Magnetic properties of Tillandsia recurvata L. and its use for biomonitoring a Mexican metropolitan area

Some epiphytic species accumulate airborne particles and are suitable biological indicators for monitoring urban and industrial pollution. The species Tillandsia recurvata L. was studied as a monitor of air pollution in an urban area from Mexico. Individuals were collected in 25 sites which are exposed to different pollution degree and sources.The magnetic particle concentration, particle size, and mineralogy were determined and compared with chemical contents for all samples. The highest values of magnetic concentration dependent parameters were observed in industrial and heavy traffic sites (e.g., mass specific magnetic susceptibility of up to 171.5 × 10⁻⁸ m³ kg⁻¹). In contrast, sites with low or without vehicular traffic reached low values (e.g., mass specific magnetic susceptibility of down to 1.8 × 10⁻⁸ m³ kg⁻¹). The integrated magnetic analysis (King's and Day's plots, remanent magnetization parameters and thermomagnetic measurements) revealed the presence of ferromagnetic minerals, mostly magnetite-like with fine grain sizes (0.1–1 μm) and subordinate presence of high-coercivity minerals. Selected samples were observed by SEM and EDS analysis and revealed the presence of Fe-rich particles, as well as trace elements, among others, As, Sb, S, Cr, Mo, V, Zn, Ba, Hg, Pt and Cu. Most of the elements detected by EDS were also quantified by ICP-MS measurements.Multivariate statistical analyses prove a high correlation between magnetic parameters and elements, as well as allow us classifying sites in clusters (fuzzy c-means clustering) with different pollution degree. These results demonstrate the usefulness of the species T. recurvata L. as a passive pollution monitor, with an affordable and immediate application. This species is abundant not only in Mexico, but also in other cities from America.     

Temperature requirements for seed germination of Pereskia aculeata and Pereskia grandifolia

Pereskia aculeata and Pereskia grandifolia have been studied widely due to their high nutritional and therapeutic values. However, little is known about the biological requirements of their seeds for the various germination factors. Thus, this experiment aimed to evaluate the thermal effects on the germination of these species at the temperatures of 24 °C, 27 °C, 30 °C, 33 °C and 36 °C. After verification of the existence of differences in the performance of germination, a non-linear regression was carried out, relating the germination to temperature and identifying its point of maximum efficiency. We found that the lowest synchronization indexes of germination were observed close to 30 °C. The best germination response of the P. aculeata and P. grandifolia was observed at 30 °C and 33 °C, respectively, with greater germination strength and fewer days to attain 63.21% of germinations. The results obtained from the germination of P. aculeata and P. grandifolia can be described by the Weindull distribution model with three parameters, as proposed by Carneiro and Guedes (1992).     

Gas Exchange and Water Vapor Uptake in the Atmospheric CAM Bromeliad Tillandsia recurvata L.: The Influence of Trichomes

Tillandsia recurvata is an epiphytic atmospheric CAM bromeliad without functional roots. As an adaptation to very exposed and often dry habitats T. recurvata takes up liquid water via trichomes, which cover the plant. Gas exchange measurements also show an absorption of water vapor at the trichomes simultaneously with an increase in relative humidity at the beginning of the dark period. A similar amount of water is lost again when the relative humidity is decreased. Experiments with heat-killed plants show that this was due exclusively to physical equilibration of the hygroscopic walls of the dead trichome cells. This effect would have prevented an accurate calculation of transpiration and conductance, but can be accounted for by substracting water vapor exchange of heat-killed plants from that of the living tissue which yields the true water vapor conductance of the tissue. This is found to be rather low (3.37 mmol H₂O kg^?1 s^?1) in comparison to other plants, and the proportion of total conductance due to trichomes is relatively high (0.53 mmol H₂O kg^?1 s^?1). This explains the slow rates of photosynthesis and growth found in this plant.     

Effect of water stress on seed germination and seedling growth inOryza sativa L.

