Morphological variation in fruits and seeds of Ceiba aesculifolia and its relationship with germination and seedlings biomass

Abstract

Background: Morphologic variation in fruits and seeds affects the performance and adaptation of plants.Only a few studies have integrally analyzed these variables and their effects in plant germination and early growth in tropical dry forest (TDF). Questions: Do the size and shape of fruits influence the number and mass of seeds? Is there a positive relation between seed traits, germination and seedling growth? Species studied: Ceiba aesculifolia. Study site: A TDF growing in a lava field in Actopan, Veracruz: Methods: The fruits of 35 individuals of one population were classified into three size categories (small, medium and large), from which fresh fruit mass and length, number and mass of seeds, and seed lipid and water content were determined. In addition, lag time, germination rate (velocity) and percentage, and seedling biomass were assessed. Results: Fruit mass was positively related to seed mass, but fruit weight was negatively related to number of seeds. Larger seeds had higher lipid and water content. No differences were registered in lag time or final germination percentage. Heavier seeds produced seedlings with higher biomass. Conclusions:The number and size of seeds in fruits may determine differential capabilities for seedling establishment. Key words: tropical dry forest, Ceiba aesculifolia, germination, fruit size, seedling size.Variación morfológica en frutos y semillas de Ceiba aesculifolia y su relación con la germinación y la biomasa de las plántulas Resumen Antecedentes: La variación morfológica de frutos y semillas afecta el desempeño y adaptación de las plantas. En pocos estudios se han analizado estas variables, sus efectos en la germinación y crecimiento en plántulas de bosques tropicales secos. Preguntas: ¿El tamaño y forma de los frutos determina el número y peso de las semillas? ¿Existe una relación positiva entre las características de las semillas, la germinación y el crecimiento de las plántulas? Especie en estudio: Ceiba aesculifolia. Sitio de estudio: Bosque tropical seco desallorrandose sobre mal país en Actopan, Veracruz. Métodos: En una población de 35 individuos se clasificaron los frutos en tres categorías de tamaño (pequeño, medio, grande). En cada categoría se determinó el peso fresco, largo, número de semillas por fruto, así como el peso, contenido de lípidos y agua de las semillas. Además se determinó el tiempo de reposo, la velocidad y porcentaje de germinación y la biomasa de las plántulas. Resultados: El peso de los frutos estuvo relacionado positivamente con el peso de las semillas, y negativamente con el número de semillas. Las semillas más grandes tuvieron mayor contenido de lípidos y agua. No se registraron diferencias en el tiempo de reposo, ni en los porcentajes de germinación. Las semillas con mayor peso producen las plántulas con mayor biomasa. Conclusiones: El número y tamaño de las semillas en los frutos puede determinar capacidades diferenciales de establecimiento de las plántulas. Palabras clave: bosque tropical seco, Ceiba aesculifolia, germinació...

Physicochemical characterization of natural fibers obtained from seed pods of Ceiba aesculifolia

“…From these pods, 4.3, 8.3, and 87.4 wt% were determined for fibers, seeds, and husks, respectively. The results are in the range of those reported by Velázquez-Rosas et al (2017). The fibers were then collected and kept for further characterization.…”

The Biology of the Genus Ceiba, a Potential Source for Sustainable Production of Natural Fiber

“…The research performed in several populations of C. aesculifolia throughout the Mexican SDFTs recognizes the species as a pioneer-secondary species, which can grow in shallow soils and higher hydric stress [28,29], as well as in low-soil P concentrations [30]. The seedlings have been shown to resist drought through high sapwood water storage capacity, and although this trait renders them vulnerable to xylem embolism, the buffering role of water storage allows the seedlings to maintain their water potential above the soil's potential as water stress intensifies [31].…”

“…Recent field work and greenhouse experiments by Velázquez-Rosas et al [28], Martínez-González et al [29] and Martínez-González et al [34] were centered on the importance of seed size variation during germination, during seedling establishment and seedling survival to foliar damage, respectively. Seed size seems to have an effect on germination of individuals emerging in pastures (disturbed areas), whereas there was no effect of seed size in conserved SDTF patches [29] or in greenhouse germination tests [28]. Seedling survival after six months post-germination did not show an association to seed size either [29].…”

Morphometric characteristics and seed germination of Dalbergia granadillo Pittier

“…The storage of nutrients in the cotyledons has a direct influence on the initial growth of the seedlings (Soriano et al, 2011;Bewley et al, 2013;Soriano et al, 2013) and in the dry tropical forest It has been observed that the species that produce larger seeds produce larger seedlings (Soriano et al, 2011), survival in the field (Khurana and Singh, 2004) and in general, an increase in the content of aerial and root biomass (Velázquez-Rosas et al, 2017).…”