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Mérai Z, Graeber K, Xu F, Donà M, Lalatović K, Wilhelmsson PKI, Fernandez-Pozo N, Rensing SA, Leubner-Metzger G, Mittelsten Scheid O, Dolan L. Long days induce adaptive secondary dormancy in the seeds of the Mediterranean plant Aethionema arabicum. Curr Biol 2024:S0960-9822(24)00686-9. [PMID: 38876102 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Secondary dormancy is an adaptive trait that increases reproductive success by aligning seed germination with permissive conditions for seedling establishment. Aethionema arabicum is an annual plant and member of the Brassicaceae that grows in environments characterized by hot and dry summers. Aethionema arabicum seeds may germinate in early spring when seedling establishment is permissible. We demonstrate that long-day light regimes induce secondary dormancy in the seeds of Aethionema arabicum (CYP accession), repressing germination in summer when seedling establishment is riskier. Characterization of mutants screened for defective secondary dormancy demonstrated that RGL2 mediates repression of genes involved in gibberellin (GA) signaling. Exposure to high temperature alleviates secondary dormancy, restoring germination potential. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that long-day-induced secondary dormancy and its alleviation by high temperatures may be part of an adaptive response limiting germination to conditions permissive for seedling establishment in spring and autumn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Mérai
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Kai Graeber
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, SRY TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Fei Xu
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattia Donà
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katarina Lalatović
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Per K I Wilhelmsson
- Plant Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Noe Fernandez-Pozo
- Plant Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; Institute for Mediterranean and Subtropical Horticulture "La Mayora" (IHSM-CSIC-UMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Stefan A Rensing
- Plant Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; Centre for Biological Signalling Studies (BIOSS), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Leubner-Metzger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, SRY TW20 0EX, UK; Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science, Palacký University and Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, 78371 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Ortrun Mittelsten Scheid
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Liam Dolan
- Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
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Wang X, Ge W, Zhang M, Fernández-Pascual E, Moles A, Saatkamp A, Rosbakh S, Bu H, Panahi P, Ma M. Large and non-spherical seeds are less likely to form a persistent soil seed bank. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232764. [PMID: 38864324 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
There is some evidence that seed traits can affect the long-term persistence of seeds in the soil. However, findings on this topic have differed between systems. Here, we brought together a worldwide database of seed persistence data for 1474 species to test the generality of seed mass-shape-persistence relationships. We found a significant trend for low seed persistence to be associated with larger and less spherical seeds. However, the relationship varied across different clades, growth forms and species ecological preferences. Specifically, relationships of seed mass-shape-persistence were more pronounced in Poales than in other order clades. Herbaceous species that tend to be found in sites with low soil sand content and precipitation have stronger relationships between seed shape and persistence than in sites with higher soil sand content and precipitation. For the woody plants, the relationship between persistence and seed morphology was stronger in sites with high soil sand content and low precipitation than in sites with low soil sand content and higher precipitation. Improving the ability to predict the soil seed bank formation process, including burial and persistence, could benefit the utilization of seed morphology-persistence relationships in management strategies for vegetation restoration and controlling species invasion across diverse vegetation types and environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Ge
- Institute of Soil Eco-environment, School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingting Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Eduardo Fernández-Pascual
- IMIB Biodiversity Research Institute (University of Oviedo - CSIC - Principality of Asturias), University of Oviedo , Oviedo, E-33600 Mieres, Spain
| | - Angela Moles
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney , Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Arne Saatkamp
- Aix Marseille Université, Université d'Avignon, CNRS, IRD, IMBE, Facultés St Jérôme, case 421 , 13397 Marseille, France
| | - Sergey Rosbakh
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen , 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Haiyan Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Parisa Panahi
- National Botanical Garden of Iran, Botany Research Division, Research Institute of Forests & Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) , Tehran, Iran
| | - Miaojun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730000, People's Republic of China
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Zhao D, Ma H, Li S, Qi W. Seed germination demonstrates inter-annual variations in alkaline tolerance: a case study in perennial Leymus chinensis. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:397. [PMID: 38745144 PMCID: PMC11092131 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05112-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The escalating issue of soil saline-alkalization poses a growing global challenge. Leymus chinensis is a perennial grass species commonly used in the establishment and renewal of artificial grasslands that is relatively tolerant of saline, alkaline, and drought conditions. Nonetheless, reduced seed setting rates limit its propagation, especially on alkali-degraded grassland. Inter-annual variations have an important effect on seed yield and germination under abiotic stress, and we therefore examined the effect of planting year on seed yield components of L. chinensis. METHODS We grew transplanted L. chinensis seedlings in pots for two (Y2), three (Y3), or four (Y4) years and collected spikes for measurement of seed yield components, including spike length, seed setting rate, grain number per spike, and thousand seed weight. We then collected seeds produced by plants from different planting years and subjected them to alkaline stress (25 mM Na2CO3) for measurement of germination percentage and seedling growth. RESULTS The seed setting rate of L. chinensis decreased with an increasing number of years in pot cultivation, but seed weight increased. Y2 plants had a higher seed setting rate and more grains per spike, whereas Y4 plants had a higher thousand seed weight. The effects of alkaline stress (25 mM Na2CO3) on seed germination were less pronounced for the heavier seeds produced by Y4 plants. Na2CO3 caused a 9.2% reduction in shoot length for seedlings derived from Y4 seeds but a 22.3% increase in shoot length for seedlings derived from Y3 seeds. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate significant differences in seed yield components among three planting years of L. chinensis under pot cultivation in a finite space. Inter-annual variation in seed set may provide advantages to plants. Increased alkalinity tolerance of seed germination was observed for seeds produced in successive planting years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Science for Yellow River Delta, Shandong University of Aeronautics, Binzhou, Shandong, 256603, China
| | - Hongyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China.
| | - Shaoyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China
| | - Wenwen Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China
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Mishra P, Roggen A, Ljung K, Albani MC, Vayssières A. Adventitious rooting in response to long-term cold: a possible mechanism of clonal growth in alpine perennials. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1352830. [PMID: 38693930 PMCID: PMC11062184 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1352830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Arctic alpine species experience extended periods of cold and unpredictable conditions during flowering. Thus, often, alpine plants use both sexual and asexual means of reproduction to maximize fitness and ensure reproductive success. We used the arctic alpine perennial Arabis alpina to explore the role of prolonged cold exposure on adventitious rooting. We exposed plants to 4°C for different durations and scored the presence of adventitious roots on the main stem and axillary branches. Our physiological studies demonstrated the presence of adventitious roots after 21 weeks at 4°C saturating the effect of cold on this process. Notably, adventitious roots on the main stem developing in specific internodes allowed us to identify the gene regulatory network involved in the formation of adventitious roots in cold using transcriptomics. These data and histological studies indicated that adventitious roots in A. alpina stems initiate during cold exposure and emerge after plants experience growth promoting conditions. While the initiation of adventitious root was not associated with changes of DR5 auxin response and free endogenous auxin level in the stems, the emergence of the adventitious root primordia was. Using the transcriptomic data, we discerned the sequential hormone responses occurring in various stages of adventitious root formation and identified supplementary pathways putatively involved in adventitious root emergence, such as glucosinolate metabolism. Together, our results highlight the role of low temperature during clonal growth in alpine plants and provide insights on the molecular mechanisms involved at distinct stages of adventitious rooting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Mishra
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, “SMART Plants for Tomorrow’s Needs,” Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | - Adrian Roggen
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, “SMART Plants for Tomorrow’s Needs,” Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Karin Ljung
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Maria C. Albani
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, “SMART Plants for Tomorrow’s Needs,” Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
- Rijk Zwaan, De Lier, Netherlands
| | - Alice Vayssières
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, “SMART Plants for Tomorrow’s Needs,” Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), Versailles, France
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5
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White FJ, Mondoni A, Corli A, Shrestha BB, Rossi G, Orsenigo S. An investigation into the potential for upward range expansion in high-montane species on the roof of the world. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2024; 26:390-397. [PMID: 38433356 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Climate warming is occurring in high-mountain areas at a faster rate than the global average. To escape the increasing temperatures, alpine species may shift in distribution upwards, threatening cold-adapted nival plant specialists. However, little is known about the success of seedling emergence and establishment at high altitudes outside the current range, particularly in the highest mountain areas of the Himalayas. We selected four native alpine species occurring around 4000 m a.s.l. and sowed seeds at the natural growing site (GS), at a high elevation site (HS; 5000 m a.s.l.) and at high elevation with soil from the growing site (HS-S) in the Khumbu Valley, north-eastern Nepal. We monitored seedling emergence and establishment for two consecutive years. Seedling emergence and establishment varied between species. Emergence was similar between GS and HS and improved at HS-S. Establishment was low at high elevations with all but one species having high mortality after winter. Seedling emergence of low elevation plants is possible at high elevations in the Everest region, indicating species may be able to shift their distribution range upwards. However, successful establishment may be limited by the soil and high winter mortality at high elevations, although not in all species. Climate warming will potentially lead to upward migration of some Himalayan plant species, leading to altered community composition in high-mountain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J White
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - A Mondoni
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - A Corli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - B B Shrestha
- Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - G Rossi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - S Orsenigo
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
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6
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Dahle IJ, Gya R, Töpper JP, Vandvik V. Are sub-alpine species' seedling emergence and establishment in the alpine limited by climate or biotic interactions? Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11009. [PMID: 38352204 PMCID: PMC10862170 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the ways in which plants are responding to climate change is by shifting their ranges to higher elevations. Early life-history stages are major bottlenecks for species' range shifts, and variation in seedling emergence and establishment success can therefore be important determinants of species' ability to establish at higher elevations. Previous studies have found that warming per se tends to not only increase seedling establishment in alpine climates but it also increases plant productivity, which could limit establishment success through increased competition for light. Here we disentangle the relative importance of several climate-related abiotic and biotic factors on sub-alpine species' seedling emergence and survival in the alpine. Specifically, we test how temperature, precipitation and competition from neighbouring vegetation impacts establishment, and also whether species' functional traits, or strategies impact their ability to colonise alpine locations. We found that our six sub-alpine study species were all able to recruit from seed in alpine locations under the extant alpine climate, but their emergence was limited by competition from neighbouring vegetation. This indicates that biotic interactions can hinder the range shifts expected as a result of climate warming. Species with a resource conservative strategy had higher emergence in the extant alpine climate than species with a resource acquisitive strategy, and they were largely unaffected by changes in temperature. The resource acquisitive species, in contrast, had faster emergence under warming, especially when they were released from competition from neighbouring vegetation. Our results indicate that competition from the established vegetation is limiting the spread of lowland species into the alpine, and as the climate continues to warm, species with resource acquisitive traits might gain an advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid J. Dahle
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
| | - Ragnhild Gya
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Bjerknes Centre for Climate ResearchUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
| | | | - Vigdis Vandvik
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Bjerknes Centre for Climate ResearchUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
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7
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Zhang J, Wang B. Intraspecific variation in seed size is mediated by seed dispersal modes and animal dispersers - evidence from a global-scale dataset. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:461-470. [PMID: 37858964 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Seed dispersal mechanisms play a crucial role in driving evolutionary changes in seed and fruit traits. While previous studies have primarily focussed on the mean or maximum values of these traits, there is also significant intraspecific variation in them. Therefore, it is pertinent to investigate whether dispersal mechanisms can explain intraspecific variations in these traits. Taking seed size as a case study, we compiled a global dataset comprising 3424 records of intraspecific variation in seed size (IVSS), belonging to 691 plant species and 131 families. We provided the first comprehensive quantification of dispersal mechanism effects on IVSS. Biotic-dispersed species exhibited a larger IVSS than abiotic-dispersed species. Synzoochory species had a larger IVSS than endozoochory, epizoochory, and myrmecochory species. Vertebrate-dispersed species exhibited a larger IVSS than invertebrate-dispersed species, and species dispersed by birds exhibited a larger IVSS than mammal-dispersed species. Additionally, a clear negative correlation was detected between IVSS and disperser body mass. Our results prove that the IVSS is associated with the seed dispersal mechanism. This study advances our understanding of the dispersal mechanisms' crucial role in seed size evolution, encompassing not only the mean value but also the variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Zhang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China
| | - Bo Wang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China
- Anhui Shengjin Lake Wetland Ecology National Long-Term Scientific Research Base, Dongzhi, Anhui, 247230, China
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8
