Seed traits favouring dispersal and establishment of six epiphyticTillandsia(Bromeliaceae) species

AbstractThere are a number of studies describing the gross range of morpho-anatomical variability in epiphyticTillandsiaspecies, but the interspecific variation in seed traits remain largely unexplored, although these play an important role in determining dispersal and establishment success. In order to evaluate interspecific variation in seed morphology, anatomy and germination, we sampled sixTillandsiaspecies from the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico, distributed along a precipitation gradient. We studied morpho-anatomical traits (seed length, seed mass, ratio of coma to seed, ratio of embryo to endosperm), seed terminal velocity in still air, and performed histochemical analyses and germination trials under controlled conditions.Tillandsia recurvatadiffers from the other five species in the structure of the plumose coma; it was the only species lacking an endosperm and showed distinct seedling development. Among the species, bigger seeds were related to longer comas, and had higher germinability. Overall, seed terminal velocity was invariably slow, compared with reports of other anemochorous species, suggesting a high dispersal potential. Taxonomical and ecological implications of our results are discussed.

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How do wind speed, release height, seed morphology interact to determine seed dispersal trajectory of Calligonum (Polygonaceae) species Wind speed, release height, seed morphology determine seed dispersal trajectory

10.1101/362434 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Quanlai Zhou ◽

Zhimin Liu ◽

Zhiming Xin ◽

Jianqiang Qian ◽

Yongcui Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wind Speed ◽

Seed Dispersal ◽

Explanatory Power ◽

Seed Mass ◽

Seed Morphology ◽

Dispersal Distance ◽

Wind Loading ◽

Dispersal Capacity ◽

High Dispersal ◽

Release Height

AbstractHow seed dispersal trajectory shifts with abiotic and biotic factors and what is the relationship between seed dispersal distance and dispersal trajectory are remain unclear. We used wind tunnel and video camera to track the seed dispersal trajectory of 7 Calligonum species with different appendages under the different wind speeds and the release heights. Dispersal trajectories and distances were determined by video analysis and spatial coordinate transformation. Based on perspective principle, 4 modes of trajectories were determined. Wind speed, seed mass and release height were the key factors determining seed dispersal trajectory modes. Release height and wind speed tended to have the strongest explanatory power on seeds with bristles and wings, respectively. Different trajectory modes lead to different dispersal distance, while the same dispersal distance can be the result of different trajectory modes. The proportion of species’ trajectory modes formed its trajectory spectrum. Wind speed tends to have strong influence on light and low-wind-loading seeds, release height tends to have that on heavy and high-wind-loading seeds. Species with high proportion of horizontal projectile and projectile have high dispersal capacity, vice versa. Therefore, trajectory spectrum of a species reveals its primary dispersal strategies and evolutionary consequences.

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Analysis of the Physical Properties of Seeds of Selected Viburnum Species for the Needs of Seed Sorting Operations

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr9040711 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 711

Author(s):

Zdzisław Kaliniewicz ◽

Dariusz J. Choszcz

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Ornamental Plants ◽

Seed Mass ◽

Terminal Velocity ◽

Landscape Design ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Uniform Size ◽

Size Fractions ◽

Physical Attributes

Viburnum is a genus of colorful and ornamental plants popular in landscape design on account of their high esthetic appeal. The physical properties of viburnum seeds have not been investigated in the literature to date. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the seeds of selected Viburnum species and to search for potential relationships between their physical attributes for the needs of seed sorting operations. The basic physical parameters of the seeds of six Viburnum species were measured, and the relationships between these attributes were determined in correlation and regression analyses. The average values of the evaluated parameters were determined in the following range: terminal velocity—from 5.6 to 7.9 m s−1, thickness—from 1.39 to 1.87 mm, width—from 3.59 to 6.33 mm, length—from 5.58 to 7.44 mm, angle of external friction—from 36.7 to 43.8°, mass—from 16.7 to 35.0 mg. The seeds of V. dasyanthum, V. lentago and V. sargentii should be sorted in air separators, and the seeds of V. lantana and V. opulus should be processed with the use of mesh screens with round apertures to obtain uniform size fractions. The seeds of V. rhytodophyllum cannot be effectively sorted into batches with uniform seed mass, but they can be separated into groups with similar dimensions.

