Quantitative genetic analysis of seed vigour and pre-emergence seedling growth traits in Brassica oleracea

The ability of seeds to germinate and establish seedlings in a predictable manner under a range of conditions has a direct contribution to the economic success of commercial crops, and should therefore be considered in crop improvement. We measured traits associated with seed vigour and pre-emergence seedling growth in a segregating population of 105 doubled haploid Brassica oleracea lines. The germination traits measured were: mean germination times for unstressed germination; germination under water stress or germination after a heat treatment; and conductivity of seed leachate. The seedling growth traits measured were: seed weight; seedling growth rate; and seedling size at the end of the exponential growth phase. There were some correlations, notably among germination traits, and between seed weight and pre-emergence seedling growth. Heritability of the various traits was typically in the 10–15% range, with heritability of conductivity and mean germination time under water stress 25 and 24% respectively. Collectively the results indicate that germination and pre-emergence seedling growth are under separate genetic control. Quantitative trait loci analyses were carried out on all measurements and revealed significant loci on linkage groups O1, O3, O6, O7 and O9. We suggest that genes at these loci are important in determining predictable seed germination and seedling establishment in practice.     

Are the best dispersers the best colonizers? Seed mass,dispersal and establishment in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carduus</Emphasis> thistles

Negative correlations between dispersal and establishment are often reported in the plant literature; smaller seeds tend to disperse better but germinate less well, and produce smaller seedlings. However, because dispersal capacity is often quantified using proxies, such as the settling velocity of wind-dispersed seeds, little is known about the exact shape of this negative relationship, and how it is modified by other plant traits and environmental conditions. We studied the dispersal-establishment relationship in two wind-dispersed thistles (Carduus nutans and Carduus acanthoides). We applied a mechanistic wind dispersal model (WALD) to seeds released under a range of environmental conditions, and tested germination and seedling growth under standardized conditions in a greenhouse. Dispersal distance and establishment (germination and seedling growth) were not significantly correlated, although in both species smaller seeds dispersed farther, and showed lower germination and lower seedling growth rates. This apparent paradox can partly be explained by the significant influence of other factors such as release height and environment (wind and vegetation), which explained more variation in dispersal than did terminal velocity. Another potential explanation is the variation in seed traits: germination is strongly positively related to seed mass, weakly positively related to plume loading, but not significantly related to terminal velocity. This weakening of the correlation with germination is due to additional layers of trait (co)variability: for instance, seed mass and pappus size are positively correlated, and thus big seeds partially compensate for the negative effect of seed mass with larger pappi. Our mechanistic approach can thus lead to a better understanding of both potentially opposing selection pressures on traits like seed mass, and diluting effects of other seed, plant and environmental factors.     

Evolution and ecology of seed internal morphology in relation to germination characteristics in Amaranthaceae

Background and AimsInternal seed morphological traits such as embryo characteristics and nutritive tissue can vary considerably within a plant lineage. These traits play a prominent role in germination processes and the success of seedling establishment, and are therefore under high selective pressure, especially in environments hostile to seedlings, such as arid, saline or highly dynamic habitats. We investigated the relationships of seed internal morphology and germination characteristics of 84 species of Amaranthaceae s.l., a family with numerous lineages that have adapted to stressful growing conditions.MethodsWe used seed cross-sections to assess embryo type and the ratios of embryo to seed surface and radicle to cotyledon length. Furthermore, seed mass, mean time to germination, habitat preferences and further plant traits such as C₃ or C₄ photosynthesis and life form were compiled for each species. Data were analysed using phylogenetic comparative methods.Key resultsWe found embryo type (λ = 1), log seed mass (λ = 0.86) and the ratio of embryo to seed size (λ = 0.78) to be evolutionarily stable, with an annular embryo as ancestral in the family. Linked to shifts to the three derived embryos types (spiral, horseshoe-shaped and curved) is an increase in the ratio of root to cotyledon length and a reduction of nutritive tissue. We observed stabilizing selection towards seeds with relatively large embryos with longer radicles and less nutritive tissue that are able to germinate faster, especially in lineages with C₄ photosynthesis and/or salt tolerance.ConclusionsWe conclude that the evolutionary shift of nutrient storage from perisperm to embryo provides an ecological advantage in extreme environments, because it enables faster germination and seedling establishment. Furthermore, the evolutionary shift towards a higher ratio of root to cotyledon length especially in small-seeded Amaranthaceae growing in saline habitats can provide an ecological advantage for fast seedling establishment.     

