喀什霸王的结实和种子萌发特性

喀什霸王(Zygophyllum kaschgaricum)是生长于中国新疆南部荒漠环境的稀有种及二级保护植物。当前, 该物种在自然种群中呈分散式及片段化分布, 且种群密度低, 种群老龄化较严重。因此, 为了了解该物种种子萌发特性及其对荒漠环境的响应, 该文采用室内控制实验方法, 对该物种的自然坐果率、结籽率、种子吸水特性、种子休眠和萌发特性及对干旱胁迫的响应进行了比较研究。结果表明: 喀什霸王在自然种群中的坐果率及结籽率较低, 且种子的败育率较高。不同干藏时间种子的吸水速率间存在显著差异; 随着干藏时间的延长, 种子的吸水率逐步增强。刚成熟的种子在不同温度及光周期下均可萌发; 其中高温(10/20 ℃, 20/30 ℃)及黑暗条件下的萌发率比低温(10/5 ℃, 5/2 ℃)及光照条件下的萌发率高。不同干藏时间的种子在不同浓度赤霉素(GA₃)下的萌发率均较高; 但低温储藏时间对该物种种子的打破休眠及萌发率没有促进作用。以上结果说明该物种存在非深度生理休眠; 而干藏时间、高温且黑暗及高浓度(50 mmoloL ^-1) GA₃是打破休眠及促进种子萌发的最合适条件。高温条件下的干旱胁迫对喀什霸王种子萌发具有抑制作用; 春季和秋季降水量决定种子的萌发率。总之, 喀什霸王种子在物候上表现出的春秋季萌动及非深度生理休眠以提高幼苗存活力及保障种群稳定性, 是一种对新疆南部干旱及高温胁迫荒漠环境的适应策略。     

巴茅草水浸提液对3种作物种子萌发及幼苗生长的化感作用

本文以发芽率、发芽速度指数、发芽指数、根长、茎长和生物量为种子萌发和幼苗生长参数,研究不同生长时期巴茅草叶片和茎秆水浸提液对白菜、生菜、水稻的化感作用。结果表明: 巴茅草叶水浸提液化感作用强于茎秆水浸提液,叶水浸提液处理后受体植物的发芽指数和生物量均显著低于茎水浸提液。枯萎期巴茅草的化感作用强于生长旺盛期。不同浓度巴茅草叶水浸提液对3种作物的化感作用存在明显的量效关系,浸提液浓度越高,巴茅草的化感抑制作用越强。巴茅草叶水浸提液对白菜和生菜各萌发指标100%抑制的浓度分别为0.075和0.10 g·mL^-1;而0.10 g·mL^-1巴茅草叶水浸提液对水稻发芽率、发芽速度指数、发芽指数的抑制率分别为13.8%、27.2%、19.3%。巴茅草叶水浸提液对白菜和生菜各生长指标100%抑制的浓度分别为0.05和0.10 g·mL^-1;而0.10 g·mL^-1巴茅草叶水浸提液对水稻根长、茎长、生物量的抑制率分别为64.6%、92.9%、21.8%。结合种子萌发和幼苗生长的综合化感指数,3种供试作物对巴茅草化感作用的敏感程度为白菜>生菜>水稻。     

Canopy seed storage in woody plants

The retention of seeds in the plant canopy for one to 30 years or more is termed serotiny. It is well represented floristically and physiognomically in fire-prone, nutrient-poor and seasonally-dry sclerophyll vegetation in Australia, and to a lesser extent, South Africa followed by North America. While the seed-storing structures vary greatly, all will release their propagules following exposure to the heat of a fire (pyriscence). This phenomenon can be contrasted with seed release at maturity (non-storage) and soil storage of seeds. Although the evolutionary requirements for serotiny are clear, its adaptive advantages over other seed storage syndromes are largely the subject of conjecture in the absence of comparative experiments. Nine hypotheses were assessed here. Canopy storage maximises the quantity of seeds available for the next post-fire generation (unlike non-storage). Synchronized post-fire release satiates post-dispersal granivores (unlike non-storage and soil storage) and ensures arrival on a seed bed conducive to seedling recruitment (unlike non-storage). Canopy stored seeds are better insulated from the heat of a fire than non-stored, and probably soil-stored, seeds. Fluctuating annual seed crops, the opportunity for post-fire wind-dispersal, the possible advantages of dense stands of adults, short lifespan of the dispersed seeds and their optimal location in the soil for germination have only a limited role in explaining the advantages of serotiny. It is concluded that canopy seed storage is favoured in regions where seed production is restricted and inter-fire establishment and maturation are unlikely. In addition, these regions have a reliable seasonal rainfall and are subjected to intense fires at intervals occurring within the reproductive lifespan of the species.     

