Seed ecology Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Abbreviations MD = morphological dormancy; MPD = morphophysiological dormancy; ND = non-dormancy; PD + PY = combined dormancy; PD = physiological dormancy; PIC = phylogenetically independent contrast; PY = physical dormancy Nomenclature International Plant Names Index (www.ipni.org/index.html) Abstract Questions: Is kind of seed dormancy important in environmental filtering at the local scale? Are there differences among kinds of seed dormancy in life-history traits like seed mass and adult life span? Location: Southern Kalahari (Botswana, Namibia and South Africa). Methods: Using mainly literature data, we determined kind of dormancy for each species in the Southern Kalahari flora and combined this data set with data on seed mass, life form and soil texture. Soil sand content was used as an environmental gradient because the risks associated with seedling establishment increase with soil sand content and would favour seed dormancy as a bet-hedging strategy. Also, the rapid descent of water in very sandy soils may exclude species with morphological (MD) or morphophysiological (MPD) dormancy that require relatively long moist periods for dormancy breaking. Multinomial logistic regression and phylogenetically independent contrasts were applied to determine relationships of kind of dormancy with life-history variables and soil texture. Results: The proportion of species with some kind of seed dormancy was not correlated with soil sand content. However, the proportion of species with MD or MPD decreased with increasing sand content, and proportion of species with some kind of dormancy decreased with increasing seed mass and life span. Life form and seed mass, but not soil sand content, had significant effects in a multi-nomial regression model predicting the presence of kind of dormancy. With increasing seed mass, the probability of a species having physical dormancy (PY) increased relative to the probability of having physiological dormancy (PD). With an increase in life span, the probability of a species lacking dormancy increased relative to the probability of having PD. Conclusions: We found little evidence that kind of seed dormancy plays a direct role in environmental filtering. Our results suggest that traits related to dor-mancy do not evolve independently and are part of a syndrome of co-adapted plant traits.

- by Martijn Kos
- •
- Entomology, Seed ecology

The effects of 55 pesticides (27 fungicides, 26 herbicides and 2 insecticides) on 25 Rhizobium strains were studied in laboratory tests. Fungicides, especially captan, fuberidazole, HPMTS and tilt were the most toxic preparations. Eleven preparations were not toxic, among them were benomyl, quintozene and thiophanate-methyl. The herbicides and insecti-cides tested were found to inhibit the growth of rhizobia to a lesser extent than the fungicides.

- by Gyula Oros and +1
- •
- Pesticide ecotoxicology, Soil Microbial Ecology, Insecticides, Fungicides

The evaluation of physiological and biochemical aspects is essential to identify clues that can assist breeders in selecting Persian walnut genotypes with considerable tolerance to drought stress. This objective can be obtained by analyzing seed biochemical compounds from diﬀerent genetic resources, e.g. seeds from individual trees that are commonly exposed to drought stress. In the current research, we evaluated the eﬀects of drought stress, as induced by PEG6000, on the germination of walnut seeds collected from six promising genotypes (i.e. 'SS2', 'TT2', 'TT1', 'ZM1','Haward' and'Chandler'). Aphotoperiod of12hwas provided duringtheexperiments, alongwithan average temperature of 25 ± 1°C. According to the diﬀerent indexes of germination, a greater tolerance was observed among three genotypes, namely, 'ZM1', 'Haward' and ‘Chandler’. In response to drought stress, the contents of proline and total soluble sugars increased, especially at intense levels of stress, whereas the amount of starch decreased. The levels of antioxidant activity signiﬁcantly increased by POD, APX, CAT, SOD and LOX enzymes in the radicle and plumule tissues as the water potential reached −1.5MPa. Three genotypes, namely, 'TT2', 'TT1' and 'SS2'were susceptible to cell wall damage(i.e. bylipid peroxidation). High levels ofSpdand Spm in tolerant genotypes were accompanied by signiﬁcant increases in the zeatin, endogenous IAA, zeatin riboside and ABA in the seeds. Our results suggest that, under drought stress, seed germination in walnuts can beneﬁt from the accumulation of free Spd in seeds during the phases of germination. However, the accumulation of free Put appeared to be an inhibitory factor which suppressed the germination of walnut seeds.

- by Kourosh Vahdati
- •
- Horticulture, Drought, Stress, Seed germination

Allium stracheyi Baker (Alliaceae, 2600–3000 m asl), an endangered species of Central Himalaya, India, has low seed germination in its natural habitat. This study is an attempt to improve seed germination by determining the seed viability with a low mean germination time (MGT) and germination index (GI) under optimum temperature, light, and pre-soaking treatments. The seeds were pre-soaked in hot water (80°C), cold water (10°C), and gibberellic acid (GA3 at 50 and 100 mg/l) for 24 h and subjected to light (12 h light and 12 h dark) and continuous dark (24 h) conditions with different temperature regimes (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30°C). The viability varied between 66.0% and 69.67% and declined rapidly after 12 months of storage. Our studies suggest that the 100 mg/l GA3 treatment was beneficial for seed germination and seedling growth. Pre-soaking in a 100 mg/l GA3 solution and incubation at 20°C under light conditions enhanced the germination significantly (p < 0.05) and resulted in the highest (97.3%) germination with the lowest MGT = 5.7 days, with GI = 8.11. The recommendations of this study support the conservation of alpine A. stracheyi via simple and cost-effective techniques for optimal seed germination.

