Effects of seed burial on germination, protein mobilisation and seedling survival in Dodonaea viscosa

Abstract

Ecological restoration of disturbed areas requires substantial knowledge of the germination of native plants and the creation of novel methods to increase seedling establishment in the field. We studied the effects of soil matrix priming on the germination of Dodonaea viscosa seeds, which exhibit physical dormancy. To this end, we buried both pre-scarified (in H2SO4, 3 min) and non-pre-scarified seeds in the Parque Ecológico de la Ciudad de México. After seeds were unearthed, they were post-scarified for 0, 2, 6 and 10 min and their germination percentages compared to the germination of a control batch of laboratory-stored seeds. For both control and unearthed seeds, the protein pattern was determined in the enriched storage protein fraction in SDS-PAGE gels stained with Coomassie blue. Percentage germination increased as the scarification time increased. Pre-scarification significantly increased percentage germination of post-scarified seeds in relation to the control and non-pre-scarified seeds. In seeds unearthed from the forest site, the buried pre-scarified seeds had relatively high percentage germination, even in the absence of post-scarification treatment. A 48-kDa protein was not found in unearthed, pre-scarified seeds nor in the control germinated seeds, indicating that mobilisation of this protein occurred during soil priming. Burying seeds for a short period, including the beginning of the rainy season, promoted natural priming, which increased protein mobilisation. Functionally, priming effects were reflected in high percentage seedling survival in both the shade house and the field. Seed burial also reduced the requirement for acidic post-scarification.

Comportamento de Sementes de Peltophorum dubium [(Spreng.) Taub.] em Banco de Sementes Induzido

“…Essa estratégia reduz o risco de extinção, seja por predação ou condições climáticas (Brits et al, 2015). Além disso, o baixo índice de emergência de plântulas da espécie P. dubium em julho e setembro sugere alta pressão do ambiente durante o desenvolvimento vegetal nesses meses que correspondem ao inverno na região, o que pode ser causado pela baixa temperatura e baixa precipitação ocorridas (Figura 1) (Mendoza-Hernández et al, 2014;Benítez-Rodríguez et al, 2014;Soriano et al, 2014;Limón & Peco, 2016 …”

Priming effects on seed germination in Tecoma stans (Bignoniaceae) and Cordia megalantha (Boraginaceae), two tropical deciduous tree species

“…Precipitation in these forests changes soil moisture and promotes a natural conditioning process in T. stans seeds buried in soil which improves its germination and reserve mobilization. This positive effect of natural priming on various germination parameters has been reported for seeds of wild species growing in an xerophilous shrubland (Gonz alez- Zertuche et al, 2001;Gamboa-de Buen et al, 2006;Alvarado-L opez, 2009;Benítez-Rodríguez et al, 2014). In seeds of C. megalantha, natural priming had a negative effect on germination.…”

“…The permanence of seeds buried in the soil seed bank, during the period that precedes the rainy season ("natural priming") promotes the synchronicity of germination of small tree species tolerant to soil water stress in a lava field shrubland in M exico (Gonz alez-Zertuche et al, 2001;Benítez-Rodríguez et al, 2014). As a result of this "natural priming", seeds of these species showed mobilisation of reserve proteins indicating a biochemical response to this treatment (Gamboa-de Buen et al, 2006;Alvarado-L opez, 2009).…”

“…If the seeds of species from sharply seasonal ecosystems respond to natural priming treatment (Gonz alez-Zertuche et al, 2001;Benítez-Rodríguez et al, 2014) then we may expect that species typical of deciduous forests (TDFs) also may be responsive to this treatment.…”

Comparison of pre-germination treatments in Lupinus spp. and their effects on germination and related solutes

“…After the application of the treatments that increased the GP, both increases and decreases in protein concentration were observed during germination relative to the control in the species under study, but these changes were not related to the GP. In other species, however, increases in protein were observed after the application of a H 2 SO 4 treatment (Benítez-Rodríguez et al 2014). However, the application of treatments that included high temperatures (50 °C) to break dormancy in Cucumis sativus L. seeds did not significantly affect the soluble protein concentration (Amritphale et al 2000).…”