Towards the ex situ conservation of aquatic angiosperms: a review of seed storage behaviour.

Hay, Fiona R.; Probert, R. J.; Marro, J.P.; Dawson, M. D.; Black, M.; Bradford, Kent J.; Vázquez‐Ramos, Jorge M.

doi:10.1079/9780851994048.0161

Cited by 13 publications

(23 citation statements)

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“…4). The risk of seed desiccation would be too great for small-seeded desiccation-sensitive species, unless the species was adapted to permanently moist environments, e.g., some aquatic species (Hay et al, 2000). This is reflected in the fact that desiccation sensitivity, while having some potential advantages, is comparatively infrequent in dryland environments (nine of 80 species in this study had desiccation sensitive seeds).…”

Section: Ecological Implications Of Seed Desiccation Sensitivity-mentioning

confidence: 87%

Ecological correlates of seed desiccation tolerance in tropical African dryland trees

Pritchard

Daws

Fletcher

et al. 2004

American J of Botany

140

157

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In the tropics, species with recalcitrant or desiccation-sensitive, Type III seeds are largely restricted to regions with comparatively high rainfall, because desiccation-induced seed death will be minimal in these environments. However, species with recalcitrant seeds do occur in drylands, although little is known about ecological adaptations to minimize seed death in these environments. Here we present data for the seed desiccation tolerance of 10 African dryland species and examine the relationships between seed size, rainfall at the time of seed shed, and desiccation tolerance for these and a further 70 species from the scientific literature. The combined data set encompasses species from 33 families. Three species (Syzygium cumini, Trichilia emetica, and Vitellaria paradoxa) had desiccation-sensitive seeds, and the remaining seven species investigated were desiccation-tolerant. The desiccation-sensitive species had large (>0.5 g) seeds, germinated rapidly, and had comparatively small investments in seed physical defenses. Furthermore, seed was shed in months of high rainfall (>60 mm). In comparison, for species with desiccation-tolerant seeds, seed mass varied across five orders of magnitude, and seed was shed in wet and dry months. Although infrequent in dryland environments (approximately 11% of the species examined here), species with desiccation-sensitive seeds do occur; large size, rapid germination, and the timing of dispersal all reduce the likelihood of seed drying. Furthermore, desiccation-sensitivity may be advantageous for large-seeded species by increasing the efficiency of resource use in seed provisioning.

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Section: Ecological Implications Of Seed Desiccation Sensitivity-mentioning

confidence: 87%

Ecological correlates of seed desiccation tolerance in tropical African dryland trees

Pritchard

Daws

Fletcher

et al. 2004

American J of Botany

140

157

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Recalcitrant seeds are widely held to be generally large and fleshy, with little or no endosperm, tree habit, frequently found in moist tropics or in aquatic habitats, and occurring in certain taxonomic groups Ellis 1996, 1997;. However, not all species native to moist habitats, rain forests, or flooded forests are recalcitrant seeds (Hay et al 2000;Tweddle et al 2003). There is a greater likelihood of recalcitrance in climax species .…”

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confidence: 99%

Dormancy Breaking and Storage Behavior of Garcinia cowa Roxb. (Guttiferae) Seeds: Implications for Ecological Function and Germplasm Conservation

Liu

Qiu

Zhang

et al. 2005

Journal of Integrative Plant Biology

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Abstract:The dormancy breaking and storage behavior of Garcinia cowa Roxb. seeds were investigated. The seeds of G. cowa had 8-11 months dormancy in their natural habitat. Seeds were matured and dispersed at the end of the rainy season (mid-late August to late September) and were scatter-hoarded by rodents as food for winter after the seeds had fallen to the ground. Seedlings often emerged in the forest during the rainy season (May to August) the following year. Intact seeds of G. cowa failed to germinate after being sown at 30 °C for 120 d and the mean germination time (MGT) of seeds cultured in a shade (50% sunlight) nursery was 252 d. The most effective method of breaking dormancy was to remove the seed coat totally, which reduced the MGT to 13 d at 30 °C. Germination was also promoted by partial removal of the seed coat (excising the hilum and exposing the radicle) and chemical scarification (immersion in 1% H 2 O 2 for 1 d). Unscarified seeds take up water rapidly in the first 96 h, but water was absorbed by the outside seed coat, without penetrating through it. The moisture content (MC) of G. cowa seeds was high (50% in fresh weight) at shedding. The seeds could tolerate desiccation to some extent, until the MC reached approximately 40%; below that, the viability decreases rapidly and all seeds died at approximately 17% of MC. Seed viability decreased rapidly when seeds were chilled at 4 °C; germination was 2% after storage for 1 week. Even stored at 10 °C, seeds began to be damaged after 4 weeks. Seed storage for 1 yr revealed that in both dry (relative humidity (35 ± 5)%) and moist (wet sand) storage conditions, seed viability declined, but germination percentages for seeds stored under moist conditions are better than for seed stored under dry conditions. Because of their low tolerance to desiccation, marked chilling sensitivity and relatively short lifespan, G. cowa seeds should be classified into the tropical recalcitrant category. The ecological implications of dormant recalcitrant seeds and cues on storing recalcitrant seeds were discussed.