- by Kusum Payal and +1
- •
- Seed germination, Endangered Species, Seed dormancy, Seed ecology

Esta guía para la propagación vegetal de doce plantas de Bosque seco y manglar del Caribe colombiano, hace parte de los resultados del trabajo realizado en el Programa EbA “Estrategias de Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas en Colombia y Ecuador”, implementado por la Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ - GmbH - Cooperación Alemana para el Desarrollo, bajo el liderazgo del Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible - MADS y la Alcaldía de Cartagena, con el apoyo del Jardín Botánico Guillermo Piñeres. Uno de los objetivos del Programa EbA es el de brindar asistencia para integrar el enfoque de Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas en las políticas, planes o estrategias pertinentes, así como para ponerlo en práctica y contribuir con ello a reducir la vulnerabilidad de las comunidades locales en las regiones costeras.

- by Viviana Londoño-Lemos
- •
- Botany, Climate Change, Conservation Biology, Seed ecology

Till today chilli seeds are separated manually and there is no specific machine designed to separate seed from its pulp. The manual process is carried out by hammering chilli fruits with wooden stick, separating the husk using hand separator. This manual method is quite tiresome mainly due to the inhalation of fine particles of chilli fruits by labours. Its pungency results in continuous sneezing and irritation for labours. Hence, it is necessary to eliminate laborious work and time consumption. The automated process of chilli seed extraction will be the better solution for this problem, which helps farmers. This automated method can also be adopted by food industries for large scale extraction of chilli seed, as well.

Seed germination and seed longevity under different environmental conditions are fundamental to understand the ecological dynamics of a species, since they are decisive for its success within the ecosystem. Taking this into account, seed germination and seed storage behavior of a pioneer species of tropical dry forest (Tecoma stans) were studied in the laboratory, to establish the effect of different environmental conditions on a local tree population. Two seed lots collected in July 2011, from Cali (Colombia), were evaluated under three alternating temperatures (20/30, 20/25, 25/30 ºC; 16/8 h) and four light qualities (12-hour white light photo-period, darkness, and 15 minutes of red light-R and far red light-FR). Final germination was recorded for all treatments; for white light treatment the daily germination was recorded to calculate mean germination rate, mean germination time, and two synchronization indices. To assess the effect of light quality on physiological variables, a destructive germination test was carried out. For this test, another seed lot was evaluated under the same light conditions using an alternating temperature of 20/30 °C-16/8 h, recording germination during six days for every treatment. In addition, seeds were stored at two different moisture contents (7.7, 4.1 %) and three storage temperatures (20, 5, -20 ºC), during two time periods (one and three months); a seed germination test was conducted for each treatment. Four replicates of 35 seeds per treatment were used for all experiments. Germination was high (GP > 90 %) with all alternating temperatures under white light, whereas under R, FR, and darkness germination was evenly successful at low temperatures, but at higher temperature, half of the seeds entered into secondary dormancy (GP= 45-65 %). However, mean germination rate and synchronization under R and FR decreased significantly in comparison to white light treatment and, consequently, mean germination time increased. Seed storage behavior of this species is orthodox due to the high germination (GP > 90 %) obtained under all treatments. In conclusion, T. stans seeds have a negative germination response at high incubation temperatures in the absence of white light, entering into a secondary dormancy. In contrast, an environment with a lower temperature and without white light delays the germination, but at the end seeds are able to reach the same germination values. This seed dependence on incident light in limiting conditions suggests a physiological mechanism on the seed tissues of this species, probably mediated by phytochromes. Finally, the orthodox seed storage behavior of T. stans is a reason to include this species in ex situ seed conservation programs for restoration and recovery of the tropical dry forest; however, long-term studies should be conducted in order to evaluate the maintenance of this characteristic throughout longer periods of time. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 918-936. Epub 2018 June 01.

- by Jhon Alexander Vargas Figueroa
- •
- Seed germination, Seed ecology, Seed storage, Seed Conservation

Esta cartilla presenta un resumen de las experiencias en conservación de biodiversidad desarrolladas con los habitantes del territorio montemariano de la Serranía de San Jacinto, en el departamento de Bolívar, Colombia. En este proceso participaron habitantes de los municipios de San Jacinto, María La Baja y El Carmen de Bolívar. Agradecemos de manera especial el trabajo y liderazgo de las veredas de Camarón y Mesitas, ubicadas en el límite sur del embalse de San José del Playón. El equipo del Jardín Botánico de Cartagena “Guillermo Piñeres” fue recibido en innumerables ocasiones en las casas de estas comunidades con quienes nos sentimos honrados de haber trabajado.

- by Viviana Londoño-Lemos and +1
- •
- Conservation Biology, Ecology, Seed ecology, Plant propagation

Storage of native forest tree seeds is essential for the development of seed-based forest restoration methods, such as direct or aerial seeding and for increasing representation of native trees in nurseries, for conventional tree planting. The study, presented here, investigated seed germination, dormancy and storage behaviour of 16 native tree species, used to restore upland evergreen forest in northern Thailand. Eleven of them, had orthodox seeds (storable at minus 20˚C and 5% moisture content): a proportion consistent with other studies of seasonally dry tropical forest: Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, Adenanthera microsperma, Alangium kurzii, Bauhinia variegata, Choerospondias axillaris, Gmelina arborea, Hovenia dulcis, Manglietia garrettii, Melia azedarach, Phyllanthus emblica and Prunus cerasoides. Four species had recalcitrant seeds: Artocarpus lacucha, Dimocarpus longan, Horsfieldia amygdalina and Syzygium albiflorum. All except D. longan set seed in the early rainy season and could therefore be used for direct or aerial seeding without storage. Inclusion of D. longan and Diospyros glandulosa (the latter classed as intermediate, with seeds that could be partially dried but not frozen) in forest restoration plantings will only be possible by nursery-based sapling production and conventional tree planting.

