Germination capacity of 75 herbaceous species of the pannonian flora and implications for restoration

Abstract

Seeds ensure the survival and dispersal of the majority of vascular plant species. Seeds require species-specific germination conditions and display very different germination capacities using different germination methods. Despite the importance of plant generative reproduction, little is known about the germination capacity of the seeds of the Pannonian flora, particularly under field conditions. Our aim was to reduce this knowledge gap by providing original data on the germination capacity of 75 herbaceous species. We reported the germination capacity of 8 species for the first time. We also highlighted the year-to-year differences in the germination capacity of 11 species which could be highly variable between years. The data regarding the germination capacity of target species, as well as weeds and invasive species, can be informative for nature conservation and restoration projects. Our findings support the composition of proper seed mixtures for ecological restoration and also highlight the importance of testing seed germination capacity before sowing.

Larger Seed Mass Predicts Higher Germination and Emergence Rates in Sandy Grassland Species With Non-Dormant Seeds

“…Our study provides new data on the intraspecific variability of seed mass, germination capacity and seedling emergence of four species of the Pannonian biogeographic region over a large sampling area of about 40,000 km 2 . Our results supplement previous data collections on seed traits and emergence from single or few locations (Csontos et al 2003, 2007, Török et al 2013Kövendi-Jakó et al 2017, Peti et al 2017, Kiss et al 2018 with multisite measurements. Concerning seed mass data in the literature, only Peti et al (2017) and Török et al (2013) include data on the studied species, based on one measurement from one to three locations.…”

Lágyszárú növényfajok magjainak életképesség-vizsgálata természetes és laboratóriumi körülmények között

“…A közép-európai flórában őshonos növényfajok magjainak csírázási képességéről igen kevés adat áll rendelkezésünkre, csupán három adatbázisban találhatók adatok (HUSEEDwild [14]; [7] [16]). A legtöbb nemzetközi növényi tulajdonság adatbázisból hiányoznak a Magyarországon honos fajok csíraképességére vonatkozó információk (LEDA - [8], [6]).…”

“…A Pannon flóra fajaira alig találhatóak csírázási adatok, különösen természetközeli viszonyok között vizsgálva [7]. Kutatásom ezért újszerű eredményt jelent a választott fajok szabadföldi szaporíthatóságával, csírázási képességével kapcsolatban, különös tekintettel a génbankban tárolt anyagok természetvédelmi célú felhasználására.…”

Effect of storage time and pre-germination treatments on nine native herbaceous species with the potential to restore degraded soils of La Primavera Forest, Jalisco

“…Specifically, in the establishment of native species with the capacity to improve degraded soils, non-viable or dormant seeds that do not germinate can be an obstacle (Jiménez-Alfaro et al 2016, Baskin & Baskin 2020. Few studies have contributed to understanding germination mechanisms of native herbaceous species that could facilitate ecological restoration processes (Kiss et al 2018), especially in Mexico (Godinez-Álvarez & Flores-Martínez 1999).…”