Seed Dispersal and Germination Traits of 70 Plant Species Inhabiting the Gurbantunggut Desert in Northwest China

Abstract

Seed dispersal and germination were examined for 70 species from the cold Gurbantunggut Desert in northwest China. Mean and range (3 orders of magnitude) of seed mass were smaller and narrower than those in other floras (5–8 orders of magnitude), which implies that selection favors relatively smaller seeds in this desert. We identified five dispersal syndromes (anemochory, zoochory, autochory, barochory, and ombrohydrochory), and anemochorous species were most abundant. Seed mass (F = 3.50, P = 0.01), seed size (F = 8.31, P < 0.01), and seed shape (F = 2.62, P = 0.04) differed significantly among the five dispersal syndromes and barochorous species were significantly smaller and rounder than the others. There were no significant correlations between seed mass (seed weight) (P = 0.15), seed size (P = 0.38), or seed shape (variance) (P = 0.95) and germination percentage. However, germination percentages differed significantly among the dispersal syndromes (F = 3.64, P = 0.01) and seeds of ombrohydrochorous species had higher germination percentages than those of the other species. In the Gurbantunggut Desert, the percentage of species with seed dormancy was about 80%. In general, our studies suggest that adaptive strategies in seed dispersal and germination of plants in this area are closely related to the environment in which they live and that they are influenced by natural selection forces.

Aridity level, rainfall pattern and soil features as key factors in germination strategies in salt-affected plant communities

“…Several authors highlighted the direct relationship between germination response and environmental factors (Liu et al, 2014;Miranda et al, 2009;Pugnaire et al, 2006). Similarly, this study demonstrated the close relationship between annual rainfall amount and seasonal distribution and the adaptive strategies in seed ecophysiology of plants under water stress in saline soils.…”

Updated Methods for Seed Shape Analysis

“…Although variations in seed shape are classically interpreted almost wholly as adaptations for dispersal, some features of shape may be thrust upon a seed by the conditions inside the ovary in which it develops [ 40 ]. Liu et al [ 41 ] examined 70 species from the cold Gurbantunggut Desert in northwest China and identified five dispersal syndromes (anemochory, zoochory, autochory, barochory, and ombrohydrochory). Barochorous species were significantly smaller and rounder than the others but did not find a correlation between seed shape and germination percentage.…”

Effects of seed colour heterogeneity on germination behaviour of the desert plant Lotononis platycarpa (Fabaceae)

“…The variation in colour and size of seeds and its effects on germination of legumes has been reported by several researchers (Coste et al 2001, Bhatt et al 2016a). In a comprehensive study of the germination of 70 species from the cold Gurbantunggut Desert in northwest China, Liu et al (2014) found that smaller seeds germinated faster than larger ones. Such a germination behaviour and strategy would allow for smaller seeds to colonize suitable microsites in advance of larger-seeded species (Norden et al 2009, Liu et al 2014.…”