The generic position of Lithraea brasiliensis Marchand (Anacardiaceae): evidence from fruit and seed structure

In Lithraea brasiliensis Marchand the exocarp is characterized by brachysclereids and the parenchymatous mesocarp by large secretory ducts; inner sclerenchymatous ridges are absent in die mesocarp. The stratified endocarp s. s. comprises a crystal layer, palisade-like brachysclereids, osteosclereids and macrosclereids. The osteosclereids are characterized by a distinct light line or linea lucida , which has hitherto also been recorded in a species of Rhus. In the partially pachychalazal seed, a typical Anacardiaceae-like hypostase typifies the chalazal part of the seed coat, while the integumentary seed coat reveals a well preserved outer epidermis, a compressed endotegmen and well developed inner cuticular layer. Our comparison of die characters of the ovule, fruit and seed of L. brasiliensis with those of various species of Rhus and other genera of the tribe Rhoeae (some closely related) presents evidence that L. brasiliensis could be most closely associated with the genus Rhus.     

Structure and development of Medicago truncatula pod wall and seed coat

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Medicago truncatula has gained much attention as a genomic model species for legume biology, but little is known about the morphology of its pods and seeds. Structural and developmental characteristics of M. truncatula pod walls and seed coats are presented. METHODS: Plants of M. truncatula ecotype A17 were grown under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Flowers were date-tagged at anthesis, so that pods of known age could be collected. Harvested pods were fixed and sectioned for light microscopy. Structural attributes of pod walls and seed coats were characterized at four time points throughout early to mid-stages of pod development (3, 6, 13 and 20 d post-pollination). KEY RESULTS: Basic features of the pod wall are an exocarp comprised of a single epidermal layer, a mesocarp with seven to 14 layers of parenchyma cells, and an endocarp composed of an inner epidermal cell layer and three to five layers of sclerenchyma cells adjacent to it. Vascular bundles are abundant in the pod wall and include one lateral carpellary bundle, one median carpellary bundle and nine to 12 vascular bundles, all embedded within the mesocarp parenchyma. Seed coat features include an epidermal layer of macrosclereids, a sub-epidermal layer of osteosclereids, and two to five rows of internal parenchyma cells. The hilar region contains the tracheid bar and the chalazal vascular bundle, the latter of which expands to form only two short branches. CONCLUSIONS: This characterization provides a needed understanding of pod structure and development in this model legume, and should facilitate various molecular investigations into legume fruit and seed biology.     

Fruit and seed ontogeny related to the seed behaviour of two tropical species of Caesalpinia (Leguminosae)

Caesalpinia echinata and C. ferrea var. ferrea have different seed behaviours and seed and fruit types. Comparison of the seed ontogeny and anatomy partly explained the differences in seed behaviour between these two species of Brazilian legumes; some differences were also related to fruit development. The seed coat in C. ferrea consisted of two layers of osteosclereids, as well as macrosclereids and fibres, to form a typical legume seed coat, whereas C. echinata had only macrosclereids and fibres. In C. echinata , the developing seed coat had paracytic stomata, a feature rarely found in legume seeds. These seed coat features may account for the low longevity of C. echinata seeds. The embryogeny was similar in both species, with no differences in the relationship between embryo growth and seed growth. The seeds of both species behaved as typical endospermic seeds, despite their different morphological classification (exendospermic orthodox seeds were described for C. echinata and endospermic orthodox seeds for C. ferrea ). Embryo growth in C. ferrea accelerated when the sclerenchyma of the pericarp was developing, whereas embryonic growth in C. echinata was associated with the conclusion of spine and secretory reservoir development in the pericarp. Other features observed included an endothelial layer that secreted mucilage in both species, a nucellar summit, which grew up into the micropyle, and a placental obturator that connected the ovarian tissue to the ovule in C. ferrea . © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 57–70.     

