Promoting Genetic Diversity in the Production of Large Quantities of Native Plant Seed

Burton, Philip J.; Burton, Carla M.

doi:10.3368/er.20.2.117

Cited by 48 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Hazards to seeds and seedling are many (Grubb 1977;Jones et al 2004;Fenner and Thompson 2005;De Steven et al 2006) and can be particularly challenging in a restoration because site conditions may not be similar to what a plant encounters in a natural system (Galatowitsch 2008). Using seeds efficiently is critical for restoration practice because commercial propagule availability is usually low, especially for recalcitrant species (Burton and Burton 2002;Bohnen and Galatowitsch 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Carex Seedling Emergence in Restored and Natural Prairie Wetlands

Kettenring

Galatowitsch

2011

Wetlands

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Carex species, common dominants of wet meadows and widespread in ecosystems in the northern hemisphere, seldom naturally recolonize drained wetlands following hydrologic restoration. We conducted a seedling emergence experiment with five Carex species in restored and natural prairie wetlands to determine if recolonization is limited by the suitability of conditions for seed germination and seedling emergence. Seeds were sown unstratified in the fall or spring, or stratified in the spring, and seedling emergence was monitored for two field seasons. Seedling emergence was 3-360 times higher in restored compared with natural wetlands, regardless of seed treatments. In restored wetlands, a seed dormancy breaking treatment, whether in the field (fall, unstratified seeding) or in the lab (spring, stratified seeding), was important for seedling emergence. In both restored and natural wetlands, the majority of seedlings emerged within year one compared with year two of the study, indicating the importance of initial steps to optimize seedling emergence. Restored wetlands were drier than natural wetlands but seedling emergence was generally not related to soil moisture conditions. Our findings indicate that a recolonization lag can be overcome through direct seeding of these Carex species with an emphasis on appropriate seed pretreatment and timing of sowing.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Carex Seedling Emergence in Restored and Natural Prairie Wetlands

Kettenring

Galatowitsch

2011

Wetlands

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“…To facilitate switchgrass sustainability efforts, and to assist with future genetic improvement efforts, more complete characterization of genetic diversity of native ecotypes may be required (Havens 1998;Burton and Burton 2002;Czarnecki et al 2008;). In the case of switchgrass, addressing these concerns requires further information on the genetic structure of native populations, in particular those that have not yet been characterized in the Midsouth USA area where ''non-native'' (to the area) cultivars may soon be planted on a more widespread scale.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic diversity and structure of natural and agronomic switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) populations

Nageswara-Rao

Stewart

Kwit

2012

Genet Resour Crop Evol

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Panicum virgatum L. (switchgrass) is an obligate outcrossing C 4 perennial prairie grass currently being pursued for the production of lignocellulosic ethanol. Commercial production of switchgrass for bioenergy has increased substantially in the United States. Understanding the degree of native genetic diversity within and among switchgrass populations will facilitate effective germplasm improvement, conservation, and management programs. In this study, the genetic diversity and differentiation among natural and agronomic switchgrass populations were analyzed at the molecular level by using random amplified polymorphic (RAPD) DNA markers. The mean genetic diversity among populations ranged from 0.051 ± 0.136 to 0.243 ± 0.214 and the mean genetic similarity among all the switchgrass populations was 0.775. The clustering pattern of switchgrass populations grouped the individuals based on their sites of origin, with agronomic cultivars predominantly separated into distinct clusters. The grouping of individuals within and across the populations was corroborated by principal component analysis. These results are consistent with previous reports for switchgrass accessions. RAPD DNA markers were suitable for quickly estimating the genetic diversity of native and agronomic switchgrass populations, and suggest that introgression of agronomic genes into natural switchgrass populations and subsequent changes in genetic structure may be detectable.

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“…As is the case for revegetation efforts in many parts of the world, in freshwater wetland restoration in the mid-continental US, commercially available seed supplies are very limited (Bohnen and Galatowitsch 2005;Burton and Burton 2002;Galatowitsch et al 1999). A better understanding of the dormancy and germination ecology of Carex will help practitioners to make the most of available seed supplies and improve the propagation of seed source plants.…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

Tools for Carex revegetation in freshwater wetlands: understanding dormancy loss and germination temperature requirements

Kettenring

Galatowitsch

2007

Plant Ecol

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Carex is a globally distributed genus with more than 2000 species worldwide and Carex species are the characteristic vegetation of sedge meadow wetlands. In the mid-continental United States, Carex species are dominant in natural freshwater wetlands yet are slow to recolonize hydrologically restored wetlands. To aid in Carex revegetation efforts, we determined the dormancy breaking and temperature germination requirements of 12 Carex species. Seeds were cold stratified at 5/1°C for 0-6 months and then incubated in light at 5/1°C, 14/1°C, 22/8°C, 27/15°C, or 35/30°C. We found that all Carex species produced conditionally dormant seeds. The optimal temperature for germination for all but three species was 27/15°C. As is the case in other species with physiological dormancy, cold stratification increased germination percentages, broadened the temperature range suitable for germination, and increased germination rates for most species, but the magnitude of the effects varied among species. Many species germinated to 80% at 27/ 15°C without cold stratification and at 22/8°C with £1 month of stratification but required much longer stratification (up to 6 months depending on the species) to germinate to 80% at 14/1°C and 35/30°C. Our findings illustrate how a stratification pretreatment can greatly benefit Carex seed sowing efforts by triggering rapid germination to higher percentages. We recommend that cold stratification be targeted towards species with strong dormancy or used across a wider range of species when seed supplies for restoration are limiting. For Carex revegetation, establishing Carex canopies rapidly may help to prevent the invasion of undesirable species such as Phalaris arundinacea.

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Promoting Genetic Diversity in the Production of Large Quantities of Native Plant Seed

Cited by 48 publications

References 10 publications

Carex Seedling Emergence in Restored and Natural Prairie Wetlands

Carex Seedling Emergence in Restored and Natural Prairie Wetlands

Genetic diversity and structure of natural and agronomic switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) populations

Tools for Carex revegetation in freshwater wetlands: understanding dormancy loss and germination temperature requirements

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