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Rosbakh S, Carta A, Fernández-Pascual E, Phartyal SS, Dayrell RLC, Mattana E, Saatkamp A, Vandelook F, Baskin J, Baskin C. Global seed dormancy patterns are driven by macroclimate but not fire regime. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:555-564. [PMID: 37537732 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Seed dormancy maximizes plant recruitment in habitats with variation in environmental suitability for seedling establishment. Yet, we still lack a comprehensive synthesis of the macroecological drivers of nondormancy and the different classes of seed dormancy: physiological dormancy, morphophysiological dormancy and physical dormancy. We examined current geographic patterns and environmental correlates of global seed dormancy variation. Combining the most updated data set on seed dormancy classes for > 10 000 species with > 4 million georeferenced species occurrences covering all of the world's biomes, we test how this distribution is driven by climate and fire regime. Seed dormancy is prevalent in seasonally cold and dry climates. Physiological dormancy occurs in relatively dry climates with high temperature seasonality (e.g. temperate grasslands). Morphophysiological dormancy is more common in forest-dominated, cold biomes with comparatively high and evenly distributed precipitation. Physical dormancy is associated with dry climates with strong seasonal temperature and precipitation fluctuations (e.g. deserts and savannas). Nondormancy is associated with stable, warm and wetter climates (e.g. tropical rain forest). Pyroclimate had no significant effect on the distribution of seed dormancy. The environmental drivers considered in this study had a comparatively low predictive power, suggesting that macroclimate is just one of several global drivers of seed dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Rosbakh
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Ecology and Conservation Biology, University of Regensburg, 93040, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Angelino Carta
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- CIRSEC - Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eduardo Fernández-Pascual
- IMIB Biodiversity Research Institute (University of Oviedo-CSIC-Principality of Asturias), University of Oviedo, 33600, Mieres, Spain
| | - Shyam S Phartyal
- School of Ecology and Environment Studies, Nalanda University, Rajgir, 803116, India
| | - Roberta L C Dayrell
- Ecology and Conservation Biology, University of Regensburg, 93040, Regensburg, Germany
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, TH17 6TH, Ardingly, UK
| | - Efisio Mattana
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, TH17 6TH, Ardingly, UK
| | - Arne Saatkamp
- Aix Marseille Université, IMBE, Avignon Univ, CNRS, IRD, 13397, Marseille, France
| | | | - Jerry Baskin
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506-022, USA
| | - Carol Baskin
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506-022, USA
- Department of Plants and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506-022, USA
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9
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Fernández-Pascual E, Carta A, Rosbakh S, Guja L, Phartyal SS, Silveira FAO, Chen SC, Larson JE, Jiménez-Alfaro B. SeedArc, a global archive of primary seed germination data. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:466-470. [PMID: 37533134 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Fernández-Pascual
- IMIB Biodiversity Research Institute (University of Oviedo - CSIC - Principality of Asturias), University of Oviedo, E-33600, Mieres, Spain
| | - Angelino Carta
- Department of Biology, Botany Unit, University of Pisa, 56122, Pisa, Italy
- CIRSEC - Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, 56122, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sergey Rosbakh
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Lydia Guja
- National Seed Bank, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Parks Australia, 2601, Acton, ACT, Australia
- Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (A Joint Venture Between Parks Australia and CSIRO), CSIRO, 2601, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Shyam S Phartyal
- School of Ecology and Environment Studies, Nalanda University, 803116, Rajgir, India
| | - Fernando A O Silveira
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 31320290, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Si-Chong Chen
- Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430074, Wuhan, China
- Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, RH176TN, Wakehurst, UK
| | - Julie E Larson
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, OR, 97720, USA
| | - Borja Jiménez-Alfaro
- IMIB Biodiversity Research Institute (University of Oviedo - CSIC - Principality of Asturias), University of Oviedo, E-33600, Mieres, Spain
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10
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Zhang L, Xu C, Liu H, Wu Q, Tao J, Zhang K. Intermediate complex morphophysiological dormancy in seeds of Aconitum barbatum (Ranunculaceae). BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:350. [PMID: 37407945 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04357-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seed dormancy and germination are key components of plant regeneration strategies. Aconitum barbatum is a plant commonly found in northeast China. Although it has potential for use in gardening and landscaping, its seed dormancy and regeneration strategy, which adapt to its natural habitat, are not well understood. Our aim was to identify conditions for breaking A. barbatum seed dormancy and determine its dormancy type. Embryo growth and germination were determined by collecting seeds over time in the field. Laboratory experiments that control light, temperature, and stratification period were conducted to assess dormancy breaking and germination, and GA3 was used to identify dormancy type. RESULTS Seeds of A. barbatum have undeveloped embryos with physiological dormancy at maturity in autumn. The embryo-to-seed length ratio increases from 0.33 to 0.78 before the emergence of the radical. Under natural environmental conditions, embryo development begins in early winter. Laboratory experiments have shown that long-term incubation under 4 °C (cold stratification) promotes embryo development and seed dormancy break. With an extension of cold stratification, an increase in germination percentages was observed when seeds were transferred from 4 °C to warmer temperatures. Seeds exposed to light during incubation show a higher germination percentage than those kept in the dark. Seed germination can also be enhanced by a 100 mg/L GA3 concentration. CONCLUSIONS Seeds of A. barbatum display intermediate complex morphophysiological dormancy at maturity. In addition to the underdeveloped embryo, there are also physiological barriers that prevent the embryo from germinating. Dormancy breaking of A. barbatum seeds can be achieved by natural winter cold stratification, allowing seeds to germinate and sprout seedlings at the beginning of the following growing season. Our findings provide valuable insights into the seed dormancy and regeneration strategy of A. barbatum, which could facilitate its effective utilization in gardening and landscaping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Chaohan Xu
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Huina Liu
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Qingqing Wu
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Jun Tao
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
| | - Keliang Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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Auge G, Hankofer V, Groth M, Antoniou-Kourounioti R, Ratikainen I, Lampei C. Plant environmental memory: implications, mechanisms and opportunities for plant scientists and beyond. AOB PLANTS 2023; 15:plad032. [PMID: 37415723 PMCID: PMC10321398 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plad032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Plants are extremely plastic organisms. They continuously receive and integrate environmental information and adjust their growth and development to favour fitness and survival. When this integration of information affects subsequent life stages or the development of subsequent generations, it can be considered an environmental memory. Thus, plant memory is a relevant mechanism by which plants respond adaptively to different environments. If the cost of maintaining the response is offset by its benefits, it may influence evolutionary trajectories. As such, plant memory has a sophisticated underlying molecular mechanism with multiple components and layers. Nonetheless, when mathematical modelling is combined with knowledge of ecological, physiological, and developmental effects as well as molecular mechanisms as a tool for understanding plant memory, the combined potential becomes unfathomable for the management of plant communities in natural and agricultural ecosystems. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of plant memory, discuss the ecological requirements for its evolution, outline the multilayered molecular network and mechanisms required for accurate and fail-proof plant responses to variable environments, point out the direct involvement of the plant metabolism and discuss the tremendous potential of various types of models to further our understanding of the plant's environmental memory. Throughout, we emphasize the use of plant memory as a tool to unlock the secrets of the natural world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valentin Hankofer
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Munich, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Groth
- Institute of Functional Epigenetics, Helmholtz Munich, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Rea Antoniou-Kourounioti
- School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Glasgow, Sir James Black Building, University Ave, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Irja Ratikainen
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Realfagbygget, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Christian Lampei
- Department of Biology (FB17), Plant Ecology and Geobotany Group, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 8, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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12
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Yuan J, Yan Q, Xie J, Wang J, Zhang T. Effects of warming on seed germination of woody species in temperate secondary forests. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2023; 25:579-592. [PMID: 36970946 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Seed germination, a critical stage of the plant life cycle providing a link between seeds and seedlings, is commonly temperature-dependent. The global average surface temperature is expected to rise, but little is known about the responses of seed germination of woody plants in temperate forests to warming. In the present study, dried seeds of 23 common woody species in temperate secondary forests were incubated at three temperature sequences without cold stratification and after experiencing cold stratification. We calculated five seed germination indices and the comprehensive membership function value that summarized the above indicators. Compared to the control, +2 and +4 °C treatments without cold stratification shortened germination time by 14% and 16% and increased the germination index by 17% and 26%, respectively. For stratified seeds, +4 °C treatment increased germination percentage by 49%, and +4 and +2 °C treatments increased duration of germination and the germination index, and shortened mean germination time by 69%, 458%, 29% and 68%, 110%, 12%, respectively. The germination of Fraxinus rhynchophylla and Larix kaempferi were most sensitive to warming without and with cold stratification, respectively. Seed germination of shrubs was the least sensitive to warming among functional types. These findings indicate warming (especially extreme warming) will enhance the seedling recruitment of temperate woody species, primarily via shortening the germination time, particularly for seeds that have undergone cold stratification. In addition, shrubs might narrow their distribution range.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Yuan