Anatomical and chemical characteristics of the seed coat of <i>Medicago sativa</i> L. (alfalfa) cv. Baralfa 85 seeds and their association with seed dormancy

Seeds of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) can exhibit seedcoat imposed dormancy, which produces hard seeds within a seed lot. These seeds do not germinate because they do not imbibe water due to a barrier to water entry in the seed coat. The aim of this work was to analyze the anatomical and chemical characteristics of the testa of alfalfa seeds with respect to water permeability levels. The anatomy of seeds of the cv. Baralfa 85 was studied and structural substances, polyphenols, tannins and cutin present in the testa of seeds of different water permeability levels were determined. The anatomical characteristics of the seed coat and the proportions of components were found to determine the permeability level of the seed coat, an aspect that is associated with the physical seed dormancy level. Anatomically, increased thickness of the testa was associated with a lower permeability level. The difference may be attributed to the variation in cuticle thickness, length of macrosclereids and thickness of the cell wall, and presence and development of osteosclereids. From the physiological and chemical points of view, the mechanism of physical dormancy of the testa is explained by a greater amount of components that repel water and cement the cell wall, such as polyphenols, lignins, condensed tannins, pectic substances, and a lower proportion of cellulose and hemicellulose.     

Comparative morphology and physiology of fruit and seed development in the two shrubs Rhus aromatica and R. glabra (Anacardiaceae)

Morphology and physiology of fruit and seed development were compared in Rhus aromatica and R. glabra (Anacardiaceae), both of which produce drupes with water-impermeable endocarps. Phenology of flowering/fruiting of the two species at the study site was separated by ∼2 mo. However, they were similar in the timetable and pattern of fruit and seed development; it took ∼2 mo and ∼1.5 mo for flowers of Rhus aromatica and R. glabra, respectively, to develop into mature drupes. The single sigmoidal growth curve for increase in fruit size and in dry mass of these two species differs from the double-sigmoidal one described for typical commercial drupes such as peach and plum. Order of attainment of maximum size was fruit and endocarp (same time), seed coat, and embryo. By the time fruits turned red, the embryo had reached full size and become germinable; moisture content of seed plus endocarp had decreased to ∼40%. The endocarp was the last fruit component to reach physiological maturity, which coincided with development of its impermeability and a seed plus endocarp moisture content of <10%. At this time, ∼50, 37, and 13% of the dry mass of the drupe was allocated to the exocarp plus mesocarp unit, endocarp, and seed, respectively. The time course of fruit and seed development in these two species is much faster than that reported for other Anacardiaceae, including Rhus lancea, Protorhus, and Pistacia.     

Ontogeny and structure of the drupe of Ozoroa paniculosa (Anacardiaceae)

An exocarp sensu stricto develops from the outer epidermis of the ovary wall. At maturity it comprises extensively radially elongated palisade-like parenchyma cellS. Besides having an outer cuticle, the outer tangential and outer parts of the radial cell walls of these cells are strongly cutinized. Large, permanently open stomata and saucer-shaped depressions also characterize the exocarp. The mature mesocarp sensu stricto consists of secondarily thickened parenchyma and brachysclereidS. An abundance of tanniniferous deposits and crystals, as well as secretory ducts associated with the vascular bundles also form part of the mature mesocarp. Derivatives of the inner epidermis of the ovary wall differentiate into the stratified endocarp sensu stricto. At maturity this comprises consecutive layers of macrosclereids, osteosclereids (typified by a capitate part and cell wall flutes), brachysclereids, and crystalliferous sclereidS. Pericarp structure is related to its taxonomic significance and the possible role of micromorphological characters in the survival strategy of Ozoroa paniculosa. It is shown that ontogenetic studies contribute to the precise interpretation of previously described cell layers, ensuring that homologous tissues are compared in different taxa.     

