Predicting changes in dormancy level in natural seed soil banks

Abstract

The possibility of accurately predicting timing and extent of seedling emergence from natural seed soil banks has long been an objective of both ecologist and agriculturalist. However, as dormancy is a common attribute of many wild seed populations, we should first be able to predict dormancy changes if we intend to predict seedling emergence in the field. In this paper, we discuss the most relevant environmental factors affecting seed dormancy of natural seed soil banks, and present a conceptual framework as an attempt to understand how these factors affect seed-bank dormancy level. Based on this conceptual framework we show approaches that can be used to establish quantitative functional relationship between environmental factors regulating dormancy and changes in the seed-bank dormancy status. Finally, we briefly explain how we can utilize population-based threshold models as a framework to characterize and quantify changes in seed sensitivity to environmental factors as a consequence of dormancy loss and/or induction.

A framework for the interpretation of temperature effects on dormancy and germination in seed populations showing dormancy

“…For example, in the case of seeds of some summer annual species (which require cold temperatures under moist conditions to diminish their dormancy level, i.e. stratification) three competing 'forces' may exist during the germination test: (1) germination, (2) dormancy release, and (3) dormancy induction; and, depending on the relative strength of each 'force', a particular germination dynamics will emerge (Batlla and Benech-Arnold, 2010). …”

Understanding chilling responses in Arabidopsis seeds and their contribution to life history

“…We restricted the initial minimum value of T to 08C, so that subzero temperatures have no further chilling effect in line with previous works [24,25]. Such simple threshold models describing the effect of chilling on dormancy release have been successful, but require determination of the upper ceiling for a chilling response [26].…”

Photo-thermal regulation of seed germination in natural populations of Eruca sativa Miller (Brassicaceae)

“…1). These germination trends suggest that populations of E. sativa from arid sites posses deeper primary dormancy than those from mesic Mediterranean sites (Table S1), showing a cautious germination strategy under less favorable environmental conditions (Baskin and Baskin, 1998;Batlla and Benech-Arnold, 2010;Copete et al, 2005).…”