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Seedling desiccation tolerance of Leymus racemosus (Poaceae) (wild rye), a perennial sand-dune grass inhabiting the Junggar Basin of Xinjiang, China

Seed Science Research ◽

10.1079/ssr2004172 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 233-239 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Zhenying Huang ◽

Yitzchak Gutterman

Keyword(s):

Desiccation Tolerance ◽

Sand Dune ◽

Sand Dunes ◽

Perennial Grass ◽

Junggar Basin ◽

Seedling Development ◽

Ecological Implications ◽

Leymus Racemosus ◽

Seedling Desiccation Tolerance ◽

Dune Grass

Leymus Racemosus, The Mammoth Wild Rye, Is A Rhizomatous Perennial Grass, Mainly Distributed In The Moving Or Semi-Stabilized Sand Dunes In Deserts Of The Junggar Basin In Xinjiang, China. The Revival Ability Of The Young Seedling After Periods Of Desiccation Can Be Influenced By Several Factors: (1) The Stage Of Seedling Development – The Later The Stage At Dehydration, The Longer The Root Length And The Lower Is The Percentage Of Seedlings That Survive; (2) The Length Of The Period Of Desiccation – The Longer The Period That The Seedlings Are Under Desiccation, The Lower Is The Percentage Of Seedlings That Survive; (3) Endosperm Size – The Smaller The Proportion Of Endosperm That Remains In The Caryopses, The Lower Is The Percentage Of Seedlings That Revive, Determined By (A) The Stage Of Seedling Development, And (B) The Proportion Of The Endosperm That Is Removed By Cutting; And (4) Caryopsis Size – The Larger The Polymorphic Caryopses, The Higher Is The Percentage Of Young Seedlings That Revive From Periods Of Desiccation. The Physiological And Ecological Implications Of L. Racemosus Seedling Desiccation Tolerance Are That Under Extreme Desert And Unpredictable Environmental Conditions, The Chances Of Seedling Establishment Are Increased.

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

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2020.599496 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Marcilio Zanetti ◽

Roberta L. C. Dayrell ◽

Mariana V. Wardil ◽

Alexandre Damasceno ◽

Tais Fernandes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Temperatures ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Niche Breadth ◽

Seed Storage ◽

Interspecific Variation ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Seed Traits ◽

Physical Dormancy ◽

Apparent Lack ◽

Germination Traits

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

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Study on some engineering attributes of pine nut (Pinus pinea) to the design of processing equipment

Research in Agricultural Engineering ◽

10.17221/49/2009-rae ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 56 (No. 3) ◽

pp. 99-106 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

S.M.T. Gharibzahedi ◽

V. Etemad ◽

J. Mirarab-Razi ◽

M. Fos hat

Keyword(s):

Moisture Content ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Seed Mass ◽

Static Friction ◽

Terminal Velocity ◽

Angle Of Repose ◽

Engineering Properties ◽

Pine Nut ◽

Length Width ◽

Glass Surfaces

Moisture-dependent engineering properties of pine nut were studied at 6.3, 8.2, 10.8, 14.5, 18.9, and 20.1% moisture content (dry basis). The length, width, thickness, and geometric mean diameter increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 21.75 to 21.85 mm, 7.39 to 7.47 mm, 6.07 to 6.14 mm, and 9.89 to 9.98 mm, respectively, with an increase in moisture content from 6.3% to 20.1%, whereas the increase in sphericity from 45.49% to 45.69% was not significant. Similarly, thousand seed mass, true density, porosity, terminal velocity, and angle of repose increased (P < 0.05) from 0.85 to 0.93 kg, 1043.3 to 1071 kg/m3, 41.31% to 44.57%, 8.67 to 8.83 m/s, and 35.4° to 39°, respectively, with an increase in moisture content under the experimental condition. Moreover, the bulk density decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 612.3 to 593.6 kg/m3. Coefficient of static friction increased (P < 0.05) from 0.251 to 0.292, 0.241 to 0.271, 0.227 to 0.262, and 0.218 to 0.247 on plywood, galvanized iron sheet, stainless steel, and glass surfaces, respectively, with an increase in moisture content from 6.3% to 20.1%.