- Qingyuan Forest CERN, National Observation and Research Station, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Shenyang, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Neutrality, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Q Yan
- Qingyuan Forest CERN, National Observation and Research Station, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Neutrality, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - J Xie
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - J Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - T Zhang
- Qingyuan Forest CERN, National Observation and Research Station, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Neutrality, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
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13
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Paravar A, Maleki Farahani S, Rezazadeh A. Morphological, physiological and biochemical response of L allemantia species to elevated temperature and light duration during seed development. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15149. [PMID: 37123928 PMCID: PMC10133671 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Seed weight, storability, and germinability can depend on maternal plant's environment. However, there is slight information about the effect of light and temperature on seed quality of Lallemantia species. The purpose of this research was to determine the properties of physio-biochemical of maternal plant, seed quality, and seed chemical composition of Lallemantia species (Lallemantia iberica and Lallemantia royleana) under temperature (15 °C, 25 °C, and 35 °C) and photoperiod (8 hd-1, 16 hd-1, and 24 hd-1) maternal plants environment. Increasing temperature and photoperiod caused a reduction in leaf chlorophyll, stomatal movement, total soluble sugar, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzymes activities, and an increment in malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content of seeds. However, the highest weight, germination, vigor index, and longevity, seed chemical compositions were obtained in offspring which matured under 25 °C for 16 hd-1. The highest germination, oil, and relative percentage of fatty acids (oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid (LA), and linolenic acid (LNA)) were obtained in L. iberica seeds. On the contrary, longevity, mucilage, and sucrose were more abundant in L. royleana seeds. Overall, this research has clearly shown that temperature and light quality and quantity of maternal plant's environment have an immensely effect on producing of seeds with high-quality. However, it is necessary to investigate the impact of the epigenetic mechanisms of the maternal plant on the offspring in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezoo Paravar
- Department of Crop Production and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeideh Maleki Farahani
- Department of Crop Production and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
- Corresponding author.
| | - Alireza Rezazadeh
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
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14
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Gya R, Geange SR, Lynn JS, Töpper JP, Wallevik Ø, Zernichow C, Vandvik V. A test of local adaptation to drought in germination and seedling traits in populations of two alpine forbs across a 2000 mm/year precipitation gradient. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9772. [PMID: 36778839 PMCID: PMC9905427 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Seed regeneration is a critical stage in the life histories of plants, affecting species' abilities to maintain local populations, evolve, and disperse to new sites. In this study, we test for local adaptations to drought in germination and seedling growth of two alpine forbs with contrasting habitat preferences: the alpine generalist Veronica alpina and the snowbed specialist Sibbaldia procumbens. We sampled seeds of each species from four populations spanning a precipitation gradient from 1200 to 3400 mm/year in western Norway. In a growth chamber experiment, we germinated seeds from each population at 10 different water potentials under controlled light and temperature conditions. Drought led to lower germination percentage in both species, and additionally, slower germination, and more investment in roots for V. alpina. These responses varied along the precipitation gradient. Seeds from the driest populations had higher germination percentage, shorter time to germination, and higher investments in the roots under drought conditions than the seeds from the wettest populations - suggesting local adaption to drought. The snowbed specialist, S. procumbens, had lower germination percentages under drought, but otherwise did not respond to drought in ways that indicate physiological or morphological adaptions to drought. S. procumbens germination also did not vary systematically with precipitation of the source site, but heavier-seeded populations germinated to higher rates and tolerated drought better. Our study is the first to test drought effects on seed regeneration in alpine plants populations from high-precipitation regions. We found evidence that germination and seedling traits may show adaptation to drought even in populations from wet habitats. Our results also indicate that alpine generalists might be more adapted to drought and show more local adaptations in drought responses than snowbed specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragnhild Gya
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Bjerknes Center for Climate ResearchBergenNorway
| | - Sonya Rita Geange
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Bjerknes Center for Climate ResearchBergenNorway
| | - Joshua Scott Lynn
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Bjerknes Center for Climate ResearchBergenNorway
| | | | - Øystein Wallevik
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
| | | | - Vigdis Vandvik
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Bjerknes Center for Climate ResearchBergenNorway
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15
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Visscher AM, Vandelook F, Fernández-Pascual E, Pérez-Martínez LV, Ulian T, Diazgranados M, Mattana E. Low availability of functional seed trait data from the tropics could negatively affect global macroecological studies, predictive models and plant conservation. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2022; 130:773-784. [PMID: 36349952 PMCID: PMC9758304 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcac130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant seeds have many traits that influence ecological functions, ex situ conservation, restoration success and their sustainable use. Several seed traits are known to vary significantly between tropical and temperate regions. Here we present three additional traits for which existing data indicate differences between geographical zones. We discuss evidence for geographical bias in availability of data for these traits, as well as the negative consequences of this bias. SCOPE We reviewed the literature on seed desiccation sensitivity studies that compare predictive models to experimental data and show how a lack of data on populations and species from tropical regions could reduce the predictive power of global models. In addition, we compiled existing data on relative embryo size and post-dispersal embryo growth and found that relative embryo size was significantly larger, and embryo growth limited, in tropical species. The available data showed strong biases towards non-tropical species and certain families, indicating that these biases need to be corrected to perform truly global analyses. Furthermore, we argue that the low number of seed germination studies on tropical high-mountain species makes it difficult to compare across geographical regions and predict the effects of climate change in these highly specialized tropical ecosystems. In particular, we show that seed traits of geographically restricted páramo species have been studied less than those of more widely distributed species, with most publications unavailable in English or in the peer-reviewed literature. CONCLUSIONS The low availability of functional seed trait data from populations and species in the tropics can have negative consequences for macroecological studies, predictive models and their application to plant conservation. We propose that global analyses of seed traits with evidence for geographical variation prioritize generation of new data from tropical regions as well as multi-lingual searches of both the grey- and peer-reviewed literature in order to fill geographical and taxonomic gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Laura Victoria Pérez-Martínez
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW 2753, Australia
| | - Tiziana Ulian
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
| | - Mauricio Diazgranados
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
| | - Efisio Mattana
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
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16
