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

Abstract

We aimed to determine the ecological role of three seed morphs observed for the first time in a desert population of Lotononis platycarpa (Fabaceae), with respect to their germination requirements. Seeds sorted by seed coat colour (olive green, orange and brown) were germinated under laboratory conditions under two photoperiods (12/12‐h light and continuous dark) and three alternating temperature regimes (15/25, 20/30, 25/35°C). We found that the three distinct seed types differ in their seed mass, germination percentage and speed of germination. Overall, the light‐incubated seeds germinated with higher percentages than seeds in the total darkness. Furthermore, seeds with orange coat germinated with higher percentages at 15/25 and 25/35°C (up to 60%, for both) and significantly faster than the other two colour morphs. Our results suggest an adaptive significance of seed colour heterogeneity in the harsh desert habitat inhabited by the study species.

Caracteres morfológicos e identificación de subfases durante la imbibición en semillas de alhelí (Matthiola incana)

“…(1982). Tal comportamiento se relaciona con el color de la semilla, ya que semillas de testa obscura liberan taninos y compuestos oxidativos que afectan la germinación (Rahman y McVetty, 2011;Gairola et al, 2018). De lo anterior, Bradford (1990) menciona que semillas de testa clara son más rápidas en imbibición, tal como se observa en el comportamiento de Rosita y Nieve en comparación a Uva.…”

Dormancy and Light Requirement for Germination of Sprawling Bauhinia (Tylosemafassoglense) Seeds

“…seed and optimal germination would occur if seeds were sown at or near soil surface. Gairola, et al (2017) [35] reported seeds of Lotononisplatycarpa (Fabaceae) germinated to higher percentage under light condition than in total darkness. Additionally, seed mass and shape have also been shown to be correlated to germination light requirement and soil seed bank formation for other taxa [31,32].…”

“…The role of light in seed germination is also strongly linked to seed mass and shape, which limits seed burial depth that will permit seed germination and seedling emergence [31,32]. The concept of the role of light on germination has been explored on some wild species and vegetables [33][34][35][36][37]. The knowledge of the role of light on germination is important in propagation and understanding germination ecology of wild germplasm [9].…”

Minimal-Risk Seed Heteromorphism: Proportions of Seed Morphs for Optimal Risk-Averse Heteromorphic Strategies

“…Second, quantifying the relative riskiness of multiple seed heteromorphic strategies allows us to compare strategies to determine which ones minimize risk most effectively. This is significant when multiple solutions are possible to the model of Venable ( 1985 )—such as when more than two morphs are produced, and therefore more than one combination of seed morphs can realize the same geometric fitness (e.g., as in Gairola et al, 2017 ). Third, the quantification of risk may also provide a useful basis by which to compare the riskiness of vegetative and sexual reproduction in seed plants.…”