Seed reserve composition in 19 tree species of a tropical deciduous forest in Mexico and its relationship to seed germination and seedling growth

Background and Aims

The size and composition of seed reserves may reflect the ecological strategy and evolutionary history of a species and also temporal variation in resource availability. The seed mass and composition of seed reserves of 19 co-existing tree species were studied, and we examined how they varied among species in relation to germination and seedling growth rates, as well as between two years with contrasting precipitation (652 and 384 mm).

Methods

Seeds were collected from a tropical deciduous forest in the northwest of Mexico (Chamela Biological Station). The seed dry mass, with and without the seed coat, and the concentrations of lipids, nitrogen and non-structural carbohydrates for the seed minus seed coat were determined. The anatomical localization of these reserves was examined using histochemical analysis. The germination capacity, rate and lag time were determined. The correlations among these variables, and their relationship to previously reported seedling relative growth rates, were evaluated with and without phylogenetic consideration.

Key Results

There were interannual differences in seed mass and reserve composition. Seed was significantly heavier after the drier year in five species. Nitrogen concentration was positively correlated with seed coat fraction, and was significantly higher after the drier year in 12 species. The rate and lag time of germination were negatively correlated with each other. These trait correlations were also supported for phylogenetic independent contrasts. Principal component analysis supported these correlations, and indicated a negative association of seedling relative growth rate with seed size, and a positive association of germination rate with nitrogen and lipid concentrations.

Conclusions

Nitrogen concentration tended to be higher after the drier year and, while interannual variations in seed size and reserve composition were not sufficient to affect interspecific correlations among seed and seedling traits, some of the reserves were related to germination variables and seedling relative growth rate.     

青藏高原东缘61种常见木本植物种子萌发特性及其与生活史的关联

为了评价亚高山地带木本植物种子萌发对策及其与生活史关联, 该文对青藏高原东缘61种常见木本植物的种子萌发特征以及种子萌发与种子大小、扩散方式、海拔及生境的关系进行了调查分析。结果表明: 1) 61种植物的种子萌发率呈现偏斜、双峰分布。6种植物(9.8%)的种子萌发率大于80%, 13种(21.3%)的萌发率在60%~80%之间, 9种(14.8%)的萌发率在40%~60%之间, 8种(13.1%)的萌发率在20%~40%之间, 25种(41%)的萌发率小于20%, 其中8种植物的种子萌发率为零, 显示了该生境中木本植物的种子以休眠、低萌发率或连续稳定的萌发对策占优势, 以避免不利的环境因素。2)种子扩散方式是决定61种木本植物种间萌发率变异(R² = 24.1%, p < 0.001) 和萌发开始时间变异(R ²= 21.3%, p < 0.01) 的主要因素; 种子大小、母体植株的海拔和生境对种子萌发率和萌发开始时间几乎没有影响(p > 0.05); 风扩散的种子比脊椎动物扩散和无助扩散的种子有更高的萌发率(F = 9.219, p < 0.001) 和较早的萌发开始时间(F = 6.772, p < 0.01)。说明植物生活史特征如种子萌发与扩散方式之间存在固有而紧密的联系, 扩散能力强的种子(如风扩散)由于能散布到较远而空旷的生境, 可能避免了各种有害因素或个体竞争, 因而种子以较强的萌发能力进行拓殖; 扩散能力弱的种子(如无助扩散)由于其散布距离较近, 种子以休眠或降低萌发的方式来避免个体或同胞竞争以及各种有害因素, 以获得最大的生态利益并确保物种延续。     

小麦种子活力性状的遗传变异和相关研究

本研究利用12个普通小麦品种对10个种子活力性状的遗传变异和相关研究,表明除正常幼苗百分率外,其余种子活力性状在品种间均存在显著的差异。种子贮藏物质转换效率、电导率两个性状问及与其它性状均无显著的遗传相关,因此对他们的选择不会影响到其它性状。通径分析表明幼苗干重主要取决于种子贮藏物质转换效率、种子贮藏物质利用速率;发芽指数主要由平均发芽时间决定。电导率、发芽势、幼苗于重、种子干重、发芽指数、种子贮藏物质消耗比率6个性状表现中到高的遗传力、遗传变异系数和相对遗传进展,指明通过遗传育种手段改良这些性状是可能的。     

