天山云杉种子形态性状的地理变异

以新疆天山山脉从西到东不同经度3个地点(昭苏、天池和奇台)的天山云杉林为对象,沿海拔梯度采集不同地点的天山云杉球果,分析其种子性状(种鳞长、种鳞宽、种鳞长宽比、种翅长、种翅宽、种翅长宽比、种子长、种子宽和种子长宽比)的变化.结果表明: 随海拔的升高,天山云杉种子性状(种子宽除外)总体呈现下降的趋势;除种翅宽、种子宽和种子长宽比与海拔的相关性不显著外,种子其他性状与海拔均呈显著负相关;种鳞长、种鳞宽、种鳞长宽比与经度呈现显著正相关;种鳞长、种鳞长宽比、种翅长宽比与坡度呈显著负相关;除种翅宽外,种子其他性状与坡向相关性均不显著.海拔是影响天山云杉种子的种鳞长、种鳞长宽比和种翅长宽比的主要因子.     

The Effect of Source-Sink Alterations on Soybean Seed Growth

Soybeans (Glycine max L. Merrill) were grown in the greenhouseand in the field to investigate the effect of variations inthe assimilate supply during the linear phase of seed developmenton the rate and duration of growth of individual seeds. Increasedassimilate supplies, created by partial fruit removal, increasedrates of dry matter accumulation, duration of seed growth, andfinal seed size (weight per seed). Reductions in the supplyof assimilate to the developing seed, created by shading (60per cent) the plants during the linear phase of seed development,lowered seed growth rate but did not affect final seed sizebecause of a longer duration of seed growth. Nitrogen stressduring seed development, created by removing N from the nutrientmedium, did not affect seed growth rate but shortened the durationof seed growth and reduced final seed size. The data indicatethat the growth characteristics of soybean seed are influencedby the supply of assimilate to the seed during the linear phaseof seed development. Glycine max L., soybean, seed growth rate, duration of seed growth, effective filling period     

3个香榧单株的种实性状变异分析

对浙江宁海3个香榧单株种实种长、种径、种长径比(种形系数)、单种重、鲜出核率、核长、核径、核长径比(核形指数)、单核重9个性状指标进行了测定和统计分析,为香榧优株选育提供理论依据。结果表明:单种重平均值最大的是宁榧1号(9.17 g),单种重极大值出现在宁榧1号(13.6 g);单核重平均值最大的为宁榧1号(2.93 g)。平均鲜出核率最大的是宁榧3号,达到40.86%,鲜出核率极大值出现在宁榧2号(51.06%)。株间种长、种径、种长径比、核长、核长径比、单种重、单核重、鲜出核率指标均存在显著差异,而核径差异性不显著。种实性状变异幅度最大的指标为单核重(变异系数CV为22.68%),单种重(变异系数CV为21.18%)次之,最小的为种长径比(变异系数CV为4.49%)。种长、种径、核长、核径均与单种重和单核重有显著相关性,鲜出核率与种长、种径、单种重、呈极显著负相关,与种长径比呈极显著正相关。     

Seed removal,seed dispersers,and the allocation of tissues in Myrtaceae seeds

To avoid seed predation, plants may invest in protective seed tissues. Often related to seed size, allocation in seeds' physical defenses can also be influenced by dispersers. We explore the relationships between seed traits (seed mass and hardness) and seed removal in 22 Myrtaceae species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, a dominant and diverse fleshy-fruited taxon dispersed by birds, rodents, and other mammals. Our goal is to understand how seed traits influence seed removal rates, and whether dispersers can affect tissue allocation in the seed coat. Seeds were exposed to field removal experiments. In the laboratory, total seed mass and seed coat mass were obtained. To evaluate the influence of seed traits on removal, we performed Kruskal–Wallis and Simple Linear Regression tests. We assessed seed coat and seed mass covariation through standardized major-axis allometric regressions. Harder seeds were larger than softer ones. Seed traits affect removal rates, as tougher and heavier seeds had lower removal. Seed mass significantly predicts seed coat proportion in seven of the 14 species tested. Bird-dispersed species tend to exhibit lower proportions of seed coat as seed mass increases, whereas rodent-dispersed species apparently present the opposite trend, with seed coat proportion increasing with seed mass. Such difference may be caused by the contrasting seed predation pressure represented by birds and rodents. Energy allocation for defense, expressed in seed coat proportion, is greater in large seeds, as these are mostly dispersed by rodents whose propensity to cache and disperse seeds is greater for large and well-protected seeds.     