Seed anatomy and water uptake in relation to seed dormancy in Opuntia tomentosa (Cactaceae, Opuntioideae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is considerable confusion in the literature concerning impermeability of seeds with 'hard' seed coats, because the ability to take up (imbibe) water has not been tested in most of them. Seeds of Opuntia tomentosa were reported recently to have a water-impermeable seed coat sensu lato (i.e. physical dormancy), in combination with physiological dormancy. However, physical dormancy is not known to occur in Cactaceae. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if seeds of O. tomentosa are water-permeable or water-impermeable, i.e. if they have physical dormancy. METHODS: The micromorphology of the seed coat and associated structures were characterized by SEM and light microscopy. Permeability of the seed-covering layers was assessed by an increase in mass of seeds on a wet substrate and by dye-tracking and uptake of tritiated water by intact versus scarified seeds. KEY RESULTS: A germination valve and a water channel are formed in the hilum-micropyle region during dehydration and ageing in seeds of O. tomentosa. The funicular envelope undoubtedly plays a role in germination of Opuntia seeds via restriction of water uptake and mechanical resistance to expansion of the embryo. However, seeds do not exhibit any of three features characteristic of those with physical dormancy. Thus, they do not have a water-impermeable layer(s) of palisade cells (macrosclereids) or a water gap sensu stricto and they imbibe water without the seed coat being disrupted. CONCLUSIONS: Although dormancy in seeds of this species can be broken by scarification, they have physiological dormancy only. Further, based on information in the literature, it is concluded that it is unlikely that any species of Opuntia has physical dormancy. This is the first integrative study of the anatomy, dynamics of water uptake and dormancy in seeds of Cactaceae subfamily Opuntioideae.     

The Generic Position of Protorhus namaquensis Sprague (Anacardiaceae): Evidence from Fruit Structure

In Protorhus namaquensis the outer epidermis of the ovary formsthe exocarp. At maturity it is uniseriate and consists of palisade-likeparenchyma cells and modified stomata (MS). A cuticle, extensivecutinization of the outer cell walls and starch also characterizethe exocarp. The mesocarp develops from the ground tissue ofthe ovary wall and includes an outer zone of large-celled tanniniferousparenchyma, secretory ducts associated with some of the vascularbundles, prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate and brachysclereids.The inner epidermis of the ovary undergoes successive periclinaldivisions whose derivatives form the mature endocarp. It isstratified and tetraseriate, comprising successive layers (frommesocarp inwards) of crystalliferous cells, brachysclereids,osteosclereids and macrosclereids. The morphology of the femaleflower, and the fruit structure of P. namaquensis are comparedwith that of P. longifolia (lectotype of the genus and onlyother African species) and species of Ozoroa. We present abundantevidence that P. namaquensis should be associated with somemembers of the genus Ozoroa , rather than with P. longifolia.The new combination, Ozoroa namaquensis (Sprague) Von Teichman& Van Wyk, is proposed. Characters of the perianth and pericarp,inter alia the occlusion of the pores of most MS, are consideredadaptations of the species to its harsh semi-desert habitat.Copyright1994, 1999 Academic Press Anacardiaceae, Protorhus namaquensis, Ozoroa namaquensis, pericarp, fruit, flower, modified stomata, ontogeny, histochemistry, cutin     

Dormancy-breaking and germination requirements for seeds of Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (Caprifoliaceae)

Fruits (drupes) of Symphoricarpos orbiculatus ripen in autumn and are dispersed from autumn to spring. Seeds (true seed plus fibrous endocarp) are dormant at maturity, and they have a small, linear embryo that is underdeveloped. In contrast to previous reports, the endocarp and seed coat of S. orbiculatus are permeable to water; thus, seeds do not have physical dormancy. No fresh seeds germinated during 2 wk of incubation over a 15°/6°-35°/20°C range of thermoperiods in light (14-h photoperiod); gibberellic acid and warm or cold stratification alone did not overcome dormancy. One hundred percent of the seeds incubated in a simulated summer → autumn → winter → spring sequence of temperature regimes germinated, whereas none of those subjected to a winter → spring sequence did so. That is, cold stratification is effective in breaking dormancy only after seeds first are exposed to a period of warm temperatures. Likewise, embryos grew at cold temperatures only after seeds were exposed to warm temperatures. Thus, the seeds of S. orbiculatus have nondeep complex morphophysiological dormancy. As a result of dispersal phenology and dormancy-breaking requirements, in nature most seeds that germinate do so the second spring following maturity; a low to moderate percentage of the seeds may germinate the third spring. Seeds can germinate to high percentages under Quercus leaf litter and while buried in soil; they have little or no potential to form a long-lived soil seed bank.     

