Ample germination ability under wide‐ranging environmental conditions in a common understory tropical palm

Although palms play an important ecological role in tropical forests, characteristics related to their germinative niche remain largely unknown. We evaluated the seed germination characteristics of Geonoma schottiana, an abundant palm in the understory of different ecosystems of the Atlantic Rain Forest biome and the gallery forests of the Cerrado biome. We conducted experiments under light and dark conditions at Ψ = 0 MPa, and under two low‐water‐potential conditions and a flooded condition. Seed germination was highest at Ψ = 0 MPa under light (72%) and dark (67%) conditions. We observed moderate (51%) and low (18%) seed germination at Ψ = ?0.4 and ?0.8 MPa. About 20% of ungerminated seeds subjected to low water potentials for 300 days remained viable. No seeds germinated under flooded conditions; however, 23% of them maintained germinability. A delay in seed germination time was observed at low water potentials and an increase in synchrony occurred at Ψ = ?0.8 MPa. G. schottiana seeds did not require specific light conditions to germinate, and the species possesses germinative characteristics to cope with deficit and excess of water. Probably, this wide germination niche allows for its seeds to germinate over a wide range of habitats in different types of ecosystems.     

Effects of neighborhood on pollination and seed dispersal of a threatened palm

Changes in the spatial density and availability of resources offered by plants due to habitat fragmentation and overexploitation of the natural environment are likely to affect mutualistic interactions. We tested whether changes in the density of neighborhood conspecific and heterospecific plants and in the availability of resources influence the frequency and composition of floral and frugivorous visitors of eleven individuals of the same population of the threatened palm Euterpe edulis in Brazil. The frequency of floral visitors was positively associated with conspecific density and availability of resources. Species composition was affected by the availability of resources since some bee species were associated with palms that offered more flowers, whereas others were associated with palms that offered less. Two bee species may be able to mediate long-distance pollen-flow for E. edulis: an undetermined species of Euglossini and Apis mellifera. Frugivorous birds were not influenced by any of the factors investigated. Birds of the genus Turdus predominated in the assemblage and were responsible for most of the interactions. This is probably due to the fact that, unlike larger birds, species of Turdus are considered resilient to environmental disturbances. Due to the continuous defaunation and fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest, the number of large birds that can promote long-distance seed dispersal is declining, with implications for the genetic diversity of E. edulis. Measures to restore the population density of E. edulis will likely favor the recovery of its genetic diversity due to its high capacity for distant pollen dispersal. Recovering and protecting large frugivorous birds may also contribute to the maintenance of the population density and genetic diversity of E. edulis.     

云锦杜鹃种子萌发及对干旱胁迫的响应

以不同渗透势的PEG-6000溶液模拟干旱胁迫条件, 研究云锦杜鹃种子的萌发、幼苗生长和累积吸水率对干旱胁迫的响应。结果显示：种子于第14 d开始萌发,萌发期为8 d,总萌发率为45.5%±1.7%。在渗透势为-0.3～-0.6 MPa的溶液中, 种子的累计吸水率在第5 d就超过对照(蒸馏水中), 种子的萌发和幼苗的生长也优于对照, 说明云锦杜鹃种子不适合过于湿润的土壤环境中萌发。但溶液的渗透势≥-0.9 MPa时, 种子的吸水减缓、萌发率下降, 同时幼苗的生长也慢, 而当渗透势≥-1.8 MPa时, 种子不能充分吸涨、萌发, 说明云锦杜鹃种子对干旱胁迫比较敏感。另外, 经PEG溶液浸种2天后移入蒸馏水中,萌发率均有一定程度的提高, 其中经-0.3～-1.5 MPa的PEG溶液浸种后, 萌发率显著高于对照。提示用一定浓度范围的PEG溶液浸种可使休眠种子活化, 提高种子繁育的效率。     