Germination variability and the effect of various pre-treatment on germination in the perennial spurge Euphorbia nicaeensis All.

Patterns of seed germination of the perennial spurge Euphorbia nicaeensis were studied in three populations in south-western Spain. We investigated the variation in seed viability and germination among individuals, and among populations over 2 consecutive years. We also studied if diverse factors such as temperature, acid scarification, darkness or caruncle loss affect the germination of the seeds.

Interindividual and interpopulation variability in seed viability was found. E. nicaeensis seeds are nondormant, so differences in interpopulation viability translate into differences in final germination rates. The germination percentage of the seeds from each population was similar in the 2 years studied. The effects of diverse factors were homogeneous in the two populations studied. Darkness has no effect on seed germination, and ecarunculate seeds germinated in the same proportions as carunculate seeds; this could allow the seeds to germinate in the chambers of deserted anthills. Acid scarification significantly reduced the germination percentage in only one of the populations, but over 50% of the seeds germinated, which could allow herbivores to act as occasional dispersing agents. The seeds that were preheated at 100 °C for 1 and 5 min germinated in the same proportions as the control group. The seeds that were preheated at 120 °C for 5 min displayed a significant decrease in germination, but the percentage was over 40% for both populations, indicating that the seeds could still germinate after the passage of a fire.     

Fire, soil fertility and delayed seed release: a community analysis of the degree of serotiny

Delayed seed release (serotiny) is a convergent plant trait in fire-prone regions of the world but explaining the degree of serotiny has remained elusive because of the paucity of community data. Selective forces involving seed predators, fire and soil nutrients have been suggested as factors influencing serotiny. We tested whether protection of seeds and/or synchronized dispersal were associated with different levels of serotiny and if resprouting ability influences selection for strong serotiny. We compared the numbers and abundance of 146 woody species with delayed dispersal among five community types varying in combinations of fire severity, fire frequency, soil fertility and seed predators. The strength of the relationship between levels of serotiny and environmental factors was tested among community types ranging from rainforests to heathlands. Highest levels of serotiny were recorded in low nutrient shrublands with intermediate fire return intervals that burn at high severity, while the lowest were recorded in high nutrient, low flammability forests. Both protection of seeds and synchronized seed release were related to fire effects in nutrient-limited environments. Strong serotiny is prominent in species killed by fire whereas weak serotiny is more common in resprouting species. Recruitment failure in the inter-fire interval appears to drive selection for strong maternal care of seeds and synchronized seed dispersal in fire-prone environments. Weak serotiny is proposed as a bet-hedging strategy that relies on resprouting after fire for population persistence and higher probability of inter-fire recruitment. The spectrum of serotiny (weak to strong) in these communities is proposed to be driven by the interactive effect of both fire and soil nutrients on the selection for delayed seed dispersal.     

