Article
Plant Sciences
Nayana D. G. de Silva, Celine Boutin, Anna O. Lukina, Tamara L. Western, Isabel Molina, Owen Rowland
Summary: The study revealed that various polymer types in the Arabidopsis seed coat provide protection against chromium (Cr3+) toxicity through different mechanisms and degrees. Suberin was identified as the main physical barrier against Cr3+ toxicity. The results also emphasized the risks associated with Cr3+ toxicity on the persistence of seeds with relatively low seed coat suberin in soils contaminated with high levels of chromium.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bo Yang, Florian Hofmann, Bjoern Usadel, Citalin Voiniciuc
Summary: This study investigated the functions of four distinct classes of cell wall polymers in seed mucilage structure and salt tolerance. The results showed that xylan and glucomannan play crucial roles in fine-tuning mucilage adherence and salt tolerance in seeds.
Article
Ecology
Bhagya Indeevari Dasanayaka, Rasika Niranjana Jinadasa, Kariyawam Marthinna Gamage Gehan Jayasuriya, Shyam Singh Phartyal
Summary: This study investigated the role of mucilage in seed dispersal, chemical defense, and germination of Dillenia indica seeds. The results showed that mucilage helps seeds float on water and acts as an antimicrobial agent without affecting seed germination. The study also revealed the presence of morphological and physiological dormancy in the seeds, as well as orthodox seed storage physiology.
ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nanako Abe, Kohei Koyama, Azumi Okamoto, Kowa Katayama, Yura Kato, Natsuki Mimura, Shoji Okoshi, Yuki Tanaka
Summary: This study investigates the seed dispersal mechanisms of Asian plantain through trampling and walking experiments. The results indicate that seed mucilage facilitates the attachment of seeds to dispersal agents, promoting seed dispersal.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Martin Faucher, Seraphine Grellier, Clemence Chaudron, Jean-Louis Janeau, Gabrielle Rudi, Fabrice Vinatier
Summary: The Mediterranean region is expected to experience more intense rainfall events and severe droughts due to climate change, leading to an increase in runoff and erosion rates in agrosystems. Vegetation cover can help reduce erosion and the soil seed bank can provide cost-effective vegetation. This study assessed the effect of vegetation cover on seed loss in vineyards and evaluated the differences in the soil seed bank along a transect. The results suggest that vegetation may not protect interrows from runoff-induced seed loss.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Yuting Lu, Huiliang Liu, Yanfeng Chen, Lan Zhang, Kawushaer Kudusi, Jihu Song
Summary: This experiment studied the germination characteristics of four desert ephemeral plants' seeds in response to drought and salinity. The results showed that salt stress inhibited seed germination, while drought stress slowed down the germination process. The coupled salt-drought treatment improved the germination characteristics of seeds. These findings provide a reference for vegetation restoration and ecological rehabilitation in arid and semi-arid areas.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joanna M. Garaventa, V. Thomas Parker
Summary: The research revealed a clear relationship between A. fasciculatum and resident and migratory granivores in the chaparral, as well as the significant role of seed banks in vegetation recovery following fires. The 8-month seed rain duration with over 1 million seeds per square meter, multiple seed predators including passerines and rodents, and the potential role of native ants in seed dispersal were documented. The study also showed that a 39-year-old stand had higher germination rates than stands of different ages, emphasizing the importance of seed banks in ensuring resilience.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zixin Zhou, Jiajia Xing, Juan Zhao, Lihong Liu, Lili Gu, Haiyan Lan
Summary: The study investigated the germination properties of L. perfoliatum seeds under different conditions, revealing that seed mucilage promotes germination under abundant water, appropriate temperature, light, and soil conditions, but has no effect under low water potential. The presence of mucilage helps seeds germinate efficiently under favorable conditions, while limiting air diffusion into the seed to ensure a portion of seeds remain in the soil seed bank for future favorable conditions. The seed mucilage of L. perfoliatum plays multiple ecological roles in protecting seed germination, serving as an adaptation strategy for population survival and succession in harsh desert environments.
PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yanan Wu, Zhenming Zhang, Matt Hipsey, Mingxiang Zhang
Summary: Seed dispersal of Suaeda salsa in the Yellow River Delta was analyzed in this study. The seed flow gradually increased from the sea to the inland, with supratidal zone having the highest seed flow. Different tidal zones also had significant effects on seed germination.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Rebecca Dauwe, Romain Roulard, Melina Ramos, Benjamin Thiombiano, Mesnard Francois, Eric Gontier, Arash Jamali
Summary: Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with cold plasma can perforate the cuticle of flax seeds, weaken the underlying MSC cell walls, and significantly accelerate membrane recovery during imbibition, reducing leakage time in germinating seeds.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Review
Agronomy
Iraj Nosratti, Nicholas E. Korres, Stephane Cordeau
Summary: Cover crops can suppress weeds through direct competition, allelopathy, or physical barriers. Farmers adopting sustainable farming practices are using cover crops to achieve weed control. Poor and unstable establishment, volunteer cover crops as subsequent cash crops, and seed costs limit cover crop adoption. This study reviews the scientific literature on seed traits to choose suitable cover crops and improve establishment and growth. Seed priming and coating, as well as proper sowing patterns and depth, can enhance cover crop establishment. Different cover crop families exhibit varying germination percentages under water-deficit conditions. Seed dormancy in some Fabaceae species limits their use. The selection of suitable cover crop cultivars is crucial for weed suppression and multiple ecosystem services in the context of climate change.
Article
Ecology
Keyvan Maleki, Carol C. Baskin, Jerry M. Baskin, Mohadeseh Kiani, Iraj Alahdadi, Elias Soltani
Summary: Germination timing is crucial for plant survival and niche breadth. A modeling approach was used to compare the germination thermal niche of nine populations of N. sativa. Results showed that afterripening increased germination percentage, synchrony, and thermal niche breadth.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Yueqin Yang, Xianfeng Yi
Summary: This study provides empirical evidence for the trade-off between seed dormancy and dispersal effectiveness, showing a negative correlation between seed dormancy and dispersal fitness. The results highlight the ecological role of seed germination schedule in seed dispersal and life history evolution.
Article
Horticulture
Dongfang Zhou, Jacob N. Barney, Gregory E. Welbaum
Summary: The study revealed that the mucilage produced by sweet-basil fruit/seeds improves seed germination and early seedling development by providing a reservoir of loosely bound water at high water potential. The mucilage did not interfere with hydration and removal of mucilage did not inhibit seed germination. Seeds with mucilage showed higher seedling emergence and survival percentages compared to seeds without mucilage.
Article
Plant Sciences
Eric F. LoPresti, Madison E. Stessman, Sara E. Warren, Katherine Toll
Summary: This study reveals the impact of environmental conditions on seed mucilage attachment strength and demonstrates the context-dependency of its defensive function. The results provide insights into the mechanism and ecological significance of this trait in seed survival.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)