The effect of water stress induced by application of polyethylene glycol 6000 during seed germination and seedling growth ofOryza sativa L. cv. IAC 165 was analysed. The seed germination was inhibited by the decrease in the water potential of the medium, the inhibition being greater under white light than under continuous darkness. When the seedling was submitted to water stress (-0.51 MPa) white light inhibited growth of root, coleoptile-and leaf, while under no stress conditions white light caused increase in growth of root and leaf and only inhibition of coleoptile growth.     

Temperature requirements for dormancy break and seed germination vary greatly among 14 wetland Carex species

We evaluated dormancy loss in seeds of 14 Carex species (C. atherodes, C. brevior, C. comosa, C. cristatella, C. cryptolepis, C. granularis, C. hystericina, C. lacustris, C. pellita, C. scoparia, C. stipata, C. stricta, C. utriculata, C. vulpinoidea) under growing season and stratification conditions and determined the temperature requirements for germination. Seeds were germinated for 1 year at a diel temperature regime (5/1 °C, 14/1 °C, 22/8 °C, or 27/15 °C) or a seasonal regime (seeds moved among the four diel regimes to mimic seasonal temperatures). All species had conditionally dormant seeds at maturity. The optimal temperature for germination of most species was 27/15 °C. The 14 species were grouped by their seed viability, dormancy, and germination with a Seed Regeneration Index (SRI; range 0–1) using the results of this study and a previously published paper on stratification effects on Carex seed dormancy and germination. The eight species that had an SRI value >0.5 (C. brevior, C. comosa, C. cristatella, C. cryptolepis, C. hystericina, C. scoparia, C. stipata, C. vulpinoidea) had high seed viability (>60%) and required little to no stratification to germinate readily over a broad range of temperatures. The six species with an SRI value <0.5 (C. atherodes, C. granularis, C. lacustris, C. pellita, C. stricta, C. utriculata) generally had low seed viability (<50% and often <1%) and required stratification or particular temperatures (35/30 °C or 5/1 °C for C. stricta; 35/30 °C for C. utriculata; 27/15 °C for C. atherodes, C. lacustris, C. pellita; 5/1 °C for C. granularis) for germination ≥50%. These six species will require more attention from restoration practitioners to ensure that there are sufficient viable seeds to meet revegetation goals, that dormancy break is achieved, and that seeds are sown when temperatures are optimal for germination. The different seed germination syndromes that we found for these Carex species likely contribute to variable seed bank formation and emergence patterns, and species coexistence.     

Discovering the type of seed dormancy and temperature requirements for seed germination of Gentiana lutea L. subsp. lutea (Gentianaceae)

Aims There are a number of mechanisms that regulate germination; among these, seed dormancy, one of the most important, is an adaptative mechanism in plants to promote survival by dispersing germination in space and time until environmental conditions are favourable for germination. The main goals of this study were to determine the temperature requirements for seed dormancy release and germination of Gentiana lutea subsp. lutea, to identify the class and level of seed dormancy and to suggest an optimal germination protocol.Methods Seeds belonging to two different localities were subjected to various pre-treatments, including cold stratification (0 and 5°C), warm stratification (25/10°C) and different combinations of these, and then incubated at a range of constant temperatures (5–25°C) and 25/10°C. Embryo growth during pre-treatments and incubation conditions were assessed at different times by measuring the embryo to seed length ratio (E:S ratio). The final germination percentage (FGP) and the germination rate (t 50) were calculated.Important findings Fleshy mature seeds of G. lutea subsp. lutea have linear underdeveloped embryos. Cold stratification at 0°C was effective in overcoming the physiological dormancy (PD) and promoted embryo growth and subsequent germination. After cold stratification at 0°C, both the root and the shoot emerged readily under a wide range of temperatures. G. lutea subsp. lutea seeds showed an intermediate complex morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). As regards the optimal germination protocol for this taxon, we suggest a period of cold stratification at ca. 0°C followed by seed incubation at 10–20°C. The optimal germination temperatures found for seeds of this taxon, as well as its pre-chilling requirement at 0°C, suggest that it is well adapted to a temperate climate; this behavior highlights an increasing threat from global warming for G. lutea, which could reduce the level of natural emergence in the field, prejudicing also the long-term persistence of the natural populations in Sardinia.     

