Legume germination is delayed in dry soils and in sterile soils devoid of microbial mutualists: Species-specific implications for upward range expansions

Climate change is affecting species and their mutualists and can lead to the weakening or loss of important interspecific interactions. Through independent shifts in partner phenology and distribution, climatic stress can separate mutualists temporally or spatially, leading to alterations in partner functional traits and fitness. Here, we explored the effects of the loss of microbial mutualists on legume germination success and phenology. In particular, we assessed the effects of mutualism loss via soil sterilization, increased drought, and introduction to novel soils found beyond the current distributions of two focal legume species in subalpine environments. Through common garden experiments in controlled environments, we found evidence that soil sterilization (and consequent microbial absence) and dry soils caused species-specific phenological delays of 2-5 weeks in germination, likely as a result of interaction loss between legumes and specialized germination-promoting soil microbes, such as mutualistic rhizobia. Delays in germination caused by a mismatch between legumes and beneficial microbes could negatively affect legume fitness through increased plant-plant competition later in the season. Additionally, we found evidence of the presence of beneficial microbes beyond the current elevational range of one of our focal legumes, which may allow for expansion of the leading edge, although harsh abiotic factors in the alpine may hinder this. Alterations in the strength of soil microbe-legume mutualisms may lead to reduced fitness and altered demography for both soil microbes and legumes.

Variation in seed packaging of a fleshy-fruited conifer provides insights into the ecology and evolution of multi-seeded fruits

The study of intraspecific seed packaging (i.e. seed size/number strategy) variation across different populations may allow better understanding of the ecological forces that drive seed evolution in plants. Juniperus thurifera (Cupressaceae) provides a good model to study this due to the existence of two subspecies differentiated by phenotypic traits, such as seed size and cone seediness (number of seeds inside a cone), across its range. The aim of this study was to analyse seed packaging (seed mass and cone seediness) variation at different scales (subspecies, populations and individuals) and the relationship between cone and seed traits in European and African J. thurifera populations. After opening more than 5300 cones and measuring 3600 seeds, we found that seed packaging traits followed different patterns of variation. Large-scale effects (region and population) significantly contributed to cone seediness variance, while most of the seed mass variance occurred within individuals. Seed packaging differed between the two sides of the Mediterranean Sea, with African cones bearing fewer but larger seeds than the European ones. However, no differences in seed mass were found between populations when taking into account cone seediness. Larger cones contained more pulp and seeds and displayed a larger variation in individual seed mass. We validated previous reports on the intraspecific differences in J. thurifera seed packaging, although both subspecies followed the same seed size/number trade-off. The higher seediness and variation in seed mass found in larger cones reveals that the positive relationship between seed and cone sizes may not be straightforward.We hypothesise that the large variation of seed size found within cones and individuals in J. thurifera, but also in other fleshy-fruited species, could represent a bet-hedging strategy for dispersal.

Field Sandbur (Cenchrus pauciflorus) Seeds in the Same Bur Respond Differently to Temperature and Water Potential in Relation to Germination in a Semi-Arid Environment, China

The success of a biological invasion relies on the environment and is closely linked to factors such as water and temperature. Invasive plant species display different seed characteristics, including shape. Field sandbur (Cenchrus pauciflorus) is a globally widespread invasive species capable of adapting to broad environmental conditions. However, its germination response to water and temperature still remains unclear. C. pauciflorus contains two seeds in the same bur that differ in size: big seeds (M) and small seeds (P). Separate greenhouse experiments were conducted under different temperature regimes (0/10°C, 5/15°C, 10/20°C, 15/25°C, 18/28°C, 20/30°C and 25/35°C) and water potentials (-1.50Mpa, -1.00Mpa, -0.75Mpa, -0.50Mpa, -0.25Mpa and 0Mpa) for M and P seeds. The results support the hypothesis that germination of C. pauciflorus is significantly influenced by seed type, temperature and water potential. M and P seeds responded differently to varied alternative temperatures and water potentials. However, M and P seeds were more sensitive to water potential than to temperature. Optimal conditions for M and P seed germination were measured at 25/35°C (night temperature/day temperature) and 20/30°C, respectively. In contrast, the highest germination rate was observed for the 0Mpa of the water potential treatment. Additionally, base temperature (T_base) and base water potential (W_base) were lower for M (7.7°C, -1.11Mpa at 10/20°C, and -1.07Mpa at 20/30°C) than for P (9.4°C, -0.92Mpa at 10/20°C, and -0.52Mpa at 20/30°C). These different germination strategies of M and P seeds with respect to temperature and water potential increased overall plant propagation. These results indicate that tropical and subtropical regions water potentials beyond -0.50Mpa (10/20°C) or -1.00Mpa (20/30°C) face a potential risk of C. pauciflorus invasion.

Seed dispersal effectiveness revisited: a conceptual review

Growth in seed dispersal studies has been fast-paced since the seed disperser effectiveness (SDE) framework was developed 17 yr ago. Thus, the time is ripe to revisit the framework in light of accumulated new insight. Here, we first present an overview of the framework, how it has been applied, and what we know and do not know. We then introduce the SDE landscape as the two-dimensional representation of the possible combinations of the quantity and the quality of dispersal and with elevational contours representing isoclines of SDE. We discuss the structure of disperser assemblages on such landscapes. Following this we discuss recent advances and ideas in seed dispersal in the context of their impacts on SDE. Finally, we highlight a number of emerging issues that provide insight into SDE. Overall, the SDE framework successfully captures the complexities of seed dispersal. We advocate an expanded use of the term dispersal encompassing the multiple recruitment stages from fruit to adult. While this entails difficulties in estimating SDE, it is a necessary expansion if we are to understand the central relevance of seed dispersal in plant ecology and evolution.