Evolution of recruitment features in plants: a comparative study of species in the Rosaceae

Theory predicts that life history traits that reduce the impact of environmental variation show patterns of negative covariation (trade‐offs). In plants, seed size, seed dormancy and dispersal (in space) interact to reduce risk in a temporally and spatially variable environment. Dispersal in time and space permits escape from unfavourable conditions, whereas a large seed size may improve establishment under unfavourable conditions. However, large seeds may suffer a high rate of loss due to seed predators. The objective of this study was to examine relationships between seed size, seedling establishment and seed dormancy by combining data from field experiments with information of phylogenetic relationships among 11 species in the subfamily Rosoideae (Rosaceae). The predicted relationship between seed size and seed predation was also examined. Emergence from seed, survival and recruitment of seedlings, effects of seed predators (post‐dispersal predation), and seed dormancy were studied experimentally in the field. All species generated seedlings in the experimental plots. Overall, the emergence of seedlings was promoted by disturbance. Several species possessed seeds that were able to germinate after being buried in the soil column for three years. Despite a small data set (ten phylogenetically independent contrasts), the comparative analysis confirmed an expected positive effect of seed size on establishment ability. The emergence of seedlings increased with seed size. The results did not demonstrate the hypothesised positive association between seed size and predation risk, or negative association between seed size and seed dormancy. However, the contrast analysis showed a significant negative relationship between seed dormancy and survivorship of seedlings, i.e. between quantitative data of dormancy and establishment capacity of the species obtained under natural conditions in the field. When not controlling for phylogeny (without contrasts), the only significant effect was a negative association between seed size and seed dormancy.     

The effects of kernel mass and nutrition reward on seed dispersal of three tree species by small rodents

In the present study, colored tags were fastened to individual seeds to investigate seed dispersal and seed fates of Pinus koraiensis, Corylus mandshurica, and Corylus heterophylla with different seed traits. Our aim was to determine the role of the proportion of kernel mass, caloric reward per seed, and tag color in affecting seed removal rates and seed fates. We predicted that higher proportion of kernel mass and caloric reward will favor seed removal and caching, while lower ones will facilitate seed consumption either in situ or after removal. Our results showed that the proportion of kernel mass, rather than seed size, played an important role in determining seed removal rates and seed fates. Seeds of C. heterophylla with the lowest proportion of kernel mass, regardless of their largest size and/or mass, had lower removal rates, lower level of caching but higher proportion of consumption in situ compared with P. koraiensis and C. mandshurica seeds. Seeds with higher caloric reward exhibited greater dispersal distances. Seed kernel proportion was closely correlated to seed removal rates and caching rates, while seed size and hull thickness seemed to play less important role in affecting seed dispersal, probably because the higher seed handling ability of small rodents in the experimental areas. Our investigation revealed no significant effect of tag color on seed removal rates and seed fates of the three seed species.     

种子引发提高小麦抗渗透胁迫能力的效应

种子经渗透势-0.8 MPa或-1.2 MPa PEG—6000处理后,抗旱性不同小麦(Triticum aesttvum L．)“晋麦33”和“84G6”种子萌发率均有提高,种子电解质外渗率明显降低,种子萌发适应渗透胁迫能力提高,种子可溶蛋白质含量、PAL和POD活性显著增加,“晋麦33”种子CAT活性增加,两品种幼苗PAL、POD和CAT活性也均有提高,但“84G6”种子CAT活性下降。     