Fertile Crescent crop progenitors gained a competitive advantage from large seedlings

1. Cereal domestication during the transition to agriculture resulted in widespread food production, but why only certain species were domesticated remains unknown. We tested whether seedlings of crop progenitors share functional traits that could give them a competitive advantage within anthropogenic environments, including higher germination, greater seedling survival, faster growth rates, and greater competitive ability.
2. Fifteen wild grass species from the Fertile Crescent were grown individually under controlled conditions to evaluate differences in growth between cereal crop progenitors and other wild species that were never domesticated. Differences in germination, seedling survival, and competitive ability were measured by growing a subset of these species as monocultures and mixtures.
3. Crop progenitors had greater germination success, germinated more quickly and had greater aboveground biomass when grown in competition with other species. There was no evidence of a difference in seedling survival, but seed size was positively correlated with a number of traits, including net assimilation rates, greater germination success, and faster germination under competition. In mixtures, the positive effect of seed mass on germination success and speed of germination was even more beneficial for crop progenitors than for other wild species, suggesting greater fitness. Thus, selection for larger seeded individuals under competition may have been stronger in the crop progenitors.
4. The strong competitive ability of Fertile Crescent cereal crop progenitors, linked to their larger seedling size, represents an important ecological difference between these species and other wild grasses in the region. It is consistent with the hypothesis that competition within plant communities surrounding human settlements, or under early cultivation, benefited progenitor species, favoring their success as crops.

     

不同产地降香黄檀种子和幼苗性状的变异研究

为了探讨不同产地降香黄檀(Dalbergia odorifera)种子和幼苗的表型性状变异规律,该研究以来源于海南、福建、广西、广东等省/区10个产地降香黄檀的种子及在广西桂林培育的幼苗为材料,采用方差分析、相关性分析和主成分分析对其种子和幼苗生长的9个表型性状进行了比较研究。结果表明:降香黄檀种子和幼苗的表型性状存在较大变异,9个性状间均差异极显著,各性状平均变异系数(CV)为12.50%,变异系数范围在7.94%～18.89%,幼苗生长性状的变异高于种子性状的变异,说明种子性状的稳定性较高。相关分析表明各表型性状间及表型性状与地理-气候因子间均存在不同的相关性,各表型性状与经度、纬度及年降水量均无显著相关性,而海拔、年均温度与年降雨量是影响降香黄檀种子和幼苗性状的主要因子。利用主成分综合得分法,筛选出了3个在种子形态、幼苗生长和萌发情况等方面较好的家系,按综合得分排序分别为仙游产地、儋州产地、尖峰岭产地。研究结果可为降香黄檀优良种质资源的筛选提供科学依据。     

中、旱生植物萌发特性及其与种子大小关系的比较

不同生境的植物有不同的生活史对策。该文对分布于河西走廓的42种常见中生植物和22种常见旱生植物种子的萌发特性以及种子大小对萌发能力的影响进行了比较。结果显示,64种植物中最终萌发率超过90%的有9种: 虎尾草(Chloris virgata)、蒲公英(Taraxacum mongolicum)、腺独行菜(Lepidium apetalum)、膜果麻黄(Ephedra przewalskii)、沼生蔊菜(Rorippa islandica)、白草(Pennisetum centrasiaticum)、霸王(Zygophyllum xanthoxylon)、反枝苋(Amaranthus retroflexus)和黑果枸杞(Lycium ruthenicum),占14.06%,其中黑果枸杞、腺独行菜、膜果麻黄、虎尾草的萌发在10 d内完成; 萌发率达到80%~90%的有5种: 毛果群心菜(Cardaria pubescens)、窄叶小苦荬(Ixeridium gramineum)、牛蒡(Arctium lappa)、鞑靼滨藜(Atriplex tatarica)和苣荬菜(Sonchus brachyotus)占7.8%; 萌发率达到60%~80%的有16种,占25%;萌发率在20%~60%的有17种,占26.56%; 萌发率不足20%的有17种: 柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinskii)、野苜蓿(Medicago falcata)、扁蓄(Polygonum aviculare)、苦参(Sophora flavescens)、河西沙拐枣(Calligonum potanini)、白刺(Nitraria tangutorum)、甘草(Glycyrrhiza uralensis)、苦豆子(Sophora alopecuroides)、骆驼蓬(Peganum harmala)、画眉草(Eragrostis pilosa)、多裂骆驼蓬(Peganum multisectum)、老瓜头(Cynanchum komaroviil )、骆驼蒿(Peganum nigellastrum)、田旋花(Convolvulus arvensis)、酸模叶蓼(Polygonum lapathifolium)、卷茎蓼(Polygonum convolvulus)、蝎虎驼蹄瓣(Zygophyllum mucronatum),占25.56%。有26种植物的萌发持续在30 d以上,15种植物在15 d内完成萌发,有31种植物在1~3 d内开始萌发,4种植物在10 d以后才开始萌发。主成分分析和聚类分析显示,中、旱生植物的萌发主要有爆发型、过渡型、缓萌型和低萌型,以过渡型和缓萌型为主;中生植物中萌发率不足20%的有6种,占14.28%, 旱生植物中萌发率不足20%的有11 种,占50%,显示了较多的旱生植物有延迟萌发的行为,这种萌发的延迟及萌发时间的异质性可使物种在不可预测、高死亡风险的环境中仍能确保种的延续。中生植物的种子大小对萌发能力有显著的影响,小种子的物种有较高的萌发率和较快的萌发速率,并且完成萌发所需要的时间较短,而旱生植物的种子萌发不受种子大小的影响。以上结果说明中生植物和旱生植物长期适应于不同的湿、旱生环境,在不同的选择压力下,生活史对策也出现了较明显的差异。     