- by Pimonrat Tiansawat
- •
- Seed germination, Seed ecology, Forest restoration, Seed Storage Behaviour

This work reviews the historical and current pest risks and research concerning seed storage in the Czech Republic
(CR). Stored seed pests (i.e. animals causing injuries to the germ and endosperm) represent a high risk of economic
damage due to the high value of seeds coupled with long-term seed storage in small storage units (e.g., boxes, satchels).
Rodents represent a significant risk to all types of seeds, especially seeds stored in piles or bags. Mites, psocids, and
moths are the main pests of stored grass and vegetable seeds: mites can decrease seed germinability by 52% and psocids
caused 9.7% seed weight loss in broken wheat kernels after 3 months of infestation under laboratory conditions.
Although beetles (Sitophilus sp., Tribolium sp., Oryzaephilus sp.) and moths (Plodia sp.) are common pests of grain
seeds (e.g., wheat, barley, maize), two serious seed pests, Sitotroga cereallela and S. zemays, are rare in the CR. Bruchus
pisorum is a common pest of pea seeds, while other Bruchids are rare in the Czech legume seed stores. Currently, the
control of seed pests is becoming difficult because the efficient pesticides (e.g., methylbromide, dichlorvos, drinking
anticoagulant rodent baits) for seed protection have been lost without the development of adequate substitutes. New
research on seed protection in the CR using biological control (mite predators Cheyletus sp.), low pressure, modified
atmospheres, and hydrogen cyanide is overviewed.

Convolvulaceae is the most advanced plant family (asterid clade) that produces seeds with physical dormancy (water-impermeable seed coat). There are several different opinions about the nature of the specialized structure ('water gap') in the seed coat through which water initially enters seeds of Convolvulaceae, but none of them has been documented clearly. The primary aim of the study was to identify the water gap in seeds of Ipomoea lacunosa (Convolvulaceae) and to describe its morphology, anatomy and function. Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, tissue-sectioning, dye-tracking and blocking experiments were used to describe the morphology, anatomy and function of the water gap in seeds of I. lacunosa. Dormancy-breaking treatments caused slits to form around the two bulges on the seed coat adjacent to the hilum, and dye entered the seed only via the disrupted bulges. Bulge anatomy differs from that of the rest of the seed coat. Sclereid cells of the bulges are ...

- by Gehan Jayasuriya
- •
- Water, Plant Biology, Seed Dispersal, Ecology

This study quantified various aspects of the seed biology of 100 tree species native to the seasonal moist tropical forest in the Panama Canal Watershed. Species were selected for study based on their potential for use in reforestation projects in Panama. Seeds of 32, 29, and 33 species were dispersed during the dry (DS, January–March), early rainy (ERS, April–July), and late rainy (LRS, August–December) seasons, respectively. Seed mass was correlated with moisture content (MC) but not with dispersal time, and MC was lowest for seeds dispersed in the DS. Germination of nontreated seeds ranged from 0% (6 species) to 99% and was ≥50% for 46 species. Seeds of Beilschmiedia pendula, Castilla elastica, Diphysa robinioides, Genipa americana, Hura crepitans, Inga spectabilis, Jacaranda copaia, Protium tenuifolium, Pseudobambox septenatum, and Trattinnickia aspera germinated ≥85%. Fresh seeds of 49 (52.1%) of the 94 species that germinated were nondormant and 45 (47.9%) were dormant. Only 12 species had a median length of germination time (MLG) > 120 days. MLG for seeds of species dispersed in the LRS was higher than that of those dispersed in the ERS or DS. Forty-eight species had uniform germination (standard deviation of germination time ≤ 14 days). Seed longevity ranged from 0.5 to 36 months, and long-lived (L-L) seeds tended to be larger than short-lived (S-L) or very short-lived (very S-L) ones, but not significantly so. MC increased significantly from L-L to very S-L seeds. The highest proportion of L-L seeds was dispersed in the DS and the lowest in the LRS. Results of this study are used to make recommendations for nursery production of tree seedlings to use in forest restoration projects.

- by Adriana Sautu and +1
- •
- Seed dormancy, Seed ecology, Reforestation

The famed ancient herb, known to the Romans as silphium (Greek silphion), is widely regarded as the first recorded instance of human-induced species extinction. Modern scholars have largely credited direct exploitation (e.g., over-harvesting; over-grazing) as the primary cause of silphium’s extinction, due to an overwhelming demand for the plant in ancient times. Recent research has revealed strict cold-stratification requirements for the germination of silphium’s closest living relatives, revealing the likelihood that silphium shared these same germination requirements. Documented environmental changes in ancient Cyrenaica (e.g., widespread deforestation; cropland expansion) likely resulted in accelerated rates of desertification throughout the region as well as the direct disturbance of silphium’s habitat, effectively eliminating the necessary conditions for silphium’s successful germination and growth within its native range. Contrary to previous conclusions, this evidence suggests that anthropogenic environmental change was instead the dominant factor in silphium’s extinction, marking silphium as the first recorded instance of human-induced climate-based extinction.