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Bao G, Zhang P, Wei X, Zhang Y, Liu W. Comparison of the effect of temperature and water potential on the seed germination of five Pedicularis kansuensis populations from the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1052954. [PMID: 36507375 PMCID: PMC9731731 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1052954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Temperature and water potentials are considered the most critical environmental factors in seed germinability and subsequent seedling establishment. The thermal and water requirements for germination are species-specific and vary with the environment in which seeds mature from the maternal plants. Pedicularis kansuensis is a root hemiparasitic weed that grows extensively in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau's degraded grasslands and has seriously harmed the grasslands ecosystem and its utilization. Information about temperatures and water thresholds in P. kansuensis seed germination among different populations is useful to predicting and managing the weed's distribution in degraded grasslands. The present study evaluated the effects of temperature and water potentials on P. kansuensis seed germination in cool and warm habitats, based on thermal time and hydrotime models. The results indicate that seeds from cool habitats have a higher base temperature than those from warm habitats, while there is no detectable difference in optimum and ceiling temperatures between habitats. Seed germination in response to water potential differed among the five studied populations. There was a negative correlation between the seed populations' base water potential for 50% (Ψ b(50)) germination and their hydrotime constant (θ H). The thermal time and hydrotime models were good predictors of five populations' germination time in response to temperature and water potentials. Consequently, future studies should consider the effects of maternal environmental conditions on seed germination when seeking effective strategies for controlling hemiparasitic weeds in alpine regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gensheng Bao
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Forage Germplasm Research, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Medicine, Xining, China
- State Key Laboratory of Sanjiangyuan Ecology and Plateau Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Forage Germplasm Research, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Medicine, Xining, China
- Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - XiaoXing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Forage Germplasm Research, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Medicine, Xining, China
- State Key Laboratory of Sanjiangyuan Ecology and Plateau Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Yongchao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Forage Germplasm Research, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Medicine, Xining, China
- State Key Laboratory of Sanjiangyuan Ecology and Plateau Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Forage Germplasm Research, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Medicine, Xining, China
- State Key Laboratory of Sanjiangyuan Ecology and Plateau Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
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Naze M, Riviere JNE, Chiroleu F, Franck A, Fock-Bastide I. Seed germination of five species from the subalpine shrubland of a mountainous oceanic island with high conservation value (Reunion Island). Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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18
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Seglias AE. Can alpine plant species "bank" on conservation?: Using artificial aging to understand seed longevity. APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES 2022; 10:e11493. [PMID: 36258790 PMCID: PMC9575086 DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE To conserve native plants, many institutions are turning toward ex-situ conservation methods, such as storage in seed banks; however, not all seeds are able to survive in seed bank conditions, or may not in the long term. Experimental aging has shown that alpine species lose viability more quickly than low-elevation species. Furthermore, the germination requirements for rare species are largely unknown, but are a necessary first step in understanding storage behavior and viability decline. METHODS Five alpine species were subjected to germination and accelerated aging experiments to understand their longevity in storage. For the accelerated aging experiment, the seeds were rehydrated in a dark incubator and subsequently placed in a drying oven. Following the aging process, the seeds were placed into previously determined germination conditions. RESULTS All species had p 50 values of <13.7 days, which is the threshold to consider a species short lived. These results suggest that we cannot haphazardly store seeds and assume that all species will survive for decades. DISCUSSION Accelerated aging experiments are not a perfect measure of seed longevity, and true longevity needs to be empirically determined. However, this experimental method allows us to predict which species may be short lived and whether alternative ex-situ conservation methods might be needed beyond conventional seed banking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E. Seglias
- Department of Research and ConservationDenver Botanic Gardens, 909 York StreetDenver, Colorado80206USA
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Del Vecchio S, Sharma SK, Pavan M, Acosta ATR, Bacchetta G, de Bello F, Isermann M, Michalet R, Buffa G. Within-species variation of seed traits of dune engineering species across a European climatic gradient. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:978205. [PMID: 36035686 PMCID: PMC9403325 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.978205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Within-species variation is a key component of biodiversity and linking it to climatic gradients may significantly improve our understanding of ecological processes. High variability can be expected in plant traits, but it is unclear to which extent it varies across populations under different climatic conditions. Here, we investigated seed trait variability and its environmental dependency across a latitudinal gradient of two widely distributed dune-engineering species (Thinopyrum junceum and Calamagrostis arenaria). Seed germination responses against temperature and seed mass were compared within and among six populations exposed to a gradient of temperature and precipitation regimes (Spiekeroog, DE; Bordeaux, FR; Valencia, ES; Cagliari, IT, Rome, IT; Venice, IT). Seed germination showed opposite trends in response to temperature experienced during emergence in both species: with some expectation, in populations exposed to severe winters, seed germination was warm-cued, whereas in populations from warm sites with dry summer, seed germination was cold-cued. In C. arenaria, variability in seed germination responses disappeared once the seed coat was incised. Seed mass from sites with low precipitation was smaller than that from sites with higher precipitation and was better explained by rainfall continentality than by aridity in summer. Within-population variability in seed germination accounted for 5 to 54%, while for seed mass it was lower than 40%. Seed trait variability can be considerable both within- and among-populations even at broad spatial scale. The variability may be hardly predictable since it only partially correlated with the analyzed climatic variables, and with expectation based on the climatic features of the seed site of origin. Considering seed traits variability in the analysis of ecological processes at both within- and among-population levels may help elucidate unclear patterns of species dynamics, thereby contributing to plan adequate measures to counteract biodiversity loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Del Vecchio
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy
| | - Shivam Kumar Sharma
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Mario Pavan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy
| | | | - Gianluigi Bacchetta
- Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR), Hortus Botanicus Karalitanus (HBK), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesco de Bello
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación (CSIC-UV-GV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Maike Isermann
- Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park Authority, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | | | - Gabriella Buffa
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Venice, Italy
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Analyzing the Spatiotemporal Vegetation Dynamics and Their Responses to Climate Change along the Ya’an–Linzhi Section of the Sichuan–Tibet Railway. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14153584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Vegetation dynamics and their responses to climate change are of significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity. The Sichuan–Tibet Railway (STR) is a major construction project of the 14th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China that is of great significance to promoting the social and economic development of Sichuan–Tibet areas. The planned railway line crosses areas with a complex geological condition and fragile ecological environment, where the regional vegetation dynamics are sensitive to climate change, topographic conditions and human activities. So, analyzing the vegetation variations in the complex vertical ecosystem and exploring their responses to hydrothermal factors are critical for providing technical support for the ecological program’s implementation along the route of the planned railway line. Based on MOD13Q1 Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data for the growing season (May to October) during 2001–2020, a Theil-Sen trend analysis, Mann–Kendall test, Hurst exponent analysis and partial correlation analysis were used to detect the vegetation dynamics, predict the vegetation sustainability, examine the relationship between vegetation change and hydrothermal factors, regionalize the driving forces for vegetation growth and explore the interannual variation pattern of driving factors. The growing season NDVI along the Ya’an–Linzhi section of the STR showed a marked rate of increase (0.0009/year) during the past 20 years, and the vegetation’s slight improvement areas accounted for the largest proportion (47.53%). Among the three hydrothermal parameters (temperature, precipitation and radiation), the correlation between vegetation growth and the temperature was the most significant, and the vegetation response to precipitation was the most immediate. The vegetation changes were affected by the combined impact of climatic and non-climatic factors, and the proportion of hydrothermal factors’ combined driving force slightly increased during the study period. Based on the Hurst exponent, the future vegetation sustainability of the area along the Ya’an–Linzhi section of the STR faces a risk of degradation, and more effective conservations should be implemented during the railway construction period to protect the regional ecological environment.