胀果甘草种子萌发对干旱胁迫的生理响应

为探讨胀果甘草种子萌发对干旱胁迫的生理生化适应机制,以聚乙二醇(PEG)-6000模拟干旱胁迫,分析了胀果甘草(Glycyrrhiza inflata)种子萌发过程中发芽率(GR)、丙二醛(MDA)及游离脯氨酸(Pro)、可溶性糖(SS)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性的动态变化规律。结果显示,水势为-0.1MPa时,GR达到100%,之后随着干旱胁迫增强而显著降低(P0.05);MDA、Pro含量及SOD、POD活性都表现出水势≥-0.2MPa时增加和-1.4MPa≤水势-0.2MPa时减少的明显趋势(P0.05),这4个指标两两之间的相关关系均达到显著水平(P0.05);而干旱胁迫增强使SS含量显著增加(P0.05)。     

Effects of Neotyphodium fungi on Lolium multiflorum seed germination in relation to water availability

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Temperate endophyte-infected (Neotyphodium sp.) grasses have been shown to exhibit an ecological advantage over endophyte-uninfected grasses under abiotic stressful conditions. It is predicted that endophyte-infected plant populations will display higher rates of germination and proportion of germinated seeds under limiting water conditions. METHODS: The hydrotime regression model was used to describe the effect of Neotyphodium endophyte on seed germination of Lolium multiflorum at different water potentials. Additionally, seed mortality after water stress exposure was estimated in endophyte-infected and -uninfected seeds. KEY RESULTS: Endophyte infection inhibited seed germination at all water potentials. The hydrotime model described satisfactorily the germination responses, and revealed that endophyte-free seeds exhibited higher rates of and final percentage germination, probably due to a lower base water potential compared with endophyte-infected seeds. However, Neotyphodium endophyte conferred a higher rate of survival in those seeds that remained ungerminated when exposed to highly water stress conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Changes produced by Neotyphodium endophyte in L. multiflorum seeds might affect fitness in particular ecological scenarios. For example, the presence of the endophyte may curtail seed germination when water is limiting, reducing the risk of seedling death. Conversely, endophyte-free seeds would display an enhanced germination, ensuring a more rapid seedling establishment if later water conditions do not restrict plant growth.     

四川大头茶地理种群种子大小变异及对萌发、幼苗特征的影响

研究了四川大头萘６个分布地,７个地理种群种子大小变异特征、种子萌发及幼苗发育特征。结果表明,种子大小地理变异,南方种群种子变异较大,北方种上对较小,云南文山的种子最大最重,广西阳塑最轻最小,且最重约为最轻的２～３倍,不同种群种子萌发率也存在差异。南方种子差异较大,北方种子差异较小,大种子普遍有较高萌发率。种子太小小对苗生长速率、苗高、生物量（鲜重）有明显影响。     

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.     

水分胁迫对蔓性千斤拔种子萌发和生理指标的响应

利用不同浓度的聚乙二醇(PEG)模拟水分胁迫条件,测定蔓性千斤拔种子发芽率、发芽指数、平均发芽速度、苗长等萌发特性及渗透调节物质、保护酶活性等生理指标。结果显示,随着PEG浓度的增加,苗长受到明显抑制,发芽率影响不大,降低了平均发芽速度,在4%浓度范围内提高了发芽指数;可溶性糖、脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白含量呈上升趋势,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性呈逐渐上升的趋势。这些结果表明,在一定的PEG胁迫浓度范围内,蔓性千斤拔种子萌发有较高的膜保护酶系统及渗透调节能力,并能不同程度的提高其萌发的整齐度。     

Effect of PEG-induced drought stress on seed germination of four lentil genotypes

Seeds of four lentil genotypes (Castelluccio, Eston, Pantelleria, and Ustica) were subjected to five levels (0, 10, 15, 18, and 21%) of polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000). Germination percentage, root length, tissue water content (WC), α- and β-amylases, α-glucosidase activities, and osmolyte content were evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h after starting the germination test. Water stress reduced seed germination percentage, root length, and seedling WC in all cultivars to different extent. The increase in proline content and total soluble sugars was greater for Eston and Castelluccio compared to the other genotypes. The activity of the enzymes involved in the germination process decreased in all cultivars; the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were most negatively affected by osmotic stress, mainly in the drought sensitive Ustica and Pantelleria. Overall, Eston and Castelluccio were able to express greater drought tolerance and consequently could be used as a valuable resource for breeding programs.     