Carbon dioxide requirements for phytochrome action in photoperiodism and seed germination

The effect of interrupting darkness with red light in the presence or absence of 0.03% CO₂ was studied in relation to flowering of Xanthium pennsylvanicum and germination of light-sensitive lettuce seeds. The results indicate that CO₂ is essential for red light to be effective in either process.     

Ecophysiological requirements on seed germination of a Mediterranean perennial grass (Stipa tenacissima L.) under controlled temperatures and water stress

Stipa tenacissima L. (alpha grass) steppes are one of the most representative ecosystems in arid Mediterranean ecosystems. On the one hand these steppes, which are perpetually exposed to climate and strong anthropogenic pressure, have undergone severe degradation. On the other hand, the ability of S. tenacissima to regenerate naturally is significantly reduced. In this study the germination response and seedling emergence of S. tenacissima are examined in relation to the main environmental factors (water stress and temperature) under laboratory-controlled conditions. The main aim of this paper was to investigate the influence of temperature over a temperature range (10 °C–30 °C) and water stress induced by the solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 (0 to − 1.6 MPa) for a period of 30 days, on the germination behavior of S. tenacissima seeds. The results showed that temperatures between 10° and 20 °C seem to be favorable for the germination of this species, with optimum temperatures among accessions found in 20 °C. When seeds were water-stressed, germination severely decreased at − 0.8 MPa, indicating that the accession resistance limits to the water stress, and was completely inhibited at − 1.6 MPa. Consequently, the final germination percentage (FGP) decreased and the mean time germination (MTG) increased. Based on the empirical data of the germination rate, we estimated that the parameters of the thermal time and hydrotime models showed different values in all accessions which proves the difference between accession adaptive capacities.     

Modeling seed germination in Melisa officinalis L. in response to temperature and water potential

Seed germination is greatly influenced by both temperature (T) and water potential (ψ) and these factors largely determine germination rate (GR) in the field. Quantitative information about T and ψ effects on seed germination in lemon balm (Melisa officinalis L.) is scarce. The main objective of this study was to quantify seed germination responses of lemon balm to T and ψ, and to determine cardinal temperatures in a laboratory experiment. A segmented model was used to describe the effects of ψ (i.e., T) on GR and other germination parameters. The segmented model estimates were 7.2 °C for base (T _b), 28.9 °C for optimum (T _o), 40.1 °C for ceiling temperature (T _c) and 1.64 physiological days (f _o) (equivalent to a GR_max of 0.610 d^?1 and a thermal time of 35.6 °C days) to reach 50 % maximum germination in the control (0 MPa) treatment (R ² = 0.99, RMSE = 0.005 day^?1). The inherent maximum rate of germination (days) was calculated by the [GR_max = 1/f _o] model. ψ affected cardinal temperatures. From 0 to ?0.76 MPa, when ψ increased, T _b was a constant 7.2 °C to ?0.38 MPa and increased linearly to 20.1 °C as ψ decreased. T _o and f _o increased linearly from 28.9 to 30 °C, and from 1.64 to 5.4 day^?1, respectively as ψ decreased. However, there was no signification difference in T _o as ψ decreased nor did T _c decrease from 40.1 to 35 °C as ψ decreased. T _b, T _c and GR_max were the sole parameters affected by ψ and could be used to characterize differences between ψ treatments with respect to GR at various Ts. Therefore, the segmented model and its parameters can be used in lemon balm germination simulation models.     

Soil water availability effects on seed germination account for species segregation in semiarid roadslopes