Role of warm stratification in promoting germination of seeds of Empetrum hermaphroditum (Empetraceae), a circumboreal species with a stony endocarp

The broad objective of this research was to define the role of warm (≥15°C) stratification in breaking dormancy in seeds with stony endocarps that require warm-plus-cold (～0°-10°C) stratification for germination. This question was addressed using seeds (true seed + endocarp, hereafter called seeds) of Empetrum hermaphroditum. Only 2-5% of freshly matured seeds collected in September and October at five sites in Sweden germinated in light at daily alternating temperature regimes of 15°/6°, 20°/10°, and 25°/15°C. Dormancy was not due to impermeability of the stony endocarp surrounding each seed, and embryos did not grow prior to radicle emergence. Thus, seeds did not have physical, morphological, or morphophysiological dormancy. Long periods of either cold stratification (20 or 32 wk) or warm stratification (16 wk) resulted in a maximum of 22-38 and 10% germination, respectively, in light at 25°/15°C. After 12 wk warm stratification plus 20 wk cold stratification, 83-93% of the seeds germinated in light at the three temperature regimes. For a cold stratification period of 20 wk, germination increased with increase in length of the preceding warm stratification treatment. Gibberellic acid (GA(3)) promoted germination of 77-87% of the seeds. Based on dormancy-breaking requirements and response to GA(3), 62-78% of the seeds had intermediate physiological dormancy; the others had nondeep physiological dormancy. Contrary to suggestions of several other investigators that warm stratification is required to make the endocarp permeable to water via its breakdown by microorganisms, our results with E. hermaphroditum show that this is not the case. In this species, warm stratification is part of the dormancy-breaking requirement of embryos in seeds with intermediate physiological dormancy.     

Morphophysiological dormancy in seeds of two North American and one Eurasian species of Sambucus (Caprifoliaceae) with underdeveloped spatulate embryos

In contrast to previous reports, the endocarps ("seed coats") of Sambucus species are not impermeable to water; thus, the seeds do not have physical dormancy. Seeds of the North American species Sambucus canadensis and S. pubens and of the European species S. racemosa have spatulate shaped embryos that are ～60% fully developed (elongated) at seed maturity. The embryo has to extend to the full length of the seed to germinate. Embryos in freshly matured seeds of S. canadensis and in those of S. pubens grew better at 25°/15°C than at 5°C, whereas the rate of embryo growth in S. racemosa was higher at 5°C than at 25°/15°C. Seeds of all three species germinated to significantly higher percentages in light (14-h photoperiod) than in darkness. Fresh seeds of neither species germinated during 2 wk of incubation over a range of thermoperiods. Warm followed by cold stratification broke dormancy in seeds of S. canadensis and in those of S. pubens. Thus, seeds of these two North American species have deep simple morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). In comparison, seeds of the European species S. racemosa required a cold stratification period only for dormancy break, and thus they have intermediate complex MPD. GA(3) was much more effective in breaking dormancy in seeds of S. racemosa than it was in those of S. canadensis or S. pubens.     