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Seed Characteristics Diversity in Sponge Gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca Mill.) Germplasms from Hatay Region in Turkey

Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Horticulture ◽

10.15835/buasmvcn-hort:000118 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 75 (1) ◽

pp. 40

Author(s):

Kazım MAVİ ◽

Kazim GÜNDÜZ ◽

Dilek YILDIRIM ◽

Fulya UZUNOĞLU

Keyword(s):

Core Collection ◽

Gene Pools ◽

Seed Traits ◽

Seed Shape ◽

Seed Length ◽

Mini Core Collection ◽

Wide Range ◽

Sponge Gourd ◽

Length Width ◽

Seed Characteristics

The objective of this study was to evaluate seed characteristics of sponge gourd, to establish a core collection of sponge gourd with the germplasm collected throughout the Hatay region. A mini-core collection was assessed for morphological performance and some seed traits. Substantial variations of seed characteristics: seed length, seed width, seed thickness (mm), seed index (length/width), seed size (length × width, mm2), seed colour, seed-coat surface, seed shape, seed wing, and 100-seed weight were investigated. Seed length, width and thickness were varied as 15.12-8.97 mm, 9.71-6.25 mm and 2.86-2.16 mm respectively. The seed sizes were determined from small (31 DÖ 06) to big (31 DE 04). Seed colours were ranged from black to white, even a brown colour like 07 MA 01. A hundred seed weights were observed as 16.43 g (31 AL 02) and 7.41 (31 DÖ 06). The results of dendrogram indicated that seed traits of the sponge gourd genotypes were separating in five groups. This collection of sponge gourds will be useful for the gene pools and a wide range of phenotypic variations to provide a good source of diversity for developing of sponge gourd cultivars in breeding programs.

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Latitudinal and Longitudinal Trends of Seed Traits Indicate Adaptive Strategies of an Invasive Plant

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2021.657813 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Lifeng Zhou ◽

Hongwei Yu ◽

Kaiwen Yang ◽

Li Chen ◽

Wandong Yin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Invasive Plants ◽

Performance Studies ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Adaptive Strategies ◽

Seed Morphology ◽

Ambrosia Artemisiifolia ◽

Functional Ecology ◽

Seed Traits ◽

Highly Correlated

Invasive plants may change their seed traits to adapt to the environment and facilitate their performance. Studies on variation in seed traits among populations of an invader along latitudes/longitudes may assist in revealing how invasive plants cope with variable climates. In this study, we collected seeds of 26 populations of the global invasive plant Ambrosia artemisiifolia along ranges spanning 23° latitudes and 20° longitudes that are highly correlated in its invasive range in China. We measured over 20 seed traits, including seed morphology, phytohormone, nutrients, and germination, and investigated how the climate along the latitudes affects those traits. We found that germination time was significantly delayed with increasing latitude and longitude, while the reversed patterns were true for the germination rate. From low to high latitude, seed size, abscisic acid, and fatty acid were increased, likely affecting seed germination. Our analysis further demonstrated that temperature is the dominant driver of the variability in seed traits and germination. Germination rates of larger seeds in cold ranges were lower, while smaller seeds from warm ranges germinated faster, likely indicating adaptive strategies of the invasive plant in seed trait functional ecology. Together, our findings provide new insights into understanding the seed adaptation strategies during the invasion process and the underlying physiological and biochemical mechanisms involved.

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Quantitative trait locus analysis of multiple agronomic traits in the model legume Lotus japonicus

Genome ◽

10.1139/g07-040 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 50 (7) ◽

pp. 627-637 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Takahiro Gondo ◽

