Hypericum perforatum L. Seed Germination: Interpopulation Variationand Effect of Light, Temperature, Presowing Treatments and Seed Desiccation

Pérez-García, Francisco J.; Huertas, Marilú L.; Mora, Edwin Daniel Capa; Peña, B.; Varela, F.; González‐Benito, M. Elena

doi:10.1007/s10722-005-2012-3

Cited by 26 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…; Probert ) and, as also reported in this study, most Hypericum species show this response (Robson ; Pérez‐García et al . ). This may be associated with seed germination close to the soil surface or a tendency to form a soil seed bank (Thompson et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Local climate explains degree of seed dormancy in Hypericum elodes L. (Hypericaceae)

et al. 2015

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Seed dormancy and germination characteristics may vary within species in response to several factors. Knowledge of such variation is crucial to understand plant evolution and adaptation to environmental changes. We examined the correlation of climate and population genetic differentiation (ISSR) with primary seed dormancy and germination behaviour in populations of the Atlantic-European soft-water pool specialist Hypericum elodes. Primary dormancy was measured by analysing seed germination response of fresh seeds and after various periods of cold stratification. Laboratory germination experiments revealed that the single most important factor for promoting germination was cold stratification prior to placing at the germination temperature. However, in agreement with their weaker primary dormancy, the seeds germinated well when fresh, and the benefit of cold stratification was more relaxed for the southern populations. Seeds of all populations demonstrated a near absolute requirement for a light and alternating temperature regime in order to germinate. The promoting effect of alternating temperatures was particularly effective at warm temperatures (mean 20 °C) but not at cool temperatures. Whilst seed germination requirements were similar among populations, the degree of primary dormancy varied considerably and was not associated with population genetic differentiation. Primary dormancy degree was instead associated with local climate: higher temperature in summer and rainfall in winter predicted weak and rapid loss of dormancy. These results suggest that seed maturation environment may play a substantial role in explaining the degree of dormancy in H. elodes, highlighting that physiological dormancy can be modulated by local climate.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Local climate explains degree of seed dormancy in Hypericum elodes L. (Hypericaceae)

et al. 2015

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“…The variation in germination behaviour and seed weight among different populations within the same species has been previously reported for several taxa (Ellison 2001;Baskin et al 2002;Per ez-Garc ıa et al 2003;P erez-Garc ıa et al 2006;Karlsson & Milberg 2007). These differences can arise as a result of both environmental variations in light, moisture, temperature and nutrients (Per ez-Garc ıa et al 2003), as well as genetic factors (Meyer et al 1989).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Morpho‐colorimetric analysis and seed germination of Brassica insularis Moris (Brassicaceae) populations

et al. 2014

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Brassica insularis is a perennial plant growing on both coastal and inland cliffs. Three seed lots from Sardinia were analysed using an image analysis system to detect differences in seed morphology, both within and among populations. Germination requirements at constant (5-25 °C) and alternating temperatures (25/10 °C), both in light and in darkness, were evaluated for all populations. In addition, the effect of a dry after-ripening period (90 days at 25 °C) was also investigated. Morpho-colorimetric analysis clearly identified seeds from different populations and discriminated three chromatic categories for seeds belonging to the Isola dei Cavoli coastal population, but not for the inland Masùa and the coastal Planu Sartu. Inter-population variability was also observed in germination behaviour. B. insularis seeds germinated, with percentages up to 60%, in a wide range of temperatures (5-25 °C), and neither light nor dry after-ripening affected final germination percentages. Moisture content measurements were made for seeds of each colour, but there were no particular differences among colours. Inter-populational variability in germination behaviour may be a survival strategy for species growing under unpredictable environmental conditions, such as under Mediterranean climate, while heteromorphy may be due to independent evolutionary divergence processes of the Isola dei Cavoli population.

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“…This suggests a general disadvantage of small‐seeded species, not directly related to shading (Jakobsson & Eriksson, ), but with complete lack of germination, it is likely that these species’ require more suitable conditions for their germination (see Appendix ). For example, Lychnis viscaria often requires bare soil for germination success (Whittington, Wilson, & Humphries, ) (which we did not provide in order to mimic natural field conditions as much as possible) and Hypericum perforatum shows large variation in germination success depending on site properties (Pérez‐García et al., ). Hence, the simulated natural conditions in the seed sowing experiment limit the interpretation of our results, but also exemplify one challenge with field experiments, and a reason why they may not provide similar results as greenhouse experiments (cf.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hypericum perforatum shows large variation in germination success depending on site properties (Pérez-García et al, 2006). Hence, the…”

Section: Seed Sowing Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the effects of pasture trees on plant community patterns

Jakobsson

Plue

Cousins

et al. 2019

J Vegetation Science

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Questions We aim to answer three questions: (a) what are the effects of canopy shading of different tree species on seed germination of eight understorey grassland species? (b) how is plant species’ occurrence in understorey communities affected by differences in canopy cover and does that depend on tree species composition? and (c) are there mechanistic links between the effects of trees on species’ germination and their occurrence in the understorey plant community? Location Semi‐natural wooded pastures in the biosphere reserve Östra Vätterbranterna, southern Sweden. Methods In this study, we examined the germination of eight grassland plant species in a seed sowing experiment under natural conditions in the field. Seeds were sown beneath and outside the canopy of two tree species within 48 plots split up by four wooded pasture sites. We combined observed germination responses with a plant community survey to assess the effects of canopy cover in relation to tree species composition on plant community responses. We analysed these data in relation to species’ seed mass and vegetative shade tolerance. Results Shade‐tolerant species germinated better beneath compared to outside tree canopies, without any clear advantage of large‐seeded over small‐seeded species. As expected, species’ shade tolerance was also positively related to canopy cover within the understorey plant community. Importantly, we found strong tree species‐specific effects of canopy shading on the species’ germination response, but not on their presence within the plant community. However, optimal canopy cover conditions for germination and for the mature plants differed across grassland species and depended on tree species. Conclusions Our results show that different tree species play key ecosystem engineering roles in shaping wooded grassland plant community composition at the germination stage. Management practices favouring specific tree species may therefore be highly relevant for targeted biodiversity conservation of wooded semi‐natural grasslands.

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Hypericum perforatum L. Seed Germination: Interpopulation Variationand Effect of Light, Temperature, Presowing Treatments and Seed Desiccation

Cited by 26 publications

References 24 publications

Local climate explains degree of seed dormancy in Hypericum elodes L. (Hypericaceae)

Local climate explains degree of seed dormancy in Hypericum elodes L. (Hypericaceae)

Morpho‐colorimetric analysis and seed germination of Brassica insularis Moris (Brassicaceae) populations

Exploring the effects of pasture trees on plant community patterns

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