- by Julio C. Hernández Hernández
- •
- Seed ecology, Birds, Rodents, Pines
- by Pelin Tan
- •
- Design, Cultural Heritage, Commons, Contemporary Art

Studies were made to determine the optimum germination temperature, depth of dormancy, and storability of
non-dormant, prechilled Malus trilobata seeds from three altitudinal provenances (Kadirli, Önsen, and Bertiz) in
the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. The optimum germination temperature (based on seed germination
percentage and speed) was 18°C and the seeds required about 12 weeks prechilling to break full dormancy. Germination of non-dormant, prechilled seeds, 7.5% moisture content, decreased by about 24% after 1 year of storage at 3°C.

- by Mustafa YILMAZ
- •
- Seed germination, Seed dormancy, Seed ecology, Rare and Endagered Plants
- by Doctor Khan
- •
- Plant Ecology, Mangroves, Insect-Plant Interactions, Saline Agriculture

Pinus brutia (Turkish redpine) is one of the most common tree species in Turkey. Some isolated P.brutia populations exist outside its main distribution. In this study, the seeds of three disjunct P. brutia populations (Pazarcık, Gölbaşı, Şırnak) have been investigated. 1000-seed weight of Pazarcık, Gölbaşı and
Şırnak were 44,1 gr, 61,21 gr, and 52,25 gr, respectively, in air dry conditions. Between 4 and 6 weeks chilling durations have been required for full elimination of seed dormancy. Average germination percentages were about 80 % after the dormancy removal. Higher and faster germinations were obtained at 20 °C than 24 °C. The seedlings should be propagated from the isolated populations and used in forestation

- by Mustafa YILMAZ
- •
- Seed germination, Seed dormancy, Seed ecology, Trees
- by Adriana Sautu
- •
- Seed dormancy, Seed ecology

Riparian forests exhibit levels of ecological disturbance that leave them especially prone to biological invasions. Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is particularly suited to these habitats and is an aggressive invader along watercourses throughout its now-global range as an exotic invader. Using one of the few Silver Maple Floodplain Forest communities that has not been invaded by F. japonica in the West Branch Susquehanna River valley (Pennsylvania, USA) as a baseline, this study examines whether and how this primarily intact riparian forest community differs from nearby invaded communities in terms of 1) native species richness, 2) native species density, and 3) riparian forest tree recruitment. Defining a baseline (intact) community composition will inform restoration plans for local riparian forests where knotweed might be eradicated or reduced. Invaded and non-invaded sites differed statistically across species richness, species density, and tree recruitment. Our results suggest that F. japonica has reduced the diversity and abundance of native understory riparian plant species. The species also appears to have suppressed long-term tree recruitment, setting up a trajectory whereby the eventual decline of trees currently in the canopy could shift this community from a tree-dominated riparian forest to a knotweed-dominated herbaceous shrubland.

- by Anna Freundlich and +1
- •
- Botany, Plant Ecology, Conservation Biology, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function

Although plant-inhabiting ants are known to act as effective deterrents to a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores, this has been reported only once before for primates, a group better known for their predation of ants. In the present study, we investigated the effects that colonies of Pseudomyrmex viduus ants living in individual Macrolobium acaciifolium (Fabaceae) trees have on the rates of visitation and fruit removal by four taxa of seed-predating vertebrates: the primate Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary; macaws (Ara spp.); large parrots (Amazona spp.); and the Northern Amazonian red squirrel (Sciurus igniventris). We found that ant presence significantly reduced both rates of visitation and of fruit removal by C. m. ouakary. The same pattern of reduced fruit removal was also observed for other seed predators (parrots, macaws, and squirrels) but not for visitation rates (although this may be a result of the small sample size). This appears to be only the second-known d...

- by Ann Maclarnon
- •
- Plant Ecology, Animal Behavior, Plant Biology, Seed Dispersal

... MLGa ,30 d, FDb, Pe Trattinnickia aspera (T) PD MLGa .30 d, FDb, Pe ClusiaceaeCalophyllum longifolium (T, N) ND MLGa ,30 d, FDb, Pe Euphorbiaceae Adelia triloba (U, C) ND MLGa ,30 d, FDb, Pe Hura crepitans (T) ND ...

- by Carol Baskin and +1
- •
- Plant Biology, Seed dormancy, Seasonality, Seed ecology
- by Adriana Sautu and +1
- •
- Seed dormancy, Seed ecology

(250 words) After losing its artisan character after World War II, bread is now commoditized as the outcome of an increasingly globalised seed, cereal growing, milling and baking industry. Yet, alternative pathways are emerging to develop a more resilient and locally-adapted cereal system. Our case study focuses on exploring the emergence of a cereal seed network in Wallonia, which gathers farmers, millers, bakers, households and researchers. In this paper we look into the creative process of co-construction of this network, after 3 years of participant observation. We explore how group objectives and personal motivations evolved along with internal and external events. The main objective of this network is to conserve and breed a diversity of cereal varieties adapted to local agroecological food systems. Our results show that (i) novelties are being produced and tested in farms; (ii) opening up a safe-learning space favours networking of these isolated novel actors; (iii) collaborative management of cultivated diversity entails opportunities and challenges. We discuss these results in the light of similar experiences of seed networks in Europe and outline questions raised by challenges faced in participatory research on seed. Our conclusions suggest that in order to improve the nutritional quality of bread and develop a more resilient cereal system, collective management of seed and participatory plant breeding programs should be fostered. This will need a reversal of agronomy research approaches and of priorities in food policy

