EFFECTS OF BIOLOGICAL CRUSTS ON THE GERMINATION OF FIVE DESERT VASCULAR PLANTS WITH DIFFERENT SEED MORPHOLOGIES

doi:10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2009.01.018

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims As a universal, common feature in arid and semi-arid regions, biological crusts can affect soil surface properties which may relate to seed dispersal, germination and establishment of vascular plants. Numerous studies have addressed aspects of the influence of crusts on vascular plants; however, the interaction between crusts and vascular plants is controversial. Our objective was to examine effects of biological crusts on seed germination of desert vascular plants with different seed morphologies in Gurbantunggut Desert, China.
Methods Gurbantunggut Desert, the largest fixed and semi-fixed desert in China, has well-developed biological crusts. We conducted a series of shadow experiments to examine the effects of biological crusts on seed germination of Haloxylon persicum, Ephedra distachya, Ceratocarpus arenaarius, Malcolmia africana and Lappula semiglabra.
Important findings The effects of biological crusts on germination were variable under both moist and dry conditions. The presence of crusts significantly reduced germination of Ceratocarpus arenaarius and Malcolmia africana compared with surfaces from which the crusts had been removed, but there was no significant effect on germination of the other species under dry conditions. Under moist conditions, seed germination of Haloxylon persicum, Ceratocarpus arenaarius and Lappula semiglabra was significantly lower on crust than on the surface devoided of crust, and there was no significant effect for Ephedra distachya and Malcolmia africana. In general, biological crusts affected the germination of some vascular plants, but whether the effect was negative or positive depended on water condition and biological characteristics of the seeds.

Key words: biological crusts, seed germination, seed morphology, desert vascular plants, Gurbantonggut Desert

NIE Hua-Li, ZHANG Yuan-Ming, WU Nan, ZHANG Jing, ZHANG Bing-Chang. EFFECTS OF BIOLOGICAL CRUSTS ON THE GERMINATION OF FIVE DESERT VASCULAR PLANTS WITH DIFFERENT SEED MORPHOLOGIES[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2009, 33(1): 161-170.

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Figures/Tables 7

References 35

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变异来源 Source	III型平方和 Type III Sum of Squares	df	均方 Mean Square	F	P
校正模型 Corrected Model	4.558	19	0.24	39.806	0
截距 Intercept	35.085	1	35.085	5 821.268	0
物种 Species	0.972	4	0.243	40.324	0
结皮处理 Crust treatment	0.303	1	0.303	50.208	0
水分条件 Water condition	2.677	1	2.677	444.238	0
物种×结皮 Species×crust	0.175	4	0.044	7.265	0
物种×水分 Species×water	0.164	4	0.041	6.82	0
结皮×水分 Crust×water	0.002	1	0.002	0.413	0.522
物种×结皮×水分 Species×crust×water	0.264	4	0.066	10.954	0
误差 Error	0.482	80	0.006
总和 Total	40.126	100
校正总和 Corrected Total	5.041	99

变异来源 Source	III型平方和 Type III Sum of Squares	df	均方 Mean Square	F	P
校正模型 Corrected Model	4.558	19	0.24	39.806	0
截距 Intercept	35.085	1	35.085	5 821.268	0
物种 Species	0.972	4	0.243	40.324	0
结皮处理 Crust treatment	0.303	1	0.303	50.208	0
水分条件 Water condition	2.677	1	2.677	444.238	0
物种×结皮 Species×crust	0.175	4	0.044	7.265	0
物种×水分 Species×water	0.164	4	0.041	6.82	0
结皮×水分 Crust×water	0.002	1	0.002	0.413	0.522
物种×结皮×水分 Species×crust×water	0.264	4	0.066	10.954	0
误差 Error	0.482	80	0.006
总和 Total	40.126	100
校正总和 Corrected Total	5.041	99

物种 Species	萌发速率 Germination rate
	干燥 Dry		湿润 Moist
	完整结皮 Entire curst	去结皮 Devoid curst	完整结皮 Entire curst	去结皮 Devoid curst
白梭梭 Haloxylon persicum	5.16	3.75	10.21**	19.05
蛇麻黄 Ephedra distachya	9.06	13.07	22.44	21.21
角果藜 Ceratocarpus arenaarius	4.12**	11.10	13.2**	21.16
涩芥 Malcolmia africana	1.65**	8.64	11.99	15.80
狭果鹤虱 Lappula semiglabra	2.65	1.27	13.65**	19.00

物种 Species	萌发速率 Germination rate
	干燥 Dry		湿润 Moist
	完整结皮 Entire curst	去结皮 Devoid curst	完整结皮 Entire curst	去结皮 Devoid curst
白梭梭 Haloxylon persicum	5.16	3.75	10.21**	19.05
蛇麻黄 Ephedra distachya	9.06	13.07	22.44	21.21
角果藜 Ceratocarpus arenaarius	4.12**	11.10	13.2**	21.16
涩芥 Malcolmia africana	1.65**	8.64	11.99	15.80
狭果鹤虱 Lappula semiglabra	2.65	1.27	13.65**	19.00