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21
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Carta A, Fernández-Pascual E, Gioria M, Müller JV, Rivière S, Rosbakh S, Saatkamp A, Vandelook F, Mattana E. Climate shapes the seed germination niche of temperate flowering plants: a meta-analysis of European seed conservation data. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2022; 129:775-786. [PMID: 35303062 PMCID: PMC9292614 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Interactions between ecological factors and seed physiological responses during the establishment phase shape the distribution of plants. Yet, our understanding of the functions and evolution of early-life traits has been limited by the scarcity of large-scale datasets. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the germination niche of temperate plants is shaped by their climatic requirements and phylogenetic relatedness, using germination data sourced from a comprehensive seed conservation database of the European flora (ENSCOBASE). METHODS We performed a phylogenetically informed Bayesian meta-analysis of primary data, considering 18 762 germination tests of 2418 species from laboratory experiments conducted across all European geographical regions. We tested for the interaction between species' climatic requirements and germination responses to experimental conditions including temperature, alternating temperature, light and dormancy-breaking treatments, while accounting for between-study variation related to seed sources and seed lot physiological status. KEY RESULTS Climate was a strong predictor of germination responses. In warm and seasonally dry climates the seed germination niche includes a cold-cued germination response and an inhibition determined by alternating temperature regimes and cold stratification, while in climates with high temperature seasonality opposite responses can be observed. Germination responses to scarification and light were related to seed mass but not to climate. We also found a significant phylogenetic signal in the response of seeds to experimental conditions, providing evidence that the germination niche is phylogenetically constrained. Nevertheless, phylogenetically distant lineages exhibited common germination responses under similar climates. CONCLUSION This is the first quantitative meta-analysis of the germination niche at a continental scale. Our findings showed that the germination niches of European plants exhibit evolutionary convergence mediated by strong pressures at the macroclimatic level. In addition, our methodological approach highlighted how large datasets generated by conservation seed banking can be valuable sources to address questions in plant macroecology and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Margherita Gioria
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Botany, Department of Invasion Ecology, Průhonice, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Sergey Rosbakh
- Ecology and Conservation Biology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Arne Saatkamp
- Aix Marseille Université, Université d’Avignon, CNRS, IRD, IMBE, Marseille, France
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22
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Xia K, Daws MI, Peng LL. Climate drives patterns of seed traits in Quercus species across China. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 234:1629-1638. [PMID: 35306670 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Traits enabling seeds to survive post-dispersal desiccation and subsequently germinate are important aspects of plant regeneration for species with desiccation-sensitive seeds. However, how desiccation and germination-related traits co-vary and relate to patterns of climate variation are unknown. We investigated physiological traits related to desiccation and germination of desiccation-sensitive seeds from 19 Quercus species, which typically dominate subalpine, subtropical and temperate forests in China. The results demonstrate a strong relationship between climate and seed traits consistent with a hypothesis of minimizing seed death from desiccation. Seeds of subalpine species were most desiccation sensitive and died fastest when dried. These species avoided drought and cold by germinating rapidly. Subtropical and temperate oaks had more variable strategies to minimize the risk of mortality reflecting a continuum between traits that facilitate rapid germination (with the risk of rapid desiccation) and slow germination (and slow desiccation). Across the Quercus species, the relative level of seed desiccation sensitivity, which we predicted to be important for reducing the risk of drying related mortality, was independent of climate. For desiccation-sensitive seeds this suggests a more diverse range of strategies for minimizing desiccation risk than reported previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Xia
- School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Biodiversity, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, Yunnan, China
| | - Matthew I Daws
- Environment Department, Alcoa of Australia Ltd, Huntly Mine, off Del Park Road, PO Box 172, Pinjarra, WA, 6208, Australia
| | - Lin-Lin Peng
- School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Biodiversity, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, Yunnan, China
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Margreiter V, Porro F, Mondoni A, Erschbamer B. Recruitment Traits Could Influence Species' Geographical Range: A Case Study in the Genus Saxifraga L. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:827330. [PMID: 35646004 PMCID: PMC9136331 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.827330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The reasons why some species occur widespread, while related species have restricted geographical ranges have been attributed to habitat specialization or ecological niche breadth. For species in the genus Saxifraga, habitat specialization alone cannot explain the distributional differences observed. We hypothesize that recruitment traits (i.e., germination, emergence, and survival) may account for differences in geographical ranges and that early life stages correlate to survival. We studied recruitment responses in 13 widespread and 12 narrow-ranged Saxifraga species in the laboratory and common garden experiments using seeds collected from 79 populations in the European Alps. We found that in the laboratory cold temperature led to higher germination percentages compared with warm temperature for both distribution groups. This represents an exception to the general assumption that alpine species require warm cues for germination. In warm laboratory temperatures, widespread species germinated better than narrow-ranged species, indicating a greater tolerance of warm temperatures for the former. Subsequent to germination, recruitment traits between the two distribution groups were lower or null in the common garden, suggesting that the impact of recruitment on species' geographical ranges occurs at the earliest life stage. Mean time to emergence of narrow-ranged species showed lower variability than that of widespread species. Consistently, intraspecific variation of mean annual temperatures between seed collection sites was lower for narrow-ranged species, indicating a close relationship between home sites and emergence time. Emergence percentage was a strong predictor of survival only for widespread species, underlining that seed and seedling functional traits differ between distribution groups, which require further research. Our results support the view that early life stages are critical to population dynamics and thus can influence species' geographical ranges. The wider responses to climatic conditions in widespread species may have facilitated their spread across the Alps. Our results also suggest that all Saxifraga species face a considerable threat from climate warming due to their overall cold-adapted recruitment niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Margreiter
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Francesco Porro
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Mondoni
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Fernández-Pascual E, Vaz M, Morais B, Reiné R, Ascaso J, Afif Khouri E, Carta A. Seed ecology of European mesic meadows. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2022; 129:121-134. [PMID: 34718398 PMCID: PMC8796674 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS European mesic meadows are semi-natural open habitats of high biodiversity and an essential part of European landscapes. These species-rich communities can be a source of seed mixes for ecological restoration, urban greening and rewilding. However, limited knowledge of species germination traits is a bottleneck to the development of a competitive native seed industry. Here, we synthesize the seed ecology of mesic meadows. METHODS We combined our own experimental data with data obtained from databases to create a combined dataset containing 2005 germination records of 90 plant species from 31 European countries. We performed a Bayesian meta-analysis of this dataset to test the seed germination response to environmental cues including scarification, stratification, temperature, alternating temperature and light. We also used multivariate ordination to check the relationship between seed traits (germination and morphology) and species ecological preferences, and to compare the seed ecology of mesic meadows with that of other herbaceous plant communities from the same geographic area. KEY RESULTS The seed ecology of mesic meadows is characterized by (1) high seed germinability when compared with other herbaceous plant communities; (2) low correspondence between seed traits and species ecological preferences; and (3) a deep phylogenetic separation between the two major families, Poaceae and Fabaceae. Poaceae produce many light seeds that respond to gap-detecting germination cues (alternating temperatures and light); Fabaceae produce fewer heavy seeds, which need scarification to break their physical dormancy. CONCLUSIONS High germinability of meadow seeds will reduce their capacity to form persistent seed banks, resulting in dispersal limitations to passive regeneration. For centuries, human activities have shaped the regeneration of meadows, leading to a loss of seed dormancy and decoupling seeds from seasonal cycles, as has been found in many domesticated species. The same anthropic processes that have shaped semi-natural mesic meadows have left them dependent on continued human intervention for their regeneration, highlighting the importance of active restoration via seed supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Fernández-Pascual
