The effect of temperature on reproduction in the summer and winter annual Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes Bur and Cvi

Background and Aims

Seed yield and dormancy status are key components of species fitness that are influenced by the maternal environment, in particular temperature. Responses to environmental conditions can differ between ecotypes of the same species. Therefore, to investigate the effect of maternal environment on seed production, this study compared two contrasting Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes, Cape Verdi Isle (Cvi) and Burren (Bur). Cvi is adapted to a hot dry climate and Bur to a cool damp climate, and they exhibit winter and summer annual phenotypes, respectively.

Methods

Bur and Cvi plants were grown in reciprocal controlled environments that simulated their native environments. Reproductive development, seed production and subsequent germination behaviour were investigated. Measurements included: pollen viability, the development of floral structure, and germination at 10 and 25 °C in the light to determine dormancy status. Floral development was further investigated by applying gibberellins (GAs) to alter the pistil:stamen ratio.

Key Results

Temperature during seed development determined seed dormancy status. In addition, seed yield was greatly reduced by higher temperature, especially in Bur (>90 %) compared with Cvi (approx. 50 %). The reproductive organs (i.e. stamens) of Bur plants were very sensitive to high temperature during early flowering. Viability of pollen was unaffected, but limited filament extension relative to that of the pistils resulted in failure to pollinate. Thus GA applied to flowers to enhance filament extension largely overcame the effect of high temperature on yield.

Conclusions

High temperature in the maternal environment reduced dormancy and negatively affected the final seed yield of both ecotypes; however, the extent of these responses differed, demonstrating natural variation. Reduced seed yield in Bur resulted from altered floral development not reduced pollen viability. Future higher temperatures will impact on seed performance, but the consequences may differ significantly between ecotypes of the same species.     

Humidity-regulated dormancy onset in the Fabaceae: a conceptual model and its ecological implications for the Australian wattle Acacia saligna

Background and aims

Seed dormancy enhances fitness by preventing seeds from germinating when the probability of seedling survival and recruitment is low. The onset of physical dormancy is sensitive to humidity during ripening; however, the implications of this mechanism for seed bank dynamics have not been quantified. This study proposes a model that describes how humidity-regulated dormancy onset may control the accumulation of a dormant seed bank, and seed experiments are conducted to calibrate the model for an Australian Fabaceae, Acacia saligna. The model is used to investigate the impact of climate on seed dormancy and to forecast the ecological implications of human-induced climate change.

Methods

The relationship between relative humidity and dormancy onset was quantified under laboratory conditions by exposing freshly matured non-dormant seeds to constant humidity levels for fixed durations. The model was field-calibrated by measuring the response of seeds exposed to naturally fluctuating humidity. The model was applied to 3-hourly records of humidity spanning the period 1972–2007 in order to estimate both temporal variability in dormancy and spatial variability attributable to climatic differences among populations. Climate change models were used to project future changes in dormancy onset.

Key Results

A sigmoidal relationship exists between dormancy and humidity under both laboratory and field conditions. Seeds ripened under field conditions became dormant following very short exposure to low humidity (<20 %). Prolonged exposure at higher humidity did not increase dormancy significantly. It is predicted that populations growing in a temperate climate produce 33–55 % fewer dormant seeds than those in a Mediterranean climate; however, dormancy in temperate populations is predicted to increase as a result of climate change.

Conclusions

Humidity-regulated dormancy onset may explain observed variation in physical dormancy. The model offers a systematic approach to modelling this variation in population studies. Forecast changes in climate have the potential to alter the seed bank dynamics of species with physical dormancy regulated by this mechanism, with implications for their capacity to delay germination and exploit windows for recruitment.     

