What does the germination ecophysiology of the invasive<i>Acacia saligna</i>(Labill.) Wendl. (Fabaceae) teach us for its management?

Meloni, Francesca; Dettori, Caterina Angela; Mascia, Francesco; Podda, Lina; Bacchetta, Gianluigi

doi:10.1080/11263504.2013.797032

Cited by 13 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Among woody invaders, the genus Acacia Mill. includes many of the most widely distributed invasive species of Mediterranean coastal, mountain, and riparian habitats and wetlands [19][20][21]. It represents one noteworthy example of a group that has displayed an overall high rate of escape, establishment, and invasive spread [11,22,23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed Germination Ecophysiology of Acacia dealbata Link and Acacia mearnsii De Wild.: Two Invasive Species in the Mediterranean Basin

et al. 2021

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Acacia dealbata and A. mearnsii are two invasive species found in coastal, mountain, and riparian Mediterranean habitats. Seed biology and germination traits are important drivers of the competitive performance of plants and may significantly contribute to biological invasions. The seeds of Acacia s.l. have physical dormancy due to an impermeable epidermal layer. The aim of this study was to assess the germination capacity of scarified and non-scarified seeds of A. dealbata and A. mearnsii from different areas of the Mediterranean Basin. To test the seed imbibition capacity, the increase in mass was evaluated. Non-scarified seeds were tested at 15, 20, and 25 °C in light conditions. Scarified seeds were tested at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 °C and 25/10 °C in light and dark conditions. Scarified seeds increased in mass more than non-scarified seeds. Both species showed a higher germination capacity at 25 °C in non-scarified seeds; A. dealbata reached a germination maximum of 55%, while A. mearnsii reached 40%, showing a difference among these populations. Scarified seeds of both species reached germination percentages >95% at all temperatures except at 5 °C in dark conditions. Scarification was necessary to break dormancy and promote germination. The present study provides new knowledge about the seed ecology and germinative behaviour of the two Acacia species under different pre-treatment, temperature, and photoperiod regimes, contributing to the understanding of their invasive behaviour.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed Germination Ecophysiology of Acacia dealbata Link and Acacia mearnsii De Wild.: Two Invasive Species in the Mediterranean Basin

et al. 2021

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“…(Meloni et al . ). Differences in salt stress response were found also amongst Sardinian and Corsican populations of Rouya polygama (Desf.)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Inter‐ and intra‐variability of seed germination traits of Carpobrotus edulis N.E.Br. and its hybrid C. affine acinaciformis

et al. 2018

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Invasions by alien Carpobrotus spp. have been recognised as one of the most severe threats to Mediterranean climate coastal ecosystems, and Carpobrotus is considered one of the most widespread invasive alien genera in the Mediterranean Basin. The aims of this study were to characterise seed germination of both C. edulis and its hybrid C. aff. acinaciformis, in terms of photoperiod, temperature and salinity. Inter- and intra-specific variability in the responses to photoperiod (12/12 h light and total darkness), constant temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 °C) and an alternating temperature regime (25/10 °C), salt stress (0, 125, 250, 500 mm NaCl) and the recovery of seed germination were evaluated for two seed lots of C. edulis and two of its hybrid C. aff. acinaciformis. All the tested seed lots achieved higher germination percentages in the light, with respect to total darkness. In relation to temperature, the two C. edulis seed lots did not show a preference, while the two C. aff. acinaciformis seed lots differed in their germination response, one germinating more at the lowest temperatures (5 and 10 °C) and one at the highest (20 and 25 °C). For all seed lots, highest germination occurred without NaCl (0 mm) and germination decreased with increasing salinity. Different germination requirements in a saline substrate were not detected for C. edulis, while they were observed for C. aff. acinaciformis. Marked differences were detected in recovery responses between the two taxa. C. edulis has the ability to germinate over a wide time window throughout the year. This study identified significant differences in seed production, seed mass, germination requirements (temperature) and salinity tolerance for both C. edulis and C. aff. acinaciformis. Our results indicate the extreme versatility of the hybrid forms to germinate in a wide range of natural conditions and habitats.

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“…(Fig. 14), which however shows a germination capacity of up to 2% NaCl (about 250 mM) (Meloni et al 2015). Moreover, the limit of tolerance to salt is species specific (Podda et al 2018).…”

Section: Germination Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In nature many of these species maintain a soil seed bank that allows them to retain viable seeds for long time up to 50 years, as is the case with A. saligna (Milton and Hall 1981). This IAS does not germinate until the seed coat is sufficiently damaged to be permeable to water necessary for seed imbibition and until the optimal germination temperatures are reached (Meloni et al 2015). Plant species differ in the ability of seeds to recover after salinity stress, and the ability of seeds of a species to remain viable under conditions of high soil salinity and to recover germination at low salt concentrations shows a higher tolerance to seed salt (Ungar 1982).…”

Section: Germination Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive Alien Flora on Coastal Mediterranean Habitats

García-Berlanga¹,

Podda²,

Porceddu³

2020

Handbook of Halophytes

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The Mediterranean Basin is one of the biodiversity mega-hotspots of biodiversity, but it is also considered as one of the most disturbed areas, due to a legendary human occupation, mostly concentrated in coastal areas. These factors, together with a mild climate, explain the high impact of invasive alien plants in the Mediterranean coastline. The habitats subjected to saline influence are especially interesting and have been widely studied as species living there have developed, along evolution, special adaptations that make them unique and very valuable. This study aims to present how alien plant species behave when becoming invasive in coastal habitats of the Mediterranean Basin. Some alien invasive species outstand for their specificity regarding the habitat and pose a major challenge for environmental managers. Coming to understand their behavior can help to mitigate their impact and prepare for future invasions. The document focuses on making a comprehensive characterization, with special emphasis on germination behavior of this flora, that has become one of the most important threats for biodiversity in the Mediterranean context.

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What does the germination ecophysiology of the invasiveAcacia saligna(Labill.) Wendl. (Fabaceae) teach us for its management?

Cited by 13 publications

References 34 publications

Seed Germination Ecophysiology of Acacia dealbata Link and Acacia mearnsii De Wild.: Two Invasive Species in the Mediterranean Basin

Seed Germination Ecophysiology of Acacia dealbata Link and Acacia mearnsii De Wild.: Two Invasive Species in the Mediterranean Basin

Inter‐ and intra‐variability of seed germination traits of Carpobrotus edulis N.E.Br. and its hybrid C. affine acinaciformis

Invasive Alien Flora on Coastal Mediterranean Habitats

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