Seed germination ecology of Alexandra palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) and its implication on invasiveness

Abstract

Biological invasions are occurring worldwide, causing enormous economic and ecological damage. Early detection and prediction of invasiveness are the most effective measures to reduce its damage. The Alexandra palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) is a prolific seeder and an alien species widely planted in tropical China. To help understand the invasion risks posed by this species, lab and field experiments on seed germination were conducted. Results show that the seeds only germinate within a temperature range of 20–30 °C and are sensitive to desiccation and high temperature, with seedling inhibition at 35 °C and −0.8 MPa. Complete viability loss was observed after desiccation to water content of 0.17–0.21 g/g or heat treatment for 30 minutes at 60 °C and above. However, appropriate habitats such as the rainforest understory, forest gaps, forest edges, and a rubber plantation are present in Xishuangbanna. Seeds are also frequently consumed by animals; therefore, there is a high potential for Alexandra palm to become an invasive species in Xishuangbanna. Currently, the main barrier to invasion in Xishuangbanna is likely to be the need for seed dispersal into suitable moist, partly shaded, habitats. Understanding the requirements for germination of the Alexandra palm can better inform management strategies for the control of this species.

Geographic patterns of seed trait variation in an invasive species: how much can close populations differ?

“…The work developed by Loddo et al (2019) that evaluated variability in the invasive species Abutilon theophrasti seed traits demonstrated that achieving a better knowledge of interpopulation variability can allow specific control strategies to be designed, facilitating the development of new management tools. Likewise, germination rates of the Alexandra palm were found to potentially better inform of management strategies for the control of this species (Wen 2019). Considering the obtained results in C. edulis, the differential seed behaviour may determine differential requirements in soil management after eradication.…”

Revaluation of Australian palm residues in polypropylene composites: Statistical influence of fiber treatment

“…12 The Australian royal palm is an endemic tree in eastern Australia, and the tropical Brazilian climate holds the ideal germination temperature between 20 and 30 °C. This tree specimen can reach up to 25 m in height, producing viable seeds annually, 13 , 14 besides having advantageous disease resistance, and palm heart high quality. 15 Table 1 shows the palm heart Brazilian 2018 production data, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Research (IBGE).…”