外源水杨酸对干旱胁迫下小冠花种子萌发及幼芽生理特性的影响

以豆科牧草“绿宝石”小冠花为试材,研究PEG-6000(浓度8%和12%)模拟干旱胁迫下不同浓度外源水杨酸(0、0.5、1.0和2.0 mmol·L^-1)对小冠花种子萌发和幼芽生理特性的影响.结果表明: 0.5～1.0 mmol·L^-1水杨酸显著提高了干旱胁迫下小冠花种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和芽长,12%PEG胁迫下1.0 mmol·L^-1水杨酸处理小冠花幼芽干质量显著高于干旱处理.0.5～1.0 mmol·L^-1水杨酸处理显著提高了干旱胁迫下小冠花幼芽脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白含量,显著提高了过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶、超氧化物歧化酶活性,显著降低了幼芽细胞电解质渗透率、H₂O₂含量、O₂^-·产生速率,其中以1.0 mmol·L^-1水杨酸处理效果最好.水杨酸浓度超过2.0 mmol·L^-1时对干旱胁迫没有缓解效应.表明适宜浓度的水杨酸(0.5～1.0 mmol·L^-1)可以提高小冠花幼芽渗透调节能力和抗氧化能力,促进小冠花生长,缓解干旱胁迫伤害.     

土壤菲污染对两种草坪草种子萌发及其幼苗生长的影响

采用培养皿中的种子暴露试验方法,研究了2种城市绿化草种——多年生黑麦草和三叶草在不同多环芳烃菲污染浓度梯度和不同土壤改良方式下的种子萌发及其幼苗生长反应。结果表明:不同浓度菲污染对2个草种的发芽率和幼苗生长没有显著差异;除了低浓度胁迫下黑麦草处理外,所有处理的萌发指标大都随着菲胁迫浓度的提高而降低。此外,污染土壤的几种改良方式在一定程度上对草种的萌发及其幼苗生长有积极的作用。总的来说,表面活性剂和树木凋落物复合的改良作用效果要好于二者单独使用的效果。     

光照和温度对百合属6种植物种子萌发的影响

对不同光照和温度条件对条叶百合（Lilium callosum Sieb.et Zucc.)、大花卷丹[L. leichtlinii Hook.f var.maximowicaii(Regel)Baker]、有斑百合[L.concolor Salisb.var.pulchellum(Fisch.)Regel]、川百合[L.davidii Duchartre)、毛百合（L. dauricum Ker-Gawl.)和东北百合（L.distichum Nakai)种子萌发的影响进行了研究。结果表明：光照对有斑百合、川百合和毛百合种子萌发有明显促进作用,可缩短种子萌发时间,提高种子萌发率。24h光照下种子萌发完全所需天数比12h光照少,种子萌发率以24h光照最佳。避光条件下温度对大花卷丹、有斑百合、毛百合、川百合及东北百合种子萌发率和萌发速度有影响,对条叶百合种子影响最大,其种子萌发最适温度为20℃,5～6d开始萌动,2～3周萌发完全,随着温度的升高或降低其种子萌发率下降。光照条件下,变温对种子萌发影响不明显。子叶留土类型的毛百合种子有二次休眼现象,9000lx光照能代替低温解除二次休眼。经不同前处理的百合种子萌发率和萌发速度不同。     