水杉原生种群核心种质资源的繁殖特性

水杉(Metasequoia glyptostroboides)原生种群天然更新困难, 为探究其原因是否与繁殖特性有关, 本文以其核心种质资源(40株个体)为对象, 通过对生境、母树个体和种子性状的调查, 并结合田间播种试验, 分析其繁殖特性。以方差分析检测不同母树个体间种子性状、发芽率和幼苗生长特征的差异; 采用相关性分析和多元线性回归模型分析个体性状对其种子、发芽率及幼苗生长的影响; 通过Logistic模型拟合, 分析幼苗生长的节律参数。结果显示: (1) 40株母树个体仅有7株产种, 产种率仅为17.50%, 且不同母树个体间产种量差异显著(P < 0.05)。(2)不同母树个体间的种子千粒重、种子发芽率、幼苗存活率和基径生长量均存在显著差异(P < 0.05)。(3) 7株母树个体种子的平均发芽率为19.73%, 幼苗平均存活率为73.42%, 不同母树之间差异显著(P < 0.05)。(4)母树个体的胸径与种子千粒重、种子发芽率呈显著负相关(P < 0.05), 种子发芽率与幼苗存活率呈极显著正相关(P < 0.001), 树高与幼苗存活率呈显著正相关(P < 0.05)、与幼苗基径呈极显著正相关(P < 0.001)。(5)母树树高对幼苗存活率有显著正效应(P < 0.05), 胸径对种子发芽率有显著负效应(P < 0.05)。(6)苗高、基径的生长符合“S”型生长曲线(R ² ≥ 0.928)。水杉原生种群产种量低, 种子发芽率低、幼苗存活率较低, 且不同母树之间差异显著可能是造成其天然更新困难的原因。     

THE EFFECT OF SEED SIZE AND MATERNAL SOURCE ON INDIVIDUAL SIZE IN A POPULATION OF LUDWIGIA LEPTOCARPA (ONAGRACEAE)

Seed size is normally distributed for many annual species, while mature plant size is frequently positively skewed. A study was conducted to determine the influence of seed size and the role of genetic differences in determining relative seedling size for Ludwigia leptocarpa. Seed size had a significant effect on percentage germination and time of seed germination but no effect on dry weight or leaf area of seedlings. Seed size and spacing had a significant effect on seedling dry weight for plants grown under competition, while relative day of emergence had no effect. Familial (genetic) differences were found in average seed weight between maternal plants, but not in average number of days to germination, average weight of seeds which germinated, or shoot dry weight. It is concluded that neither seed size alone nor genetic differences between plants are directly responsible for the development of size hierarchies in Ludwigia leptocarpa populations. Large seed size does convey an advantage in growth when plants from seeds of differing initial size interact.     