约旦野生二棱大麦群体籽粒休眠特性的网络分析

本研究以来自约旦的16个野生二棱大麦群体206个基因型为材料,对籽粒不同部分的氮素营养相关性状以及40℃下不同贮藏时间后的萌发率进行了测定,并利用网络相关性技术分析其与起源地生态地理因素之间的相关性。结果表明,来自于不同地区的大麦群体在种子含氮量、壳含氮量、种子可溶性蛋白质含量、单粒重及单壳重上存在明显差异,并且籽粒不同部位含氮量发生分配平衡,种子含氮量较高的群体壳含氮量较低。同时,网络相关性分析证实壳含氮量与籽粒萌发特性呈显著负相关,而壳中潜在抑制萌发的含氮物可能在42d的高温储藏下分解或失活。     

Interpopulation variability on embryo growth,seed dormancy break,and germination in the endangered Iberian daffodil Narcissus eugeniae (Amaryllidaceae)

The main goal of the study was to assess germination requirements in a threatened daffodil to elaborate a detailed protocol for plant production from seeds, a key tool for conservation. Experiments were carried out both in the laboratory and outdoor conditions. In Pseudonarcissi section, endemic Iberian species of Narcissus studied heretofore have different levels of morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). Embryo length, radicle emergence, and shoot emergence were analyzed to determine the level of MPD. Both interpopulational variability and seed storage duration were also studied. Mean embryo length in fresh seeds was 1.32 mm and the embryo had to grow until it reached at least 2.00 mm to germinate. Embryo growth occurs during warm stratification, after which the radicle emerges when temperatures go down. Seed dormancy was broken in the laboratory at 28/14°C in darkness followed by 15/4°C, but the germination percentage varies depending on the population. In outdoor conditions, seed dispersal occurs in June, the embryo grows during the summer and then the radicle emerges in autumn. The radicle system continues to grow during the winter months, but the shoot does not emerge until the beginning of the spring because it is physiologically dormant and requires a cold period to break dormancy. Early cold temperatures interrupt embryo growth and induce dormancy in seeds with an advanced embryo development. Seeds of N. eugeniae have deep simple epicotyl MPD. In addition, we found that embryo growth and germination were improved by seed storage duration.     

Physiological traits suggest limited diapause response in false codling moth,Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The ability of a pest insect species to enter diapause, a physiological state of dormancy, has significant implications for population dynamics and pest management practises in agricultural landscapes. The false codling moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta is a major pest of deciduous and citrus fruit in southern Africa and a quarantine pest of international concern. Apart from an early field assessment that may have been compromised by taxonomic uncertainty surrounding cryptic developing life stages, no studies have investigated diapause induction within an experimental framework for this species, and none to date have used a suite of physiological traits potentially indicative of the diapause state. Here, we subjected larvae to cooling and shortening day length over a period of 14 days [Diapause Treatment (DT) group] relative to a similar‐aged control (CON) group held at optimal rearing conditions (25°C, 12 : 12 L : D) and tested if physiological traits, including resting metabolic rate, body freezing temperature (=supercooling point, equivalent to the low‐temperature mortality threshold) and body condition (body mass, body lipid and water content) varied in a direction that may be reflective of diapause induction. Mean metabolic rate in DT larvae was 0.044 ml CO₂/h (mean mass: 52.7 mg), which was significantly higher than in CON larvae [0.025 ml CO₂/h, mean mass: 51.5 mg (P = 0.04)]. Supercooling points were not statistically lower in the CON group than in DT larvae (DT:?15.6 ± 1.5°C; CON: ?16.4 ± 2.8°C; P = 0.33). Measures of body size, body condition and resting water loss rates remained similar between groups. These results support the conclusion of early field observations that T. leucotreta does not undergo diapause that has significant implications for the management of the species.     

