advanced life support scenarios in space, more research is needed on the implications of this unique environment for seed biology.

scholarly journals Southern highland papaya (Vasconcellea quercifolia A. St.-Hil.): Do fruit ripening and harvesting time affect seed germination?

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e42825 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Manuela Urtasun ◽  
Eugenia Mabel Giamminola ◽  
Marta Leonor de Viana
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Fruit Ripening ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Seed Storage ◽  
Potassium Nitrate ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Harvesting Time ◽  
Germination Time ◽  
Light Requirements ◽  
Mean Germination Time

In this work, we report the effects of the harvesting time, the stages in fruit ripening and the influence of potassium nitrate in V. quercifolia seed germination. In addition, information about the storage period and light requirements is provided. Fruits were harvested at the beginning and at the end of the fruiting season, and they were classified into five ripening categories. Seed germination was evaluated with two factorial experiments: 1) harvesting time, fruit ripening, and pre-germination treatment; 2) storage and light requirements. The response variables were germination percentage, mean germination time, and seedling vigor. Seeds harvested at the beginning of the season appeared to be less dormant and they were not influenced by fruit ripening or pre-germination treatments. By contrast, seeds harvested at the end of the season were influenced by fruit ripening and pre-germination treatments. Light and seed storage had a positive effect on germination. Mean germination time varied from 12 to 40 days, and vigor index was positively influenced by potassium nitrate. V.quercifolia seeds are photoblastic positive at constant temperatures and their dormancy can be influenced by harvest time, fruit ripening and a storage period.

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