Maintenance costs of serotiny do not explain weak serotiny

Considerable variation in the duration of serotiny exists among species of both Australian and South African Proteaceae. ‘Weak’ serotiny (pre‐fire loss after <3 years) could be dictated by the costs (water or carbon) of cone/fruit retention or by benefits accruing from pre‐fire seed establishment. We determined that cones/fruits of a range of Australian and south western Cape Proteaceae species (Leucadendron xanthoconus, Aulax umbellata, L. linifolium, L. gandogeri, Hakea drupacea, H. sericea) are not sealed dead wood, but that they continuously lose H₂O and CO₂. Water loss from cones/fruits was poorly controlled, occurring in both light and dark. The rates of both H₂O and CO₂ loss from mature cones/fruits were negatively correlated with the degree of serotiny (r² = 0.59 and 0.18, respectively, P < 0.001 both). However, the amounts of H₂O and CO₂ lost per weight were small relative to the fluxes from leaves (13–29% for H₂O and 3–10% for CO₂). The [N] and [P] in the cones/fruits and seeds was substantial. Despite 25% of N and 38% of P being recovered from the cones/fruits following maturation, the loss of the cones/fruits and seeds would still incur a substantial nutrient cost. The seed [P] was positively correlated with the degree of serotiny (r² = 0.24, P = 0.001). We suggest that maintenance costs (water and carbon) of serotiny, although exceeding those of soil stored seeds, are relatively low. The correlation between the degree of serotiny and seed [P] indicates that stronger serotiny is required, much like sclerophylly, for survival under low nutrient availability in frequently burnt vegetation.     

Seed weight and germination behavior of the submerged plant Potamogeton pectinatus in the arid zone of northwest China

Variation in seed weight is common within and among plant species, but few studies have attempted to document the pattern of seed weight and germination attributes for aquatic macrophytes at a large scale. This study examined within‐species variation in seed weight and germination attributes and the effects of environmental factors on seed traits of the submerged plant Potamogeton pectinatus in the arid zone of northwest China. Our results showed that the average seed weight was 0.24 g per 100 seeds with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 28.4% among the eight P. pectinatus populations. The total germination fraction of seeds of P. pectinatus was relatively poor, less than 35% in seven P. pectinatus populations, and the lowest germination percentage found was only 2%. There were significant differences in seed weight, time to onset of germination, and total germination fraction among the eight different populations. Hierarchical partitioning analysis showed a strongly positive correlation between seed weight and water temperature and pH. Seed weight and the maternal environmental factors significantly affected both time to initiation of germination and total germination fraction. Our results suggest that (1) seed weight variation in P. pectinatus primarily is the result of temperature variation during fruit development; (2) relatively poor germination fraction suggests that seeds are relatively unimportant in the short‐term survival of populations and that it may be another adaptive trait allowing plants to take place in the right place and at the right time, especially in harsh environment; and (3) variation in seed germination traits should be determined by local environmental and intrinsic factors that interact in a complex fashion.     

不同天然居群小檗种子萌发障碍因子研究

以西天山野果林霍城居群、新源居群和特克斯居群黑果小檗以及特克斯居群红果小檗种子为试验材料,研究了4组野生小檗种子生物学特性、吸水特性以及去种皮、低温层积和不同浓度GA₃处理对小檗种子休眠与萌发特性的影响,结果表明：（1）4组野生小檗种子的吸水率均表现出逐渐增加的趋势,黑果小檗种子与红果小檗种子吸水率差异不明显,其种皮透水透气性相似;（2）霍城居群、新源居群和特克斯居群黑果小檗种子的种皮对萌发存在强烈的抑制作用;而新源居群红果小檗种子的种皮抑制作用不明显;（3）4℃低温层积处理对4组野生小檗种子萌发影响很大,随层积时间的增加小檗种子发芽率均逐渐提高,3组黑果小檗种子层积90 d时,休眠基本被解除;红果小檗种子层积30 d时,休眠基本被解除;（4）浓度为200 mg·L^-1的GA₃溶液处理可显著提高4组小檗种子发芽率,浓度过高或过低均会对小檗种子萌发起到抑制作用。层积60 d时霍城居群、新源居群和特克斯居群黑果小檗去种皮种子用200 mg·L^-1的GA₃溶液处理2 h后,发芽率分别为85.00%、83.33%和86.67%;红果小檗层积15 d时去种皮种子用浓度为200 mg·L^-1的GA₃溶液处理后,发芽率可达86.67%。研究结果将为今后野生小檗的种质资源保护,利用及可持续发展提供技术支持和科学依据。     

