Evaluating germinability of eight desert halophytes under long-term seed storage: Implications for conservation

Abstract

Ex situ conservation in seed banks is a potential complementary conservation strategy for native plant species. It is well established that ex situ seed banking of native wild plants prolongs seed viability and thereby preserves genetic and species diversity for future use. We evaluated ex situ storage potential of eight halophytic species from deserts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by studying seed germination. Specifically, we examined the germinability of freshly collected seeds and seeds stored for three years in a seed bank. We also examined the effect of light conditions on fresh and stored seed germination. Fresh seeds of seven of the eight species tested had a higher germination rates under 12/12 h light/dark fluctuations than did those exposed to total darkness. Storage reduced light sensitivity in Halocnemum strobilaceum, Suaeda aegyptiaca, Salsola drummondii and Salsola imbricata, but increased the requirement for light in Arthrocnemum macrostachyum. In Anabasis setifera, storage decreased germination percentage when there was a 12-hour light/dark fluctuation, but increased germination rate when exposed to the dark treatment. Storage significantly reduced germination in both the light/dark and dark treatments in Suaeda vermiculata and S. aegyptiaca. Germination speed also responded differently to storage; whereas Timson's index significantly increased in A. macrostachyum and H. strobilaceum, it significantly decreased for S. drummondii, S. aegyptiaca and S. vermiculata. Germination of these species at a range of temperatures requires further testing; additionally, we strongly suggest that these laboratory findings be complemented by field studies.

Characteristics and driving mechanisms of species beta diversity in desert plant communities

“…There are many Halophytes in desert area. The results showed that the germination patterns of halophytes are different; generally, most halophytes maintain seed vigor under long-term storage, thus increasing the possibility of successful seed recovery [ 81 ].…”

Dormancy and viability of Ferocactus peninsulae (Cactaceae) seeds

“…This response to light seems to be phylogenetically fixed within the genus Ferocactus , but also within the tribe Cacteae, where more genera have the same response to light, such as species of Echinocactus and Mammillaria (see Rojas‐Aréchiga et al, 2013). Although light sensitivity of seeds can change through time (Gairola et al, 2019), making seeds able to germinate under different light conditions at different times, we demonstrated that the photoblastic response of F. peninsulae did not change with storage time. The requirement for light remained through time, which is a seed trait that makes seeds prone to remain in the soil seed bank.…”

“…Some aspects of seed biology, such as germination requirements, dormancy mechanisms, and longevity, are essential to plant population management and conservation programs (Gairola et al, 2019). Knowledge on seed dormancy is important to understand plant dynamics in their habitat as well as for propagation studies, conservation programs, and rehabilitation efforts.…”

Suaeda vermiculata Forssk. ex J.F. Gmel.: Structural Characteristics and Adaptations to Salinity and Drought: A Review

“…The adaptations exhibited by S. vermiculata resulted in its wide spatial distribution in arid environments (Guma et al 2010, Boulos 1991, and its presence in variable habitats (African Plant Database, 2019). S. vermiculata produces small seeds and have limited dispersal due to the lack of dispersal structures (Gairola et al 2019), unlike other members of the family Chenopodiaceae possessing winged accrescent sepals inyact to the seeds, enhancing wind dispersal (Zhu et al 2003). This limited dispersal of S. vermiculata describes the threshold when adaptation fail (Polechova and Barton, 2015 Al-Tohamy, R., Ali, S.S., Saad-Allah, K., Fareed, M., Ali, A., El-Badry, A., El-Zawawy, N.A., Wu, J., Sun, J., Mao, G. and Rupani, P.F.…”