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Characterizing Ipomopsis rubra (Polemoniaceae) germination under various thermal scenarios with non-parametric and semi-parametric statistical methods

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Abstract

Time-to-event analysis represents a collection of relatively new, flexible, and robust statistical techniques for investigating the incidence and timing of transitions from one discrete condition to another. Plant biology is replete with examples of such transitions occurring from the cellular to population levels. However, application of these statistical methods has been rare in botanical research. Here, we demonstrate the use of non- and semi-parametric time-to-event and categorical data analyses to address questions regarding seed to seedling transitions of Ipomopsis rubra propagules exposed to various doses of constant or simulated seasonal diel temperatures. Seeds were capable of germinating rapidly to >90 % at 15–25 or 22/11–29/19 °C. Optimum temperatures for germination occurred at 25 or 29/19 °C. Germination was inhibited and seed viability decreased at temperatures ≥30 or 33/24 °C. Kaplan–Meier estimates of survivor functions indicated highly significant differences in temporal germination patterns for seeds exposed to fluctuating or constant temperatures. Extended Cox regression models specified an inverse relationship between temperature and the hazard of germination. Moreover, temperature and the temperature × day interaction had significant effects on germination response. Comparisons to reference temperatures and linear contrasts suggest that summer temperatures (33/24 °C) play a significant role in differential germination responses. Similarly, simple and complex comparisons revealed that the effects of elevated temperatures predominate in terms of components of seed viability. In summary, the application of non- and semi-parametric analyses provides appropriate, powerful data analysis procedures to address various topics in seed biology and more widespread use is encouraged.

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Abbreviations

β i :

Slope coefficient

h(t):

Hazard function

h o(t):

Baseline hazard

Q P :

Pearson’s χ 2 test statistic

Q :

General association test statistic

S(t):

Survivor function

\( \hat{S}(t) \) :

Kaplan–Meier estimator

t 50 :

Time in days for germination of the 50th (median) percentile of the seed population

1·t −150 :

Germination rate

TZ:

2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride

U :

Germination uniformity

V :

Cramér’s V

w :

Cohen’s w index

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Acknowledgments

We express our sincere gratitude to Terry Zinn (Wildflowers of Florida, Inc., Alachua, FL) for a generous donation of seeds; Niki Kettner and Fé Almira for technical assistance; and anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.

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Author notes

  1. Keith Kettner

    Present address: Andrew Smith Company, P.O. Box 717, Indiantown, FL, 34956, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Horticulture, Plant Conservation and Restoration Horticulture Research Consortium, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110675, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0675, USA

    Hector E. Pérez

  2. Undergradaute Program, Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110690, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0690, USA

    Keith Kettner

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  1. Hector E. Pérez
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  2. Keith Kettner
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Correspondence to Hector E. Pérez.

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Pérez, H.E., Kettner, K. Characterizing Ipomopsis rubra (Polemoniaceae) germination under various thermal scenarios with non-parametric and semi-parametric statistical methods. Planta 238, 771–784 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-013-1935-8

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