- by Mna Visser
- •
- Agroecology, Seed ecology, Farming Systems

The vegetation and wild life in Saint Catherine area is subjected to great disturbance through the unmanaged human activities. In the present study we had used seed ecology in order to contribute in designing a sound long term conservation plan for the two threatened endemic studied medicinal species; Plantago sinaica, and two other Plantago species; P. ovata and P. lagopus at three levels; (a) studying the germination response at different conditions and pretreatments on wetted substrate (b) the effect of moisture content percentage on the germination during different storage periods and (C) the effect of burying on seed longevity and viability. For the three Plantago species there was a great variation in the behavior of seed germination among them, we observed that sulphoric acid (H2SO4) was the only treatment that enhanced germination in the three species at least at one of the temperature treatments. The moisture isotherm of P. ovata and P. sinaica revealed a positive correlation with germination and negative one with storage period, one can say that Plantago sinaica and Plantago ovata seeds are orthodox as it prefers low moisture and there was a negative correlation between germination and moisture content with a significant correlation coefficient (r = 0.622 and P= 0.006). The depth of buried seeds seem to be protective to an extent as the highest germination percentages after one year (80 and 91%) were that at 2 cm depth in the loamy and clay soil respectively. As a general conclusion, the present study clarified that the behavior of the three species along environmental gradients is similar to a great extent in storage behavior, but it differs in the germination behavior, as well as in the strategies in struggling for existence.

- by Dina H AlSharkawy and +2
- •
- Plant Ecology, Conservation, Conservation Ecology, Medicinal Plants

This paper examines the causes of disappearance/loss and current status of the African elephant in KLNP against the backdrop of international/regional agreements, conventions, national/sub-national institutions (including forestry/wildlife laws); and presents propositions. Data were collected from official reports, Nigeria Parks Magazine and published literature. Results revealed overwhelming anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. built infrastructure, namely Air Force terminal, dam), weak legislation, obsolete equipment and poor enforcement, illegal logging, poaching, cattle herding/banditry and perverse transnational diplomacy, as probable reasons for the loss/exodus of African elephant from the park. There was no substantial empirical evidence to tie elephant loss/disappearance to human-wildlife conflicts or ivory trade. However, the literature is rife with information that while Beninoire communities on the corridor are incentivized to protect wildlife, particularly the African elephant, their Nigerian counterparts with vast indigenous knowledge of behavioural/habituation and migratory pattern, are invariably alienated. The Nigerian government should define responsibilities and harmonize roles for departments and agencies; expedite/orchestrate national forest/wildlife laws; and foster multilateral cooperation towards rehabilitation/protection of wildlife species that utilize trans-national migratory corridors.

- by ekeoba M isikhuemen
- •
- Rehabilitation, Conservation, Rainforest Restoration, Wildlife Conservation
- by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal
- •
- Soil Science, Plant Biology, Plant Science, Seed physiology

We studied the soil seed bank in Wornojiwo tropical secondary forest, Cibodas. The forest vegetation has been influenced by both natural forest of Mount Gede Pangrango National Park and intensive management of Cibodas Botanic Garden. The seed bank consisted of 37 germinable plant seed species where only 10 species of which were represented in the aboveground vegetation. There were 688 individual seeds per m 2 on average with the highest seed number located in the 5-10 cm soil layer. There was no significant correlation between soil depth with seed density and species richness. The highest seed density (45.8%) and seed plant species (43.6%) belonged to trees and herbs respectively. Maoutia diversifolia, Villebrunea rubescens, and Trema orientalis were the most abundant species in the soil seed bank and all were represented in the existing vegetation. A poor correspondence occurred between aboveground vegetation and soil seed bank. Our results suggested the need for enrichment planting in order to accelerate Wornojiwo forest succession.

- by Musyarofah Zuhri and +1
- •
- Seed germination, Seed dormancy, Seed ecology, Soil Seed Bank Ecology

Although plant-inhabiting ants are known to act as effective deterrents to a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate
herbivores, this has been reported only once before for primates, a group better known for their predation of ants.
In the present study, we investigated the effects that colonies of Pseudomyrmex viduus ants living in individual
Macrolobium acaciifolium (Fabaceae) trees have on the rates of visitation and fruit removal by four taxa of
seed-predating vertebrates: the primate Cacajao melanocephalus ouakary; macaws (Ara spp.); large parrots
(Amazona spp.); and the Northern Amazonian red squirrel (Sciurus igniventris). We found that ant presence
significantly reduced both rates of visitation and of fruit removal by C. m. ouakary. The same pattern of reduced fruit
removal was also observed for other seed predators (parrots, macaws, and squirrels) but not for visitation rates
(although this may be a result of the small sample size). This appears to be only the second-known demonstration
of the repellent effect of ants on primates and, indeed, the first for squirrels and psittacine birds. © 2014 The
Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 114, 260–273.
ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: Amazona – Ara – Cacajao – Formicidae – plant defence – Sciurus.