干旱胁迫下柳枝稷在露天矿区土壤中的种子萌发和生长特性

将能源植物用作矿区生态修复物种,对矿区的经济发展和生态环境具有重要意义。以能源植物柳枝稷为研究对象,通过盆栽试验,分析其在对照、轻度、中度以及重度干旱胁迫下柳枝稷幼苗在矿区土壤基质和非矿区土壤基质下的生长特性,并结合不同干旱胁迫下矿区土壤基质中种子萌发特征,揭示柳枝稷对干旱胁迫的响应机制和对矿区土壤的生态适应性。试验结果表明：(1)柳枝稷种子发芽总数、发芽率、发芽势以及发芽指数在轻度胁迫下达到最大值,活力指数在对照组最高,而在重度胁迫下,各项指标均达到最小值;种苗各生长指标在轻度胁迫下最小,幼苗根长和鲜重在重度胁迫下最高,芽长和芽重在其余三组胁迫下相差不大。(2)干旱胁迫使两种土壤基质下的柳枝稷株高降低,枯叶率增加,在对照、轻度胁迫和重度胁迫下能够保持叶片水分含量和分蘖数稳定;矿区土壤基质中,柳枝稷根体积在轻度胁迫下最大,中度胁迫下根长最长,重度胁迫下根数最多;根冠比随着干旱胁迫的加剧表现出先减后增的趋势,在轻度胁迫下最小,在重度胁迫下最大。(3)与非矿区土壤基质相比,柳枝稷在矿区土壤基质下根冠比更大,其余生长指标均更小;随着干旱胁迫的加剧,柳枝稷在矿区土壤基质下的株高、枯叶率、叶片相...     

Germination and water dispersal of seeds from a threatened plant species Penthorum chinense

To conserve a threatened plant species (Penthorum chinense Pursh) in Japan, seed germination responses to pretreatment (imbibition and/or chilled), temperature and light, and seed dispersal by water were examined. The seeds collected from abandoned paddy fields in a warm temperate region, central Japan, germinated in light (14 h photoperiod; light 22°C, dark 21°C) after a moist-chilled treatment. After this pretreatment, the seeds germinated well at 10–25°C (optimum temperature 15°C), but did not germinate in darkness even at the optimum temperature. Most of the seeds floated on distilled water, but 20–60% of the seeds that were collected from several populations sank in distilled water, indicating dimorphism in seed dispersal by water. The floating and sunken seeds did not show significant differences in weight and germination rate within a population. The addition of a surface-active agent in distilled water submerged the seeds, indicating that the buoyancy of the seeds is attributable to an oil coating on the seed surface that enhances the interfacial tension on the seeds. Three times the number of seeds sank in river water collected from a rural area than in distilled water. A greater number of seeds also sank in water that had increasing concentrations of linear alkylbenzenesulfonate, which is a major component of synthetic detergents. This suggests that the water dispersal of this species is suppressed by surface-active agents, including detergents, in river water.     

Exploiting fruits of a threatened palm to trigger restoration of Brazil's Atlantic Forest

Recent global commitments to forest and landscape restoration in the tropics call for new management approaches that benefit both biodiversity and livelihoods of forest‐dependent people. The sustainable use of wild forest products is a promising pathway, but requires clarity about harvested species' demography and harvesters' rights. Here, we explored how the exploitation of fruits of the threatened palm Euterpe edulis, a key fruit source for wildlife in Brazil's globally important Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, could trigger local community involvement in restoration. This palm has both non‐destructive (fruit) and destructive (palm heart) culinary uses, each with unique biological and resource‐use conditions. We quantified all demographic stages of this species in multiple agroforests, secondary forests, and protected areas to parameterize demographic projections of palm populations, harvest profitability, and fruit provisioning to wildlife under different management scenarios. Field observations showed a clear depression of adult palm populations in protected areas, likely due to palm heart poaching, and of intermediate size classes in agroforests, probably from weeding by farmers. Field data and demographic models reveal that in this region, agroforests and secondary forests can successfully conserve this species while providing lasting profits for farmers under most scenarios. These findings demonstrate a clear case where local stakeholders both contribute to and benefit from restoration through harvest of wild products and also highlight a potential source of income from regenerating tropical forests.     

干旱胁迫下华北驼绒藜种子大小及苞片对萌发和幼苗生长的影响

干旱是影响荒漠区植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的关键因素.以多年生强旱生半灌木华北驼绒藜为对象,研究了不同干旱程度(0、100、200、300和400g·L-1PEG6000)下,种子大小及苞片有无对种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:干旱胁迫显著抑制了种子萌发和幼苗地上部的生长.100和200 g ? L-1 PEG6000...     

