A research agenda for seed‐trait functional ecology

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 221(4), P. 1764 - 1775

Published: Sept. 30, 2018

Summary Trait‐based approaches have improved our understanding of plant evolution, community assembly and ecosystem functioning. A major challenge for the upcoming decades is to understand functions evolution early life‐history traits, across levels organization ecological strategies. Although a variety seed traits are critical dispersal, persistence, germination timing seedling establishment, only mass has been considered systematically. Here we suggest broadening range morphological, physiological biochemical add new on niches, population dynamics assembly. The diversity provides an important that will require international collaboration in three areas research. First, present conceptual framework spectrum builds upon current niches. We then lay foundation seed‐trait functional network, establishment which underpin facilitate trait‐based inferences. Finally, anticipate novel insights challenges associated with incorporating diverse into predictive evolutionary ecology, ecology applied ecology. If invests standardized collection implementation rigorous databases, strides can be made at this exciting frontier

Language: Английский

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Drivers of seedling establishment success in dryland restoration efforts

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 5(9), P. 1283 - 1290

Published: July 22, 2021

Language: Английский

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Dormancy and germination: making every seed count in restoration

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 28(S3)

Published: Feb. 20, 2020

From 50 to 90% of wild plant species worldwide produce seeds that are dormant upon maturity, with specific dormancy traits driven by species' occurrence geography, growth form, and genetic factors. While is a beneficial adaptation for intact natural systems, it can limit recruitment in restoration scenarios because may take several seasons lose consequently show low or erratic germination. During this time, seed predation, weed competition, soil erosion, viability loss lead re‐establishment failure. Understanding considering germination planning thus critical ensuring effective management use efficiency. There five known classes (physiological, physical, combinational, morphological, morphophysiological), each requiring cues alleviate enable The status be determined through series simple steps account initial quality assess across range environmental conditions. In article, we outline the classification process various corresponding methodologies ex situ alleviation. We also highlight importance record‐keeping reporting accession information (e.g. geographic coordinates collection location, cleaning information, storage conditions, testing data) ensure these factors adequately considered planning.

Language: Английский

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Sulfur-enriched leonardite and humic acid soil amendments enhance tolerance to drought and phosphorus deficiency stress in maize (Zea mays L.)

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: April 14, 2020

Soil amendments are known to promote several plant growth parameters. In many agro-ecosystems, water scarcity and drought induced phosphorus deficiency limits crop yield significantly. Considering the climate change scenario, related stress factors will be even more severe endangering global food security. Therefore, two parallel field trials were conducted examine at what extent soil amendment of leonardite humic acid would affect tolerance maize. The treatments were: control (C: 100% A pan 125 kg P ha-1), (phosphorus (PS): 62.5 deficit (water (WS): 67% pan), PS + WS (67% ha-1). Three organic (i) no amendment, (ii) 625 S 750 ha-1 (iii) 1250 37.5 ha-1) tested on treatments. Drought reduced biomass, grain yield, chlorophyll content, Fv/Fm, RWC antioxidant activity (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase), but increased electrolyte leakage leaf H2O2 in maize plants. combined decreased further traits. Humic enhanced plants under PS. significant increase parameters was observed with WS. largest traits relation application situation. use sulfur-enriched can used effectively maintain limited calcareous soils.

Language: Английский

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Breaking Seed Dormancy during Dry Storage: A Useful Tool or Major Problem for Successful Restoration via Direct Seeding?

Plants, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 9(5), P. 636 - 636

Published: May 16, 2020

To facilitate the restoration of disturbed vegetation, seeds wild species are collected and held in dry storage, but often there is a shortage for this purpose. Thus, much research effort expended to maximize use available ensure that they nondormant when sown. Sowing (versus dormant) field should increase success restoration. Of various treatments break seed dormancy, afterripening, is, dormancy during most cost-effective. Seeds can undergo afterripening have nondeep physiological includes members common families such as Asteraceae Poaceae. In review, we consider differences between terms moisture content, temperature time required discuss conditions which rapid could lead aging death if storage too long. Attention given induction secondary become via biochemical molecular changes occurring storage. Some recommendations made managing so at sowing. The important recommendation probably germination responses need be monitored germinability/viability period.

Language: Английский

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Enhancing crop resilience by harnessing the synergistic effects of biostimulants against abiotic stress

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: Dec. 18, 2023

Plants experience constant exposed to diverse abiotic stresses throughout their growth and development stages. Given the burgeoning world population, pose significant challenges food nutritional security. These are complex influenced by both genetic networks environmental factors, often resulting in crop losses, which can reach as high fifty percent. To mitigate effects of on crops, various strategies rooted improvement genomics being explored. In particular, utilization biostimulants, including bio-based compounds derived from plants beneficial microbes, has garnered considerable attention. Biostimulants offer potential reduce reliance artificial chemical agents while enhancing efficiency promoting plant under stress condition. Commonly used friendly ecology human health, encompass inorganic substances (e.g., zinc oxide silicon) natural seaweed extracts, humic substances, chitosan, exudates, microbes). Notably, prioritizing environmentally biostimulants is crucial prevent issues such soil degradation, air water pollution. recent years, several studies have explored biological role production, focusing particularly mechanisms effectiveness horticulture. this context, we conducted a comprehensive review existing scientific literature analyze current status future research directions concerning use plant-based oxide, silicon, selenium aminobutyric acid, acids, chitosan for tolerance plants. Furthermore, correlated molecular modifications induced these with different physiological pathways assessed impact performance response stresses, provide valuable insights.