Previous studies report that the low colonisation success on eroded roadslopes of semiarid environments is controlled by microsite limitations. We predicted that soil water availability, through its effect on seed germination, is a determinant factor in the colonisation process of roadslopes in semiarid environments. Moreover, we predicted that the success of species establishment on the harshest roadslope conditions (i.e., south-facing roadcuts) is either due to the ability of seeds to germinate fast at low water potentials (colonising species) or to the ability of plants to sprout (resistant species). Specifically we present evidence for: (1) soil drying occurs faster on roadcuts than on roadfills after a rainfall event; (2) germination is a filtering process that influences the success of species establishment on roadslopes; (3) species able to colonise successfully south-facing roadcuts have higher germination rates and a shorter time to germination under water-stress conditions than species able to colonise successfully but exclusively the most favourable roadslopes (i.e., roadfills); (4) species that live on south-facing roadcuts and have the ability to sprout do not necessarily germinate with germinating rates and speeds as high as species that colonise successfully these slopes but are unable to sprout. To test these hypotheses we compared water dynamics in the soil among roadslope types and aspects as well as the seed ability to germinate at low water potentials among species showing different regeneration strategies and establishment success on roadslopes. Soil water availability after rainfalls occurring during the germination period played a major role in the germination of seeds. The patterns of seed germination under water-stress conditions were consistent with the success of colonising species on roadslopes and with the distribution of adult plants in the roadslopes 8 years after these latter were built. We discuss the usefulness of these results for the improvement of revegetation projects in semiarid areas by means of an appropriate selection of species adapted to the local environmental conditions. We suggest that the ability of species to germinate under water stress could be an indication of a species’ potential for success under semiarid conditions. Responsible Editor: John McPherson Cheeseman.     

A model of the effects of water stress on seed advancement and germination

A model of seed germination is proposed which uses a variable with the units of an osmotic potential (virtual osmotic potential) to integrate the effect of a constant or a varying water potential. This differs from existing models that describe the effects of fixed water potentials on germination, or the effects of fixed priming water potentials on the subsequent germination at a fixed water potential. When a seed is sown, the virtual osmotic potential is assumed to fall at a rate that depends on the ambient water potential, and on the difference between its current and a minimum value. Radicle growth is assumed to initiate when the difference between the ambient water potential and the virtual osmotic potential exceeds a threshold. The germination of carrot and onion seeds at various fixed potentials below 0 MPa was well described by the virtual osmotic potential model. The model was also used to simulate the results of experiments in which seeds were given a single step change in water potential.     

盐分和水分胁迫对盐生植物灰绿藜种子萌发的影响

研究了不同浓度的NaCl和复合盐及等渗溶液(PEG-6000)处理下盐生植物灰绿藜(Chenopodium glaucum L.)种子的萌发状况.结果表明:灰绿藜种子的萌发率与处理溶液的浓度或渗透势之间有显著的负相关关系;在低浓度盐溶液(2.9 g*L-1)中灰绿藜种子的萌发率高于对照(蒸馏水);NaCl溶液对灰绿藜种子萌发的抑制作用大于复合盐溶液.渗透势为-0.2和-0.5 mPa 时,PEG-6000溶液对灰绿藜种子萌发的抑制作用小于等渗NaCl溶液,而在较高渗透势溶液中则正好相反.用渗透势≤-1.8 mPa 的PEG-6000溶液及所有浓度的NaCl和复合盐溶液处理的种子复水后相对萌发率都达到了90%以上,说明一定程度的盐分和水分胁迫对灰绿藜种子萌发潜力并没有很大的影响,并且萌发恢复率随处理盐浓度或PEG-6000溶液渗透势(≤-1.4 mPa)的增加而增加.     

温水浸种对蒙古黄芪种子萌发特性的影响

研究温水浸种破除蒙古黄芪（Astragalus membranaceus Bge.var.mongholicus（Bge.） Hsiao）种子休眠的适宜条件,采用恒温和变温2种浸种方式,测定蒙古黄芪种子在不同时间、不同温度梯度条件下的发芽率、发芽势和发芽指数。结果表明,温水浸种破除蒙古黄芪种子休眠的效果显著,变温浸种效果略优于恒温浸种。不同温度破除休眠效果排序依次为60℃> 70℃> 80℃,其中60℃变温浸种2 min和5 min的发芽率分别为对照的2.87倍和2.31倍。浸种时间、浸种温度均可显著影响蒙古黄芪种子萌发,与对照相比,随着浸种时间增加,发芽率总体呈现出先急速升高后逐渐降低的趋势;发芽指数与浸种温度极显著正相关;浸种温度与发芽势和发芽指数均显著正相关。本研究结果表明温水浸种可以提高种子发芽率,保持种子活力。     

Effect of water potential on seed germination

The response of seed germination to substrate water potential was determined for several plant species of the arctic tundra. Seeds were collected from Cape Thompson and Eagle Summit, Alaska and germinated on dialysis membranes over water solutions of polyethylene glycol with osmotic potentials of 0 to −6 bars. Germination did not occur with potentials below −3 bars, except for three fellfield species. Germination was delayed at lower osmotic potentials. Because the response of most species was similar, substrate water potential is probably not a factor affecting the establishment of most tundra plant species from seeds.     

