Effect of Matric-Priming Duration and Priming Water Potential on Germination of Four Grasses

In this study, a matric-potential control system was used todetermine the effect of matric-priming duration and primingwater potential on the germination response of Bouteloua curtipendula(Michx.) Torr., Cenchrus ciliaris L., Eragrostis lehmannianaNees, and Panicum coloratum L. Seeds were primed at water potentialsof –1·5 to –7·7 MPa for up to 14 d.Optimum germination generally occurred in treatments primedat high water potential for the shortest period. Germinationof seeds primed at lower water potential and for longer periodsexhibited a negative germination response relative to the control.Seeds were not redried after the priming treatment. Seed-wateruptake measurements suggest that a reduction in the lag timeof imbibition accounted for at least some germination-rate enhancementin the positive-priming treatments Key words: Germination, matric-priming, imbibition     

Partitioning Water Potential and Specific Salt Effects on Seed Germination of Four Grasses

In this study water potential (     

不同环境条件对沙米种子萌发的影响

用控制试验研究了沙米(Agriophyllum squarrosum)种子萌发对温度、水势和埋深的响应模式.结果显示,在人工模拟科尔沁沙地4月(5℃/20℃)、5月(10℃/30℃)和7月(20℃/40℃)的夜/昼土壤温度条件下,沙米种子的最终萌发率分别为86%、91%和96%,各温度处理的前3 d累计萌发率分别为14%、66%和32%.在5月温度条件下,种子萌发曲线为陡直的单峰状,其他两月呈多峰状.0 MPa水势下,沙米种子的总萌发率为50%,当水势低于-0.4 MPa时,发芽率小于10%.当种子的埋藏深度分别为0.5、1.0、2.0和4.0 cm时,出苗率分别为91%、78%、41%和22%,埋深达到8 cm时,没有种子出苗.研究表明,沙米种子在不同条件下萌发率差异显著,其萌发特征有利于种子在不适环境条件下减少种子库的无效损耗,而在环境条件适宜时快速萌发,提高幼苗存活机会,从而使沙米对流沙生境表现出良好适应能力.     

Effects of High Temperature and Water Stress on Seed Germination of the Invasive Species Mexican Sunflower

Mexican sunflower is native to Mexico and Central America and was introduced into China early last century. Now it has widely naturalized and is exhibiting increasing invasiveness in South China. As this species often dominates bare ground, a habitat characterized by extreme fluctuation in temperature and water, it is reasonable to hypothesize that it has special adaptations to high temperature and water stress. Using laboratory experiments to simulate these stresses, this study investigated the response of Mexican sunflower seed germination to temperature and water stress, and compared these responses with those previously reported for another invasive, bamboo piper, which is confined to relatively cool and moist habitats in Xishuangbanna. As expected, Mexican sunflower seeds exhibited higher tolerance to these stresses than bamboo piper. Germination of Mexican sunflower seeds was highest at 15–30°C, but significant numbers of seeds germinated and formed seedlings at 10°C and 35°C, at which no bamboo piper seeds formed seedlings, indicating a wider temperature range for germination than the latter. Roughly half the seeds survived 240 h continuous heat treatment and up to 15 h daily periodical heat treatment at 40°C, while bamboo piper seeds were mostly killed by these treatments. About 20% of Mexican sunflower but no bamboo piper seeds germinated after heat treatment for 30 min at 80°C. Germination was completely inhibited in bamboo piper seeds at -0.6 mPa, while 20–60% of Mexican sunflower seeds germinated depending on PEG or NaCl as osmoticum. This higher tolerance in Mexican sunflower seeds accords with its stronger invasiveness in this area. This comparison between two plant invaders demonstrates that invasiveness is not an all-or-nothing situation, and that adaptation to local habitats is a critical determinant of successful invasiveness for an alien plant.     

Effect of Temperature on Germination of Spores from Some Bacillus and Clostridium Species

The effect of temperature on germination of spores of Bacillus subyilis, B. megaterium. B. cereus, Clostridium sporogenes, Cl. butyricum and Cl. bifermentans was studied. At lower temperatures (+5°C to +10°C) the three Glostridium species germinated to a less extent than the three Bacillus. species. The optimum temperature for germination of the six species varied between +35°C and +45°C. The Clostridium species were more tolerant to heat than the Bacillus species.     

