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Interaction Effects of Seed Mass and Temperature on Germination in Australian Species of Frankenia (Frankeniaceae)

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Abstract

The seed size and number theories have been proposed to explain the advantages of having many small versus a few large seeds in plants. In particular, seed germination is predicted to be shaped by temperature, and may differ for small and large seeds. In this study, we experimentally test germination at different temperatures in 12 species of arid zone plants in the genus Frankenia L. that differ in seed mass. Seed mass was categorized as “smaller-seeded species” versus “larger-seeded species” for analysis (six species per category). Many of these species co-occur geographically and hence experience similar abiotic conditions (unpredictable rainfall, extremes in temperature, poor soil conditions). The results demonstrated differences in germination as a result of the temperature*seed mass(species) interaction effect. There were significant differences in germination rates across seed mass categories during the first eight days of germination. Germination rates were higher in the larger-seeded species than the smaller-seeded species. Smaller-seeded species had lower germination success but had higher germination rates at lower temperatures, and had a more stringent temperature as a germination cue. These findings are discussed in the context of life-history strategies in arid zone plants.

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Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks to Drs M. Whalen and D. Mackay for giving LCE the opportunity to study this interesting plant genus, and for their guidance during the initial stages of this project. Diane Allen, Tom Chapman, Andrew Craigie, Rick Davies, Gordon Easton, Gwen Easton, Duncan Mackay, Mike McLeish and Dean Nicolle assisted with seed collection. Statistical analysis support was given by Kylie Lange. Diane Allen assisted with the weighing of seeds. Thanks to D. E. Albrecht for providing localities for F. cordata. Seeds were collected with permission in SA (DEHAA permit #Z24947 3), NT (Parks and Wildlife Commission permit # 20216), and WA (CALM). This study was funded by: Australian Flora Foundation, Mark Mitchell Research Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Fund, Native Vegetation Fund, the Flinders University Post-graduate Development Program, and the Nature Foundation SA Postgraduate Scholarship Grant. It is part of a PhD thesis by LCE at Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia.

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  1. School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 5001

    Lyndlee C. Easton & Sonia Kleindorfer

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  1. Lyndlee C. Easton
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  2. Sonia Kleindorfer
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Correspondence to Lyndlee C. Easton.

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Easton, L.C., Kleindorfer, S. Interaction Effects of Seed Mass and Temperature on Germination in Australian Species of Frankenia (Frankeniaceae). Folia Geobot 43, 383–396 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12224-008-9021-x

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