Structural Diversity and its Adaptive Significancein Seeds of Vigna minima (Roxb.) Ohwi Ohashi and its Allies (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae)

The surface features of seed coat, hilum and strophiole, histologicalaspects of hilum and strophiole, and mechanism of seed dormancyinVigna minima, V. umbellata, V. dalzelliana and V. calcarataauct. pi. have been investigated. Scanning electron microscopyhas revealed a substantial variability in seed coat microtopography,hilum and strophiole, which is of taxonomic and evolutionarysignificance. The histology of the hilum is uniform in all fourtaxa, but the structure of the strophiole shows differencesbetween wild and cultivated species. All four taxa have hardseeds; those ofV. umbellata have no dormancy but those of wildspecies have water-impermeable dormancy. Seed germination experimentsusing araldite-coated, and hilum-micropyle- and strophiole-pluggedhard seeds of V. umbellata and water-impermeable seeds of V.minima, which were pin-pricked through the strophiolar groove,demonstrate that the zone of weakness to the permeability ofwater in hard seeds of these species is the strophiolar region,and not the seed coat, hilum or micropyle. The parenchymatoustissue of the strophiolar plug in the seeds ofV. umbellataisassociated with the lack of dormancy, whereas the sclerenchymatoustissue of the strophiolar plug in the seeds ofV. minima is responsiblefor the water-impermeable seed dormancy. Under natural conditions,the water-impermeable dormancy of wild species breaks down asa result of the degradation of the hard seed coat, by microbialaction, at the strophiolar groove.     

野生玫瑰果实发育过程中种子的细胞组织结构和内源激素变化对其休眠性的影响

以吉林珲春自然群落的野生玫瑰(Rosa rugosa Thunb.)为试验材料,探究野生玫瑰在果实形成过程中种子的发育及休眠性的形成和变化。选取青果期(1~35 d)、转色期(35~60 d)、红果期(60~75 d)的果实及种子,结合形态学、组织细胞学观察法及高效液相色谱技术,对果实各发育时期的种子形态、种胚及内果皮的发育进行研究,并分析种子内源激素含量变化与果实发育、种子休眠之间的关系。结果表明:果实和种子在青果期(1~35 d)时发育速度最快,种胚在花后24 d发育完全,种子不存在形态休眠。花后24 d内果皮开始沉积木质素并逐渐木质化,种子开始产生机械休眠。种子激素含量的变化与果实的发育、转色及内果皮的木质化密切相关,种子内源GA3和ABA含量在青果期(1~35 d)达到峰值,内源IAA含量在果实转色期(35~60 d)达到最大值,高浓度的ABA含量是种子尚未脱离果实时便已进入生理休眠的主要原因。     

珍稀濒危植物珙桐种子休眠萌发过程中内源激素的变化

珙桐是我国特有珍稀濒危植物,休眠期长且具二次休眠现象。将处于休眠萌发过程中的珙桐种子依据胚根长度划分为4个阶段,利用高效液相色谱(HPLC)测定各阶段种子及其内果皮中ABA(脱落酸)、GA(赤霉素)、KT(细胞分裂素)、IAA(3-吲哚乙酸)4种内源激素含量,分析其比值动态变化,并与幼苗阶段进行比较。结果显示:未破壳种子的内果皮中内源激素含量以ABA最高,其次是GA、IAA、KT,随着种子破壳后四种激素含量显著降低。除ABA外,种子中GA、IAA和KT含量随着胚根的伸长逐渐升高,但仍低于幼苗阶段。此外,随着胚根伸长,种子中GA/ABA、IAA/ABA、KT/ABA比值逐渐增大,其中以GA/ABA的变化最显著。因此,珙桐种子的休眠和萌发可能主要受ABA和GA的平衡和拮抗来调控。     

Seeds latency of Stylosanthes hamata (Leguminosae) and its relation with morphology of the seed-coat]

The seed of Stylosanthes hamata is characterized by it's a high level of dormancy, which is imposed by seed-coat impermeability to water entry (harseededness or hard-seed condition). The level of hardseededness between upper and lower articulations of seven diploid and five tetraploid accessions was studied under tropical conditions. Germination tests on naked seeds (relative humidity: 55-65%, constant temperature: 27-30 degrees C, photoperiod: 12/12 hr) showed that hard-seed percentage was, in most cases, over 85% independent of ploidy level and seed position within the fruit. Histochemical analysis indicated that hardseededness in this species was associated with a completely sealed microphile and hilum. This feature was also associated to: a) an epidermis consisting of a palisade-like layer of macrosclereids, b) a like-line at the outermost region of these cells and c) a high concentration of hydrophobic compounds located all across the seed-coat.     