入侵植物小花山桃草种群构件生物量结构及种子萌发特征

通过野外设置样方调查和室内萌发试验,研究小花山桃草种群各构件生物量的结构特征和它们之间的关系模型、繁殖分配以及种子萌发特点。结果表明:(1)小花山桃草根、茎、叶、花(果)序生物量与植株高度之间以及各构件生物量之间均呈正相关关系,可用幂函数模型或线性函数模型较好地表达;(2)各构件生物量在个体生物量中所占的比率表现为茎>花序>叶>根;(3)小花山桃草的繁殖投入和繁殖分配都随植株个体的增大而增加;(4)小花山桃草个体大小和繁殖投入之间为线性关系,而个体大小和繁殖分配之间为幂函数关系;(5)小花山桃草存在一个较小的繁殖阈值(0.6043g);(6)小花山桃草种子在有光照(12h)和黑暗条件下发芽率均可达到85%以上;未经贮藏的种子不萌发,低温沙藏(1～2℃)和室温干藏(14～32℃)一个半月种子萌发率分别可达92.5%和79%;低温沙藏时种子即可发芽,且发芽率可达61%。在研究地区,小花山桃草几乎整个生长季都可萌发,甚至初冬还有幼苗产生。小花山桃草构件生物量结构和繁殖分配特征、种子萌发特点等都有助于其入侵能力的提高,是其成功入侵我国的重要原因。     

Is fire a selective force of seed size in pine species?

Fire is selectively shaping most of the traits of plants growing in fire-prone environments. However, seed size and other features related to seed production have not been studied in the light of the evolutionary role of fire. Our research tests the hypothesis that larger seeds have a higher chance of surviving wildfires and produce more vigorous seedlings with a lower death rate. To test this hypothesis the germination and early seedling growth of five Spanish pine species were studied. Weight, length and width of all seeds were measured. The biomass (fresh and dry weight) and length (root and total) of subsequent seedlings were also measured after 30 d from emergence. Seeds were submitted to elevated temperatures for periods in which the chance of survival was 50 % (calculated by means of a logistic model for each pine species). The differences observed among species suggests that fire may be adaptively shaping seed size in pines with larger seeds (Pinus canariensis and P. pinaster), because larger seeds are more likely to survive after heat shocks. Furthermore, in P. canariensis, seedlings after heat treatment are even larger than those submitted to control. In P. halepensis, despite being well adapted to fire, our results indicated no relationships between fire and seed characteristics. Finally, although heat treatment has a general adverse effect on seedling growth in the case of the two subalpine pines, we have detected a positive relationship between seed size and seedling growth but only in the largest seeds. This might also suggest the relevance of fire as a selective force for these pines which is outperformed by the relevance of dispersal and emergence time as adaptive traits in the post-fire scenario.     

Seed size and plant strategy across the whole life cycle

We compiled information from the international literature to quantify the relationships between seed mass and survival through each of the hazards plants face between seed production and maturity. We found that small-seeded species were more abundant in the seed rain than large-seeded species. However, this numerical advantage was lost by seedling emergence. The disadvantage of small-seeded species probably results from size-selective post-dispersal seed predation, or the longer time small-seeded species spend in the soil before germination. Seedlings from large-seeded species have higher survival through a given amount of time as seedlings. However, this advantage seems to be countered by the greater time taken for large-seeded species to reach reproductive maturity: our data suggested no relationship, or perhaps a weak negative relationship, between seed size and survival from seedling emergence through to adulthood. A previous compilation showed that the inverse relationship between seed mass and the number of seeds produced per unit canopy area per year is countered by positive relationships between seed mass, plant size and plant longevity. Taken together, these data show that our old understanding of a species' seed mass as the result of a trade–off between producing a few large offspring, each with high survival probability, versus producing many small offspring each with a lower chance of successfully establishing was incomplete. It seems more likely that seed size evolves as part of a spectrum of life history traits, including plant size, plant longevity, juvenile survival rate and time to reproduction.     

Ingestion by an endemic frugivore enhances seed germination of endemic plant species but decreases seedling survival of exotics