密度、物种比例对盐沼植物种子萌发阶段种内、种间相互作用的影响

种间相互作用是影响湿地植物群落构建的关键因子,其形式、强度和机制可能随着生长发育的过程而发生改变。种子萌发是植物生命周期的关键环节,一定程度上决定了植物种群分布和群落结构。野外种子萌发过程受到邻近同种或异种种子间相互作用的影响,但对于种子萌发过程中种内、种间相互作用强度及其影响因素的了解仍十分有限。该研究通过培养皿萌发实验探讨了种子密度(每皿80粒、每皿160粒)及比例(单种、3:1混种、2:2混种、1:3混种)对互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)、海三棱藨草(Scirpus×mariqueter)、芦苇(Phragmites australis)种子萌发率、平均萌发时间的影响,并采用相对邻株效应(RNE)评估了这3个物种的种内、种间相互作用强度。结果表明,密度对互花米草、海三棱藨草、芦苇种子的萌发率均有一定的促进作用。与互花米草混种时,芦苇种子在占比最低(25%)处理下的平均萌发时间显著长于单种及其他混种比例处理。3种植物种子的竞争能力没有明确的等级关系,存在非传递性竞争,萌发时海三棱藨草相对互花米草具有一定的竞争优势,互花米草相对芦苇具有一定优势,而芦苇的竞争能...     

SEED MORTALITY IN DAUCUS CAROTA POPULATIONS: LATITUDINAL EFFECTS

Daucus carota, a common herbaceous weed, grows over a wide latitudinal range in eastern North America. Viability and germination tests of mature seeds collected from 36° to 45°N were conducted to measure predispersal seed mortality. Viability and germination declined as latitude of the seed source decreased. Only 30–50% of the seeds from southern populations germinated owing to high embryo inviability and absence of embryos. Sixty to ninety percent of the seeds from northern populations germinated. Reciprocal planting of seeds in outdoor experimental plots at three latitudes and testing of seeds over two generations together showed that the environment in which seeds mature, rather than environmental preconditioning over generations or genetically-based differences among populations, explain this variation in germination ability. Within-latitude germination declined in experimental plots as population age of the seed source within latitudes increased. The data indicate that predispersal seed mortality can influence local population persistence and that seed mortality is an increasingly important factor in population regulation at the southern limit of the species’ range.     

Increased canopy seed-storage in post-fire pine invaders suggests rapid selection mediated by fire

Exotic species storing seeds in the canopy (serotinous species) can experience a clear advantage in fire-prone communities that lack native taxa with such fire-resistant traits. In addition, selection in the new environment can potentially increase the frequency of fire-adapted characteristics such as serotiny. We studied the potential role of fire favoring the serotinous, non-native conifer Pinus radiata in NW Patagonia. We characterized the degree of serotiny (percentage of serotinous cones) and the size of the canopy seed bank in the unburned plantation and in stands of trees recruited after a fire 30 years ago as a proxy for invasion potential. Fire had a positive effect, increasing serotiny in post-fire P. radiata stands. Post-fire recruited cohorts showed higher serotiny levels and a larger canopy seed bank compared with plantations. Our study suggests that fire-linked traits like serotiny may be subjected to a rapid, fire-driven selection process in fire-adapted species such as P. radiata invading fire-prone ecosystems. Thus, increased serotiny can lead to higher postfire invasion densities, which in turn create a positive feedback loop in invaded areas under recurrent fires.     

No effect of transgene and strong wild parent effects on seed dormancy in crop–wild hybrids of rice: implications for transgene persistence in wild populations

