Induced water stress affects seed germination response and root anatomy in Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae)

Giuliani, C.; Lazzaro, Lorenzo; Calamassi, Roberto; Fico, Gelsomina; Foggi, Bruno; Lippi, Marta Mariotti

doi:10.1007/s00468-019-01885-8

Cited by 13 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…In Mediterranean shrub-like species, lower xylem vessel area appeared not to provide cavitation resistance, whereas the low conduction efficiency of small vessels was found to be detrimental to recruitment success and competition in some cases [33]. Roots may be the site for relevant xeromorphic adjustments involving different xylem traits like increased vessel number, decreased vessel size, and thinner cell walls that may co-optimize plant water uptake and survival [35]. Observed intra-species differences and geographic patterns in xylem traits suggest that there may be potential for the exploitation of population differences in forest management and breeding programs: in particular, genotypeenvironment interactions need to be considered with respect to different plant drought resistance strategies across different environmental sites and cultivation conditions [36][37][38].…”

Section: Xylem Functional Traits and Drought Resistance: Evidences Fomentioning

confidence: 99%

Xylem Functional Traits as Indicators of Health in Mediterranean Forests

et al. 2020

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Purpose of Review We conducted a literature survey and meta-analysis to assess, in Mediterranean forests impacted by drought, the role of xylem functional traits as indicators of tree health, and their potential to adjust over a range of climatic conditions to support tree performance and survival. We aimed also to depict the geographic variability of xylem functional traits among Mediterranean forest trees as a tool for regional scale-oriented vulnerability assessment. Recent Findings Associations were investigated among xylem functional traits, hydraulic safety, and whole plant drought resistance for tree species in Mediterranean-type climates. Variable data were available from a number of study cases of Mediterranean forest communities impacted by intense drought, wherein tree growth and xylem functional traits were investigated along with tree decline and dieback episodes. Variable data were available from a number of studies that analyzed xylem trait adjustments to climatic conditions at different temporal scales. Summary We observed differing growth patterns and xylem conduit area responses in healthy and unhealthy trees and we sketched hydraulic strategies that may fit observed patterns. Overall, a clear role of xylem conduit size as stand-alone tree health indicator did not emerge. We showed that xylem traits may adjust along different temporal scales and may support the performance and health of Mediterranean tree species over a range of climatic conditions. We outlined substantial geographic variability in xylem traits across the Mediterranean region, suggesting patchy responses to increasing drought. Knowledge gaps and needed lines of research are highlighted.

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Section: Xylem Functional Traits and Drought Resistance: Evidences Fomentioning

confidence: 99%

Xylem Functional Traits as Indicators of Health in Mediterranean Forests

et al. 2020

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“…It can be concluded that the results can be influenced by the treatment that should destroy the seeds' tegument, on which the physiological parameters can interact. Thus, seeds collected in sites characterised by different environmental parameters display a noteworthy difference in the germination dynamics [53], and this aspect should always be considered when procuring biological material and correlated with the final goal.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After harvesting, seeds were labeled for each provenance and deposited in paper bags in a refrigerator (at approximately +4 • C) until further analysis. Moreover, since water stress is known to induce both morphological and anatomical changes [50][51][52], seedlings were also studied [53]. The seedlings obtained from treated seeds were further analysed by being kept in the laboratory for three months, then taken outside in natural conditions; at the end of six months, morphological traits were measured: height, stem diameter and number of branches.…”

Section: Biological Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Robinia pseudoacacia Depending on the Origin of Different Geographic Provenances

et al. 2022

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Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is recognised as a forest species of interest due to its multiple uses. The management of forest genetic resources and their efficient conservation suffer from variations in traits and start with seed germination. The aim of the current study was to investigate the germination of seeds obtained from plus trees selected in eight Romanian provenances, as well as to investigate the influence of the origin upon plants’ growth and development. Two experiments were undertaken to test seed germination: one treatment involved water-soaked seeds and heat/cold treatment, while the other treatment was based on sulphuric acid, at different concentrations (50, 70, 90%). The results were correlated with the morphological analysis of the seeds. Satu-Mare had the lowest germination rate within both treatments. Sulphuric acid did not improve seed germination as much as the heat treatment. The highest germination rate occurred for the water and temperature treatment on seeds from Bihor provenance (68.2%). The most distant provenance was Bihor, in inverse correlation with Bistrița Năsăud and grouped separately within the hierarchical dendrogram of cluster analysis based on the analysed parameters of the provenances investigated. The results demonstrated that the genotypes and environmental heterogeneity of the seed origin within the provenances may finally result in different performances.

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“…In the Mediterranean region, RP has colonized a wide variety of disturbed sites, such as abandoned arable fields, roadsides and other areas where the natural vegetation has been severely disturbed (Cierjacks et al, 2013; Crosti et al, 2016), and according to Giuliani et al (2019) it has potentially a high germination capacity in environments characterized by dry soil conditions. Nevertheless, the ability of RP to respond to the global temperature increases could be limited compared to AA and PA. A better germination capacity of AA and PA at the highest temperatures suggests that these species could further increase their invasiveness under increased temperature conditions, particularly in urban areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed germination traits of Ailanthus altissima, Phytolacca americana and Robinia pseudoacacia in response to different thermal and light requirements

Pepe

Gratani

Fabrini

et al. 2020

Plant Species Biology

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Invasion of alien plant species (IAS) represents a serious environmental problem, particularly in Europe, where it mainly pertains to urban areas. Seed germination traits contribute to clarification of invasion dynamics. The objective of this research was to analyze how different light conditions (i.e., 12-hr light/12-hr darkness and continuous darkness) and temperature regimes (i.e., 15/6 C, 20/10 C and 30/20 C) trigger seed germination of Ailanthus altissima (AA), Phytolacca americana (PA) and Robinia pseudoacacia (RP). The relationship between seed germination and seed morphometric traits was also analyzed. Our findings highlight that temperature rather than light was the main environmental factor affecting germination. RP germinated at all tested temperatures, whereas at 15/6 C seeds of AA and PA showed physiological dormancy. RP had a higher germination capacity at a lower temperature, unlike AA and PA, which performed better at the highest temperatures. Light had a minor role in seed germination of the three species. Light promoted germination only for seeds of PA, and final germination percentage was 1.5-fold higher in light than in continuous darkness. Seed morphometric traits (thickness [T], area [A] and volume [V]) had a significant role in explaining germination trait variations. The results highlight the importance of increasing our knowledge on seed germination requirements to predict future invasiveness trends. The increase in global temperature could further advantage AA and PA in terms of germinated seeds, as well as RP by enhancing the germination velocity, therefore compensating for a lower germination percentage of this species at the highest temperatures.

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Induced water stress affects seed germination response and root anatomy in Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae)

Cited by 13 publications

References 36 publications

Xylem Functional Traits as Indicators of Health in Mediterranean Forests

Xylem Functional Traits as Indicators of Health in Mediterranean Forests

Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Robinia pseudoacacia Depending on the Origin of Different Geographic Provenances

Seed germination traits of Ailanthus altissima, Phytolacca americana and Robinia pseudoacacia in response to different thermal and light requirements

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