Aim To test whether ingestion by endemic frugivores differentially affects the seed germination time, germination percentage and seedling survival of endemic, native and exotic fleshy fruited plant species, and to identify the principal processes and attributes driving such effects. Location Round Island, Mauritius. Methods We conducted a germination and seedling survival experiment for 3 months to test whether ingestion (gut passage and deposition in faeces) by the endemic Telfair’s skink (Leiolopisma telfairii) had a differential effect on the germination time, germination percentage and seedling survival of two endemic, four native and two exotic fleshy fruited plant species. To assess the importance of factors involved in the ingestion process, we used a factorial design with gut passage (gut‐passed vs. not gut‐passed), depulping (whole fruit vs. manually depulped seed) and the presence of faecal material (faeces vs. without faeces). In addition, the roles of species‐specific traits, seed size and deposition density (average number of seeds per faeces) were examined. Results Exotic species had a higher germination percentage than indigenous (native and endemic) species when not ingested. Following skink ingestion, there was no longer a difference, as ingestion enhanced germination percentage most in endemic species. The exotic species still germinated faster overall than the indigenous species, despite ingestion accelerating the germination time of endemics. However, ingestion strongly reduced seedling survival of the exotic species, while having no negative effect on the survival of indigenous seedlings. Overall, ingested indigenous seeds were more likely to germinate and the seedlings more likely to survive than ingested exotic seeds and seedlings. Seed size, deposition density and the removal of fruit pulp by either manual depulping or gut passage were important predictors of germination time, germination percentage and seedling survival. Main conclusions These endemic frugivores can enhance the competitiveness of endemic compared with exotic fleshy fruited plants at the critical germination and seedling establishment stage. Consequently, conservation and restoration of mutualistic endemic plant–animal interactions may be vital to mitigating the degradation of habitats invaded by exotic plants, which is of particular relevance for island ecosystems in which large numbers of endemics are threatened by exotic invaders.     

Climatic control of germination in the genus Silene L

Background: Seed germination strategies depend on a number of factors such as climatic variables, habitat, life cycle, phylogenetic affiliation and morphological seed traits.

Aims: We present a novel evaluation of the ecological correlates of germination strategies focussing on plant populations drawn from a single genus and considering a number of relevant explanatory variables.

Methods: Temperature and light-controlled germination experiments were carried out on 21 seed accessions belonging to 13 closely related species of the genus Silene L. Accessions were selected to tightly control the phylogenetic effect and give broad ecological and geographic coverage of the genus in Europe, with three North American and Macaronesian outgroups from climatically extreme environments. We used principal component analysis and correlation analyses to identify the correlation structure of germination traits and include multiple explanatory variables.

Results: Three germination strategies were shown to be related to climatic control. (1) Seeds from arid regions with hot, dry summers germinated optimally at cool temperatures associated with the rainfall period under field conditions, whereas (2) the benefit of cold stratification was more marked in provenances characterised by cold, dry winters, and (3) seeds from mild climates preferred warm temperatures for germination. Moreover, (4) biennial populations of disturbed habitats showed synchronised and rapid seed germination over a wide thermal window. In agreement with previous findings, (5) habitat-related syndromes were observed only for wetland populations. Correlations with seed mass were significant when related to summer precipitation, but weak or absent in relation to germination traits, indicating that, though influenced by the local climate, seed mass is a poor predictor of germination strategies.

Conclusions: These results suggest that whilst habitat and life cycle might shape germination patterns to a certain extent, long-term climatic differences play a substantial role in selecting specific germination traits and strategies.     

Response to joint selection on germination and flowering phenology depends on the direction of selection

Flowering and germination time are components of phenology, a complex phenotype that incorporates a number of traits. In natural populations, selection is likely to occur on multiple components of phenology at once. However, we have little knowledge of how joint selection on several phenological traits influences evolutionary response. We conducted one generation of artificial selection for all combinations of early and late germination and flowering on replicated lines within two independent base populations in the herb Campanula americana. We then measured response to selection and realized heritability for each trait. Response to selection and heritability were greater for flowering time than germination time, indicating greater evolutionary potential of this trait. Selection for earlier phenology, both flowering and germination, did not depend on the direction of selection on the other trait, whereas response to selection to delay germination and flowering was greater when selection on the other trait was in the opposite direction (e.g., early germination and late flowering), indicating a negative genetic correlation between the traits. Therefore, the extent to which correlations shaped response to selection depended on the direction of selection. Furthermore, the genetic correlation between timing of germination and flowering varies across the trait distributions. The negative correlation between germination and flowering time found when selecting for delayed phenology follows theoretical predictions of constraint for traits that jointly determine life history schedule. In contrast, the lack of constraint found when selecting for an accelerated phenology suggests a reduction of the covariance due to strong selection favoring earlier flowering and a shorter life cycle. This genetic architecture, in turn, will facilitate further evolution of the early phenology often favored in warm climates.     

