scholarly journals Seed Dispersal and Germination Traits of 70 Plant Species Inhabiting the Gurbantunggut Desert in Northwest China

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiliang Liu ◽  
Daoyuan Zhang ◽  
Xuejun Yang ◽  
Zhenying Huang ◽  
Shimin Duan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Gurbantunggut Desert ◽  
Seed Shape ◽  
Dispersal Syndromes ◽  
Gurbantünggüt Desert ◽  
Germination Traits

Seed dispersal and germination were examined for 70 species from the cold Gurbantunggut Desert in northwest China. Mean and range (3 orders of magnitude) of seed mass were smaller and narrower than those in other floras (5–8 orders of magnitude), which implies that selection favors relatively smaller seeds in this desert. We identified five dispersal syndromes (anemochory, zoochory, autochory, barochory, and ombrohydrochory), and anemochorous species were most abundant. Seed mass (F=3.50,P=0.01), seed size (F=8.31,P<0.01), and seed shape (F=2.62,P=0.04) differed significantly among the five dispersal syndromes and barochorous species were significantly smaller and rounder than the others. There were no significant correlations between seed mass (seed weight) (P=0.15), seed size (P=0.38), or seed shape (variance) (P=0.95) and germination percentage. However, germination percentages differed significantly among the dispersal syndromes (F=3.64,P=0.01) and seeds of ombrohydrochorous species had higher germination percentages than those of the other species. In the Gurbantunggut Desert, the percentage of species with seed dormancy was about 80%. In general, our studies suggest that adaptive strategies in seed dispersal and germination of plants in this area are closely related to the environment in which they live and that they are influenced by natural selection forces.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Diaspore Characteristics with Phylogeny, Life History Traits, and Their Ecological Adaptation of 150 Species from the Cold Desert of Northwest China

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Liang Liu ◽  
Dao-Yuan Zhang ◽  
Shi-Min Duan ◽  
Xi-Yong Wang ◽  
Ming-Fang Song
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Biological Characteristics ◽  
Ecological Adaptation ◽  
Gurbantunggut Desert ◽  
Cold Desert ◽  
Dispersal Syndromes ◽  
Gurbantünggüt Desert ◽  
The Relationship

Diaspore characteristics of 22 families, including 102 genera and 150 species (55 represented by seeds and 95 by fruits) from the Gurbantunggut Desert were analyzed for diaspore biological characteristics (mass, shape, color, and appendage type). The diaspore mass and shape were significantly different in phylogeny group (APG) and dispersal syndromes; vegetative periods significantly affected diaspore mass, but not diaspore shape; and ecotypes did not significantly affect diaspore mass and shape, but xerophyte species had larger diaspore mass than mesophyte species. Unique stepwise ANOVA results showed that variance in diaspore mass and shape among these 150 species was largely dependent upon phylogeny and dispersal syndromes. Therefore, it was suggested that phylogeny may constrain diaspore mass, and as dispersal syndromes may be related to phylogeny, they also constrained diaspore mass and shape. Diaspores of 85 species (56.67%) had appendages, including 26 with wings/bracts, 18 with pappus/hair, 14 with hooks/spines, 10 with awns, and 17 with other types of appendages. Different traits (mass, shape, color, appendage, and dispersal syndromes) of diaspore decided plants forming different adapted strategies in the desert. In summary, the diaspore characteristics were closely related with phylogeny, vegetative periods, dispersal syndromes, and ecotype, and these characteristics allowed the plants to adapt to extreme desert environments.

Characteristic on the Stability of Haloxylon Ammodendron Plantation in the Southern Fringe of Gurbantunggut Desert, Northwest China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qinghong Luo ◽  
Qimin Chen ◽  
Miao He ◽  
Na Li
Keyword(s):  
Northwest China ◽  
Gurbantunggut Desert ◽  
Haloxylon Ammodendron ◽  
Coordinated Development ◽  
Soil System ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Gurbantünggüt Desert ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Southern Fringe ◽  
System Coupling

Using chronosequence theory and method, the characteristics of vegetation-soil coupling and structure stability of Haloxylon ammodendron plantations in the southern fringe of Gurbantunggut Desert were analyzed. The results showed, the canopy storey of H. ammodendron plantation experienced three stages, rapid growth (the age of 7 to 20), then slow growth (the age of 20 to 28) and last decline (over the age of 28). The best natural regeneration started from 17-yr-old plantation. Vegetation-soil system coupling degree (C) and coupling coordinative degree (D) of plantations with different age were not one-to-one correspondence. The system of H. ammodendron plantations always stayed in disorder recession, vegetation and soil were prone to loss type during the process of sand-fixation. Five principal components evaluated that the first rank was 42-yr-old plantation. It was inferred that the trend of the vegetation and soil system was from senescence to harmonious development. So the trend of coordinated development between vegetation and soil would be promoted, if the artificial tending and management measures strengthened.

scholarly journals Effects of light availability and seed size on germination and initial growth of two congeneric species of Fabaceae