Soil seed banks act as a gene pool for local plant species and, as such, can buffer local populations, especially those experiencing challenging environmental conditions. Seed dormancy has important implications to dynamics of soil seed banks. Therefore, estimating the seed dormancy of transgenic crop–wild hybrids could shed light on the persistence of transgenes in wild‐plant soil seed banks. Individuals from eight populations of wild rice Oryza rufipogon were crossed with those of three insect‐resistant transgenic rice lines. Selfed (F2–F4) and backcrossed populations (BC1, BC1F2 and BC1F3) were then made from the hybrids. Seed germination was tested under three treatments: (a) normal; (b) overwintering in soil; and (c) one‐week heat‐shocking. The effects of transgene, wild parent and hybrid generation on hybrid seed germination were examined. No significant effect of insect‐resistant transgenes (Bt and CpTI) was detected on the seed dormancy of crop–wild hybrids, while a significant wild parent effect was found. The seeds of advanced generation hybrids have higher germination percentages and lower dormancy than do those of F1 and BC1 generations. The study showed that the dormancy of hybrid seeds was determined mainly by their genetic backgrounds. All hybrid seeds have higher germination percentages and lower dormancy (and, consequently, a poorer overwintering ability), compared with wild seeds, and reduce dormancy would contribute to a fitness disadvantage, compared with wild types. Therefore, such seeds might form part of naturally occurring soil seed banks, through which crop genes would persist in wild populations.     

Enhanced seed defenses potentially relax selection by seed predators against serotiny in lodgepole pine

Serotiny, the retention of seeds in a canopy seed bank until high temperatures cause seeds to be released, is an important life history trait for many woody plants in fire‐prone habitats. Serotiny provides a competitive advantage after fire but increases vulnerability to predispersal seed predation, due to the seeds being retained in clusters in predictable locations for extended periods. This creates opposing selection pressures. Serotiny is favored in areas of high fire frequency, but is selected against by predispersal seed predators. However, predation also selects for cone traits associated with seed defense that could reduce predation on serotinous cones and thereby relax selection against serotiny. This helps explain the elevated defenses in highly serotinous species. However, whether such interactions drive variation in seed defenses within variably serotinous populations has been studied rarely. We investigated the effects of phenotypic selection exerted by red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) predation on Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta latifolia) seeds. Squirrels preferentially harvested cones with more and larger seeds, indicating a preference for a higher food reward. We found evidence for stronger selection on trees with serotinous cones, which presumably accounts for the elevated defenses of and lower predation on serotinous compared to non‐serotinous cones. Lower levels of predation on serotinous cones in turn lessen selection against serotiny by squirrels. This has important implications because the frequency of serotiny in lodgepole pine has profound consequences for post‐fire communities and ecosystems widespread in the Rocky Mountains.     

钠盐胁迫对河西走廊荒漠绿洲过渡带典型一年生草本植物种子萌发的影响

研究不同浓度盐分(NaCl和NaHCO₃,0、40、80、120、160和200 mmol·L^-1)对6种河西走廊荒漠绿洲边缘人工林典型一年生草本植物(禾本科:狗尾草、虎尾草和小画眉草;藜科:雾冰藜、刺沙蓬和蒙古虫实)种子在当年秋季和次年春季的萌发和复萌的影响。结果表明: NaCl和NaHCO₃对6种植物种子的萌发有显著影响,NaHCO₃对种子萌发的抑制作用大于NaCl。NaHCO₃浓度达到160 mmol·L^-1时,6种植物基本不萌发或萌发率较低;NaCl浓度达到200 mmol·L^-1时,6种植物仍能够保持相对较高的萌发率。种子当年秋季萌发率(2.8%～20.0%)远低于次年春季萌发率(21.7%～81.6%),秋季复萌率(3.3%～20.0%)低于春季复萌率(5.0%～41.1%),当年生种子秋季多保持休眠,次年春季休眠减弱。6种一年生草本植物种子的耐盐性为:虎尾草＞狗尾草＞刺沙蓬＞雾冰藜＞蒙古虫实＞小画眉草。     

壳斗科三种植物种子大小对昆虫寄生及种子存活率的影响

种子内的寄生昆虫可以严重影响种子的发育、损害种子活力。种子足余策略理论认为大种子有利于抵御和适应昆虫寄生取食,但动物最优觅食理论推测,大种子更易遭受昆虫寄生。为对这两种对立观点进行验证,本实验以青冈、苦槠和麻栎各2个种群的种子为材料,对昆虫寄生与完好种子间的体积和萌发率进行比较,并对寄生种子萌发率与种子体积的关系进行了分析。结果显示:(1)在6个种群的种子中,只有松阳麻栎和青冈种群的寄生种子体积大于完好种子,其余4个种群的寄生种子体积小于完好种子,但这种差异不显著;(2)所有寄生种子的整体萌发率(18%)显著低于完好种子(45.66%)(P<0.001),在不同种群内,寄生种子的萌发率也分别显著低于完好种子。(3)比较同种植物体积差异显著的寄生种子的萌发率发现,大种子总比小种子具有更高的萌发率,但差异不显著;在不同植物的寄生种子间比较时,体积最大的麻栎种子萌发率显著高于体积较小的青冈和苦槠种子。研究结果表明,象虫在种子上产卵时对大种子没有选择偏好,在昆虫寄生取食严重损害种子活力的压力下,大种子比小种子具有更强的耐受力。     