Multiple causes of seedling rarity in scrub plum, Prunus geniculata (Rosaceae), an endangered shrub of the Florida scrub

Conservation of an imperiled plant often requires an understanding of its reproductive ecology. Scrub plum (Prunus geniculata) is an endangered Florida shrub endemic to pyrogenic xeric uplands. Although plants are long-lived and may flower profusely, particularly after burning, fruit yield is sparse and seedlings are rare. We investigated potential causes of seedling rarity in scrub plum by studying its floral sex and breeding systems, fruit development, and germination ecology. We also developed a flow chart based on two time-since-fire scenarios to illustrate the cumulative impact of these factors on seedling recruitment. Breeding system experiments suggested partial gametophytic self-incompatibility in this functionally andromonoecious species, with inbreeding depression in self-compatible individuals. Predispersal seed predation, the major constraint on seedling recruitment, was lower in the first postburn season. In two field experiments, seed germination was <11% irrespective of treatment. These results indicate that seedling recruitment in scrub plum may be limited by multiple factors, including sexual reproductive failure, high predispersal seed predation, and low seed germination. The chance of a bisexual flower producing a seedling ranges from 5 in 1000 to 5 in 100000, depending on the time since fire. Restoration of scrub plum's historical fire regime may mitigate some of these factors.     

Offspring fitness in relation to population size and genetic variation in the rare perennial plant species Gentiana pneumonanthe (Gentianaceae)

Seeds were sampled from 19 populations of the rare Gentiana pneumonanthe, ranging in size from 5 to more than 50,000 flowering plants. An analysis was made of variation in a number of life-history characters in relation to population size and offspring heterozygosity (based on seven polymorphic isozyme loci). Life-his-tory characters included seed weight, germination rate, proportion of seeds germinating, seedling mortality, seedling weight, adult weight, flower production per plant and proportion of plants flowering per family. Principal component analysis (PCA) reduced the dataset to three main fitness components. The first component was highly correlated with adult weight and flowering performance, the second with germination performance and the third component with seed and seedling weight and seedling mortality. The latter two components were considered as being maternally influenced, since these comprised life-history traits that were significantly correlated with seed weight. Multiple regression analysis showed that variation in the first fitness component was mainly associated with heterozygosity and not with population size, while the third fitness component was only correlated with population size and not with heterozygosity. The latter relationship appeared to be non-linear, which suggests a stronger loss of fitness in the smallest populations. The second (germination) component was neither correlated with population size nor with genetic variation. There was only a weak association between population size, heterozygosity and the population coefficients of variation for each life history character. Most correlation coefficients were negative, however, which suggests that there is more variation among progeny from smaller populations. We conclude that progeny from small populations of Gentiana pneumonanthe show reduced fitness and may be phenotypically more variable. One of the possible causes of the loss of fitness is a combination of unfavourable environmental circumstances for maternal plants in small populations and increased inbreeding. The higher phenotypic variation in small populations may also be a result of inbreeding, which can lead to deviation of individuals from the average phenotype through a loss of developmental stability.     

Effects of primary seed dormancy on lifetime fitness of Arabidopsis thaliana in the field

Background and AimsSeed dormancy determines the environmental niche of plants in seasonal environments, and has consequences for plant performance that potentially go far beyond the seed and seedling stages. In this study, we examined the cascading effects of seed dormancy on the expression of subsequent life-history traits and fitness in the annual herb Arabidopsis thaliana.MethodsWe planted seeds of >200 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between two locally adapted populations (Italy and Sweden), and both parental genotypes at the native site of the Swedish population in three consecutive years. We quantified the relationship between primary seed dormancy and the expression of subsequent life-history traits and fitness in the RIL population with path analysis. To examine the effects of differences in dormancy on the relative fitness of the two parental genotypes, we planted dormant seeds during the seed dispersal period and non-dormant seeds during the germination period of the local population.Key ResultsIn the RIL population, strong primary dormancy was associated with high seedling survival, but with low adult survival and fecundity, and path analysis indicated that this could be explained by effects on germination timing, rosette size and flowering start. The relationship between primary seed dormancy and germination proportion varied among years, and this was associated with differences in seasonal changes in soil moisture. The planting of dormant and non-dormant seeds indicated that the lower primary dormancy of the local Swedish genotype contributed to its higher germination proportion in two years and to its higher fecundity in one year.ConclusionsOur results show that seed dormancy affects trait expression and fitness components across the life cycle, and suggest that among-year variation in the incidence of drought during the germination period should be considered when predicting the consequences of climatic change for population growth and evolution.