低温弱光对辣椒幼苗光合特性与光合作用启动时间的影响

以辣椒(Capsicum annuumL.)幼苗为试材,研究了偏低温弱光(19℃/12℃昼/夜,90μmol?m-2?s-1)和临界低温弱光(15℃/8℃昼/夜,90μmol?m-2?s-1)胁迫10 d后的光合特性与光合作用启动时间的变化.结果表明:无论是在偏低温弱光还是在临界低温弱光下,辣椒幼苗的光补偿点(LCP)、光饱和点(LSP)、光饱和时的光合速率(Amax)和表观量子产额(AOY)下降;CO2补偿点(CCP)升高,而CO2饱和点(CSP)、CO2饱和时的光合速率(Amax)以及羧化效率(CE)下降;温度补偿点(TCP)降低;光合作用启动时间(STP)延长.在偏低温弱光下,辣椒幼苗有着更高的光与CO2利用能力和利用效率,光合作用启动时间较短,但温度补偿点较高.     

遮荫处理对秋枫幼苗生理生态特性的影响

为了解遮荫对秋枫(Bischofia javanica)幼苗生长的影响,对夏季1年生秋枫幼苗在4种遮荫(透光率分别为自然光的100%、41.3%、14.6%和3.6%)处理150 d后的生理指标变化进行了研究。结果表明,1年生秋枫幼苗的光补偿点(LCP)、光饱和点(LSP)和暗呼吸速率(Rd)随着遮荫程度加重而减小,表观量子效率(AQY)则增大,净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和胞间CO_2浓度(Ci)的日变化表明秋枫有明显的"午休"现象,遮荫引起光合速率降低的主要原因是非气孔限制,而全光照条件下则是气孔限制。叶绿素、可溶性糖含量随遮荫程度的增大呈先升后降的变化趋势;相对电导率、丙二醛(MDA)含量、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性则呈先降后升的趋势,以41.3%透光率的最小;可溶性蛋白质含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性随遮荫程度的增大而降低。因此,秋枫幼苗主要通过提高Pn、抗氧化酶活性(SOD和CAT)、叶绿素含量,降低LSP、LCP和Rd,增大AQY来提高弱光利用能力;适度遮荫(41.3%NS)更有利于1年生秋枫幼苗在夏季的生长。     

濒危植物银缕梅(Parrotia subaequalis)不同径级个体的光合能力差异与更新限制

银缕梅(Parrotia subaequalis)是我国华东地区特有种,属国家Ⅰ级濒危保护植物.分别于5月份与8月份采用Li-6400光合系统测定了江苏宜兴龙池大垅西芥银缕梅种群内大 (胸径＞10 cm)、中 (2 cm＜胸径≤10 cm)、幼 (胸径≤2 cm) 3个径级个体的光合生理参数、光合-光强响应曲线及光环境因子,探讨了不同径级个体的光合能力差异及其对种群更新的影响.结果表明:幼树最大净光合速率(Pnmax)、光饱和点(LSP)、光补偿点(LCP)和暗呼吸速率(RD) 显著低于大树与中树,但比叶面积(SLA)显著高于大树及中树;低LCP、低RD与高SLA是银缕梅幼树对弱光环境做出的适应性反应.中树LSP仅为大树的二分之一,而其LCP与大树无明显差异,且显著高出幼树;中树LSP与LCP之间的光能利用区间极为狭窄;中树全天平均接受的RAR稍高于LCP,但远低于其LSP;同时,中树的SLA显著低于幼树与大树,致使中树全天碳同化总量严重不足.基于净光合速率(Pn)与光环境参数建立的逐步回归方程进一步证实了光合有效辐射(PAR)对Pn的贡献最大,是影响银缕梅光合碳同化能力的关键因子.由于幼树与中树受到大树遮荫,叶片上方的光合有效辐射均显著降低.尽管银缕梅幼苗在林下表现出较强的弱光适应能力,但在后期建成为中树的过程中,叶片形态与光合生理特性均表现出对遮萌环境的不适应,光资源不足构成银缕梅种群更新的主要限制因子,导致种群的中等径级个体急剧减少.人为干预以形成适宜的林窗环境,有利于银缕梅幼树的后期生长,并促进银缕梅种群的顺利更新.     