Effects of Temperature and Water Potential on Germination, Radicle Elongation and Emergence of Mungbean

Controlled environment experiments were performed to determinethe effects of temperature and water potential on germination,radicle elongation and emergence of mungbean (Vigna radiata(L.) Wilczek cv. IPB-M79-17-79). The effects of a range of constant temperatures (15–45°C) and water potentials (0 to –2.2 MPa) on germinationand radicle elongation rates were studied using an osmoticumtechnique, in which seeds were held against a semi-permeablemembrane sac containing a polyethylene glycol solution. Linearrelationships were established between median germination time(Gt₅₀) and water potential at different temperatures, and betweenreciprocal Gt₅₀ (germination rate) and temperature at differentwater potentials. Germination occurred at potentials as lowas –2.2 MPa at favourable temperatures (30–40 °C),but was fastest at 40 °C when water was not limiting, withan estimated base temperature (T_b) of about 10 °C. Subsequentradicle elongation, however, was restricted to a slightly narrowertemperature range and was fastest at 35 °C. The conceptof thermal time was used to develop an equation to model thecombined effects of water potential and temperature on germination.Predictions made using this model were compared with the actualgermination obtained in a related series of experiments in columnsof soil. Some differences observed suggested the additionalimportance of the seed/soil/water contact zone in influencingseed germination in soil. Seedling emergence appeared to reflectfurther the radicle elongation results by occurring within anarrower range of temperatures and water potentials than germination.Emergence had an estimated T_b of 12.6 °C and was fastestat 35 °C. A soil matric potential of not less than about–0.5 MPa at sowing was required to obtain 50% or moreseedling emergence. Key words: Germination, temperature, water potential     

莎草科4种植物种子休眠与萌发特性的研究

以嵩草、黑穗苔草、藨草和苔草4种莎草科植物种子为材料,研究了硫酸、植物生长调节剂及低温层积处理对其休眠与萌发特性的影响,以揭示其休眠机制及其破除方法,为指导生产提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)4种参试植物种子均存在不同程度的生理休眠,其中嵩草为浅度生理休眠,黑穗苔草为中度生理休眠,藨草和苔草为深度生理休眠。(2)浓硫酸浸种可显著提高嵩草、黑穗苔草种子的萌发,随浸种时间增加,种子萌发率先增加后降低,最大值分别达86%、77%,但浓硫酸处理对藨草和苔草的种子萌发无显著促进作用。(3)赤霉素(GA3)、氟啶酮(FL,脱落酸抑制剂)和KNO3单独处理可显著提高嵩草种子萌发,但对其他3种植物种子无显著作用;而硫酸处理后再用赤霉素或氟啶酮处理,则显著促进黑穗苔草种子的萌发率。(4)低温层积对种子萌发的影响因种与层积时间而异,层积2个月可显著提高嵩草种子萌发,层积4个月可显著提高嵩草和藨草种子萌发;层积6个月可显著提高嵩草、黑穗苔草、藨草和苔草4种植物种子萌发,其最终萌发率分别为90%、73%、17%、7%。     

四种野生报春花种子萌发生物学特性

以多脉报春Primula polyneura、钟花报春P. sikkimensis、桔红灯台报春P. bulleyana 和粉被灯台报春P. pulverulenta 的种子为材料,研究其形态及光照、GA3 对种子萌发的影响。结果表明,4 种报春花种子形态各异,钟花报春种子质量最大,千粒重达0.458 g,粉被灯台报春种子质量最小,千粒重为0.192 g。光照处理及不同浓度GA3 处理对4 种报春花种子萌发的影响存在差异。光照对多脉报春的萌发效果最好,其次为钟花报春与桔红灯台报春,对粉被灯台报春无明显促进作用。光照条件下,400 mg·L^-1 GA3 处理对桔红灯台报春和粉被灯台报春的萌发效果较好,发芽率显著提高,发芽持续时间缩短;钟花报春萌发适宜的GA3浓度为200 mg·L^-1。     

The Deleterious Effect of Water and Low Temperature on Germination of Pea Seed

Some pea seeds were killed or damaged by soaking in water, andthe damage was aggravated by low temperatures. Low-vigour seedlots were more sensitive to injury than high-vigour lots. Reducedwater uptake in osmotic solutions resulted in less damage andmost injury occurred during the initial phase of imbibition. More electrolytes exuded from dead and low-vigour seeds thanfrom high-vigour seeds and increased exudation at low temperaturewas associated with a higher incidence of dead seeds. Death is thought to be caused by a sudden inrush of water whichdisrupts the sub-cellular organization and membranes of a proportionof seeds predisposed to injury.     