A proposed mechanism for physical dormancy break in seeds of Ipomoea lacunosa (Convolvulaceae)

Background and Aims

The water-impermeable seeds of Ipomoea lacunosa undergo sensitivity cycling to dormancy breaking treatment, and slits are formed around bulges adjacent to the micropyle during dormancy break, i.e. the water gap opens. The primary aim of this research was to identify the mechanism of slit formation in seeds of this species.

Methods

Sensitive seeds were incubated at various combinations of relative humidity (RH) and temperature after blocking the hilar area in different places. Increase in seed mass was measured before and after incubation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and staining of insensitive and sensitive seeds were carried out to characterize these states morphologically and anatomically. Water absorption was monitored at 35 and 25 °C at 100 % RH.

Key Results

There was a significant relationship between incubation temperature and RH with percentage seed dormancy break. Sensitive seeds absorbed water vapour, but insensitive seeds did not. Different amounts of water were absorbed by seeds with different blocking treatments. There was a significant relationship between dormancy break and the amount of water absorbed during incubation.

Conclusions

Water vapour seals openings that allow it to escape from seeds and causes pressure to develop below the bulge, thereby causing slits to form. A model for the mechanism of formation of slits (physical dormancy break) is proposed.Key words: Convolvulaceae, Ipomoea lacunosa, dormancy-breaking mechanism, physical dormancy, seeds, sensitivity cycling, water vapour     

Fruits and seeds of Ruppia (Potamogetonaceae) from the Pliocene of Yushe Basin, Shanxi, northern China and their ecological implications

Numerous fruits and seeds of Ruppia are reported from the Upper Pliocene (2.3–3.5 Myr ago) Zhangcun Formation in Yushe Basin, Shanxi, northern China. They are the first fossil Ruppia from China and demonstrate the importance of fruit and seed fossils in recording genera not represented by fossil leaves. These Ruppia are characterized by possessing a small oval endocarp, smooth endocarp surface, distinct elliptical external depressions, distinct apical mucro, slightly curved seed shape and conspicuous globose hilum. A new species, R. yushensis Zhao, Collinson and Li, is described from these endocarp and seed features. Comparison with the two European Miocene species, R. palaeomaritima Negru and R. maritime-miocenica Szafer, indicates the existence at that time of three different geographical and stratigraphical species. R. yushensis constitutes the first Pliocene record of Ruppia and extends the range of fossils of this genus from Europe to eastern Asia. R. yushensis is the only aquatic plant in the uppermost middle part of the Zhangcun Formation. This monotypic occurrence indicates a brackish, clear, tranquil and shallow lake in this region in the Late Pliocene. The smooth endocarp surface further suggests a warm temperate or temperate palaeoclimate.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 317–329.     

Phylogeny of seed dormancy in Convolvulaceae, subfamily Convolvuloideae (Solanales)

