Climate may determine changes in seed dormancy in the short and the long term, shaping plant responses to global change. Fernández-Pascual et al. investigate germination in Centaurium somedanum, a narrow endemic...
Tag - germination
botanyone
Risky Business For Heather
A new study finds increased temperature requirements for germination of heather (Calluna vulgaris) seeds from colder climates.
AJ Cann
What if the seeds don’t grow?
New research identifies low-cost and time-saving markers of seed deterioration.
Post-shedding seed development in Galanthus and Narcissus
Seeds of the moist temperate woodland species Galanthus nivalis and Narcissus pseudonarcissus, which disperse during spring or early summer, germinate poorly in laboratory tests. Newton et al. study seed characteristics...
Ecological significance of seed recalcitrance in Quercus
Several widespread tree species of temperate forests produce desiccation-sensitive seeds, but the ecological significance of this is largely unknown.
Smoke On The Water
Some plants live in environments where fire is a frequent enemy to survival. The answer is turn fire to your advantage.
Sun/shade conditions and seedling recruitment in a cactus
Early life-history stages of cacti can benefit from the facilitative effects of nurse plants that reduce solar radiation and water stress. Miranda-Jácome et al. conduct a reciprocal transplant experiment, coupled with...
The Intellect Tree
Celastrus paniculatus, "the intellect tree", is a climbing shrub with medicinal properties found throughout India. And it's under threat.
annbot
Constitutive α-amylase activity in dry grass seeds
α -Amylase in grass caryopses (seeds) is usually expressed upon commencement of germination and is rarely seen in dry, mature seeds. However, Goggin and Powles show that selection for low dormancy in Lolium rigidum...
Functional classification of olive pollen esterases
Pollen grains contain numerous hydrolytic enzymes, many of which are released upon contact with the stigma. Rejón et al. carry out for the first time a systematic functional classification of esterases in pollen grains...
Parental environment and seed response to karrikinolide
Seeds from different populations of the same species often show distinct germination responses to the smoke-derived chemical karrikinolide (KAR1), thus limiting its potential for use in weed management. Gorecki et al...
Seed quality at tree species’ altitudinal limits
The low-temperature range limit of tree species may be determined by their ability to produce and disperse viable seeds, with processes such as flowering, pollen tube growth, fertilization, embryogenesis and seed...
Physiological mechanisms of germination responses
Germination timing, a major determinant of fitness, is extremely sensitive to environmental conditions but the physiological mechanisms regulating it are largely unknown. Barua et al. study Arabidopsis thaliana and find...
Host-plant stimulation of germination in parasitic Phelipanche
The tiny seeds of the obligate root parasitic plants of the Orobanchaceae do not germinate unless they detect chemical signals from a host plant. Joel et al. study seed ultrastructure and find that mucilage swelling in...