Pathogenicity of Four Species of Meloidogyne on Three Varieties of Olive Trees

''Ascolano'' and ''Sevillano'' olive trees, Olea europaea L., were highly susceptible to Meloidogyne javanica (Trueb) Chitwood, and growth of their tops was decreased greatly in tests in a glasshouse. Roots of ''Manzanillo'' olive trees were galled moderately by M. javanica, and their tops weighed 6% less than those of noninoculated trees. ''Manzanillo'' olive is considered highly tolerant to M. javanica. ''Ascolano'' and ''Manzanillo'' olive trees were highly susceptible to M. incognita (Kofoid &White) Chitwood. Their roots were galled moderately to severely, and growth of their tops were decreased between 13% and 44%. ''Ascolano'' and ''Manzanillo'' olive trees were considered to be highly resistant to M. arenaria (Neal) Chitwood and M. hapla Chitwood since no galls or mature females were found on their roots three and one-half months after inoculation.     

Tuber Germination and Early Growth in Four Edible Dioscorea Species

The gross morphology and the sequence of anatomical events duringtuber germination in D. alata, D. esculenta, D. rotundata andD. trifida yams are compared with particular reference to theorigin of the organ of renewed growth, the primary nodal complex.The significance of this organ in yam phylogeny and ontogenyis briefly discussed. Dioscorea species, yams, tuber germination, nodal complex     

Allelopathic Potential of Invasive Plantago virginica on Four Lawn Species

Plantago virginica L. has invaded many lawn ecosystems in the Eastern part of China. The invasion has incurred an economic cost to remove them. In order to prevent the invasion, it is critical to understand the invasive mechanisms of this species. However, few studies have been conducted on the allelopathic mechanisms of its invasion. In this study, we examined allelopathic effects of P. virginica on germination of seeds and growth of seedlings of four widely used lawn species. We found extensive allelopathic potential of P. virginica on other lawn species, which varied with species and developmental stage. While most effects of the extracts of P. virginica were inhibitory, some variables in some species were promoted by the addition of the extracts. The extracts of P. virginica significantly inhibited seed germination of Agrostis matsumurae. While the overall differences in seed germination rate of Poa annua were significant among treatments, difference between control and any of the treatments was not significant. The height of seedlings of A. matsumurae and Cynodon dactylon was significantly lower under the treatments of adding extracts of P. virginica. In contrast, growth of seedlings of Festuca elata and P. annua did not show significant differences among treatments. The root length of A. matsumurae, C. dactylon and P. annua was suppressed by the extracts of P. virginica whereas root length of F. elata was not affected. Aboveground biomass of A. matsumurae and F. elata was significantly higher than control, except for F. elata at the concentration of 50mg/mL, whereas aboveground biomass of C. dactylon and P. annua was reduced at higher concentrations of the extracts. Except for A. matsumurae, root biomass of the other three lawn species declined under the treatments with the extracts of P. virginica. Our results revealed that P. virginica had allelopathic potential on four lawn species and supported the theory of “novel weapons hypothesis”. Invasion by P. virginica in lawn can be moderated by selecting those species that are not affected or promotionally affected by it.     

Effect of Soil Water Potential on Growth of Apple Trees Infected with Pratylenchus penetrans

Malling-Merton 106 apple rootstocks inoculated with Pratylenchus penetrans, or uninoculated, were grown in a growth chamber in pots of loamy sand maintained at two moisture levels, 0 to -0.4 bar or 0 to -10 bars. Either inoculation or low soil moisture suppressed shoot growth and increased root necrosis. However, the nematode-soil moisture interaction was not significant.     

