Seed dormancy distribution and ecology
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Seed dormancy distribution and ecology

Seed dormancy distribution and ecology
Seed dormancy distribution and ecology

In sea beet, Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima, seed dormancy largely controls germination timing, is highly heritable and varies geographically; climate might select for this trait. Wagmann et al. assess geographical variation for seed dormancy among 85 sea beet populations across the whole of France. Under controlled conditions, they find a highly variable proportion of seeds to be dormant, and this follows a geographical pattern ranging from lower dormancy at high latitudes to higher dormancy at low latitudes. Regression points to summer temperature as a plausible selective factor. Whilst variation in dormancy seems to stem in part from genetic differentiation, maternal phenotypic plasticity may also play a role.

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The Annals of Botany Office is based at the University of Oxford.

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