Language: Английский

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Benefits of adopting seed-based technologies for rehabilitation in the mining sector: a Pilbara perspective

Australian Journal of Botany, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 65(8), P. 646 - 646

Published: Jan. 1, 2017

The use of native plant seeds is fundamental to large-scale rehabilitation and the re-establishment self-sustaining ecosystems after high-impact mining activity has ceased. However, many biological attributes are often overlooked in programs. Multi-disciplinary, long-term research collaborations required improve seed-based mine rehabilitation. In this paper, we review steps that BHP Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO), a large iron ore company operates Pilbara bioregion north-west Australia, taken over past 9 years ensure continuous improvement procedures. We introduce activities WAIO undertake Pilbara, emphasise specific examples how findings have led incremental improvements seed management cycle, growth media practices. Specifically, outline implementation structured collection storage programs created capacity maintain high-quality stocks sufficient for 3–5 future Research documented prevalence dormancy flora (>70% 105 species examined produce dormant seeds), with physical physiological classes most commonly encountered. discuss development seed-treatments such as optimised wet-heat dry after-ripening increased germination previously batches. addition, highlight enhancement technologies, hydro-priming smoke-derived stimulants polymer coating, greater understanding limitations present growing environment, vastly improved seedling emergence performance under field conditions key framework Triodia species. Ongoing industry support (e.g. construction purpose-built rain manipulation shelter) ensured will continue unpack resolve complex challenges associated regeneration biodiverse communities mining.

Language: Английский

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Increased soil temperature and decreased precipitation during early life stages constrain grass seedling recruitment in cold desert restoration

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 56(12), P. 2609 - 2619

Published: Sept. 19, 2019

Abstract Seed‐based restoration is one of the most difficult challenges for dryland restoration. Identifying environmental conditions that drive variation in seed and seedling mortality across similar efforts could increase understanding when where outcomes are likely to be favourable identify new tools strategies improve outcomes. We asked how a suite predictors influenced germination, emergence, establishment juvenile survival four commonly sown perennial grass species 33 seeding experiments distributed over an ~160,000‐km 2 area Great Basin, cold desert system western United States. Across experiments, we observed wide rates demographic transitions experienced by plants at each stage. For all species, higher precipitation during first 30 days following was associated with germination. Conversely, soil temperature this same time period significant decrease germination substantial portion emergence probabilities our experiments. Within range observed, were unable detect relationship between growing season cumulative year, spring or annual climatic water deficit (CWD) year. Higher CWD second reduced period. Synthesis applications . Our results show negatively impacts establishment. Restoration should prioritized seasonal subseasonal forecasts indicate periods below average temperatures. These also climate warming will make even more difficult, model estimates suggesting 2°C expected Basin coming decades about 30%. Lastly, while field‐based approach provided insight into short‐term drivers mortality, it did not provide longer term survival, need further work on predicting long‐term

Language: Английский

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Bio‐priming seeds with cyanobacteria: effects on native plant growth and soil properties

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 28(S2)

Published: Sept. 16, 2019

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria that form a fundamental part of soil biocrusts, enhance function and structure, can promote plant growth. We assessed the potential cyanobacteria as seed bio‐primer for mine‐site restoration in an arid region Western Australia, examining its effects on native growth characteristics mine substrates used dryland restoration. strains indigenous to study ( Leptolyngbya sp., Microcoleus Nostoc Scytonema sp.) were create inoculant. Seeds seven species bio‐primed with inoculant, their germination laboratory experiment. Seedling after bio‐priming was glasshouse experiment subset three species, two different (topsoil waste). Soil properties related function, e.g. total organic carbon, nitrogen, microbial activity, also measured. Minor recorded only significantly higher rates reported E. gamophylla . parameters generally topsoil than waste, regardless treatment. However, resulted seedlings four producing longer radicles and/or shoots. For example, seedling root lengths G. wickhamii 57% larger control treatment (30.1 ± 4.3 13.0 1.6 mm, respectively); shoots T. wiseana 54% (18.6 mm) compared (8.53 1.4 mm). Overall, our results highlight may improve some commonly

Language: Английский

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Agro-Morphological, Yield and Quality Traits and Interrelationship with Yield Stability in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Genotypes under Saline Marginal Environment

Plants, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 9(12), P. 1763 - 1763

Published: Dec. 13, 2020

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a halophytic crop that shows resistance to multiple abiotic stresses, including salinity. In this study we investigated the salinity tolerance mechanisms of six contrasting cultivars belonging coastal region Chile using agro-physiological parameters (plant height (PH), number branches/plant (BN), panicles/plant (PN), panicle length (PL), biochemical traits (leaf C%, leaf N%, grain protein contents); harvest index and yield (seed plant dry biomass (PDM) under three levels (0, 10, 20 d Sm−1 NaCl). The stability was evaluated through comparision seed characteristics [(static environmental variance (S2) dynamic Wricke’s ecovalence (W2)]. Results showed significant variations existed in agro-morphological attributes. With increasing levels, contributing (number panicles length) decreased. Salt stress reduced carbon nitrogen contents. Genotypes Q21, AMES13761 higher (2.30 t ha−1), more productivity at various salinities as compared other genotypes. Salinity 44.48% 60% lower (10 dS m−1) (20 m−1), respectively. Grain content highest NSL106398 lowest Q29 when treated with saline water. Seed positively correlated PH, TB, HI, C%. Significant negative correlations were observed between contents yield. PH positive correlation APL, C% C:N ratio. HI displayed N% content., All measured traits, except for ratio, responded salt genotype-specific way. Our results indicate genotypes (Q21 AMES13761) proved their suitability sandy desert soils Dubai, UAE they exhibited while an content. present research highlights need preserve biodiversity better seedling establishment, survival stable desertic environment.

Language: Английский

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