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“…capable of germinating but only when they are exposed to a favorable inductive environment) is maintained. Seed physiologists have devised systematic protocols for establishing these conditions for many terrestrial angiosperms (Hilhorst & Toorop 1997; Murdoch & Ellis 2000), but only a few aquatic species (Baskin & Baskin 1998; Hay et al 2000). Viability is best evaluated by the use of vital stains, which directly measure metabolism by the embryo (Grabe 1970).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Viability is best evaluated by the use of vital stains, which directly measure metabolism by the embryo (Grabe 1970). Viable seeds are then subjected to a variety of treatments, including scarification of the fruit and seed coats, to overcome physical dormancy and exposure to various environmental conditions known to satisfy physiological dormancies like drying of seeds, leaching of inhibitors, exposure to high and low temperatures (Crocker 1907; Lombardi et al 1996; Hay et al 2000; Probert 2000). Seed germination is the metric used to identify dormancy mechanisms and confirm the conditions required for breaking dormancy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Seed storage and dormancy‐breaking requirements of seeds of aquatic plants cannot be predicted based on habitat preferences, taxonomic status, or other traits, and even closely related species may have contrasting seed storage requirements (Hay et al 2000). Within a single species, ecotypes collected in different regions may exhibit differing responses, which may explain the seemingly contradictory results obtained by different researchers (Koch & Seeliger 1988; Koch & Dawes 1991; Santamaria et al 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Protocols for Use of Potamogeton perfoliatus and Ruppia maritima Seeds in Large-Scale Restoration

Ailstock

Shafer

Magoun

2008

Restoration Ecology

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Restoration of submerged aquatic vegetation from seed has been hampered by a lack of information on the appropriate conditions for collecting, processing, and storing seeds prior to dispersal. Seeds must be processed and stored under conditions that maintain seed viability, meet dormancy requirements, and prevent premature germination. This study examined the effects of collection date, processing technique, aeration, storage and induction temperature and salinity, and storage period on seed germination of two mesohaline aquatic species, Potamogeton perfoliatus and Ruppia maritima. Collection date and processing technique were significant factors affecting seed yield from donor populations. Seeds of both species remained viable and germinated best when stored at 4 • C, and then exposed to freshwater induction conditions. However, their responses to other factors differed. Aeration during storage was necessary in order to maintain viability of P. perfoliatus seeds, whereas it was unnecessary for R. maritima seeds. Storage in freshwater at 4 • C prevented germination of P. perfoliatus seeds, while high salinity during cold storage was necessary to minimize premature germination of R. maritima. Mean germination time of P. perfoliatus was dependent on storage salinity; in contrast, mean germination time of R. maritima seeds was dependent on induction salinity. These differences indicate that the methods required to produce large quantities of underwater plant seed amenable to large-scale restoration efforts must be tailored to the specific requirements of individual species and must consider the range of processes from initial harvest through seed testing prior to field establishment.

show abstract

Towards the ex situ conservation of aquatic angiosperms: a review of seed storage behaviour.

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Ecological correlates of seed desiccation tolerance in tropical African dryland trees

Ecological correlates of seed desiccation tolerance in tropical African dryland trees

Dormancy Breaking and Storage Behavior of Garcinia cowa Roxb. (Guttiferae) Seeds: Implications for Ecological Function and Germplasm Conservation

Protocols for Use of Potamogeton perfoliatus and Ruppia maritima Seeds in Large-Scale Restoration

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