不同产地披针叶茴香光合特性对水分胁迫和复水的响应

为了探讨披针叶茴香(Illicium lanceolatum)对水分胁迫的响应,选用4个不同产地的披针叶茴香(浙江临安产地(LA)、浙江开化产地(KH)、江西武宁产地(WN)和福建南平产地(NP))盆栽幼苗为试验材料,采用Li-6400便携式光合作用测定仪对不同水分胁迫下幼苗光合特性进行测定.结果表明:随着水分胁迫强度增加,不同产地幼苗光饱和点(LSP)和光补偿点(LCP)值表现出不同程度的降低,最大净光合速率(Pmax)的变化趋势存在产地差异,基本为先升后降;而表观光量子效率(AQY)呈增加的趋势.在水分胁迫复水后,4个产地幼苗LSP、LCP、AQY和Pmax值与正常供水时存在显著差异(P＜0.05),WN、KH和LA幼苗LSP值大于正常供水;除NP幼苗外,其余产地幼苗LCP值均不同程度快速回升;KH和WN幼苗Pmax值高于正常供水,LA和NP幼苗Pmax低于正常供水;WN、KH和LA幼苗的AQY值均明显高于正常供水.表明披针叶茴香不同产地植株光合特性对光强和水分敏感性不同,WN产地植株对水分和光照的需求较广、适应能力较强,其次为NP产地,而浙江产地(KH、LA)植株对于水分的要求较高.水分胁迫下,披针叶茴香幼苗光合响应曲线亦存在差异,在低光范围(≤200 μmol· m-2·s-1)时,其净光合速率(Pn)光响应值主要受土壤水分影响,当光强增大时,光照负面影响大于水分影响.表明披针叶茴香生长需要适宜水分,但最需要适宜光照,土壤水分条件较低时需实施弱光栽培措施来缓和逆境胁迫.     

盐分和干旱对沙枣幼苗生理特性的影响

以沙枣(Elaeagnus angustifolia L.)幼苗为实验材料,分别对其进行轻度干旱(土壤含水量7%—9%)、重度干旱(土壤含水量3%—5%)、100 mmol/L NaCl以及100 mmol/L NaCl处理下不同程度的盐旱共胁迫处理,处理2周后测其生理指标,包括生长指标、光合指标、渗透调节指标以及复水后生长指标,研究盐旱共胁迫对沙枣幼苗生理特性的影响。结果表明:和对照相比,轻度干旱对沙枣幼苗的生物量没有显著影响,重度干旱处理明显降低了沙枣的生物量,无论是轻度干旱还是重度干旱,都显著降低了沙枣幼苗的净光合速率、K~+含量,显著增加了Na~+含量、脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量、有机酸含量、总酚和类黄酮含量;和对照相比,100 mmol/L NaCl处理显著降低了沙枣幼苗的生物量、净光合速率和K~+含量,显著增加了Na~+含量、脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量、有机酸含量、总酚和类黄酮含量;和盐处理相比,轻度干旱和盐分共胁迫对沙枣幼苗的各项指标没有显著差异,而重度干旱和盐分共胁迫明显降低了沙枣幼苗的生物量、净光合速率;复水一周后,只有轻度干旱可以回复到对照水平。以上结果表明,盐分和干旱处理明显抑制了沙枣幼苗的生长,轻度干旱和盐分共胁迫条件下,沙枣幼苗表现出一定的交叉适应现象,而重度干旱却加重了盐害。     

南亚热带五种树种幼苗光合特征

以降香黄檀(Dalbergia odorifera)、顶果木(Acrocarpus fraxinifolius)、格木(Erythrophleum fordii)、红锥(Castanopsis hystrix)和西南桦(Betula alnoides)等树种幼苗为研究对象,对其叶片的光合特征进行研究。结果表明,降香黄檀、西南桦与顶果木具有较高的光饱和点(LSP)及光补偿点(LCP),较为喜光;红锥及格木则具有较低的LCP及LSP,较为耐荫。降香黄檀和顶果木都具有较高的光饱和净光合速率(Amax),但降香黄檀的羧化效率(CE)最高,CO_2补偿点(CCP)最低,气孔导度(gs)及胞间CO_2浓度(Ci)却并不高,这表明其羧化酶较高的CO_2羧化能力是造成其较高Amax的主要原因;而顶果木则是CE、gs及Ci都较高,CCP较低,羧化酶羧化能力与CO_2提供能力都较强,因此光合能力较强。虽然西南桦有最高的gs及Ci,但较高的CCP及较低的CE限制了其光合能力;格木以及红锥则是gs、Ci与CE都较低,CCP较高,羧化能力与CO_2提供能力都较弱,因而光合能力较弱。     