盐胁迫对4种短命植物种子萌发及植株生长的影响

以新疆北部4种十字花科短命植物为材料,研究不同浓度NaCl胁迫下其种子萌发及植株生长特性,以明确它们的耐盐性强弱。结果显示:(1)随着NaCl浓度的增加,4种植物种子萌发率、萌发指数和相对萌发率均不同程度下降,而相对盐害率则逐渐升高,并以绵果荠的耐盐性最好,其在300 mmol.L-1NaCl胁迫下仍有22.22%的萌发率。(2)4种植物的生长在50~150 mmol.L-1NaCl胁迫下没有受到明显抑制,在200 mmol.L-1浓度下受不同程度的抑制,而在300 mmol.L-1NaCl胁迫下抑制作用更严重,其中绵果荠在各浓度处理下长势均最好,能够在300 mmol.L-1NaCl胁迫下存活10 d。(3)在盐胁迫条件下,4种植物细胞质膜透性不同程度增加,而叶片相对含水量和光合色素含量均不同程度降低,并以绵果荠各项指标的变化幅度最小。可见,4种新疆短命植物种子萌发和植株生长均受到盐胁迫的伤害,但它们的耐盐阈值明显不同,并以绵果荠的耐盐性最强。     

A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of African Elephants on Savanna Vegetation

Abstract: Large herbivores such as elephants (Loxodonta africana) apparently have a negative impact on woody vegetation at moderate to high population densities. The confounding effects that fire, drought, and management history have may complicate assignment of such impacts to herbivory. We reviewed 238 studies published over 45 years and conducted a meta-analysis based on 21 studies that provided sufficient information on response of woody vegetation to elephants. We considered size and duration of studies, elephant densities, rainfall, fences, and study outcomes in our analysis. We detected a disproportionate citation of 20 published studies in our database, 15 of which concluded that woody vegetation responded negatively to elephants. Our analysis showed that high elephant densities had a negative effect on woody vegetation but that rainfall and presence of fences influenced these effects. In arid savannas, woody vegetation always responded negatively to elephants. In transitional savannas, an increase in elephant densities did not influence woody vegetation response. In mesic savannas, negative responses of woody vegetation increased when elephants occurred at higher densities, whereas elephants confined by fences also had more negative effects on woody plants than elephants that were not confined. Our analysis suggested that rainfall and fences influenced elephant density related impact and that research results were often site-specific. Local environmental conditions and site-specific objectives should be considered when developing management actions to curb elephant impacts on woody vegetation.     

4种幼树对二氧化硫胁迫的抗性生理响应

利用密闭环境控制室熏气处理,研究了不同浓度（自然状态和0.5、1.5、3.0 mg·L^-1）SO₂对盆栽巨桉、天竺桂、西蒙得木和茶树幼树叶片渗透调节物质含量、抗氧化系统保护酶活性和丙二醛含量的影响,并就各树种对SO₂的抗性进行综合评价。结果显示:（1）SO₂对4个树种叶片伤害程度表现为天竺桂<西蒙得木<巨桉<茶树。（2）SO₂胁迫显著增加了巨桉和西蒙得木叶片可溶性蛋白（SP）、可溶性糖（SS）和游离脯氨酸（Pro）3种渗透调节物质含量;SO₂胁迫对天竺桂叶片SP和SS含量无显著影响,且对Pro含量的促进作用也是在处理30 d后才体现出来;SO₂胁迫对茶树叶片SP含量无显著影响,使SS含量显著降低,而使Pro含量显著增加。（3）SO₂胁迫总体使巨桉和天竺桂抗氧化系统保护酶——超氧化物酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量增加,但西蒙得木各指标表现不同,而使茶树抗氧化系统保护酶活性和丙二醛含量则全面下降。（4）巨桉、天竺桂、西蒙得木、茶树的最大净吸收S量依次为1.17、1.32、2.04、0.95 g·kg^-1。（5）通过隶属函数法综合7个生理指标得到的SO₂抗性综合排序为天竺桂>西蒙得木>巨桉>茶树,与叶片伤害程度表现一致。研究表明,植物抗氧化保护酶系统在4个树种抵抗SO₂胁迫调节机制中具有重要作用,其中天竺桂超高的基础POD活性可能是其抵抗SO₂伤害的关键机制之一。     