水分胁迫下紫花苜蓿和高粱种子萌发特性及幼苗耐旱性

利用PEG溶液(水势梯度:-0.1～-0.5MPa)模拟水分胁迫,研究了紫花苜蓿(品种:阿尔冈金和陇东)和高粱(品种:抗四)种子的萌发能力的变化及对萌发环境的最低水分需求,并进行种间差异比较.结果显示:PEG水分胁迫通过限制种子有效水分的吸收而抑制了其萌发,且随着胁迫强度的增加,萌发能力减弱,主要表现在:萌发率、吸水速率、萌发活力、萌发胁迫指数等随胁迫强度的增加而下降,根芽比则随之增加.另一方面,种子群体萌动、萌发和出苗达50%概率时间随胁迫强度的增加而越发延迟,且各阶段对环境临界水势的需求不同,出苗阶段最为严格,说明种子出苗过程对环境水分胁迫最为敏感,耐旱能力最弱.相比之下,在同等胁迫条件下,高粱种子的萌发能力较苜蓿种子受到影响较小,各个阶段对环境水势的需求也相对较为宽松.因此,苜蓿苗期对干旱胁迫的忍耐能力不及高粱,且出苗过程中对环境水分条件的需求存在品种间差异.     

红砂和霸王种子萌发对干旱与播深条件的响应

红砂(Reaumuria soongorica)和霸王(Zygophyllum xantho xylum)分别是我国西北干旱荒漠区重要的超旱生小灌木和灌木.试验室条件下,研究了两种灌木种子萌发对干旱胁迫(以PEG模拟干旱条件)和播深的响应.干旱胁迫设0、 -0.3、 -0.6、-0.9、-1.2、-1.5、-1.8、-2.1、-2.4、-2.7MPa共10个处理,播深设0、0 .3,0.5,1.0,1.5,2.0,3.0,4.0cm共8个处理.结果显示模拟干旱条件下,供试种的发芽势(3d发芽率)皆从-0.3MPa起即开始显著下降(P<0.05) .发芽率红砂从-0 .9MPa渗透势、霸王从-0.6MPa开始显著降低;种子萌发的最低渗透势阈值红砂和霸王分别为-1.8MPa和-1.5MPa.干旱胁迫对种子胚芽生长有抑制作用,但轻度干旱可促进初生根生长,重度干旱胁迫抑制初生根生长.播深实验表明,红砂和霸王种子均为子叶出土发芽类型 .一般情况下,供试种随播深增加胚芽长度呈增加而初生根呈下降趋势,但霸王在播于土表时初生根生长受到抑制.实验室条件下,达到最大出苗率的播深红砂为0～0.5cm,霸王为0 ～2cm.在适宜条件下,红砂和霸王种子萌发的最低需水量分别为110%和90%,初始萌发时间分别为40h和48h.红砂种子发芽势低(28%)、萌发持续而分散;霸王种子发芽势高(87%) 、萌发整齐.讨论了两种种子发芽对干旱和播深的响应特征及其生态生物学意义.     

桔梗种子萌发对低温、干旱及互作胁迫的响应

以药用植物桔梗种子为材料,研究了低温、干旱及其互作对种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响,旨在探索在春寒干旱条件下其种子萌发对策及生态适应性,为桔梗野生种群恢复及人工栽培群体构建提供依据.结果表明,温度、干旱及其互作对桔梗种子萌发和幼苗生长均有显著影响.0-10％ PEG水分条件下,在变温10/20℃及恒温15-25℃下桔梗种子能够良好萌发(10％ PEG、20℃除外),而15％ PEG可显著抑制萌发.低温(10℃)下种子萌发始时间延迟,发芽率降低.随干旱胁迫程度的增加,10℃发芽率呈先升后降趋势,而其它温度下,发芽率和发芽指数均呈下降趋势.随温度的降低,幼苗根长、茎长及鲜重均呈下降趋势,且幼根生长对温度变化更为敏感.