盐胁迫对二色补血草光合生理生态特性的影响

以黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛贝壳沙为基质,及该岛上生长的优势草本植物二色补血草幼苗为材料,用不同浓度的NaCl溶液(0,50,100,200,300mmol/L)模拟盐胁迫处理30d,探讨二色补血草光合生理生态特性对盐胁迫的响应特征。结果表明:二色补血草对盐胁迫和光合有效辐射(PAR)具有较强的适应能力,在盐浓度为50～100mmol/L条件下,其净光合速率(Pn)、瞬时水分利用效率(WUE)、表观光能利用效率(LUE)、羧化效率(CE)、光饱和点(LSP)、表观量子效率(AQY)均达到最高值,光补偿点(LCP)最低,表明其在此盐分范围内,利用光的能力较强,光照生态幅最宽。当盐分浓度为300mmol/L时,其Pn、WUE、LUE、CE、LSP和AQY显著下降,LCP升高,Pn、Tr、Gs、WUE、LUE、CE对PAR的响应曲线与对照差异较大,即高盐胁迫加重了二色补血草对光的敏感性;WUE、LUE、CE的最优PAR和盐分范围存在一定的差异,低PAR下有利于光能的利用,中PAR下有利于水分的利用,高PAR下有利于CO2的利用;WUE对盐分的适应范围最大,CE其次,LUE最小。     

光强与水分处理下景宁木兰光合光响应模型拟合比较

采用5种数学模型(直角双曲线模型、非直角双曲线模型、二次函数模型、指数模型、直角双曲线修正模型)对不同光照与水分处理下景宁木兰(Magnolia sinostellata)幼苗光响应过程进行拟合分析,以期筛选出光照与水分胁迫下景宁木兰适宜的光响应模型。结果表明:(1)5种拟合模型对景宁木兰光响应过程拟合精度为:指数模型直角双曲线修正模型直角双曲线模型非直角双曲线模型二次函数模型。(2)光合参数的拟合效果表现为:指数模型对景宁木兰最大净光合速率(Pnmax)、光饱和点(LSP)进行求解较准确,直角双曲线修正模型对光补偿点(LCP)求解最佳,而暗呼吸速率(Rd)的结果采用非直角双曲线模型较为合理。(3)景宁木兰幼苗能适应一定的弱光及流动水环境,而深度遮阴及积水环境抑制景宁木兰幼苗的光合速率。     

干旱胁迫下胡杨光合光响应过程模拟与模型比较

以塔里木干旱荒漠区2年生胡杨幼苗为试材,盆栽模拟荒漠生境5种水分梯度,利用Li-6400便携式光合作用系统测定胡杨在干旱胁迫下光合作用的光响应过程,并采用4种光响应模型对其进行拟合与比较,以期优选出适用于干旱荒漠环境的光响应模型,阐明胡杨光合作用对干旱胁迫的响应规律与适应机制。结果表明:胡杨净光合速率(P_n)随干旱胁迫加剧呈下降趋势,同一光强(PAR)下P_n降幅增大。中度干旱胁迫以下(土壤相对含水量,RSWC45%)胡杨在高PAR下仍能维持相对较高P_n,光抑制程度轻;直角双曲线、非直角双曲线和指数模型均可较好地模拟P_n-PAR响应过程,但最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))、光饱和点(LSP)拟合值与实测值差异极显著(P0.01)。中度干旱胁迫以上(RSWC45%)胡杨P_n随PAR升高而显著下降,LSP与P_(nmax)极显著降低,光抑制现象明显;仅直角双曲线修正模型拟合的胡杨光响应过程、光响应参数与实际情况较吻合。4种模型模拟效果顺序:直角双曲线修正模型指数模型非直角双曲线模型直角双曲线模型。4种光响应模型对干旱胁迫具有不同的适应性,直角双曲线修正模型适用于各种水分条件,尤其适用于干旱荒漠生境,其它3种模型适用于水分条件较好的生境。光响应特征参数对干旱胁迫的响应阈值不同。随干旱胁迫加剧,胡杨表观量子效率(AQY)、P_n、LSP与P_(nmax)持续降低,严重干旱胁迫下暗呼吸速率(R_d)、LCP反而明显增大。RSWC45%胡杨仍能保持较高的AQY、P_(nmax)、LSP,RSWC45%其P_(nmax)、LSP显著降低,干旱胁迫显著抑制了胡杨光合进程和光强耐受范围,降低了光合效率,严重干旱胁迫严重影响胡杨苗木的正常生长和光合作用。干旱荒漠环境下,胡杨采取缩窄光照生态幅、降低光能利用率和减少呼吸消耗来积极抵御荒漠干旱逆境伤害的生态对策。因此,从极端干旱荒漠区种群保护与植被恢复角度来看,胡杨林土壤水分应维持在RSWC 50%左右,符合干旱缺水地区植物生长和高效用水的管理原则。     