白皮松种子休眠特性的种源变异

对７个具有代表性种源的白皮松种子的休眠特性研究表明,白皮松种子种皮的透水性在种源间差异明显,表现出随地理纬度的增高而逐渐增大的趋势,分布越是偏北的种源透水性趋于加强。根据种皮的透水性,７个种源可被分为差异明显的２组,组间以秦岭为界。不同种源种子种皮的透气性以外种皮造成的差异为最大,内种皮次之。种子的透气性与透水性表现出的变化趋势相同。不同种源种子浸提液的抑制能力显著不同,而且这种差异随浸提液浓度的     

高等植物种子活力的生物学研究进展

种子活力是种子质量的重要指标和种用价值的重要组成部分。该文从种子活力概念的演变与延伸、种子活力的遗传分析、种子活力测定方法、与种子活力相关的miRNA和蛋白质组学以及引发提高种子活力的机理等方面对高等植物种子活力的最新研究进展进行了综述,并提出了种子活力未来的研究方向。     

Effects of disperser abundance, seed type, and interspecific seed availability on dispersal distance

Seed dispersal distance is influenced by a variety of seed properties and functional responses of dispersers. However, to our knowledge, how and why seed dispersal distances are determined remains poorly understood. In the present study, seeds of sympatric tree species, Pinus koraiensis, Corylus mandshurica, Corylus heterophylla, and Quercus mongolica were released to investigate the effects of rodent abundance, seed type, and seed availability on seed dispersal. Our results showed that seeds of P. koraiensis were dispersed further than those of C. heterophylla and C. mandshurica regardless of the ambient rodent and seed abundances, reflecting a consistent effect of seed type on seed dispersal distances. Seed dispersal distance was greatly facilitated by lower per-capita seed abundance (the ratio of seeds to rodents); however, seed caching and cache survival were benefited from higher per-capita seed abundance. Although seed dispersal and seed caching of a particular tree species can be enhanced by its own seed availability, no consistent influence was detected at interspecific levels, reflecting different interspecific effects of seed availability on seed dispersal of sympatric seed species. Our results provide evidences that the effect of seed availability on seed dispersal should be evaluated in terms of per-capita seed abundance and interspecific effects, rather than the independent influence of seed or disperser abundances.     

植冠与土壤种子库储存种子的萌发特性及策略

为明确黄土丘陵沟壑区植物种子库如何调控种子萌发来提高个体适合度,选择研究区7种具有种子库的主要物种为研究对象,以刚成熟和室内储存种子为对照,比较植冠宿存(5个宿存期)和土壤埋藏(5a埋藏期)对植物种子萌发特性的影响,探讨植冠种子库与土壤种子库储存下的种子萌发策略。结果表明:7种植物种子经过不同种子库储存后萌发特性表现出明显的种间差异,黄刺玫(Rosa xanthina)和水栒子(Cotoneaster multiflorus)种子萌发力表现为植冠宿存不变型、土壤储存增强型,土壤储存明显提高水栒子种子萌发速率;达乌里胡枝子(Lespedeza davurica)和狼牙刺(Sophora davidii)种子萌发力表现为植冠宿存增强型、土壤储存减弱型,种子萌发历时表现为植冠宿存延长型,土壤种子库储存还可加快达乌里胡枝子萌发速率、缩短萌发历时;茭蒿(Artemisia giralaii)和铁杆蒿(Artemisia gmelinii),种子萌发率随植冠宿存时间先升高后降低,随土壤储存时间先降低后升高,土壤储存可推迟其萌发,铁杆蒿种子萌发速率在植冠与土壤储存后均加快;紫丁香(Syringa oblata)种子萌发率随植冠宿存先升高后降低,土壤储存明显加快其种子启动萌发与速率。在黄土丘陵沟壑区,植物种子经过植冠或土壤种子库储存,或增加、加快、提早萌发充分利用有利条件提高占据性,或减少、减缓、推迟萌发分摊不利条件的风险;而且该区植物植冠与土壤储存后种子萌发特性间的关系,体现各自适应环境与应对干扰的分工与协作策略,主要表现为:单一主导型和相辅相成型。     

