From seed production to seedling establishment: Important steps in an invasive process

Ferreras, Ana Elisa; Galetto, Leonardo

doi:10.1016/j.actao.2009.12.005

Cited by 55 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…There are many factors to consider simultaneously during the reproductive and establishment phases of both invasive and native species to identify which of these may influence the invasive potential of a plant (Ferreras and Galetto 2010). The successful invasion of S. mauritianum for example has been accredited to a combination of high fruit set and great dispersal distance from the parent plant by frugivorous birds, which preferentially feed on these fruits (Olckers 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of avian frugivores in germination of seeds of fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants

2011

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Many highly invasive plant species have fleshy fruits which are eaten by native frugivorous animals. These frugivores play an important role in long-distance seed dispersal, and may also affect germination success. The aim of this study was to determine whether generalist frugivores enhance or decrease seed germination of invasive alien species through pulp removal or seed coat abrasion, besides serving as dispersal agents. Fruits of four fleshyfruited invasive alien plant species, namely Solanum mauritianum, Cinnamomum camphora, Lantana camara and Psidium guajava, were fed to three generalist avian frugivorous species, which have been observed feeding on these fruits in the wild. Seed retention time was recorded as this affects dispersal distance and the duration that seeds are exposed to the effects of the gut. Seeds removed from excreta, seeds from manually de-pulped fruit, and whole fruit were planted in soil trays housed in a greenhouse. Daily germination counts were done. Seed retention times differed significantly between bird species for all fruits, except those of C. camphora. However, all frugivores had a similar effect on the germination success of seeds of S. mauritianum, L. camara and P. guajava, showing that gut retention time was not important. Germination of seeds from manually de-pulped fruits did not differ from that of ingested seeds of all plant species, suggesting that seed coat abrasion was also not important. Pulp removal resulted in significantly higher germination rates, both in the two species with larger, multi-seeded fruit (S. mauritianum and P. guajava), and in the two species having single-seeded fruit with waxy exocarps (C. camphora and L. camara). Pulp removal also resulted in significantly earlier germination of L. camara and P. guajava seeds. Therefore, frugivores not only accelerate dispersal, but also greatly enhance seed germination of all fleshy-fruited invasive alien species in this study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of avian frugivores in germination of seeds of fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants

2011

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“…However, rates of predation vary with different habitats (Gonzalez‐Varo, Nora & Aparicio, ; Salazar et al , ), through time (Yoko‐o & Tokeshi, ) and with factors such as habitat management and burning (Tasker et al , ). This makes post‐dispersal seed predation an influential filter for recruitment and ultimately for dynamics of plant abundance (Hulme & Hunt, ) and distribution (Calviño‐Cancela, ), seedling community composition (Paine & Beck, ), colonisation and invasion (Ferreras & Galetto, ). While post‐dispersal predation can have significant impact this will only happen if recruitment is seed‐limited (Calviño‐Cancela, ).…”

Section: Post‐dispersal Environmental Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecophysiology of seed persistence: a mechanistic view of the journey to germination or demise

et al. 2014

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Seed persistence is the survival of seeds in the environment once they have reached maturity. Seed persistence allows a species, population or genotype to survive long after the death of parent plants, thus distributing genetic diversity through time. The ability to predict seed persistence accurately is critical to inform long-term weed management and flora rehabilitation programs, as well as to allow a greater understanding of plant community dynamics. Indeed, each of the 420000 seed-bearing plant species has a unique set of seed characteristics that determine its propensity to develop a persistent soil seed bank. The duration of seed persistence varies among species and populations, and depends on the physical and physiological characteristics of seeds and how they are affected by the biotic and abiotic environment. An integrated understanding of the ecophysiological mechanisms of seed persistence is essential if we are to improve our ability to predict how long seeds can survive in soils, both now and under future climatic conditions. In this review we present an holistic overview of the seed, species, climate, soil, and other site factors that contribute mechanistically to seed persistence, incorporating physiological, biochemical and ecological perspectives. We focus on current knowledge of the seed and species traits that influence seed longevity under ex situ controlled storage conditions, and explore how this inherent longevity is moderated by changeable biotic and abiotic conditions in situ, both before and after seeds are dispersed. We argue that the persistence of a given seed population in any environment depends on its resistance to exiting the seed bank via germination or death, and on its exposure to environmental conditions that are conducive to those fates. By synthesising knowledge of how the environment affects seeds to determine when and how they leave the soil seed bank into a resistance-exposure model, we provide a new framework for developing experimental and modelling approaches to predict how long seeds will persist in a range of environments.

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“…Hence, studies focusing on the mechanisms promoting mechanical scarification in the field would be needed. Finally, in a previous regeneration study performed with both species in 2007, which included germination of mechanically scarified and non-scarified seeds, a higher germination percentage was found in the scarified seeds of G. triacanthos than in those of A. aroma (Ferreras & Galetto 2010). Those results may be attributed to varia-tions in seed properties between growing seasons (Fenner 1991;Fenner & Thompson 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

The role of seed germination in the invasion process of Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos L., Fabaceae): comparison with a native confamilial

Ferreras

Funes

Galetto

2014

Plant Species Biology

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Identifying plant traits that promote invasiveness has been a major goal in invasion ecology. Germination plays a central role in the life cycle of plants and therefore could be a key trait in determining species invasiveness. In this study, seed germination of two confamilial, co-occurring species that share ecological characteristics, the exotic invasive Gleditsia triacanthos L and the native Acacia aroma Gillies ex. Hook. & Arn., was compared. Seeds were obtained from individuals of three localities in the Chaco Serrano region of Córdoba, Argentina. Percent of seed germination and mean germination time were recorded in chemically and mechanically scarified seeds, and the former variable was also recorded in seeds subjected to: passage through the digestive tract of dispersers, fire simulations, fire simulation plus mechanical scarification, seed longevity, and dormancy break over time. In general, both species showed similar germination percentage. However, non-scarified seeds of the exotic species lost physical dormancy when subjected to experiments of dormancy break over time, whereas, the native species had shorter mean germination time. The greater percentage of seed germination over time of the exotic species than of the native one might be triggering the spread of the former, whereas the shorter mean germination time might be hindering its expansion to more arid regions. The study of different mechanisms for achieving seed germination, particularly in hard seed species, could provide important information on the expansion of invasive species as well as useful knowledge for their management.

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From seed production to seedling establishment: Important steps in an invasive process

Cited by 55 publications

References 27 publications

The role of avian frugivores in germination of seeds of fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants

The role of avian frugivores in germination of seeds of fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants

The ecophysiology of seed persistence: a mechanistic view of the journey to germination or demise

The role of seed germination in the invasion process of Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos L., Fabaceae): comparison with a native confamilial

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