Seed Size as Key Factor in Germination and Seedling Development of <i>Copaifera langsdorffii</i> (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Seed size is a plastic trait of the plants that directly affect seed germination and seedling recruitment. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between seed size, seed germinability and seedling performance of Copaifera langsdorffii by testing four hypotheses: 1) larger seeds have higher germination percentage; 2) smaller seeds require less time to germinate and for initial development of the seedlings; 3) larger seeds produce more vigorous seedlings and 4) seed size negatively affects seedling root/shoot ratio. In 2011, we selected 30 individuals of C. langsdorffii from which 300 seeds were randomly collected in the plant canopy. All these seeds were weighted and placed in germination tray using vermiculite as substrate. Seed germinability and initial development of seedlings were monitored daily until cotyledons fell. Small seeds have higher germination percentage and germinate faster when compared to large seeds. Nonetheless, seedlings originated from larger seeds have longer development times, resulting in more vigorous seedlings. In addition, seedlings originating from small seeds allocate proportionally greater amount of resources to roots when compared to larger seeds. The fact that small seeds have higher germination percentage and faster germination favors the colonization of transient habitats. However, larger seeds produce more vigorous seedlings, favoring the seedling establishment in more stable habitats. Thus, we argue that high variability in seed size of C. langsdorffii favors its widespread geographic distribution.

Overcoming the Physical Seed Dormancy in Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.) by Scarification: A Seed Quality Study

“…According to literature, heavier and larger seeds produce heavier seedlings [38,35], which is contrary to this study. Larger and heavier seeds are characteristic of earlier and quicker germination with consequences of larger seedlings that develop into larger plants [42] with high vigour [43]. These reports may be contradictory to the current study due to different plant species used.…”

Germination Characteristics of SC701 Maize Hybrid According to Size and Shape at Different Temperature Regimes

“…Souza and Fagundes (2014) studied the correlation of seed size with seed germinability and seedling performance in Copaifera langsdorffii and reported that small seeds have a higher germination percentage and germinate faster.…”

Contribución al conocimiento de las semillas de cinco especies forestales nativas y dos exóticas de Córdoba, Colombia

“…En varias especies arbóreas se han reportado variaciones en el estado de madurez de semillas a nivel de un mismo árbol e incluso a nivel de un mismo fruto (Edwards, 1980). Adicionalmente, algunas caracterís cas intrínsecas de las semillas (sustancias hormonales y sustancias inhibidoras no hormonales) también pueden infl uir en su respuesta germina va (Souza & Fagundes, 2014;Aguiar et al, 1993;Venable & Pake, 1999). 68 3,80 0,19 5,65 22145,39 10,50 85,00 1,34 2,93 3,50 10,33 13 0,68 3,97 0,18 6,21 20163,97 11,00 72,00 1,10 2,63 3,10 8,34 14 0,66 3,92 0,17 6,09 20293,29 19,25 79,00 0,83 2,72 2,73 7,63 15 0,71 4,04 0,18 6,57 17243,14 16,50 89,00 1,03 3,30 3,33 11,07 MG 0,69 3,91 0,18 6,91 19497,82 12,88 81,67 1,14 3,19 3,41 11,16 Min 0,62 3,69 0,16 4,91 12501,30 9,75 71,00 0,83 2,60 2,73 7,52 Max 0,74 4,06 0,19 10,16 26810,21 19,25 95,00 1,54 4,03 4,53 18,41 CV (%) 4,42 3,14 4,44 25,80 22,07 20,20 8,55 16,70 13,83 14,41 28,11 CB ( 78 3,12 0,57 195,64 534,61 8,50 50,00 0,81 2,95 3,25 10,10 7 1,69 3,32 0,51 271,28 384,44 7,50 56,25 1,01 3,11 3,78 12,14 8 1,84 3,37 0,55 276,84 374,01 6,75 58,...…”

“…Esto puede explicar los valores nega vos encontrados en las correlaciones entre las dimensiones de la semilla (AS, LS, PS100) y los caracteres fi siológicos de germinación (IVG y PG). Estos resultados (Tabla 7.6) concuerdan con los obtenidos por Souza & Fagundes (2014) en semillas de Copaifera langsdorffi i Desf.…”

“…No obstante, en diferentes partes del mundo, varios estudios se han realizado sobre variabilidad gené ca, parámetros gené cos y el efecto de lotes mezclados de semillas en diferentes especies (Davidson et al, 1996;Murillo, 1998;Leishmann et al, 2000;Cordazzo, 2002;Costa et al, 2005;Rego et al, 2005;Varghese et al, 2006;Resende & Duarte, 2007;Tenorio-Galindo et al, 2008;Costa et al, 2009;Fofana et al, 2009;Rocha et al, 2011;Silva et al, 2012;Correa, 2012;Silveira et al, 2012;Correa et al, 2013;Souza & Fagundes, 2014). En general, los resultados han sido par culares y diferentes para cada especie, por ello se recomienda muy puntualmente analizar cada situación o caso por separado, con el objeto de tomar la mejor decisión de acuerdo con los obje vos puntuales que se busquen.…”