Article
Forestry
Zhengning Wang, Dayang Wang, Qingqing Liu, Xianshuang Xing, Bo Liu, Shaofei Jin, Mulualem Tigabu
Summary: Litter cover has a negative effect on seedling emergence and survival, but has no significant effect on root, leaf, and total biomass. It has a positive effect on stem biomass and seedling height. Thick litter layers have a greater impact on seedling emergence, survival, and total biomass. Broadleaf litter cover has a stronger negative effect on seedling emergence and total biomass than needle litter.
Article
Ecology
Crystal A. Guzman, Henry F. Howe, David H. Wise, Rosamond I. Coates, Jenny Zambrano
Summary: Grasses and rodents have complex effects on tree seedling establishment in tropical pastures, with different tree species responding differently to their interactions. Selective foraging by rodents on large-seeded persistent tree species may lead to suppression of seedlings, highlighting the importance of understanding these interactions for biodiversity conservation in regenerating landscapes.
Article
Plant Sciences
M. A. Macedo, S. B. Pinhate, E. C. Bowen, C. Musso, H. S. Miranda
Summary: The effects of high temperatures on seed germination and seedling development vary among different tree species, with some showing reduced germination and smaller seedling mass when exposed to heat. This suggests a potential bottleneck effect on population dynamics and species persistence following fires.
Article
Plant Sciences
Pil Joon Seo, Hong Gil Lee, Hye-Young Choi, Sangmin Lee, Chung-Mo Park
Summary: Karrikins (KARs) are small butenolide compounds found in burning vegetation smoke, with stimulating effects on seed germination and regulation of seedling growth and adaptive behaviors. The SMAX1 signaling repressor plays central roles in these processes, integrating multiple growth hormone signals to optimize seedling establishment. This article summarizes the versatile roles of SMAX1 and discusses the evolutionary relevance of the SMAX1-mediated signaling pathways during the colonization of aquatic plants to terrestrial environments.
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leah Thompson, Sean O. Swift, Cameron P. Egan, Danyel Yogi, Thomas Chapin, Nicole A. Hynson
Summary: This study examines the effects of changes in ectomycorrhizal fungal community structure on root colonization and seedling biomass during pine invasions. The results show that the composition and traits of ectomycorrhizal fungi vary across the landscape and have a significant impact on the success of pine invasions. Suillus spp. dominates areas without pine trees, but its success is contingent on a lack of competition with other ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xinghua Xing, Chunxin Cao, Simeng Li, Haorang Wang, Zejun Xu, Yujun Qi, Fei Tong, Haidong Jiang, Xing Wang
Summary: Treating soybean seeds with NAA can enhance their tolerance to drought stress, leading to increased germination and seedling establishment. The treatment reduces oxidative damage in seeds, enhances antioxidant capacity, improves TAG hydrolysis to sucrose in cotyledons, and strengthens sucrose transport from cotyledons to embryonic axes, promoting axis growth. This results in significantly higher germination percentage and seedling establishment percentage.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Lachlan S. Charles, John L. Maron, Loralee Larios
Summary: In invaded grasslands, dominant exotic species and litter accumulation can reduce native species abundance and promote the persistence of exotic species. Consumer pressure and litter accumulation have different effects on exotic and native species, with litter significantly decreasing native recruitment and reproduction.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Beda Innocent Adji, Doffou Selastique Akaffou, Philippe De Reffye, Sylvie Sabatier
Summary: Seed size and growth environment significantly influence seed germination and seedling development in Pterocarpus erinaceus. Larger seeds have higher germination rates, produce more vigorous plants, and better adapt to climate change. Maternal environment and seed size are key factors that impact successful conservation strategies and silviculture for this species.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
German Dario Ahumada, Eva Maria Gomez-alvarez, Matteo Dell'Acqua, Iris Bertani, Vittorio Venturi, Pierdomenico Perata, Chiara Pucciariello
Summary: Flooding caused by heavy rainfall and poor soil drainage can negatively affect plant germination and seedling establishment. Rice, however, has unique strategies, such as fast elongation of coleoptiles, to cope with flooding. Microorganisms can contribute to rice health by promoting growth and protecting against stress. A metagenomic analysis of the microbiome during rice germination under submergence revealed distinct compositions of microbiota in different rice varieties, with Arborio seeds showing the development of long coleoptiles. The isolated bacteria were found to have starch hydrolyzing and indole-related compound production abilities under hypoxia. Inoculating these bacteria into submerged rice seeds showed a genotype-dependent response. These findings highlight the importance of endophytic bacteria in promoting rice seedling establishment during flooding.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haobing Cao, Zhenchang Zhu, Zhan Hu, Heng Wang, Tjeerd J. Bouma
Summary: Identifying critical factors that drive seedling establishment is crucial for saltmarsh restoration. This study found that drainage can facilitate the establishment of Spartina anglica seedlings by consolidating sediments and increasing critical shear strength. These findings have important implications for saltmarsh restoration design.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fang Lin, Jing Cao, Jiale Yuan, Yuxia Liang, Jia Li
Summary: Light and brassinosteroid (BR) are important external and internal signals in plant growth and development. Recent studies have identified key components that integrate light and BR signals in regulating seedling morphology and development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ana L. Peralta, Adrian Escudero, Marcelino de la Cruz, Ana M. Sanchez, Arantzazu L. Luzuriaga
Summary: This study finds that key functional traits influence the spatial patterns of individual species in annual, gypsophilous plant communities, and these effects are influenced by soil surface structure and climate conditions. Seedling populations exhibit clustered spatial patterns that persist in the adult stage, indicating that short-distance dispersal is an adaptive trait for soil specialists. The functional strategies of species are connected to the spatial distribution of plants, with certain traits being associated with clustered or random patterns.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Heng Li, Liping Xu, Weiping Wu, Weizheng Peng, Yonggen Lou, Jing Lu
Summary: Previous studies have shown that brown planthopper (BPH) activates strong local defenses in rice. However, whether a BPH infestation elicits systemic responses in rice is still uncertain. By examining the change in transcript levels of 12 JA and/or SA signaling-responsive marker genes in rice tissues, we found that an infestation of gravid BPH females systemically activates JA- and SA-dependent defenses in rice, which may impact the composition and structure of the rice ecosystem.
Article
Plant Sciences
Muhammad Saad Rehmani, BaoShan Xian, Shaowei Wei, Juan He, Zhenxin Feng, He Huang, Kai Shu
Summary: Seed longevity is crucial for plant germplasm conservation, species reproduction, geographical distribution, crop yield and quality, and food safety. The decrease in seed longevity and vigor during storage directly impacts seed germination and post-germination seedling establishment. Studies have shown that the rapid catabolism of triacylglycerols, fatty acids, and sugars during seed storage is closely linked to seed longevity.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cathrine H. Ingvordsen, Pieter-Willem Hendriks, David J. Smith, Kathryn M. Bechaz, Greg J. Rebetzke
Summary: The deployment of dwarfing genes Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b has facilitated the Green Revolution by increasing wheat yields. These genes not only influence plant height but also have effects on root architecture, with potential for improving wheat genetic improvement under water-limited conditions.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)