不同水分条件下三种附生地衣的光合作用特性

附生地衣是哀牢山湿性常绿阔叶林生态系统中重要的结构性组分。通过对该区域山地森林中3种典型附生地衣平滑牛皮叶 (Sticta nylanderiana)、网肺衣 (Lobaria retigera) 和橄榄斑叶 (Cetrelia olivetorum)在不同水分条件下的光合光响应及荧光参数的测定分析,结果显示,附生地衣光补偿点 (LCP)、光饱和点 (LSP)较高,对强光适应能力较强。在水分胁迫 (含水量5%~10%) 条件下,3种附生地衣的最大净光合速率 (Pmax) 仅为17~50nmol·g-1·s-1。随着含水量的增加,地衣的最大净光合速率 (Pmax) 与暗呼吸速率 (Rday) 逐渐增大,LCP降低,而LSP随之提高,这表明3种附生地衣具备“阳生植物”的某些特性,从而能够在一定程度上适应野外光照较强的灌丛、向阳林冠等生境。地衣叶绿素光反应中心初始荧光参数 (F0) 和最大光化学效率 (Fv/Fm) 随含水量下降而显著降低,暗示其光反应中心对水分有很强的敏感性。水分条件的改善有助于附生地衣的光反应中心进入到较高的生理活性状态。     

Molecular identification of species in Prunus sect.Persica (Rosaceae), with emphasis on evaluation of candidate barcodes for plants

Species of Prunus L. sect. Persica are not only important fruit trees, but also popular ornamental and medicinal plants. Correct identification of seedlings, barks, or fruit kernels is sometimes required, but no reliable morphological characters are available. Nowadays, the technique of DNA barcoding has the potential to meet such requirements. In this study, we evaluated the suitability of 11 DNA loci (atpB-rbcL, trnH-psbA, trnL-F, trnS-G, atpF-H, rbcL, matK, rpoB, rpoC1, nad1, and internal transcribed spa...     

嫁接杂交与果树遗传的特殊性

在介绍近年来植物嫁接杂交研究新进展的基础上,着重阐述了嫁接杂交与果树遗传特殊性的关系。砧木中的遗传物质转移并整合到接穗生殖细胞和胚胎细胞的染色体组中,是杂种后代出现大量野生植株和果树遗传不遵守孟德尔定律的主要原因。还讨论了嫁接杂交在果树育种中的重要意义。 Abstract：Emphatically discusses the relationship between graft hybridization and the specificity of heredity in fruit trees on the basis of introducing the recent achievements in plant graft hybridization. We propose that genetic materials in rootstock being translocated and integrated into the genome of the germ cells and embryonic cells in scion are the main reasons why the majority of the hybrid seedlings have wild properties and the heredity of fruit trees violate Mendel’s laws of heredity. The potential of graft hybridization in fruit breeding are also discussed.     

Effects of Organic Enrichment of Mine Spoil on Growth and Nutrient Uptake in Oak Seedlings Inoculated with Selected Ectomycorrhizal Fungi

Abstract Poor growth of Quercus robur L. (oak) trees has been reported on mine sites where overburden and subsoil have been used in the reinstatement of surface layers. This stunting has been attributed to a lack of macronutrients and to an adverse soil environment for root growth and mycorrhizal development. Growth, mineral nutrition, and ectomycorrhizal colonization of Q. robur seedlings were studied in an experiment carried out under controlled growing conditions in which mine spoil material was enriched with a leaf litter mulch. Enrichment of mine spoil material was found to produce a significant increase in growth and foliar N concentrations of oak seedlings. Inoculation with three taxa of ectomycorrhizal fungi did not benefit seedlings when mine spoil was the only substrate, possibly due to the poor physical properties of the unamended spoil and lack of nutrients. Inoculation with two taxa, Laccaria laccata and Hebeloma crustuliniforme, isolated from 3‐year‐old trees produced a significant stimulation of growth in the organically enriched treatment, which was believed to be due to greater uptake of mineralized N. However, Cortinarius anomalus isolated from fruit bodies associated with a 15‐year‐old tree did not increase biomass. The presence of organic matter was found to result in a significant stimulation of mycorrhizal infection by both inoculum and contaminant mycobionts. Recommendations are made for improving the establishment and growth of oak seedlings on reinstated sites.     