The Relative Importance of Seed-borne Inoculum to Common Scab Disease of Potato and the Efficacy of Seed Tuber and Soil Treatments for Disease Control

The importance of both seed and soil-borne inoculum in the epidemiology of common scab disease under Australian conditions was clearly demonstrated. In field trials the severity of disease in harvested potatoes was directly related to the severity of disease on the planted seed tubers. Chemical seed dressing treatments were assessed for common scab disease control under field conditions in four trials over 5 years. Where seed treatments were applied to both diseased and visibly clean seed pieces significantly more disease was found in tubers harvested from diseased seed than the corresponding clean seed treatment. In all but one trial, the treatments applied to diseased seed significantly reduced the incidence of common scab. Fluazinam, flusulfamide (at elevated rates), fenpiclonil, pentachloronitrobezene and mancozeb seed treatments were particularly effective as seed dressing treatments. Applications to visibly clean seed failed to significantly diminish disease levels below that found on untreated seed. Preliminary investigations of some chemical soil treatments gave disappointing levels of control.     

Differential Effects of Hunting on Pre-Dispersal Seed Predation and Primary and Secondary Seed Removal of Two Neotropical Tree Species

Many of the mammals undergoing drastic declines in tropical forests worldwide are important seed dispersers and seed predators, and thus changes in mammal communities due to hunting will affect plant recruitment. It has been hypothesized that larger-seeded species will suffer greater reductions in seed removal and thus greater increases in predispersal seed predation than smaller-seeded species. We compared primary and secondary seed removal and predispersal seed predation of two tree species between hunted and nonhunted sites in Central Panama. Seeds of Oenocarpus mapora (Arecaceae) are 16-times greater in size than those of Cordia bicolor (Boraginaceae). We quantified primary seed removal and predispersal seed predation using seed traps, and we assessed secondary seed removal using seed removal plots. Primary removal of C. bicolor was 43 percent lower in the hunted sites, while primary removal of O. mapora was not significantly different. Secondary removal of unprotected O. mapora seeds on the ground was 59 percent lower in hunted sites, while secondary removal of C. bicolor was not significantly different. Predispersal seed predation of O. mapora by mammals was significantly lower in hunted sites, while predispersal seed predation by insects was not significantly different in either species. In combination with other studies, our results suggest that seed size is not a reliable predictor of the impacts of hunting. Mammal defaunation differentially affects stages and modes of seed dispersal and seed predation of different plant species, suggesting that these influences are complex and related to multiple plant traits.     

播种期和种植密度对冬油菜籽粒产量和含油率的影响

通过田间试验研究了播种期和种植密度对冬油菜籽粒产量和含油率的影响.结果表明： 播种期主要影响分枝花序籽粒产量,而种植密度不仅影响分枝花序籽粒产量,还对主花序籽粒产量产生一定影响;籽粒含油率不受播种期的影响.主花序籽粒产量占单株籽粒产量的比例随种植密度的增加而升高,主花序籽粒含油率比分枝花序高约1%,因此小区籽粒含油率随种植密度的增加显著升高.研究区冬油菜播种期不能晚于10月中旬,10月下旬播种会显著降低籽粒产量;种植密度在每平方米36～48株可以提高冬油菜籽粒产量和含油率.     

The biology of seed discrimination and its role in shaping the foraging ecology of carabids: A review