- IMIB—Biodiversity Research Institute, University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain
- Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo/Uviéu, Spain
| | - Madalena Vaz
- Banco Português de Germoplasma Vegetal, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), Braga, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Morais
- Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo/Uviéu, Spain
| | - Ramón Reiné
- Departamento de Ciencias Agrarias y Medio Natural, Universidad de Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
| | - Joaquín Ascaso
- Departamento de Ciencias Agrarias y Medio Natural, Universidad de Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
| | - Elías Afif Khouri
- Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo/Uviéu, Spain
| | - Angelino Carta
- CIRSEC - Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Climate-Change Impacts on the Southernmost Mediterranean Arctic-Alpine Plant Populations. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132413778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human-induced climate- and land-use change have been affecting biogeographical and biodiversity patterns for the past two centuries all over the globe, resulting in increased extinction and biotic homogenization rates. High mountain ecosystems are more sensitive to these changes, which have led to physiological and phenological shifts, as well as to ecosystem processes’ deformation. Glacial relicts, such as arctic-alpine taxa, are sensitive indicators of the effects of global warming and their rear-edge populations could include warm-adapted genotypes that might prove—conservation-wise—useful in an era of unprecedented climate regimes. Despite the ongoing thermophilization in European and Mediterranean summits, it still remains unknown how past and future climate-change might affect the distributional patterns of the glacial relict, arctic-alpine taxa occurring in Greece, their European southernmost distributional limit. Using species distribution models, we investigated the impacts of past and future climate changes on the arctic-alpine taxa occurring in Greece and identified the areas comprising arctic-alpine biodiversity hotspots in Greece. Most of these species will be faced with severe range reductions in the near future, despite their innate resilience to a multitude of threats, while the species richness hotspots will experience both altitudinal and latitudinal shifts. Being long-lived perennials means that there might be an extinction-debt present in these taxa, and a prolonged stability phase could be masking the deleterious effects of climate change on them. Several ex situ conservation measures (e.g., seed collection, population augmentation) should be taken to preserve the southernmost populations of these rare arctic-alpine taxa and a better understanding of their population genetics is urgently needed.
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Xu Y, Ye J, Khalofah A, Zuan ATK, Ullah R, El-Shehawi AM. Seed germination ecology of Conyza sumatrensis populations stemming from different habitats and implications for management. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260674. [PMID: 34855863 PMCID: PMC8638915 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) E. H. Walker is an obnoxious weed, emerging as an invasive species globally. Seed germination biology of four populations of the species stemming from arid, semi-arid, temperate, and humid regions was determined in this study. Seed germination was recorded under six different environmental cues (i.e., light/dark periods, constant and alternating day and night temperatures, pH, salinity, and osmotic potential levels) in separate experiment for each cue. Populations were main factor, whereas levels of each environmental cue were considered as sub-factor. The impact of seed burial depths on seedling emergence was inferred in a greenhouse pot experiment. Seed germination was recorded daily and four germination indices, i.e., seed germination percentage, mean germination time, time to reach 50% germination, and mean daily germination were computed. Tested populations and levels of different environmental cues had significant impact on various seed germination indices. Overall, seeds stemming from arid and semi-arid regions had higher seed germination potential under stressful and benign environmental conditions compared to temperate and humid populations. Seed of all populations required a definite light period for germination and 12 hours alternating light and dark period resulted in the highest seed germination. Seed germination of all populations occurred under 5-30°C constant and all tested alternate day and night temperatures. However, the highest seed germination was recorded under 20°C. Seeds of arid and semi-arid populations exhibited higher germination under increased temperature, salinity and osmotic potential levels indicating that maternal environment strongly affected germination traits of the tested populations. The highest seed germination of the tested populations was noted under neutral pH, while higher and lower pH than neutral had negative impact on seed germination. Arid and semi-arid populations exhibited higher seed germination under increased pH compared to temperate and humid populations. Seed burial depth had a significant effect on the seedling emergence of all tested populations. An initial increase was noted in seedling emergence percentage with increasing soil depth. However, a steep decline was recorded after 2 cm seed burial depth. These results indicate that maternal environment strongly mediates germination traits of different populations. Lower emergence from >4 cm seed burial depth warrants that deep burial of seeds and subsequent zero or minimum soil disturbance could aid the management of the species in agricultural habitats. However, management strategies should be developed for other habitats to halt the spread of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyun Xu
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, China
| | - Junyong Ye
- Rural Industry Development Center of Liandu District, Lishui, China
| | - Ahlam Khalofah
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Tan Kee Zuan
- Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rehmat Ullah
- Soil and Water Testing Laboratory for Research, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Ahmed M. El-Shehawi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
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Severino LS. Plants make smart decisions in complex environments. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2021; 16:1970448. [PMID: 34459354 PMCID: PMC8525964 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2021.1970448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This review proposes that plants make smart decision and encourages scientists to formulate and test hypotheses about plant's decisions as an option to investigate complex phenomena that are hardly explained through the predominant mechanistic approach. Three physiological processes (seed germination and seedling emergence, abortion of reproductive structures, and regulation of photosynthesis) are discussed to illustrate the plant's ability to make decisions from three different perspectives. It is proposed that plant scientists could access a rich pool of information by formulating and testing hypothesis on plant's decisions, even when it is not possible elucidating the full mechanism underpinning the decision. Decisions with a strategic component are discussed for seed germination and seedling emergence, in which the plant depends on limited information for making early decisions that will influence its survival and potential growth. Decisions consistent with an analysis of benefit/cost are illustrated with observations from abortion of reproductive structures. Decisions that search the optimization of complex processes are exemplified with the regulation of photosynthesis. For each type of decision, some draft experiments are suggested as exercise on how this framework could be applied. It is proposed that scientists could make experiments with plant's decisions adapting methods that were developed for other disciplines.
