Abstract
Seed germination behavior in two types of dimorphic fruits inSalsola komarovii Iljin (Chenopodiaceae) was studied. The germination percentage was much higher in the long-winged type than in the short-winged type when the fruits were tested for germinability. If lignified perianths were removed from the fruits, seeds of both types germinated at higher percentages and the difference in the germination percentage between two types decreased. The extract of the perianths inhibited the seed germination. Abscisic acid was detected in the extract of the perianths by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and its level was higher in the short-winged type than in the long-winged type. Germinability in both types was lost one year after harvest when the fruits were stored at room temperature and the germination was tested with fruits. When the seeds were tested, however, the short-winged type germinated even two years after the harvest; the germinability of the short-winged type lasted one year longer than that of the long-winged type. Light irradiation was not required for the seed germination in either type regardless of presence or absence of the perianths. No clear difference between the two types was observed either in optimal temperature for the germination or in strength of the resistance to salinity.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baker, G.A. andD.J. O'Dowd 1982. Effects of parent plant density on the production of achene type in the annualHypochoeris glabra. J. Ecol.70: 201–215.
Berger, A. 1985. Seed dimorphism and germination behavior inSalicornia patula. Vegetatio61: 137–143.
Koller, D. andN. Roth. 1964. Studies on the ecological and physiological significance of amphicarpy inGymnarrhena micrantha (Compositae). Amer. J. Bot.51: 26–35.
McEvoy, P.B. 1984. Dormancy and dispersal in dimorphic achenes of tansy ragwort,Senecio jacobaea L. (Compositae). Oecologia61: 160–168.
Negbi, M. andB. Tamari. 1963. Germination of chlorophyllous and achlorophyllous seeds ofSalsola volkensii andAellenia autrani. Israel J. Bot.12: 124–135.
Oyamada, M., Y. Kuroda, Y. Ishizawa, andT. Miura. 1983. Studies on seed dormancy and flowering in salt-wort. Bull. Yamagata Pref. Hort. Exp. St. No. 2: 11–32.
Sorensen, A.E. 1978. Somatic polymorphism and seed dispersal. Nature276: 174–176.
Venable, D.L. andD.A. Levin. 1985. Ecology of achene dimorphism inHeterotheca. latifolia. I. Achene structure, germination and dispersal. J. Ecol.73: 133–145.
Weiler, E.W. 1982. An enzyme-immunoassay for cis-(+)-abscisic acid. Physiol. Plant.54: 510–514.
Wurzburger, J. andD. Koller. 1976. Differential effects of the parental photothermal environment on development of dormancy in caryopses ofAegilops kotschyi. J. Exp. Bot.27: 43–48.
Yamaguchi, H., K. Ichihara, K. Takeno, Y. Hori andT. Saito. 1990. Diversities in morphological characteristics and seed germination behavior in fruits ofSalsola komarovii Iljin. Bot. Mag. Tokyo103: 177–190.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Takeno, K., Yamaguchi, H. Diversity in seed germination behavior in relation to heterocarpy inSalsola komarovii Iljin. Bot Mag Tokyo 104, 207–215 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02489453
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02489453