Species of carabid (ground) beetles are among the most important postdispersal weed seed predators in temperate arable lands. Field studies have shown that carabid beetles can remove upwards of 65%–90% of specific weed seeds shed in arable fields each year. Such data do not explain how and why carabid predators go after weed seeds, however. It remains to be proven that weed seed predation by carabids is a genuine ecological interaction driven by certain ecological factors or functional traits that determine interaction strength and power predation dynamics, bringing about therefore a natural regulation of weed populations. Along these lines, this review ties together the lines of evidence around weed seed predation by carabid predators. Chemoperception rather than vision seems to be the primary sensory mechanism guiding seed detection and seed selection decisions in carabid weed seed predators. Selection of weed seeds by carabid seed predators appears directed rather than random. Yet, the nature of the chemical cues mediating detection of different seed species and identification of the suitable seed type among them remains unknown. Selection of certain types of weed seeds cannot be predicted based on seed chemistry per se in all cases, however. Rather, seed selection decisions are ruled by sophisticated behavioral mechanisms comprising the assessment of both chemical and physical characteristics of the seed. The ultimate selection of certain weed seed types is determined by how the chemical and physical properties of the seed match with the functional traits of the predator in terms of seed handling ability. Seed density, in addition to chemical and physical seed traits, is also an important factor that is likely to shape seed selection decisions in carabid weed seed predators. Carabid responses to seed density are rather complex as they are influenced not only by seed numbers but also by trait‐based suitability ranks of the different seed types available in the environment.     

青藏高原矮嵩草草甸种子库的初步研究

青藏高原矮嵩草草甸种子库的初步研究邓自发周兴民王启基（中国科学院西北高原生物研究所,西宁８１０００１）ＴｈｅＳｔｕｄｉｅｓｏｆＳｅｅｄＢａｎｋｏｆＫｏｂｒｅｓｉａｈｕｉｌｉｓＭｅａｄｏｗｉｎＱｉｎｇ＿ＺａｎｇＰｌａｔｅａｕ．ＤｅｎｇＺｉｆａ,Ｚｈｏｕ...     

Variability in post-dispersal seed predation in deciduous woodland: relative importance of location,seed species,burial and density

The considerable variability found in post-dispersal seed predation and the absence of consistent directional trends (e.g., with reference to seed size) has made it difficult to predict accurately the impact of seed predators on plant communities. We examined the variation attributable to location, seed density and seed burial on the removal of seeds of three tree species: Fraxinus excelsior, Taxus baccata and Ulmus glabra. Experiments were undertaken in five deciduous woodlands in Durham, U.K., and the relative importance of vertebrate and invertebrate seed predators was assessed using selective exclosures. In all five woodlands, seed removal was greatest from treatments to which vertebrates had access, and losses attributable to invertebrates were negligible. Rodents, in particular Apodemus sylvaticus (Muridae) and Clethrionomys glareolus (Cricetidae), were the principal seed consumers in these woodlands. Unidentified vertebrate seed predators (probably birds, rabbits and/or squirrels) appeared to be significant seed removers in three of the five woodlands. Rates of removal differed among the three tree species, increasing in the following order Fraxinus < Taxus < Ulmus but were not related to seed mass. The major effect influencing rates of seed removal was seed burial, which halved rates of seed removal overall. The effect of seed burial was a function of seed size. The larger seeds of Taxus realising little benefit from seed burial whereas encounter of the smaller Ulmus seeds fell by almost two-thirds. Removal was density-dependent for all three species. However, the relative increase in seed encounter through an increase in seed density was a negative function of seed size. This suggests that, for large seeds, the opportunity to escape seed predation via burial or reduced seed density is limited. These results reveal a number of parallels with other studies of post-dispersal predation and identify several generalities regarding the interaction between plants and post-dispersal seed predators. Comparison of the seed predation results with actual seedling distributions suggests that seed predators may influence regeneration of Ulmus glabra but probably play a lesser role in the dynamics of Taxus baccata and Fraxinus excelsior.     

A comparative study of seed yield parameters in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants and transgenics

Because seed yield is the major factor determining the commercial success of grain crop cultivars, there is a large interest to obtain more understanding of the genetic factors underlying this trait. Despite many studies, mainly in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, have reported transgenes and mutants with effects on seed number and/or seed size, knowledge about seed yield parameters remains fragmented. This study investigated the effect of 46 genes, either in gain- and/or loss-of-function situations, with a total of 64 Arabidopsis lines being examined for seed phenotypes such as seed size, seed number per silique, number of inflorescences, number of branches on the main inflorescence and number of siliques. Sixteen of the 46 genes, examined in 14 Arabidopsis lines, were reported earlier to directly affect in seed size and/or seed number or to indirectly affect seed yield by their involvement in biomass production. Other genes involved in vegetative growth, flower or inflorescence development or cell division were hypothesized to potentially affect the final seed size and seed number. Analysis of this comprehensive data set shows that of the 14 lines previously described to be affected in seed size or seed number, only nine showed a comparable effect. Overall, this study provides the community with a useful resource for identifying genes with effects on seed yield and candidate genes underlying seed QTL. In addition, this study highlights the need for more thorough analysis of genes affecting seed yield.     