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Satyanti A, Liantoro T, Thomas M, Neeman T, Nicotra AB, Guja LK. Predicting effects of warming requires a whole-of-life cycle perspective: a case study in the alpine herb Oreomyrrhis eriopoda. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab023. [PMID: 33959289 PMCID: PMC8084022 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Global warming is affecting plant phenology, growth and reproduction in complex ways and is particularly apparent in vulnerable alpine environments. Warming affects reproductive and vegetative traits, as well as phenology, but seldom do studies assess these traits in concert and across the whole of a plant's life cycle, particularly in wild species. Thus, it is difficult to extrapolate from such effects to predictions about the persistence of species or their conservation and management. We assessed trait variation in response to warming in Oreomyrrhis eriopoda, an Australian native montane herb, in which populations vary in germination strategy (degree of dormancy) and growth characteristics as a function of ecological factors. Warming accelerated growth in the early stages of development, particularly for populations with non-dormant seed. The differences in growth disappeared at the transition to reproduction, when an accelerating effect on phenology emerged, to varying degrees depending on germination strategy. Overall, warming reduced flower and seed production and increased mortality, indicating a reduction in reproductive opportunities, particularly for populations with dormant seed. Developmental condition affected germination strategy of the next generation seed, leading to increased degree of dormancy and slowed germination rate. But there were no whole-scale shifts in strategy or total germination percent. Following through the life cycle reveals that warming will have some potentially positive effects (early growth rates) and some negative effects (reduced reproductive output). Ultimately, warming impacts will depend on how those effects play out in the field: early establishment and an accelerated trajectory to seed maturity may offset the tradeoff with overall seed production. Small differences among germination strategies likewise may cascade to larger effects, with important implications for persistence of species in the alpine landscape. Thus, to understand and manage the response of wild species to warming takes a whole-of-life perspective and attention to ecologically significant patterns of within-species variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annisa Satyanti
- Division Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Robertson Building, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- Centre for Plant Conservation—Botanic Gardens, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Jalan Ir. Haji Juanda, Bogor 16003, Indonesia
- National Seed Bank, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Parks Australia, Clunies Ross St, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Toton Liantoro
- Division Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Robertson Building, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Morgan Thomas
- Division Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Robertson Building, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Teresa Neeman
- Division Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Robertson Building, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- Statistical Consulting Unit, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Adrienne B Nicotra
- Division Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Robertson Building, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Lydia K Guja
- National Seed Bank, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Parks Australia, Clunies Ross St, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, (a joint venture between the Parks Australia CSIRO), Clunies Ross St, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
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Vázquez-Ramírez J, Venn SE. Seeds and Seedlings in a Changing World: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis from High Altitude and High Latitude Ecosystems. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10040768. [PMID: 33919792 PMCID: PMC8070808 DOI: 10.3390/plants10040768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The early life-history stages of plants, such as germination and seedling establishment, depend on favorable environmental conditions. Changes in the environment at high altitude and high latitude regions, as a consequence of climate change, will significantly affect these life stages and may have profound effects on species recruitment and survival. Here, we synthesize the current knowledge of climate change effects on treeline, tundra, and alpine plants’ early life-history stages. We systematically searched the available literature on this subject up until February 2020 and recovered 835 potential articles that matched our search terms. From these, we found 39 studies that matched our selection criteria. We characterized the studies within our review and performed a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the extracted meta-data regarding the climatic effects likely to change in these regions, including projected warming, early snowmelt, changes in precipitation, nutrient availability and their effects on seed maturation, seed dormancy, germination, seedling emergence and seedling establishment. Although the studies showed high variability in their methods and studied species, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the extracted data allowed us to detect existing patterns and knowledge gaps. For example, warming temperatures seemed to favor all studied life stages except seedling establishment, a decrease in precipitation had a strong negative effect on seed stages and, surprisingly, early snowmelt had a neutral effect on seed dormancy and germination but a positive effect on seedling establishment. For some of the studied life stages, data within the literature were too limited to identify a precise effect. There is still a need for investigations that increase our understanding of the climate change impacts on high altitude and high latitude plants’ reproductive processes, as this is crucial for plant conservation and evidence-based management of these environments. Finally, we make recommendations for further research based on the identified knowledge gaps.
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Venn SE, Gallagher RV, Nicotra AB. Germination at Extreme Temperatures: Implications for Alpine Shrub Encroachment. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:327. [PMID: 33572051 PMCID: PMC7915672 DOI: 10.3390/plants10020327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, shrub cover is increasing across alpine and tundra landscapes in response to warming ambient temperatures and declines in snowpack. With a changing climate, shrub encroachment may rely on recruitment from seed occurring outside of the optimum temperature range. We used a temperature gradient plate in order to determine the germination niche of 14 alpine shrub species. We then related the range in laboratory germination temperatures of each species to long-term average temperature conditions at: (1) the location of the seed accession site and (2) across each species geographic distribution. Seven of the species failed to germinate sufficiently to be included in the analyses. For the other species, the germination niche was broad, spanning a range in temperatures of up to 17 °C, despite very low germination rates in some species. Temperatures associated with the highest germination percentages were all above the range of temperatures present at each specific seed accession site. Optimum germination temperatures were consistently within or higher than the range of maximum temperatures modelled across the species' geographic distribution. Our results indicate that while some shrub species germinate well at high temperatures, others are apparently constrained by an inherent seed dormancy. Shrub encroachment in alpine areas will likely depend on conditions that affect seed germination at the microsite-scale, despite overall conditions becoming more suitable for shrubs at high elevations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna E. Venn
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2600, Australia;
| | - Rachael V. Gallagher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia;
| | - Adrienne B. Nicotra
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2600, Australia;
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