Germination of native grasses with potential application in the recovery of degraded areas in Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil

Figueiredo, Maurílio Assis; Baêta, Hudson Eustáquio; Kozovits, Alessandra Rodrigues

doi:10.1590/s1676-06032012000300013

Cited by 15 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(18 reference statements)

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“…The challenges for conservation of the Cerrado herbaceous plants start with the insufficient knowledge about these species and their reproductive processes, essential for propagation and management of the remaining populations. The influences of environmental factors such as fire, temperature or light on the germination processes in Cerrado plants have been the subject of few studies (Clarke & French 2005;Fichino et al 2012;Figueiredo et al 2012;Lima et al 2014;Musso et al 2014;Stradic et al 2015). Among these factors, alternating temperatures have been indicated as crucial to promote germination of Cerrado grasses (Carmona et al 1997;Carmona et al 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing seed germination in Cerrado grasses

2016

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Few studies address the ecology of herbs of Cerrado grasslands, which are ecosystems where the long dry season, high temperatures, insolation, fire and invasive grasses greatly influencing germination and the establishment of plants. We assessed germination of 13 species of Poaceae from Cerrado grasslands under nursery conditions or in germination chambers, the latter with i) recently collected seeds and seeds after six months storage, ii) under constant and alternating temperatures, and iii) in the presence and absence of light. Germinability, mean germination time (MGT) and required light were quantified to elucidate factors involved in successful germination. Germinability was low for most grasses, probably because of low seed viability. For most species, germinability and MGT were not altered by seed storage. Germination percentages were higher at alternating temperatures and in the presence of light, factors that are more similar to natural environmental situations compared with constant temperature or the absence of light. Our findings indicate that alternating temperatures and light incidence are key factors for germination of species of Poaceae. The maintenance of these environmental factors, which are crucial for the conservation of Cerrado grasslands, depends on appropriate management interventions, such as fire management and the control of biological invasion. Keywords ABSTRACTFew studies address the ecology of herbs of Cerrado grasslands, which are ecosystems where the long dry season, high temperatures,

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing seed germination in Cerrado grasses

2016

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“…However, some factors hamper the commercial use of the species, such as low fertility of 30 % of the total seed produced (Aires et al 2013) and seed dormancy (Figueiredo et al 2012;Ramos et al 2017). Nevertheless, planting of the species showed good performance in the revegetation of a gull colluvium in Ouro Preto, MG, with 100 % survival, even in the absence of cultivation treatments (Marques et al 2014), thus suggesting its potential for use in the restoration of similar environments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phytosociology of the herbaceous-subshrub layer of a rupestrian complex in Serra do Espinhaço, Brazil

et al. 2017

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Rupestrian complexes of the Serra do Espinhaço are recognized for their high degree of biodiversity and endemism. However, environmental impacts, particularly from mining, have degraded these environments. Th e purpose of this study was to describe the herbaceous-subshrub communities that occur in quartzitic (QRC) and ferruginous (FRC) rupestrian complexes in diff erent seasons of the year, with regard to fl oristic similarity and phytosociological structure. Additionally, the study aimed to identify native species with potential use for the restoration of similar degraded areas. Vegetation was sampled from plots located in the municipality of Conceição do Mato Dentro, state of Minas Gerais. Five contiguous strata of 10 × 50 m were demarcated in each environment, in which 12 plots of 2 × 1 m (2 m²) were randomly distributed, for a total of 60 plots (sample units) in each physiognomy. Th e studied communities exhibited few similarities and lower fl oristic diversity than other rupestrian complexes. Detrended correspondence analysis distinguished the communities of FRC from those of QRC. Th e species with the highest value of importance in FRC were Bulbostylis fi mbriata and Centrosema brasilianum, while in QRC Echinolaena infl exa had the highest values, thus, making them eligible for restoration programs in similar environments.

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“…Native grasses have the potential to revegetate degraded land; however, due to little knowledge about their biology, preference is given to the use of exotic species that can be invasive, thus affecting local biodiversity [8]. The establishment and spread of plant species from other regions in natural ecosystems can reduce, disrupt or terminate the original flora populations and thus alter the balanced ecosystem, which today is one of the most significant environmental problems [9].…”

Section: Forage Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%