Prolonged aerated hydration for improvement of seed quality in Brassica oleracea L.

Seeds of cauliflower cv. Hipop and Brussels sprouts cv. Asmer Aries were aged at 20% moisture content for 24 h; all seeds retained a germination of over 70% after ageing although the mean germination time increased. Prolonged aerated hydration for up to 32 h at 20°C followed drying resulted in improved performance of both unaged and aged cauliflower seeds and aged Brussels sprouts. Thus, all seed showed reductions in the mean germination time to the extent that after 32 h hydration the aged cauliflower seeds performed as well as high quality unaged seed. The improvement of aged seeds was also revealed an increase in germination after the controlled deterioration test following up to 24 h (cauliflower) or 32 h (Brussels sprouts) aerated hydration. This increase was indicative of a decrease in the extent of deterioration present after aerated hydration. Deleterious effects of prolonged hydration were observed in Brussels sprouts after 32 h although these may be explained desiccation injury after treatment since radicle emergence had occurred during hydration. The improvements in seed performance may be explained the activation of metabolic repair occurring during the early part of the hydration period therereducing the extent of deterioration that has been sustained during ageing, with further improvements due to the advancement of the germination process.     

Temperature requirements for growth and survival of larval vendace, Coregonus albula (L.)

Water temperatures from 15.0 to 20.0° C are recommended as the most suitable for sustained production of larval vendace, as indicated by the developmental rates, the instantaneous rates of growth, mortality, and the net biomass gain of larvae reared at eight constant temperatures from 4.8 to 22.1° C. The recommended temperatures are optimal when the available food and photoperiod are not the limiting factors. Temperatures higher than 22.0° C will cause increased mortality, whereas temperatures lower than 15.0° C, although advisable when food is limited, will retard larval growth and development.     

Ecological genetics of seed germination regulation in Bromus tectorum L.

Regulation of seed germination phenology is an important aspect of the life history strategy of invading annual plant species. In the obligately selfing winter annual grass Bromus tectorum, seeds are at least conditionally dormant at dispersal in early summer and lose dormancy through dry-afterripening. Patterns of germination response at dispersal vary among populations and sometimes across years within populations. To assess the relative contribution of genotype and maturation environment to this variation, we grew progeny of ten parental lines from each of six contrasting populations in a common greenhouse environment. We then tested the germination responses of recently harvested seeds of the putative full-sib progeny at five incubation temperatures. Significant germination response differences among populations were observed in greenhouse cultivation, and major differences among full-sib families were evident for some populations and traits. Among-population variation accounted for over 90% of the variance in each trait, while within-family variance accounted for 1% or less. Germination responses of greenhouse-grown progeny were positively correlated with the responses of wild-collected seeds, but there was a tendency for lowered dormancy at higher incubation temperatures. This tendency was more marked in populations from cold desert, foothill, and plains habitats, suggesting a genotype-maturation environment interaction. Differences among populations in the amount of among-family variance were more evident at lower incubation temperatures, while among-family variance was more uniformly low at summer incubation temperatures. Populations from predictable extreme environments (subalpine meadow and warm desert margin) showed significantly less variation among families than populations from less predictable cold desert, foothill, and plains environments. Low among-family variance was not specifically associated with small population size or marginality of habitat, as small marginal populations from unpredictable environments showed variance as high as that of large populations. In populations with high among-family variance for germination traits, germination responses tended to be correlated across incubation temperatures, making it possible to characterize families in terms of their general dormancy status. The results indicate that seed germination regulation in this species is probably under strong genetic control, and that habitats with temporally varying selection are occupied by populations that tend to be more polymorphic in terms of their germination response patterns. Received: 19 May 1998 / Accepted: 27 January 1999