Soy polyol formulations as novel seed treatments for the management of soil-borne diseases of soybean

Polyurethanes prepared from vegetable oils display a number of desirable properties useful for many commercial and industrial applications. One unique application is that of an agricultural seed treatment. Seed treatments are used to incorporate pesticides onto the seed coat and to decrease the disease susceptibility of the seed during its germination in the soil. In addition, by altering the movement of water across the seed coat and by incorporating protective pesticides in the coating, seed coating polymers can enhance the germination and survival of the seed under adverse environmental conditions. Soy polyols alone, and in combination with glycerin, polymerized with 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) were studied for their seed treating properties and impact on soybean seed germination. The cross-linking density and properties of these polyurethane compounds were varied by changing the isocyanate/hydroxyl molar ratios. In order to optimize the coating qualities and to increase the efficiency of the coating, acetone was also studied as a diluting solvent to reduce the viscosity of the polyurethane mixture prior to polymerization on the seed coat. Optimal polymerization and resulting germination (95%) were obtained using a 1:1 isocyanate/hydroxyl molar ratio consisting of a mixture of soy polyol 180 and glycerin, and the use of an equal volume of acetone as a dilution solvent. This optimal polyurethane seed treatment had several desirable qualities including: reduced viscosity, decreased seed coating thickness, increased seed coating uniformity and permitted larger volumes of seed to be treated with the same volume of polymer. This optimal seed treatment increased the soybean seed germination by 15%, as compared with untreated seed. In addition, preliminary studies of the compatibility of these unique formulations with commercial and experimental fungicides also support the use of these polymers as seed treatments due to their enhanced stability, longevity and slow active ingredient water teaching characteristics. Compatibility of these seed coating polymers as formulations with captan, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and novel antimicrobial lipids and triterpenoid compounds display that the active ingredients can readily provide a zone of fungal inhibition around the seed as it germinates in the presence of Macrophomina phaseolino, causal agent of charcoal rot of soybeans. However, the release of the active ingredient from the polyol seed treatments is less affected by water leaching as compared to commercially available water-soluble seed treating polymer formulations. This is most likely due to the polyols unique polymer cross-linking characteristics. These results support the continued exploration of soy polyol derived polymers as seed coating compounds.     

Population ecology of wild sunflowers: effects of seed density and post-dispersal vertebrate seed predators

Assessing the effects of seed density on the population dynamics of wild plant species with crop relatives will be vital in determining the potential effects of introducing traits into wild populations as a result of crop-to-wild gene flow. We examined experimental sunflower (Helianthus annuus) patches in eastern Kansas to determine the effects of seed density and predation on seedling recruitment and seed production in the next generation. High seed density treatment plots had significantly more seedlings and adult plants than did low seed density treatment plots. Overwinter vertebrate seed predator exclusion treatments resulted in increases in plant density compared to plots in which vertebrates were not excluded. Control patches (no seeds added) contained virtually no plants. Head production and estimated total seed production for a patch were not statistically different among treatments (excluding control plots). Although initial seed density and vertebrate post-dispersal seed predation do appear to have effects on seedling recruitment, neither appear to be limiting seed production of competing adult plants. Therefore, variation in seed densities (over the range examined) may have limited effects on local population dynamics. It is important to note that the choice of seed densities may affect the results obtained: the seed densities used in this study may, in retrospect, be higher than in the small roadside populations typical in eastern Kansas, yet other natural sites have much larger densities. Further, the effects of increased seed density at a local site may have other important effects such as altering metapopulation dynamics through increased long-distance dispersal or increased local seed bank size.