- by Adrian Barnett
- •
- Plant Ecology, Animal Behavior, Plant Biology, Seed Dispersal
- by Amy Dunham
- •
- Soil Science, Plant Ecology, Biogeochemistry, Ecosystem Services

Fire Trol 934® is a long-term fire retardant commonly used in fire prevention and extinction. Our objective was to determine the effect of this chemical on seed germination of nine plant species from Mediterranean-type shrublands, where these chemicals are potentially used. Seeds were exposed to five different Fire Trol concentrations, (0 (control) to 10%, on a log scale) and monitored in a germination chamber for nine weeks. Seeds from four Cistus species were subjected to an additional heat treatment that simulated thermal scarification caused by fire. Retardant exposure caused a significant decrease in total germination in all species, and exposure to the highest Fire Trol concentration (10%) resulted in complete inhibition of germination. However, the sensitivity to Fire Trol varied across species and this differential species sensitivity may potentially lead to different impacts in the soil seed banks depending on whether sites are burned or unburned. Exposure to Fire Trol 934 may affect recruitment of shrubland species particularly during dry autumns, due to limited leaching of these chemicals from the soil surface. Consequently, its use should be avoided in sites where particularly sensitive plant species are present. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 20: 543–548, 2005.

- by Belén Luna
- •
- Fire Ecology, Mediterranean, Seed germination, Seed ecology

ABSTRACT
Most farmers are not activists. They make, however, their own sense of the world and act – sometimes quite stubbornly – according to that sense given, grasping what they perceive as opportunities, and protecting what they feel as essential for their livelihood. Political projects for Nicaraguan society, international policy- making, corporate strategies and imperial ambitions engage with and affect the varieties grown locally. The article analyses the creativity and political potential, as well as the contradictions and inconsistencies of the quotidian practice of seed saving under extreme constraint in light of the major struggles about Nicaraguan seed legislation.

- by Birgit Müller
- •
- Autonomy, Intellectual Property Rights, Nicaragua, Seed ecology

Arabic Translation of Article entitled : Syrian seed bank gets new home away from war Shaoni Bhattacharya 05 October 2016 Nature (2016) doi:10.1038/538016a . البذور السورية تنتقل إلى مسكن جديد ستكون جينات النباتات القديمة في متناول... more

- by Tarek Kapiel
- •
- Seed bank, Seed ecology, Seeds, Seed storage

The soil seed bank represents part the regenerative potential of a plant community. It can affect both the composition and the vegetation pattern after natural or anthropic interferences. The study was carried out in the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI), an urban fragment of the Atlantic Forest in the city of São Paulo-SP. In PEFI, well preserved areas are found nearby very disturbed areas, in which a rhizomatous and scandent bamboo species (Aulonemia aristulata (Döll) McClure) predominates. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the dominance of the bamboo plants interfered in the number of seeds from shrub and tree species incorporated in the soil seed bank, thus modifying the capacity of natural regeneration. Two sites were selected: in one of them, the bamboo plants predominated (B) and in the other, bamboo plants occurred sparsely (SB). In each area 45 soil samples distributed in 0.7 ha were randomly collected (total area 1.8m2). The soil samples were exposed to natural sunlight in a greenhouse and the emerged seedlings were counted weekly during the following six months. A significant difference was observed between seed number of the two areas (Mann-Whitney, p<0.05). In B, 2270 seeds germinated while 2911 germinated in SB. Consequently, seed density differed between the two areas: 1260.56 and 1617.22 seeds.m-2, respectively. The seed density from tree species was significantly higher in SB (622.8 seeds.m-2 in B and 1308.9 seeds.m-2 in SB, according to the Mann-Whitney test at p<0.05), although in B, a higher seed density from shrub and herb species were found (Mann-Whitney, p<0.05). Asteraceae, Poaceae, Solanaceae, Cyperaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Melastomataceae were the most abundant families present in B (66.2% of all species). In SB, the same families occurred, except for Cyperaceae (51.16% of all species). Miconia cf. cinnamomifolia and Vernonia sp. were the most abundant species accounting for more than 80% of the seedlings recruted in both areas. The proportion of tree and shrub species was higher than 90% in the two areas (90,1% in B and 97,4% in SB), nevertheless this difference was significantly higher for SB (χ2=124.69; gl=1; P<0,001). Pioneer species predominated in the two areas. The total number of pioneer individuals in SB was significantly higher (χ2=8.91; gl=1; P<0.01). Zoochoric dispersion predominated among shrub and tree species, with 80% of the species in B and 71% in SB, this last area being significantly higher (χ2=436.30; gl=1; P<0,001). B presented higher species abundance and diversity in spite of the low diversity and equability indexes found in the two areas. Significant differences in the floristic composition of shrub and tree species were observed between B and SB (MRPP, A=0.1347, p<0.001). The high amount of seeds from shrub and tree species found in areas B and SB demosntrates the capacity of regeneration of these two areas. It also shows that the presence of A. aristulata in area B does not affect the disponibility of seeds in the soil seed bank.

