Seed bank dynamics of an invasive alien species,Helianthus annuus L.

AimsThe ability to form persistent seed banks is one of the best predictors of species’ potential to establish in new ranges. Wild sunflower is native to North America where the formation of persistent seed banks is promoted by disturbance and it plays a key role on the establishment and persistence of native populations. However, the role of the seed banks on the establishment and persistence of invasive populations has not been studied. Here, we evaluated the role of seed bank and disturbance on the establishment and fitness, and seed persistence in the soil in several sunflower biotypes collected in ruderal (wildHelianthus annuus) and agrestal (natural crop–wild hybrid) habitats of Argentina as well as volunteer populations (progeny of commercial cultivars).