银杏速生早实示范栽培试验

本研究是在我区银杏主产区兴安进行的８０多亩,３０００多株的示范栽培试验。其综合技术措施是选用良种嫁接苗、适当密植、配置雄株、整形修剪、合理施肥、防治病虫害及促花早实等。种后５—６年取得速生、早实、高产的良好效果。     

Testing Broadcast Seeding Methods to Restore Urban Forests in the Presence of Seed Predators

Forest restoration in urban areas often occurs in isolation from remnant forest, limiting the chances for recolonization by native species. Plants with bird‐dispersed seeds can be particularly vulnerable to dispersal limitation and regeneration can be further impeded by non‐native seed predators. We used a factorial experiment to investigate broadcast seeding as a method to reintroduce trees with large seeds and fleshy fruits into early successional forests. We assessed rates of seed and fruit loss, germination and seedling establishment in three seed treatments: (1) caging to exclude introduced mammalian seed predators; (2) removal of fleshy fruit pericarp; and (3) placing seeds in nutritionally enriched clay balls. Across all species (Beilschmiedia tawa, Elaeocarpus dentatus, and Litsea calicaris) seeds and fruits accessible to mammalian predators suffered significantly greater loss (58%) than those protected by cages (4%). However, seed and fruit loss in the presence of predators was reduced to only 35% across all species by the treatment combining the removal of fruit flesh and clay ball application to seeds. Establishment of B. tawa seedlings after 1 year was significantly enhanced by the clay ball treatment (12% of seeds sown vs. 6% without clay balls). Very low establishment rates were recorded for E. dentatus and L. calicaris. Broadcast seeding was found to be a viable method of improving regeneration of large‐seeded late successional trees and may be a cost‐effective alternative to planting saplings. Seedling establishment can be improved with fruit flesh removal and clay ball treatments, especially in the presence of mammalian seed predators.     

中国3种濒危红树植物的分布现状

在海南岛东部沿海对我国3种濒危红树植物红榄李、莲叶桐和水芫花分布现状开展调查,得出红榄李在三亚铁炉港分布有9株,处于老龄或接近老龄林阶段;陵水新村港仅分布有38株,该地红榄李遭破坏严重。两地红榄李均可正常开花结果,但林下并无幼苗发育。莲叶桐主要自然分布在琼海博鳌和潭门,共223株;文昌自然分布5株,东寨港人工栽植4株,两地莲叶桐均仅开花,未结果。水芫花分布于文昌市会文镇,共有23株,均正常开花结果,种子能够萌发,但难以成苗。调查结果将有助于提出相应的保护和恢复措施。     

Factors Limiting Post‐logging Seedling Regeneration by Big‐leaf Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) in Southeastern Amazonia,Brazil, and Implications for Sustainable Management1

Post‐logging seedling regeneration density by big‐leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), a nonpioneer light‐demanding timber species, is generally reported to be low to nonexistent. To investigate factors limiting seedling density following logging within the study region, we quantified seed production rates, germinability, dispersal patterns, and seed fates on the forest floor through germination and the first seedling growing season in southeastern Amazonia, Brazil. Fruit production rates were low by three logged and one unlogged populations compared to reports from other regions. Commercial‐sized trees (>60 cm diameter) were more fecund than noncommercial trees (30–60 cm diameter) at two sites, averaging 14.5 vs. 3.9 fruits/tree/year, respectively, at Marajoara, a logged site, over 8 yr. Fruit capsules contained an average of 60.3 seeds/fruit, 70 percent of which appeared viable by visual inspection. Sixty‐seven to 72 percent of apparently viable seeds germinated in nursery beds 2.5 mo after the dispersal period, when wet season rains began. Dry season winds blew most seeds west‐northwest of parent trees, with median dispersal distances of 28 and 9 m on west and east sides of parent trees, respectively. Nearly 100 percent of seeds fell within an area of 0.91 ha. On the forest floor beneath closed canopies, mammals, invertebrates, and fungal pathogens killed 40 percent of apparently viable seeds, while 36 percent germinated. Nine months after seedling establishment—midway through the first logging season following seed dispersal—14 percent of outplanted seeds survived as seedlings, representing 5.8 seeds/fruit. We conclude that seedlings are likely to survive in logging gaps at appreciable densities only in rare cases where previous year fruit production rates by logged trees were high (4–12.5% of commercial‐sized trees/year at Marajoara) and where tree crowns were felled in west or northwest directions.     