Background and Aims: The water gap is an important morphoanatomical structure inseeds with physical dormancy (PY). It is an environmental signaldetector for dormancy break and the route of water into thenon-dormant seed. The Convolvulaceae, which consists of subfamiliesConvolvuloideae (11 tribes) and Humbertoideae (one tribe, monotypicHumberteae), is the only family in the asterid clade known toproduce seeds with PY. The primary aim of this study was tocompare the morphoanatomical characteristics of the water gapin seeds of species in the 11 tribes of the Convolvuloideaeand to use this information, and that on seed dormancy and storagebehaviour, to construct a phylogenetic tree of seed dormancyfor the subfamily. Methods: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to define morphologicalchanges in the hilum area during dormancy break; hand and vibratomesections were taken to describe the anatomy of the water gap,hilum and seed coat; and dye tracking was used to identify theinitial route of water entry into the non-dormant seed. Resultswere compared with a recent cladogram of the family. Key Results: Species in nine tribes have (a) layer(s) of palisade cells inthe seed coat, a water gap and orthodox storage behaviour. Erycibe(Erycibeae) and Maripa (Maripeae) do not have a palisade layerin the seed coat or a water gap, and are recalcitrant. The hilarfissure is the water gap in relatively basal Cuscuteae, andbulges adjacent to the micropyle serve as the water gap in theConvolvuloideae, Dicranostyloideae (except Maripeae) and theCardiochlamyeae clades. Seeds from the Convolvuloideae havemorphologically prominent bulges demarcated by cell shape inthe sclereid layer, whereas the Dicranostyloideae and Cardiochlamyeaehave non-prominent bulges demarcated by the number of sub-celllayers. The anatomy and morphology of the hilar pad follow thesame pattern. Conclusions: PY in the subfamily Convolvuloideae probably evolved in theaseasonal tropics from an ancestor with recalcitrant non-dormantseeds, and it may have arisen as Convolvulaceae radiated tooccupy the seasonal tropics. Combinational dormancy may havedeveloped in seeds of some Cuscuta spp. as this genus movedinto temperate habitats.     

准噶尔山楂种壳、种皮、种胚特性与种子休眠的关系

以准噶尔山楂种子为试验材料,检测其种壳和种皮的透水性及超微结构、种胚休眠特性及种子浸提液的抑制作用。结果表明：（1）准噶尔山楂种子具有胚休眠特性,种壳存在一定的机械束缚和透水障碍,存在内源抑制物质是引起准噶尔山楂种子休眠的主要原因。（2）酸蚀处理能使种壳表面结构破损,角质层脱落,种壳变薄,栅栏组织结构和细胞排列未发生变化,种孔增大,种子表面出现裂缝,但并不影响种子生活力。（3）准噶尔山楂种子甲醇浸提液的生物测定结果说明,准噶尔山楂种子的种壳、种皮和种胚均含有内源抑制物质,不同部位浸提液对白菜种子的发芽率、根长和苗高的抑制作用不同。     

Endocarp thickness affects seed removal speed by small rodents in a warm-temperate broad-leafed deciduous forest, China

Seed traits are important factors affecting seed predation by rodents and thereby the success of recruitment. Seeds of many tree species have hard hulls. These are thought to confer mechanical protection, but the effect of endocarp thickness on seed predation by rodents has not been well investigated. Wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca), wild peach (Amygdalus davidiana), cultivated walnut (Juglans regia), wild walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim) and Liaodong oak (Quercus liaotungensis) are very common tree species in northwestern Beijing city, China. Their seeds vary greatly in size, endocarp thickness, caloric value and tannin content. This paper aims to study the effects of seed traits on seed removal speed of these five tree species by small rodents in a temperate deciduous forest, with emphasis on the effect of endocarp thickness. The results indicated that speed of removal of seeds released at stations in the field decreased significantly with increasing endocarp thickness. We found no significant correlations between seed removal speed and other seed traits such as seed size, caloric value and tannin content. In seed selection experiments in small cages, Père David's rock squirrel (Sciurotamias davidianus), a large-bodied, strong-jawed rodent, selected all of the five seed species, and the selection order among the five seed species was determined by endocarp thickness and the ratio of endocarp mass/seed mass. In contrast, the Korean field mouse (Apodemus peninsulae) and Chinese white-bellied rat (Niviventer confucianus), with relatively small bodies and weak jaws, preferred to select small seeds like acorns of Q. liaotungensis and seeds of P. armeniaca, indicating that rodent body size is also an important factor affecting food selection based on seed size. These results suggest endocarp thickness significantly reduces seed removal speed by rodents and then negatively affects dispersal fitness of seeds before seed removal of tree species in the study region. However, effect of endocarp thickness on final dispersal fitness needs further investigation because it may increase seed caching and survival after seed removal.