Growth performance of some grasses in cattle dungpats in a greenhouse study

Gökbulak, Ferhat

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2008.08.001

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Comparably, Baughman et al (2021) found that smaller pellets, selected to match optimal seeding depths for two small-seeded species in the western United States, resulted in two-fold higher seedling emergence compared to larger pellets whilst continuing to provide herbicide protection. Additionally, in their study investigating the efficacy of faecal seeding for revegetation, Gökbulak (2008) found that sowing seeds at the periphery of dungpats as opposed to the centre resulted in significantly higher seedling emergence via improved radicle penetration for three native grass species. It is important to note, however, that in no cases was seedling emergence from the pellet 16 periphery significantly higher than for bare seeds, indicating that although positioning seeds nearer the pellet surface facilitated seedling emergence for these small-seeded species, it did not improve seedling emergence relative to unencapsulated seeds.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Putting seed traits into pellets: using seed mass data to improve seed encapsulation technology for native plant revegetation

Lieurance,

Mills,

Tetu

et al. 2023

Preprint

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1.Native seed supply is a major limiting factor in ecological restoration and revegetation worldwide. New techniques for maximising seed use efficiency are urgently needed to help meet global targets for nature repair in the UN Decade on Restoration. Seed encapsulation (‘coating’ seeds within or on extruded pellets) is a widely used technology in agriculture that can reduce seed wastage and improve plant recruitment, and holds similar promise for restoration. 2.We quantify how seed mass shapes the performance of native seeds (total % seedling emergence) when encapsulated in extruded pellets designed for revegetation. Two glasshouse trials were undertaken using seeds from 30 native Australian plant species. We hypothesised that seed mass would be positively associated with seedling emergence when seeds are placed in the centre of pellets relative to bare-seeded controls, given that larger seeds are typically adapted for conditions mimicked by this encapsulation technique (e.g., darkness, increased depth) and that smaller-seeded species will perform better when positioned at the pellet periphery relative to the centre, where there is more access to light and less exogenous material for smaller seedlings to penetrate.3.Seed mass predicted seedling emergence from the pellet centre (R2 = 0.32; p = 0.002), but not for bare-seeded controls (p = 0.33). Only two large-seeded species (Acacia decurrens and implexa) emerged from the pellet centre in proportions comparable to bare-seeded controls (p = 0.241 and 0.126, respectively). In a subsequent trial, sowing small-seeded species at the pellet periphery significantly increased seedling emergence by 67%, relative to sowing at the pellet centre (p < 0.001 for all species). For half of the species trialled at the pellet periphery, seedling emergence was comparable to that of bare seeds.4.Synthesis and applications. Seed trait data can help make seed encapsulation technology fit-for-purpose in native plant revegetation. Given the precariousness of biodiverse seed supply globally, we advocate for encapsulation that protects seeds but takes account of natural variation in seed mass to maximise emergence outcomes for native species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%