Shusei Sato ◽

Kenji Okumura ◽

Satoshi Tabata ◽

Ryo Akashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Trait Locus ◽

Quantitative Trait ◽

Agronomic Traits ◽

Recombinant Inbred Lines ◽

Lotus Japonicus ◽

Seed Mass ◽

Chromosome 2 ◽

Seed Traits ◽

Model Legume ◽

Trait Locus

The first quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of multiple agronomic traits in the model legume Lotus japonicus was performed with a population of recombinant inbred lines derived from Miyakojima MG-20 × Gifu B-129. Thirteen agronomic traits were evaluated in 2004 and 2005: traits of vegetative parts (plant height, stem thickness, leaf length, leaf width, plant regrowth, plant shape, and stem color), flowering traits (flowering time and degree), and pod and seed traits (pod length, pod width, seeds per pod, and seed mass). A total of 40 QTLs were detected that explained 5%–69% of total variation. The QTL that explained the most variation was that for stem color, which was detected in the same region of chromosome 2 in both years. Some QTLs were colocated, especially those for pod and seed traits. Seed mass QTLs were located at 5 locations that mapped to the corresponding genomic positions of equivalent QTLs in soybean, pea, chickpea, and mung bean. This study provides fundamental information for breeding of agronomically important legume crops.

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Multi-Allelic Haplotype-Based Association Analysis Identifies Genomic Regions Controlling Domestication Traits in Intermediate Wheatgrass

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11070667 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 667

Author(s):

Prabin Bajgain ◽

James A. Anderson

Keyword(s):

Association Analysis ◽

Seed Mass ◽

Breeding Population ◽

Snp Markers ◽

Agricultural Landscapes ◽

Chromosome 8 ◽

Seed Length ◽

Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽

Haplotype Blocks ◽

Grain Crop

Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) is a perennial forage grass undergoing a rigorous domestication as a grain crop. As a young grain crop, several agronomic and domestication traits need improvement for IWG to be relevant in current agricultural landscapes. This study genetically maps six domestication traits in the fourth cycle IWG breeding population at the University of Minnesota: height, seed length, seed width, shattering, threshability, and seed mass. A weak population structure was observed and linkage disequilibrium (r2) declined rapidly: 0.23 mega base pairs at conventional r2 value of 0.2. Broad-sense heritabilities were overall high and ranged from 0.71–0.92. Association analysis was carried out using 25,909 single SNP markers and 5379 haplotype blocks. Thirty-one SNP markers and 17 haplotype blocks were significantly associated with the domestication traits. These associations were of moderate effect as they explained 4–6% of the observed phenotypic variation. Ten SNP markers were also detected by the haplotype association analysis. One SNP marker on Chromosome 8, also discovered in haplotype block analysis, was common between seed length and seed mass. Increasing the frequency of favorable alleles in IWG populations via marker-assisted selection and genomic selection is an effective approach to improve IWG’s domestication traits.

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How regional climate and seed traits interact in shaping stress–tolerance of savanna seeds?

Seed Science Research ◽

10.1017/s0960258521000234 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Leandro C. Ribeiro ◽

Eduardo R. M. Barbosa ◽

Fabian Borghetti

Keyword(s):

Water Content ◽

Regional Climate ◽

Large Body ◽

Seed Mass ◽

Population Level ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Seed Traits ◽

Environmental Filters ◽

Regional Environment ◽

Germination Time

Abstract Functional traits related to regeneration responses to the environment are highly determinants of distribution patterns of plant communities. A large body of studies on seed traits suggests that regional climate may act as a strong filter of plant recruitment; however, few studies have evaluated the relative importance of seed traits and environmental filters for seed persistence at the population level. We tested the role of seed mass, water content and desiccation tolerance, as well as the germination time as proxies for seed tolerance to environmental filters (water deficit, heat shock and high temperatures) by comparing the response of tree species co-occurring in savannas located in different regions: Cerrado biome of Central Brazil and the Rio Branco savannas of northern Brazil. Seeds collected in savannas of Rio Branco showed a higher tolerance to environmental filters than those collected in savannas of the Cerrado. While the germination percentages largely varied in response to the treatments, the germination times were virtually unaffected by them, irrespective of seed origin, seed mass and water content. At the population level, the regional environment was a key determinant of seed tolerance to stress, irrespective of seed traits. Germination time was shown to represent a conservative seed trait and more linked to a species-specific germination strategy than to regional characteristics. Our results suggest that recruitment patterns of Cerrado savannas may be more impacted than Rio Branco savannas by the climate scenarios predicted for the future.

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