不同处理对银沙槐种子休眠破除和幼苗生长的影响

对银沙槐种子破除休眠的适宜方法及其幼苗生长进行研究。结果表明:破口和沙磨处理休眠破除效果最好,但容易引起种子腐烂死亡;分别用65、80和95℃热水处理种子,以95℃1 min破除种子休眠效果最好,且幼苗长势好,65℃效果最差,80℃可破除部分种子休眠,除80℃外延长热水处理时间可导致死种子数增加,95℃则引致大部分种子死亡;液氮浸种处理效果均显著,其中以液氮处理10 min效果最好,但幼苗多为不正常苗而致死;硫酸处理以浸种120 min效果最好,但处理时间过长可导致死种子数增多,且造成少数幼苗根部腐蚀死亡。综上所述,打破银沙槐种子休眠的较优处理方法是硫酸120 min浸种处理和95℃1 min热水处理。     

GA3和变温层积对天女木兰种子萌发及内源激素的影响

用不同质量浓度GA3浸泡天女木兰种子并结合变温层积处理,应用高效液相色谱法对不同时期种子中4种激素GA3、IAA、ABA、ZR含量进行测定,并测量种胚长和萌发率,以探讨天女木兰种胚发育,内源激素含量变化与种子休眠萌发之间的调控关系,为进一步研究种子休眠机理提供理论基础。结果表明:(1)天女木兰成熟种子胚发育不完全,胚乳内高浓度ABA和低浓度GA3是其休眠的主要原因。(2)GA3处理能促使天女木兰种子提前30d完成形态后熟,并以1 500mg·L-1 GA3处理效果最佳。(3)在变温层积过程,天女木兰种胚发育可分三个阶段:阶段Ⅰ(0~70d)完成种胚进一步分化;阶段Ⅱ(70~120d)种胚快速生长时期;阶段Ⅲ(120~150d)休眠完全解除,种子具备发芽能力。种子能否打破休眠主要取决于阶段Ⅰ和Ⅱ的状况。(4)GA3/ABA、IAA/ABA和ZR/ABA在种子后熟期间的变化同胚生长发育存在一致性,认为内源激素的相对水平对种子休眠具有重要的调控作用。     

梾木种子低温层积过程中内源激素含量的动态变化特征

应用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)研究了梾木种子低温层积过程中内源激素含量的动态变化,分析了内源激素与种子休眠与发芽的关系。结果表明:(1)梾木种子中IAA含量在层积处理初期剧烈降低,持续一段时间后又显著升高,但后期下降,且IAA/ABA也出现同样的变化;种子中ABA含量在层积处理前期较高,但随着处理时间的延长趋于下降;种子内GA1/3含量以及GA1/3/ABA均随层积处理时间的延长逐渐增大;种子内ZRs和iPAs含量的变化相对较为平稳,尽管有一定的波动,但整体呈渐趋增高趋势。(2)梾木种子发芽率及发芽势在未经层积处理以及处理时间少于90d的条件下均为0,但随着层积处理时间的延长二者明显上升,层积处理的时间长短对梾木种子萌发有显著影响。(3)相关分析表明,梾木种子内GA1/3含量与种子的发芽率、发芽势均呈显著正相关关系,相关系数分别为0.688、0.662;种子内GA1/3/ABA增大有利于种子休眠解除和萌发。     

光周期对休眠诱导期桃树光合及PSⅡ光系统性能的影响

人工设置长日照和短日照2种光周期(以自然条件为对照),测定6年生春捷桃树叶片光合参数和叶绿素荧光快速诱导动力学参数,研究诱导休眠期间光周期对北方落叶果树光合性能的影响.结果表明： 短日照条件下树体可提前进入休眠诱导期,长日照条件下则延后进入.休眠诱导期间,桃树叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(g_s)降低,胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)升高,表明P_n降低的原因是非气孔限制;PSⅡ的最大光化学效率φ_Po(或F_v/F_m)、潜在活性（F_v/F_o）、PSⅡ反应中心捕获的光能用于Q_A^-下游的电子传递的能量比例(ψ_o)和光合性能指数(PI_ABS)均降低,表明光合电子传递链的电子传递能力受到抑制,其原因可能是PSⅡ反应中心受体侧Q_A^-下游的电子传递链受到了伤害.长日照有利于提高休眠诱导期的光合速率,减小PI_ABS下降幅度,减轻光系统的受害程度,短日照则明显加深、加速光合机构的损坏.光周期的诱导效应与休眠进程相关.