The Relation of Germination of Wheat to Water Potential

The relation of moisture potential to the germination of wheatwas studied by supplying water to the seeds in the vapour phase,at controlled relative humidities. An apparatus for this purposeand a method of attaining the necessary precise control of temperatureare described. The critical level of moisture potential at which germinationis completely inhibited was not reached. Even when, as a resultof infection, the duration of the experiments was limited to20 days, up to 20 per cent, of the seeds germinated at a potentialof –320 metres of water or a pF of 4.5. This is considerablydrier than Permanent Wilting Point, which is represented bya potential of –160 metres of water, or pF 4.2. Thereis a marked effect of moisture potential on the time taken togerminate, as times of emergence varied from 2 to over 20 daysover a range of potentials of from zero to –320 metresof water, but it is probable that very little further germinationwould have occurred after 15 days had not fungal infection enabledthe seeds to obtain liquid water by bridging the air-gap betweenseed and water source. This infection is probably responsiblefor the reduction in viability of the seeds at the lower potentials,as there is an indication that under conditions where germinationis postponed considerably, seeds exhibit a reduced germinatingcapacity probably due to an increased susceptibility to infection. The failure of some individual seeds to germinate at potentialswhich allow other seeds to germinate is not due to failure toattain a critical moisture content. In soil, the percentage germination at low potentials is similarto that observed without soil, but the reduction in the totalgerminating capacity, or viability, after 20 days is not asgreat, and this is probably due to the reduced incidence ofvisible infection observed under these conditions.     

种子萌发期4种植物对干旱胁迫的响应及其抗旱性评价研究

用不同浓度PEG-6000的1/2Hoagland溶液模拟干旱胁迫条件,对沙枣、柠条、杠柳、白蜡4种植物种子的总萌发率、幼苗鲜重、活力指数进行研究.结果表明:(1)随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧4种植物种子的总萌发率、幼苗鲜重、活力指数呈下降趋势,且白蜡下降幅度最大,但柠条、沙枣、杠柳的抗旱指数显著高于白蜡;(2)4种植物种子的逐日萌发率和胚根日变化表明:低浓度PEG-6000对柠条和杠柳的种子萌发具有较好的诱发作用,白蜡和杠柳种子萌发比较集中,沙枣和柠条相对比较分散;沙枣、柠条和白蜡胚根生长呈线性增长,而杠柳呈指数式增长;(3)采用隶属函数法对干旱胁迫下4种植物的相对萌发率、相对鲜重、抗旱指数、相对活力指数进行综合评价的结果显示,4种植物种子萌发阶段的抗旱性次序为:柠条>沙枣>杠柳>白蜡.     

Relative Impacts of Elephant and Fire on Large Trees in a Savanna Ecosystem

Elephant and fire are considered to be among the most important agents that can modify the African savanna ecosystem. Although the synergistic relationship between these two key ecological drivers is well documented, it has proved much more difficult to establish the relative effects they have on savanna vegetation structure at a fine-scale over time. In this study, we explore the comparative impacts of fire and elephant on 2,522 individually identified large trees (≥5 m in height) in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Data were collected from 21 transects first surveyed in April 2006 and resurveyed in November 2008, to determine the relative importance of past damage by these agents on subsequent impacts and mortality. The occurrence of fire or elephant damage in 2006 affected the amount of tree volume subsequently removed by both these agents; elephant removed more tree volume from previously burned trees and the impact of subsequent fire was higher on previously burned or elephant-utilized trees than on undamaged trees. Mortality was also affected by an interaction between previous and recent damage, as the probability of mortality was highest for trees that suffered from fire or elephant utilization after being pushed over. Subsequent fire damage, but not elephant utilization, on debarked trees also increased the probability of mortality. Mortality was twice (4.6% per annum) that of trees progressing into the ≥5 m height class, suggesting an overall decline in large tree density during the 30-month study period. The responses of large trees were species and landscape-specific in terms of sensitivity to elephant and fire impacts, as well as for levels of mortality and progression into the ≥5 m height class. These results emphasize the need for fine-scale site-specific knowledge for effective landscape level understanding of savanna dynamics.