- by Daniella Vinha
- •
- Seed dormancy, Seed bank, Seed ecology
- by Adriana Sautu
- •
- Seed dormancy, Seasonality, Seed ecology, Tropical forest

Seed traits are related to several ecological attributes of a plant species, including its distribution. While the storage physiology of desiccation-sensitive seeds has drawn considerable attention, their ecology has remained sidelined, particularly how the strong seasonality of precipitation in monsoonal climate affects their temporal and spatial distribution. We compiled data on seed mass, seed desiccation behavior, seed shedding, and germination periodicity in relation to monsoon and altitude for 198 native tree species of Indian Himalayas and adjoining plains to find out (1) the adaptive significance of seed mass and seed desiccation behavior in relation to monsoon and (2) the pattern of change in seed mass in relation to altitude, habitat moisture, and succession. The tree species fall into three categories with respect to seed shedding and germination periodicities: (1) species in which both seed shedding and germination are synchronized with monsoon, referred to as monsoon-synchronized (MS, 46 species); (2) species in which seed germination is synchronized with monsoon, but seeds are shed several months before monsoon, referred to as partially monsoon-synchronized (PMS, 112 species); and (3) species in which both shedding and germination occur outside of monsoon months, referred to as monsoon-desynchronized (MD, 39 species). The seed mass of MS species (1,718 mg/seed) was greater than that of PMS (627 mg/seed) and MD (1,144 mg/seed). Of the 40 species with desiccation-sensitive seeds, 45% belong to the MS category, almost similar (approx. 47%) to woody plants with desiccation-sensitive seeds in evergreen rain forests. Seed mass differed significantly as per seed desiccation behavior and successional stage. No relationship of seed mass was found with altitude alone and on the basis of seed desiccation behavior. However, seed mass trend along the altitude differed among monsoon synchronization strategies. Based on our findings, we conclude that in the predicted climate change (warming and uncertain precipitation pattern) scenario, a delay or prolonged break-spell of monsoon may adversely affect the regeneration ecology of desiccation-sensitive seed-bearing species dominant over large forest areas of monsoonal climate. K E Y W O R D S

- by SHYAM PHARTYAL
- •
- Seed Dispersal, Seed ecology
- by Gehan Jayasuriya
- •
- Water, Plant Biology, Seed Dispersal, Ecology

Seed shape in the model legumes Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula is described. Based in previous work with Arabidopsis, the outline of the longitudinal sections of seeds is compared with a cardioid curve. L. japonicus seeds adjust well to an unmodified cardioid, whereas accurate adjustment in M. truncatula is obtained by the simple transformation of scaling the vertical axis by a factor equal to the Golden Ratio. Adjustments of seed shape measurements with simple geometrical forms are essential tools for the statistical analysis of variations in seed shape under different conditions or in mutants. The efficiency of the adjustment to a cardioid in the model plants suggests that seed morphology may be related to genome complexity. Seeds of ethylene insensitive mutants present differences in size and shape as well as altered responses to imbibition. The biological implication and meaning of these relationships are discussed.

- by Emilio Cervantes and +1
- •
- Seed Morphology, Seed germination, Seed physiology, Seed ecology
- by Antônio Queiroz
- •
- Insect-Plant Interactions, Ecology, Population ecology, Seed ecology
- by Jan Plue
- •
- Climate Change, Forest Ecology, Seed bank, Seed ecology

Pre-dispersal seed predation can greatly reduce crop size affecting recruitment success. In addition, non-fatal damage by seed predators may allow infection by fungi responsible for post-dispersal seed losses. The objectives of this study were (1) to quantify pre-dispersal seed predation and fungal infection in a Neotropical tree species, Luehea seemannii, that produces dehiscent fruits and wind-dispersed seeds, and (2) to link pre-dispersal effects on seed quality to seed survival in the soil. To examine how seed predators and fungi influence seed losses, mesh exclosures, fungicide, and the combination of both treatments were applied to separate branches in the canopy of trees in Gamboa and Parque Natural Metropolitano (PNM), Panama. To determine if treatments affect seed viability and survival in the soil, half of the seeds collected from each treatment were buried for 4 weeks in forest soils and subsequently allowed to germinate before and after the breaking of dormancy. Overall, 24 percent of developing fruit were lost to insect attack. In contrast, fungi infected only 3 percent of seeds at the pre-dispersal stage. For seeds germinated directly after collection, fungicide significantly increased germination in the wetter site (Gamboa) but decreased germination in the drier site (PNM). The pre-dispersal insect exclosure treatment increased the fraction of seeds that remained dormant after burial in the soil. This result suggests that exposure to insect predators may cause physical damage to seeds that results in the loss of physical dormancy but does not necessarily increase the susceptibility of seeds to pathogen attack in the soil.

- by Pimonrat Tiansawat
- •
- Biology, Seed germination, Panama, Biological Sciences

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) flowering development and seed production were assessed along a depth gradient at three sites during 2012 and 2013 to 1) describe the flowering seasonality in the Swedish west coast, and 2) evaluate methods using seeds for large-scale restoration, including harvesting, storage and separation of viable seeds using a vertical flume. Eelgrass flowering shoots were found in the field from June to October, reaching the highest densities in July and August (average 3.8 ± 0.5 shoots m −2). Flowering shoot densities decreased with depth, whereas shoot length, number of spathes, seeds/shoot and seed size increased with depth, resulting in the highest seed production at intermediate depths (2 m) in most bays and years. Because of low densities of flowering shoots, seed production in Sweden (on average 39–126 seeds m −2 , Jul–Sep) was an order of magnitude lower than in other studied areas. Results showed that seed production differed 2.5–3.4 times between meadows and years, mainly driven by variation in seed production per shoot. This variation was only partly explained by temperature over the growing season, suggesting that other factors such as light and the amount of filamentous algal mats might also be important in flower development. Results suggest that flowering shoots should be harvested when > 50% of the spathes have developing seeds, and that shoots should not be stored longer than 40 days in tanks to obtain an optimal release of viable seeds. A new mechanized method using a vertical flume to separate large amounts of viable seeds from the harvest is also presented.

