The seed ecology of<i>Aegilops triuncialis</i>: linking trait variation to growing conditions

Dyer, Andrew R.

doi:10.1017/s0960258517000174

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…At the same time, seeds from different spikelets also differed in their mass. The seed heteromorphy detected in the study accessions is consistent with the findings of Datta et al (1970), Marañon (1989) and Dyer (2017) in Ae. geniculata, Ae.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Interestingly, the smaller seeds of Ae. triuncialis remained viable longer during storage under laboratory conditions compared with larger seeds (Dyer, 2017) and similar patterns were found in dimorphic seeds of Dasypyrum villosum (L.) P. (De Pace et al, 2011), suggesting that different germination patterns across seed morphs could reflect different seed longevities, i.e. with small seeds being inherently longer-lived than large seeds, since they have to persist longer in the soil before germination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 72%

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Seed heteromorphy influences seed longevity in Aegilops

et al. 2018

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The genus Aegilops belongs to the secondary gene pool of wheat and has great importance for wheat cultivar improvement. As a genus with only annual species, regeneration from seeds in Aegilops is crucial. In several species in Aegilops, spikes produce different seed morphs, both in size and germination patterns. However, little is known about the ecology of seed germination, nor about the seed longevity in this genus. Here we investigated the germination phenology of Ae. neglecta under laboratory and field conditions and assessed longevity of different seed morphs of five additional Aegilops species using controlled ageing tests. Large seeds were short-lived and germinated faster than small seeds in most of the species. Field experiments with Ae. neglecta showed that large seeds of the dimorphic pair germinated 3 months after dispersal in contrast to 14 months for smaller seeds. Differences in longevity were detected not only in dimorphic seed pairs, but also among seeds from different positions on the spike. Our results indicate that different longevities in seed morphs of Aegilops may reflect a different soil seed bank persistence, with smaller seeds able to maintain a higher viability after dispersal than larger ones, thereby spreading seedling emergence over two years. Differences of seed germination and longevities between seed morphs in Aegilops may have important implications for ex situ seed conservation and reinforce the hypothesis of a bet-hedging strategy in the germination ecology of this genus.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Seed heteromorphy influences seed longevity in Aegilops

et al. 2018

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“…attractiveness to dispersers). For example, the annual grass Aegilops triuncialis has dimorphic seeds and late season precipitation induces extended seed dormancy in one of the seed types (Dyer 2017).…”

Section: Traits Important To Seed Dispersalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid changes in seed dispersal traits may modify plant responses to global change

et al. 2019

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When climatic or environmental conditions change, plant populations must either adapt to these new conditions, or track their niche via seed dispersal. Adaptation of plants to different abiotic environments has mostly been discussed with respect to physiological and demographic parameters that allow local persistence. However, rapid modifications in response to changing environmental conditions can also affect seed dispersal, both via plant traits and via their dispersal agents. Studying such changes empirically is challenging, due to the high variability in dispersal success, resulting from environmental heterogeneity, and substantial phenotypic variability of dispersal-related traits of seeds and their dispersers. The exact mechanisms that drive rapid changes are often not well understood, but the ecological implications of these processes are essential determinants of dispersal success, and deserve more attention from ecologists, especially in the context of adaptation to global change. We outline the evidence for rapid changes in seed dispersal traits by discussing variability due to plasticity or genetics broadly, and describe the specific traits and biological systems in which variability in dispersal is being studied, before discussing some of the potential underlying mechanisms. We then address future research needs and propose a simulation model that incorporates phenotypic plasticity in seed dispersal. We close with a call to action and encourage ecologists and biologist to embrace the challenge of better understanding rapid changes in seed dispersal and their consequences for the reaction of plant populations to global change.

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“…Moreover, also among different populations of the same species there can be variation of seed production depending on the environment experienced by the population, thus again depending on the selective pressure(s) exerted by the environment (Dyer 2017;Philippi 1993). However, Starrfelt & Kokko (2012) suggest that bet-hedging is a continuum of strategies rather than divided into distinct categories, in terms of degree of conservation/diversification among different populations of the same taxa and also within/among generations.…”

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confidence: 99%

Ecological, (epi)genetic and physiological aspects of bet-hedging in angiosperms

2021

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Key message Bet-hedging is a complex evolutionary strategy involving morphological, eco-physiological, (epi)genetic and population dynamics aspects. We review these aspects in flowering plants and propose further research needed for this topic. Bet-hedging is an evolutionary strategy that reduces the temporal variance in fitness at the expense of a lowered arithmetic mean fitness. It has evolved in organisms subjected to variable cues from the external environment, be they abiotic or biotic stresses such as irregular rainfall or predation. In flowering plants, bet-hedging is exhibited by hundreds of species and is mainly exerted by reproductive organs, in particular seeds but also embryos and fruits. The main example of bet-hedging in angiosperms is diaspore heteromorphism in which the same individual produces different seed/fruit morphs in terms of morphology, dormancy, eco-physiology and/or tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses in order to ‘hedge its bets’ in unpredictable environments. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the ecological, genetic, epigenetic and physiological aspects involved in shaping bet-hedging strategies, and how these can affect population dynamics. We identify several open research questions about bet-hedging strategies in plants: 1) understanding ecological trade-offs among different traits; 2) producing more comprehensive phylogenetic analyses to understand the diffusion and evolutionary implications of this strategy; 3) clarifying epigenetic mechanisms related to bet-hedging and plant responses to environmental cues; and 4) applying multi-omics approaches to study bet-hedging at different levels of detail. Clarifying those aspects of bet-hedging will deepen our understanding of this fascinating evolutionary strategy.

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The seed ecology ofAegilops triuncialis: linking trait variation to growing conditions

Cited by 6 publications

References 69 publications

Seed heteromorphy influences seed longevity in Aegilops

Seed heteromorphy influences seed longevity in Aegilops

Rapid changes in seed dispersal traits may modify plant responses to global change

Ecological, (epi)genetic and physiological aspects of bet-hedging in angiosperms

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