SEED POLYMORPHISM AND GERMINATION BEHAVIOR OF SALSOLA BRACCHITA, A DOMINANT DESERT ANNUAL INHABITING JUNGGAR BASIN OF XINJIANG, CHINA

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2007.0132

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Salsola bracchita has four types of perianth-enclosed utricles, utricles and seeds. We investigated the role of utricle polymorphism in seed dispersal and germination to better understand how S. bracchita is adapted to its desert habitat.

Methods Twenty plants of S. bracchita were selected randomly to observe the morphology of perianth-enclosed utricles, including persistence of perianth and wings, utricle shape and color and location of fruit on mother plant. Seeds of the four types were germinated in incubators with 12 h photoperiod and 12 h thermoperiods (dark/light) of 5 ℃/15 ℃, 5 ℃/25 ℃, and 15 ℃/25 ℃ for 20 d. Type D seed was scarified and then germinated for 20 d at the three different thermoperiods to determine its dormancy characteristics.

Important findings Salsola bracchita produces four types of fruits (utricles) that differ in shape, size, seed color and external structure. Type A and B fruits can be dispersed by wind far from mother plants. Germination percentages of type A seeds at all three thermoperiods were >70%, and there were no significant differences (p>0.05). Germination percentages of type B seeds were all >68%, and there were significant differences (p<0.05), with highest germination percentage and germination index at 5 ℃/25 ℃ (dark/light) (>80%). Type C fruits have tepals without wings and are dispersed near mother plants. Germination percentages of type C seeds were all >80%, and there were no significant differences (p>0.05). Rate and final percentages of germination of type B and type C seeds were higher than that of type A seeds. Type D fruits also are mainly dispersed near mother plants. Freshly matured type D seeds are in physiological dormancy because its germination is slow and low (<20%). Seed coat scarification of type D seeds can hasten and increase the seed germination percentage (p<0.01) and germination index (p<0.01) in each of the thermoperiods.

Key words: Salsola bracchita, seed polymorphism, seed germination, physiological dormancy, scarification

WANG Hong-Fei, WEI Yan, HUANG Zhen-Ying. SEED POLYMORPHISM AND GERMINATION BEHAVIOR OF SALSOLA BRACCHITA, A DOMINANT DESERT ANNUAL INHABITING JUNGGAR BASIN OF XINJIANG, CHINA[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2007, 31(6): 1046-1053.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.17521/cjpe.2007.0132

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2007/V31/I6/1046

Figures/Tables 7

Fig.1 The four dispersal units and fruit types of Salsola bracchita

Table 1 Types and characteristics of fruits of Salsola bracchita

果实类型 Fruit types	颜色 Color	着生方式 Position	形状 Shape	长 Length (mm)	宽 Width (mm)	质量 Weight (mg)	翅 Wings
A型 Type A	绿色 Green	横生 Horizontal	圆形 Spherical	2.161±0.138	-	3.810±0.113	长 Long
B型 Type B	绿色 Green	直立 Vertical	椭圆形 Elliptical	2.062±0.188	1.720±0.148	2.665±0.113	短 Short
C型 Type C	绿色 Green	直立 Vertical	椭圆形 Elliptical	2.239±0.277	1.844±0.150	2.723±0.112	无 Absent
D型 Type D	黄色 Yellow	直立 Vertical	椭圆形 Elliptical	1.678±0.163	1.390±0.110	0.928±0.025	无 Absent

Table 2 Results of Two-way ANOVA of germination percentage under different types of seeds and different alternating temperatures

偏差来源 Source	自由度df	均方 Mean square	F值 F value	p值 p value
类型Type 温度Temperature 类型 × 温度 Type × temperature 误差Error 总和Total	3 2 6 36 48	14 279.687 50.085 197.832 69.300	206.057 0.723 2.855	0.000 0.492 0.022

Fig.2 The final germination percentage (a) and germination index (b) of four seed types of Salsola bracchita at different alternating temperatures Different small letters indicate significance at p=0.05 among the same type seeds under different temperatures and different types of seeds under the same temperature

Fig.3 The cumulative germination percentage of four seed types of Salsola bracchita at alternating temperature 5 ℃/25 ℃

Fig.4 The final germination percentage (a) and germination index (b) of type D of Salsola bracchita seeds with scarification at different alternating temperatures Different small letters indicate significance at p=0.05

Fig.5 The cumulative germination percentage of type D seeds of Salsola bracchita with scarification at alternating temperature 5 ℃/25℃

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