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcilio Fagundes ◽  
Pablo Cuevas-Reyes ◽  
Walter S. Araujo ◽  
Mauricio L. Faria ◽  
Henrique M. Valerio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
High Light Intensity ◽  
High Light ◽  
Congeneric Species ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Copaifera Langsdorffii

Background and Aims: Environmental factors can interact with plant life history to determinate the reproductive strategies of adult plants and seedling recruitment. We expect that widely distributed tree species produce heavier seed and with greater variation in seed size than shrubs of restricted geographic distribution. We also predict that widely distributed tree species should be capable to germinate and develop under variable range of light conditions, while sun-adapted shrubs should germinate and develop better under high light intensity. We used as models two congeneric species of Fabaceae. Copaifera langsdorffii is a widely distributed arboreal species and C oblongifolia is a shrub with restricted distribution. Methods: Seeds were collected from two plant species in a Cerrado vegetation area, northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The effects of light available on seed germination and seedling development was conducted in a germination chamber with controlled photoperiod, temperature and light intensity.Key results: The widely distributed tree (C. langsdorffii) had greater seed mass than the shrub (C. oblongifolia). Seeds of C. langsdorffii germinated faster under available high light, while the shrub C. oblongifolia seeds required less time to germinate under available low light and darkness. Under high light intensity, germination percentage of C. langsdorffii and C. oblongifolia seeds did not vary. However, seeds of the shrub showed a higher germination percentage under low light intensity and darkness. In general, seed mass showed a negative relationship with germination percentage, but this relationship varied in function of species and the availability of light. Copaifera langsdorffii seedlings had larger shoots and roots than C. oblongifolia. In contrast, the root:shoot ratio was higher in shrub than in tree species.Conclusions: Our results have important implications for understanding the patterns of distribution of two Copaifera species and explain the ability of C. oblongifolia to colonize disturbed areas.

Germination and seedling establishment in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.): An interaction between seed size, relative growth rate and seedling biomass

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
Babli Mog, J.D. Adiga M.G. Nayak and G.S. Mohana
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Unit Leaf ◽  
Seedling Biomass

<p>Seeds of cashew were used to determine the effect of seed mass (5.2 to 7.8 g) on germination, seedling emergence and growth<br />under nursery conditions. Germination percentage and germination time showed significant correlation with seed mass. Large<br />sized seeds had higher germination percentage (81.6%) and produced more vigorous seedlings. Per cent seedling emergence was<br />related to seed mass with large sized seeds exhibited faster emergence. Seed mass significantly affected seedling survival and<br />survival rate was high in seedlings arising from large sized seeds (62.9%). Seedling vigor expressed in terms of shoot and root<br />length, leaf number, leaf area and total dry matter was significantly affected by seed mass. Seedlings that emerged from large sized<br />seeds showed better growth and produced heavier seedlings as compared to medium sized seeds. RGR showed significant variation<br />(0.152 to 0.240 g g-1day-1) among two seed size classes positively correlated with seed mass, leaf area (LA), unit leaf rate per unit<br />leaf area (ULRM), root to shoot ratio (R/S) and root mass ratio (RMR) and negatively with stem mass ratio (SMR). The study<br />concluded that the seed mass and RGR have influence on seedling growth and success of seedling establishment in cashew.</p>

Variations in seed mass variation and spatial distribution pattern in the Gurbantunggut Desert

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (23) ◽  
Author(s):  
王琳 WANG Lin ◽  
刘彤 LIU Tong ◽  
韩志全 HAN Zhiquan ◽  
刘华峰 LIU Huafeng ◽  
陈正霞 CHEN Zhenxia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Distribution Pattern ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Spatial Distribution Pattern ◽  
Gurbantunggut Desert ◽  
Mass Variation ◽  
Gurbantünggüt Desert ◽  
Seed Mass Variation

scholarly journals Temperature but not moisture response of germination shows phylogenetic constraints while both interact with seed mass and lifespan

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabien Arène ◽  
Laurence Affre ◽  
Aggeliki Doxa ◽  
Arne Saatkamp
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Base Temperature ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Negative Relation ◽  
Germination Timing ◽  
Germination Traits ◽  
Base Water Potential

AbstractUnderstanding how plant traits interact with climate to determine plant niches is decisive for predicting climate change impacts. While lifespan and seed size modify the importance of germination timing, germination traits such as base temperature and base water potential directly translate climatic conditions into germination timing, impacting performance in later life stages. Yet we do not know how base temperature, base water potential, seed mass, lifespan and climate are related. We tested the relationships between base temperature and base water potential for germination, seed size and lifespan while controlling for bioclimatic regions. We also quantified the phylogenetic signal in germination traits and seed size using Pagel's λ. We used a worldwide data set of germination responses to temperature and moisture, seed size and lifespan of 240 seed plants from 49 families. Both germination temperature and moisture are negatively related to seed size. Annual plants show a negative relation between seed size and base water potential, whereas perennials display a negative relation between base temperature and seed mass. Pagel's λ highlighted the slow evolution of base temperature for germination, comparable to seed mass while base water potential was revealed to be labile. In the future, base water potential and seed mass can be used when moisture niches of plants are to be predicted. Lifespan, seed size and base temperature should be taken into account when analysing thermal limits of species distributions.

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