The evolution of fruit in Scandiceae subtribe Scandicinae (Apiaceae)

Evolutionary relationships among 66 representatives of the family Apiaceae, including 37 species of tribe Scandiceae subtribe Scandicinae, were inferred from separate and combined analyses of fruit morphology and anatomy and nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. Phylogenetic trees inferred from analysis of 35 fruit characters were not congruent to those derived from molecular data and, overall, had much lower bootstrap support values than the latter. Contrary to molecular data, fruit characters did not support the monophyly of subtribe Scandicinae. Fruit data do, however, corroborate the monophyly of nearly every genus within Scandicinae, the affinity of members of the "crown" clade—Anthriscus, Kozlovia (including Krasnovia and Neoconopodium), Geocaryum, Myrrhis, and Osmorhiza—that had been identified in previous molecular analyses, and the sister group relationship between the "crown" clade and the genus Scandix. Phylogenies derived from the analysis of combined ITS and fruit characters were congruent to those inferred from molecular data alone. Reconstructions of ancestral character states using the results of the combined analysis suggest that among extant Scandicinae, the fruits of Athamanta have retained the most plesiomorphic characters. Evolutionary tendencies that have occurred in the fruits of Scandicinae include the broadening of the vascular bundles and vittae, the thickening of the cuticle and epidermal cell wall, the origin of bristles from hairs, the appearance of a pedicel-like appendage, the development of a long beak, and lateral wings. These changes are interpreted as adaptations to fruit dispersal and seed defense.Key words: Apiaceae, Scandiceae subtribe Scandicinae, ITS, fruit morphology.

Capitulum characters in a seed heteromorphic plant, Crepis sancta (Asteraceae): variance partitioning and inference for the evolution of dispersal rate

In Crepis sancta (Asteraceae), achenes produced in the periphery of the flower head have reduced dispersal ability and are larger than achenes produced in the centre of the head, which disperse farther. The proportion of central achenes produced by a single individual represents the potential dispersal rate of its progeny. Seed variation in dispersal ability may be important where there is spatio-temporal variability of habitats, but its evolutionary significance mainly depends on the heritability of the relative proportions of each achene morph. However, the number of peripheral achenes in a capitulum, and that of involucral bracts are suggested to depend on the number of parastichies, a canalized character. From a diallel cross design, phenotypic variance for several capitulum traits was partitioned among six variance components, including the additive variance. The phenotypic values of some head traits reflected the expected frequency due to ontogeny, in particular the number of involucral bracts. Yet, this character also had a significant heritability, suggesting that variation around the mode of the distribution was not only due to developmental noise. The additive variance for number of peripheral and central achenes was not significantly different from zero. In contrast, their respective proportion had a narrow sense heritability greater than 0.20. The present results suggest that the percentage of central achenes per individual, and thus the potential dispersal rate in Crepis sancta, is under quantitative genetic control, and could undergo microevolutionary changes in natural populations.

Effects of site of origin, time of seed maturation, and seed age on germination behavior of Portulaca oleracea from the Old and New Worlds

The effects of site of origin, time of seed maturation, and seed age on germination behavior, in terms of final percentage of germination and time for 50% of final germination were investigated in the widespread weed Portulaca oleracea L. Seeds were collected in August from one population at each of three geographical regions of the Old and New Worlds representing temperate (Southern Ontario, Canada), Mediterranean (Tanta, Egypt), and subtropical (Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.)) climates. The freshly harvested seeds were incubated in both light and dark at 15, 25, and 40°C. Seeds of the U.A.E. site showed little dormancy and germinated faster under a wider range of incubation conditions than did seeds from the Canadian site. To assess the effect of time of seed maturation on germination behavior, seeds were collected during the different seasons (November, February, May, and August) of the U.A.E. population. The percentage of germination was significantly higher for seeds collected in May and November and germination was significantly faster for those collected in May and August. Response of germination to light and temperature varied according to site of origin and time of seed maturation. Seeds from the Canadian site and those that matured during winter from the U.A.E. site required light and high temperature for optimal germination. The effect of seed age on percentage of germination and rate was significant at the Canadian site but not at the Egyptian and U.A.E. sites. Seed stored for 5 months at room temperature germinated significantly faster and to a higher percentage than freshly harvested seeds. Results are discussed in light of the adaptation of seed dormancy and time of germination to the prevailing environmental conditions.Key words: dormancy, geographical regions, germination, germination rate, Portulaca oleracea, seed age, site of origin, time of seed maturation.

Variation in seed traits of Lobelia inflata (Campanulaceae): sources and fitness consequences

Seed germination constitutes an important event in the life cycle of plants. Two related seed traits affect fitness: seed size and the timing of seed germination. In three sets of experiments, we (1) partition the sources of seed-size variance in Lobelia inflata into components attributable to fruit size, relative fruit position, and parental identity; (2) examine the influence of pregermination conditions and seed size on time to germination; and (3) assess the fitness consequences of seed size and germination timing under seminatural, harsh conditions. Seed-size variance is attributable to both parental identity and fruit position within an individual. Distal fruits produce larger but fewer seeds. No significant correlation exists between fruit size and seed size, but a trade-off is found between the number and size of seeds contained in a fruit after correcting for fruit size. The timing of germination is influenced by seed size, light conditions before winter, and winter duration. Germination timing influences survival, and despite small seed size in this species (2 × 10 g/seed), seed size has a persistent and significant association with both final plant size and the probability of survival to autumn.