Changes of Starch and Sorbitol in Leaves Before and After Removal of Fruits from Peach Trees

Changes in contents of nonstructural carbohydrates in leaves,as well as some characteristics of leaves before and after fruitremoval, were investigated in potted peach (Prunus persica L.)trees. Leaf area and dry mass per unit leaf area (SLW) at thefruit-maturation stage decreased with increasing numbers ofpeaches per tree, whereas the chlorophyll content per unit areain leaves of fruiting trees increased. The chlorophyll contentdecreased more rapidly upon removal of fruit than that in leavesof fruiting trees. The starch content per unit dry mass in leavesof fruiting trees at the fruit-maturation stage was lower thanthat in leaves of non-fruiting trees. Starch accumulated significantlyin leaves within 1 d of removal of fruit during the fruit-maturationstage and continued to increase thereafter. The accumulationof starch after removal of fruit occurred more rapidly thanthe decrease in chlorophyll content. Reducing and non-reducingsugars (total sugars) per unit dry mass in the leaves were higherin fruiting trees than in non-fruiting trees. After fruit removal,the total sugar content of leaves increased temporarily andthen gradually decreased. The sorbitol content per unit freshmass in leaves of fruiting trees during the fruit-maturationstage was slightly higher than that in leaves of non-fruitingtrees. One day after removal of fruit, the sorbitol contentincreased in parallel with the accumulation of starch and remainedhigh. The sucrose content of leaves did not change markedlyupon removal of fruit. Prunus persica L.; peach leaves; nonstructural carbohydrate; starch and sorbitol; fruit removal     

Seed germination and seedling fitness in Mesua ferrea L. in relation to fruit size and seed number per fruit

Effect of fruit size and seediness (seed number per fruit) was examined on germination and early growth of seedlings in Mesua ferrea L. Fruiting incidence (number of fruited trees in a population) and fruit loading (number of fruits per tree) vary from one year to the other, and were greater in 1997 than in 1998. Seeds from large fruits (> 40 g) are preferred for forestry plantations and those from small fruits (< 40 g) are discarded, despite a greater proportion of small fruits (63.2 %) than large fruits (36.8 %). A fruit, large or small in size, may contain one, two, three or four seeds. The germination percentage of seeds increased from 1-seeded through 4-seeded fruits both in laboratory and greenhouse conditions, and both in case of large and small fruits. Conversely, the mean seed weight and germination time decreased along this gradient, i.e. seeds from 1-seeded fruits were the heaviest and required maximum time for germination, and the seeds from 4-seeded fruits were the lightest and required minimum time for germination. The seeds from small fruits were lighter in weight, achieved lower germination percentages and required greater germination time than the seeds from large fruits in all four seeded categories. Seedlings from seeds from 1-seeded fruits survived better and with stronger vigour after 1 year of growth than seedlings from 2-, 3- and 4-seeded fruits. Further, seedling survival and vigour were greater for seeds from large rather than small fruits.     

Adaptations for animal dispersal of one-seed juniper seeds

Summary Distributional patterns of one-seed juniper seeds and seedlings show that most seeds are found directly beneath source trees but most seedlings are found away from the source trees. Thus, seeds dispersed away from source trees seem to have a better chance of germination and growth than seeds beneath source trees. Seed distribution patterns indicate haphazard animal dispersal rather than directional dispersal by water runoff or gravity. One-seed juniper appears to have adaptations favoring zoochory over other types of dispersal methods. Seeds are not well protected from animals but are presented in an attractive, abundant, easily accessible and nutritious fruit. Fruit ripening occurs just before the arrival of avian winter residents in the piñon-juniper woodlands. Several of these species are potential dispersal agents. Seeds passed through the intestines of Townsend's Solitaires showed lowered germination compared to untreated seeds but these birds are probably good dispersers.