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Isolation and Structural Identification of a Germination Inhibitor in Fire-Recruiters from the California Chaparral

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Abstract

A role for inhibitors as regulators of seed dormancy in fire-dependent annuals and their nondormant (fire-independent) congeners was examined in the family Hydrophyllaceae. From seeds of the fire-dependent species, Emmenanthe penduliflora, Phacelia minor, P. brachyloba, and P. grandiflora, extracts were obtained that were found to be largely self-inhibitory and potent inhibitors of seed germination in nondormant congeners. Lower activity was detected in the fire-independent species, P. tanacetifolia and P. campanularia. The inhibitory activity was associated with the new sucrose ester, 6-O-linoleyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-fructofuranoside.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Conservation Biology and Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, The University of California, Riverside, California, 92521

    Louise M. Egerton-Warburton

  2. Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, 6907, Western Australia

    Emilio L. Ghisalberti

Authors
  1. Louise M. Egerton-Warburton
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  2. Emilio L. Ghisalberti
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Egerton-Warburton, L.M., Ghisalberti, E.L. Isolation and Structural Identification of a Germination Inhibitor in Fire-Recruiters from the California Chaparral. J Chem Ecol 27, 371–382 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005688623977

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