Effect of population combinations on the reproductive success and germination of seeds of Bromus auleticus (Poaceae)

Abstract

Bromus auleticus is known for its qualities as forage but its domestication has limitations relating to seed production technology and farm‐scale seed propagation. The effect of different combinations of population on the reproductive success and seed germination of a relict population of Argentina was studied. The tests used a population of Santa Fe (SF) as the recipient of pollen and three populations as donors (LP: La Pampa, ER: Entre Ríos and BA: Buenos Aires). Reproductive success was determined in plants from five pollination treatments: (i) (SFxSF), (ii) LP, (iii) ER, (iv) BA and (v) mixture of donor. Three temperature conditions were evaluated for germination: (i) 15°C, (ii) 28°C and (iii) alternating 15–28°C (12 h each). There were significant differences in reproductive success depending on the source of pollen. Seeds obtained from new genotypic combinations did not increase their weight in relation to the pollen donor. Germination behaviour was more affected by extrinsic factors (temperature) than by their genetic origin. However, under non‐optimal germination conditions, seeds originating from new genotypic combinations showed a significant increase in germination percentage and germination rate. This work contributes additional knowledge to previous studies regarding the effect of pollen quality limitation on seed production and quality of B. auleticus. The results confirm the hypothesis that a mixture of genotypes from a diverse origin increases the quantity of flowers that become fruits and seed quality, which is of great importance to improved seed production and field establishment of B. auleticus.

Ecotype‐specific effects of fungal endophytes on germination responses of seeds of the South American wild forage grass Bromus auleticus

“…B. auleticus Trinius ex Nees is a C3 perennial grass, native to Rio de la Plata grasslands, including central east of Argentina, Uruguay and south of Brazil (Gutiérrez & Pensiero, 1998). Phenotypic characterisation of plants from different accessions suggests the existence of ecotypes with specific adaptations to local environmental conditions (Condón et al, 2017; Gutiérrez et al, 2006, 2015). In this article, we worked with two Argentinean ecotypes that in accordance with the collection site, we named La Pampa (LP) and El Palmar (EP).…”

Manejo de la oferta forrajera en el Parque Nacional Campos del Tuyú y en campos ganaderos vecinos para la conservación del venado de las pampas

“…Las prácticas de manejo diseñadas para mejorar la oferta forrajera para la alimentación del venado de las pampas resultaron exitosas. Además, la aparición y el incremento de la cobertura de Elymus scabrifolius tanto en los montes de tala como en el espartillar, y el de Bromus auleticus en el monte de tala, son procesos muy alentadores para los objetivos de conservación de la flora nativa del Parque Nacional Campos del Tuyú ya que Elymus scabrifolius ha sido considerada en inminente peligro de extinción (Andrés 1986, citado en Abala et al 2009, mientras que Bromus auleticus se encuentra en una forma fragmentada en la región central (Gutiérrez and Pensionar 2012), con algunas poblaciones sometidas a un proceso de reducción drástica de tamaño debido a la acción antrópica (Gutiérrez et al 2013).…”

Effects of Low-Frequency High-Voltage Pulsed Electric Fields on Germination Characteristics of Aged Rice Seeds

“…Biological treatment methods include treating seeds with fungi, bacteria, plant products, or exogenous hormones. Some studies have found that the mechanism of growth-promoting microorganisms primarily involves improving the ability of rhizosphere colonization to produce antibiotics and phytohormones; this promotes signal transduction, gene expression, chlorophyll synthesis, and rhizosphere growth, ultimately inducing plant resistance and promoting growth and yield (Gutiérrez et al, 2015). Compared to the possible harm that chemical treatment can inflict on the environment and the longer time periods required for biological treatment, physical treatment is more advantageous.…”