Interaction between algae and seed germination in tropical dune slack species: a facilitation process

The importance of algae dune slack stabilisation has been extensively analysed, but little has been done regarding their potentially favourable role in germination and establishment of phanerogams. Dune slack is a seasonal freshwater habitat that depends on water table level fluctuation. Our hypothesis is that in these highly unpredictable systems, algae maintain a certain degree of humidity in the soil and, thus, permit phanerogam germination and establishment. The objective of this study was to compare the germination of four species characteristic of tropical dune systems: Cyperus articulatus L., Fimbristylis cymosa R. Br., Fuirena simplex Vahl and Rhynchospora colorata (L.) Pfeiffer, in different substrates and degrees of humidity. For germination trials, seeds of the four species were placed each on three substrates: in sand (control), filamentous algae on sand and cotton on sand. Two irrigation protocols were followed: continual watering (wet treatment) and weekly watering (dry treatment). Each week during a 21-week period, the number of germinated seeds from each species was recorded. The highest percentage of germination for the four species was observed during wet treatment. C. articulatus had the highest germination rate of the four species in algae (70%), and cotton (51%) on sand. Highest germination for F. simplex, F. cymosa and R. colorata took place in algae, although the percentages were very low. Differences in germination between the three substrates for these species were statistically significant (P<0.05). During dry treatment, C. articulatus was the only species that exhibited a significant germination, principally in algae and cotton. The results suggest that algae maintain substrate humidity and favour germination of the four species. This could be important in sand dune slacks where marked fluctuations in temperature and humidity occur.     

Jack pine of all trades: Deciphering intraspecific variability of a key adaptive trait at the rear edge of a widespread fire-embracing North American conifer

Premise

Understanding mechanisms fostering long-term persistence of marginal populations should provide key insights about species resilience facing climate change. Cone serotiny is a key adaptive trait in Pinus banksiana (jack pine), which shows phenotypic variation according to the fire regime. Compared to range-core populations within the fire-prone boreal forest, low and variable serotiny in rear-edge populations suggest local adaptation to uncommon and unpredictable wildfire regime. We assessed environmental/physiological factors that might modulate intraspecific variation in cone serotiny.

Methods

We experimentally subjected closed cones to incrementing temperatures, then tested seed germination to determine whether and how various ecological factors (cone age, branch height, tree size, tree age) are related to cone dehiscence and seed viability in jack pines from rear-edge and range-core populations in eastern Canada.

Results

Cones from rear-edge populations dehisce at a lower opening temperature, which increases with cone age. Cones from range-core stands open at a more constant, yet higher temperature. Cones from rear-edge stands take between 13 and 27 years to reach the level of serotiny achieved at the range core. At the rear edge, seed viability is steady (51%), whereas it decreases from 70% to 30% in 20 years at the range core.

Conclusions

We inferred the mechanisms of a bet-hedging strategy in rear-edge populations, which ensures steady recruitment during fire-free intervals and successful postfire regeneration. This capacity to cope with infrequent and unpredictable fire regime should increase the resilience of jack pine populations as global changes alter fire dynamics of the boreal forest.     