- by Eduardo Infantes
- •
- Restoration Ecology, Seed germination, Ecological restoration, Seed dormancy

B. utilis is the only broad leaved angiosperm tree species in the Himalayas which dominates an extensive area at subalpine altitudes. Lack of sufficient regeneration is a major problem in B. utilis and has been declared endemic in many states of India. Very few studies on seeds and none on maturity indices of B. utilis have been conducted particularly in the treeline areas on Indian Himalayan region. The aim of the present study was to assess the seed/catkin maturity time and seed germination status of B. utilis in treeline areas. The study site was located at 30°49´22˝N and 79°21´4 7˝E between 3340 and 3560m elevation in the western Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. Physical parameters, catkin size, number of catkin, weight of catkin and mass of catkin were taken and germination was carried out in a dual chamber seed germinator for each collection date in laboratory. The tree density of B. utilis was 100 ind ha-1. The mean catkin size between first and last collection varied from 60.24±0.29 to 114.90±1.62, the change in catkin weight was 13.60 and 11.33 g during the collection period. The mass per 100 catkins during study varied between 16.30±0.74 and 33.27±0.14 g. Maximum germination 25.67±0.67% occurred when the catkin moisture content was 31.60±1.55%. At the treeline areas B. utilis is struggling for survival, growth and regeneration due to harsh climatic conditions and excessive anthropogenic pressure in the form of heavy grazing. The species requires proper conservation and management strategy, so that the seedlings and saplings could survive and replace adult trees in future. The present study is useful for assessing the exact catkin maturation time of the species for future multiplication of the species in nurseries.

- by Dr. Nandan Singh
- •
- Seed ecology

“Seeds as the fourth resource...after land, water and air”
(Vía Campesina 2001: 48)
Today, seeds are no longer a symbol of collective sharing but become an unrenewable commodity which has to be purchased every year from the seed companies by the farmers. Genetically modified or hybrid seeds that are produced by the agribusiness monopolies are threatening food security, which causes the threat of extinction of local seeds. The disappearance of local seeds is not only the loss of the local varieties but also the loss of knowledge, heritage, local cuisine culture and tastes.
Biodiversity conversation is an issue which should be considered with a global perspective since the environment and nature cannot be divided by the boundaries of the countries. Against the monopoly of multinational, transnational seed companies, is it possible to preserve the diversity of seeds across countries? There are multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporations such as Monsanto . The national laws and regulations on agriculture have been under transformation for many developing countries. Turkey is one of the countries where selling and even swapping of seeds are prohibited with law . What would be the reaction against these prohibitions and the loss of diversity of seeds? On the other hand, how global commodity chains and corporations’ function in this process?
Seed exchange has been a social practice for thousands of years in different cultures, “as a way to maintain genetic diversity and health of crops” (Smith, Aistara, Gy, 2015, Introduction). In the last forty years, due to industrialization of agriculture, seed diversity has faced with a loss that a new type of seed exchange networks has formed (ibid). The literature on seed saving and exchange seems to be focused on individual country or movement of case studies.

- by Mohamed Zaghloul
- •
- Plant Ecology, Conservation, Conservation Ecology, Medicinal Plants
- by Mehdi Abedi
- •
- Community Ecology, Toxicity, Seed ecology, Aluminum Toxicity

Many plants from Mediterranean-type ecosystems show enhanced germination when exposed to heat and other fire-related cues. Whether
Mediterranean-type plants are fire recruiters and need fire to germinate is subject of discussion. In the present work, we tested the above hypothesis
by subjecting seeds from 57 species representative of a recently burned plant community to various heat pulses. Differences in germination
among species, taking into account their phylogeny, were studied by dividing them according to their life-form (chamaephytes, hemicryptophytes),
regeneration strategy (non-sprouters, sprouters) and geographical distribution range (Iberian Peninsula endemics, Mediterranean, widely distributed
species). Seeds were exposed to 80, 100 and 120 ◦C during 10 min, and then, incubated at 17.5 ◦C for 6 weeks in darkness. Maximum germination
was reached at 80 ◦C and control treatments and minimum germination was at 120 ◦C. Most species were tolerant to heat-shocks, only a few of
them were stimulated by heat, and around 20% suffered a reduction in germination with heat. The germination response to heat-shock differed
according to regenerative strategy and distribution range, but not to life-form. These results were supported independently of phylogeny. As
expected, sprouters and Iberian endemics were more sensitive to heat-shock than non-sprouters and widely distributed species, respectively. As a
conclusion, the studied plant group appears to exhibit resistance to heat but not dependence on it for germination. Therefore, recruitment could be
high after low intensity fires, but might be significantly reduced for most species after more intense fires.

- by Belén Luna
- •
- Fire Ecology, Mediterranean, Seed germination, Seed ecology