Seed dormancy and longevity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stipa tenacissima</Emphasis> L. (Poaceae)

In the present paper we studied the life history traits related to seed germination of Stipa tenacissima, a key species in semiarid environments of western Mediterranean areas. S. tenacissima is a perennial tussock grass, which has traditionally been considered to expand mainly by vegetative propagation with little or no sexual reproduction. We analysed seed longevity as well as the type of seed dormancy and the role of the seed covers from seeds collected from different populations in SE Spain. We also studied the variation in seed germinability among populations, individuals, and years and the ability of seeds of S. tenacissima to form soil seed banks. There was significant variation in seed germination among individuals, populations and years. Lemma and palea were the main factor controlling these differences since their removal promoted higher and faster germination and eliminated the differences in germination parameters among populations. However, the control of dormancy by lemma and palea was independent of their weight, suggesting that their chemical nature plays a more important role than does size in controlling seed germination. Mechanical scarification treatments (via abrasion with sand) did not affect seed germination. The decay in seed germinability two years after seed collection and the low density of viable seeds in soils one year after seed dispersal indicated that S. tenacissima forms transient soil seed banks.     

Population genetics and evolutionary history of Miscanthus species in China

Miscanthus species have received considerable attention as a potential biomass source for renewable energy production because of their ability to produce high yields of biomass and adapt to a wide range of climates and soils. To explore the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of Miscanthus species in China, we used 24 simple sequence repeat markers to genotype 100 natural populations representing all four Chinese Miscanthus species (M. sinensis Andersson, M. floridulus (Lab.) Warb. ex K. Schum. & Lauterb., M. sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Hack., and M. lutarioriparius L. Liu ex Renvoize & S. L. Chen). Based on phylogenetic, principal coordinate, and Structure analyses, we found that the 100 populations formed two major groups corresponding to sect. Triarrhena and sect. Miscanthus. Group 1 (i.e., sect. Triarrhena) was further subdivided into two subgroups corresponding to M. sacchariflorus and M. lutarioriparius; Group 2 (i.e., sect. Miscanthus) was subdivided into three subgroups, group 2a (M. sinensis populations in southern China), group 2b (M. sinensis populations in northern China), and group 2c (all the M. floridulus populations). Population genetics analyses indicated high levels of the genetic diversity at both population (H_E = 0.468–0.599) and species (H_E = 0.559–0.708) levels, indicative of the potential of these wild resources in future breeding programs. The species distribution modeling showed that M. sacchariflorus and M. lutarioriparius have experienced population reductions during the last glacial maximum and population expansion afterward; in contrast, M. sinensis and M. floridulus both underwent gradual population expansions from the last interglaciation to the present. We also suggest that M. floridulus originated from M. sinensis in southeast China through ecological speciation. The understanding of the evolutionary history and population dynamics of these species not only provides valuable information for further genetic improvement and breeding of this energy crop but also gives important insights into the origin and speciation processes of the Miscanthus species.     

珙桐—灯台树枝和叶的水提物对白菜种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感效应

为了证实珙桐（Davidia involucrata）及其伴生树种灯台树（Bothrocaryum controversum）是否会通过化感作用影响其他植物的种子萌发和幼苗生长,以维持二者长期稳定的伴生关系,本研究以平武县野生珙桐及灯台树的枝、叶水提液为材料来源,以白菜（Brassica pekinensi）的种子为受体,探究2种植物的枝、叶及其混合后的5种质量浓度（0、0.025、0.050、0.075、0.100 g·mL^-1）水提液对白菜的种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响,结果表明：①珙桐和灯台树的枝水提液对白菜种子萌发影响较小,对幼苗生长有显著促进作用且随质量浓度增加而增大（P＜0.05）。②珙桐和灯台树的叶水提液对白菜种子萌发均具有显著抑制作用（P＜0.05）,但对幼苗生长的影响各不相同。前者呈现随质量浓度增加的“低促高抑”现象,而后者呈现随质量浓度增加“抑制增加”的特点。③不同来源的枝—叶混合的水提液对白菜种子萌发均表现出显著的抑制作用（P＜0.05）,但对幼苗生长均随质量浓度增加表现出“低促高抑”特点。上述结果证实了珙桐和灯台树枝、叶水提液对同一受体植物的种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感作用确实存在差异,树种、部位和质量浓度不同均会导致化感作用的强度和方向不同。这种现象可能是植物在群落中为了维持稳定的种间关系而长期进化的结果。