Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Relationship between acorn size and seedling morphological and physiological traits of Quercus ilex L. from different climates

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Photosynthetica

Abstract

Effects of Quercus ilex acorn size on seedling morphological and physiological traits were analysed. The study was carried out with five populations from different geographical areas and covering an aridity gradient. Seedling morphological traits (height and total leaf area) were analyzed during the first growing year. Physiological traits (net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, leaf transpiration, and intrinsic water-use efficiency) were analysed at different air temperatures during spring, summer, and winter months, and in response to water stress. There were significant correlations among the considered acorn (volume, fresh mass) and seedling traits. Differences in growth and physiological traits among the considered populations were found. The larger differences in the growth parameters were observed during the first growing season, and they could be justified by the significant differences among acorn size. On the contrary, the physiological response to air temperature and aridity was more related to the geographical origin of the considered populations than to acorn size. Q. ilex acorn and seedling traits more tolerant to drought might have a high potential for vegetation recovery in afforestation projects and restoration programmes particularly under water-limited environments or in degraded areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

D:

maximum acorn diameter

FM:

acorn fresh mass

g s :

stomatal conductance

IWUE:

intrinsic water use efficiency

LA:

leaf area

P N :

net photosynthetic rate

PAR:

photosynthetically active radiation

RGRH :

relative growth rate in height

RWCpd :

relative water content at predawn

SH:

seedling height

SH6 :

seedling height 6 months after germination

SH18 :

seedling height 18 months after germination

TLA:

total leaf area per seedling

TLA6 :

total leaf area per seedling 6 months after germination

TLA18 :

total leaf area per seedling 18 months after germination

V:

acorn volume

Ψpd :

predawn leaf water potential

References

  • Aizen, M.A., Patterson, W.A.: Acorn size and geographical range in the North American oaks (Quercus L.). — J. Biogeogr. 17: 327–332, 1990.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aranda, I., Pardo, F., Gil, L., Pardos, J.A.: Anatomical basis of the change in leaf mass per area and nitrogen investment with relative irradiance within the canopy of eight temperate tree species. — Acta Oecol. 25: 187–195, 2004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Archibold, O.W.: Ecology of World Vegetation. — Chapman and Hall, London 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baquedano, F.J., Valladares, F., Castillo, F.J.: Phenotypic plasticity blurs ecotypic divergence in the response of Quercus coccifera and Pinus halepensis to water stress. — Eur. J. Forest Res. 127: 495–506, 2008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baraloto, C., Forget, P.M., Goldberg, D.E.: Seed mass, seedling size and neotropical tree seedling establishment. — J. Ecol. 93: 1156–1166, 2005.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barbero, M., Loisel, R., Quézel, P.: Biogeography, ecology and history of Mediterranean Quercus ilex ecosystems. — Vegetatio 100: 19–34, 1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behboudian, M.H., Ma, Q.F., Turner, N.C., Palta, J.A.: Reactions of chickpea to water stress: yield and seed composition. — J. Sci. Food Agric. 81: 1288–1291, 2001.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benayasa, J.M.R., Camacho-Cruz, A.: Performance of Quercus ilex saplings planted in abandoned Mediterranean cropland after long-term interruption of their management. — For. Ecol. Manag. 194: 223–233, 2004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BOE: [Royal Decree 286/94 Official Bulletin of November 19, 1994.] [In Spanish.].

  • Bognounou, F., Thiombiano, A., Oden, P.C., Guinko, S.: Seed provenance and latitudinal gradient effects on seed germination capacity and seedling establishment of five indigenous species in Burkina Faso. — Trop. Ecol. 51: 207–220, 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boix-Fayos, C., De Vente, J., Albaladejo, J., Martínez-Mena, M.: Soil carbon erosion and stock as affect by land use changes at the catchment scale in Mediterranean ecosystems. — Agr. Ecosyst. Environ. 133: 75–85, 2009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BOJA: [Royal Decree 50/95, Official Bulletin of the Andalusian of March 25, 1995.] [In Spanish.]

  • Bonfil, C.: The effects of seed size, cotyledon reserves, and herbivory on seedling survival and growth in Quercus rugosa and Q. laurina (Fagaceae). — Am. J. Bot. 85: 79–87, 1998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro-Díez, P., Montserrat-Martí, G.: Phenological pattern of fifteen Mediterranean phanaerophytes from Quercus ilex communities of NE-Spain. — Plant Ecol. 139: 103–112, 1998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cordazzo, C.V.: Effect of seed mass on germination and growth in three dominant species in Southern Brazillian Coastal Dunes. — Braz. J. Biol. 62: 427–434, 2002.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cortina, J., Maestre, F. T., Vallejo, V. R., Baeza, M. J., Valdecantos, A., Pérez-Devesa, M.: Ecosystem structure, ecosystem function, and restoration success: Are they related? — J. Nature Conserv. 14:152–160, 2006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DOCE: [Regulation 2080/92 of the Official Bulletin of the European Community of April 27, 1992.] [In Spanish].

  • Evrendilek, F. Doygun, H.: Assessing major ecosystem types and the challenge of sustainability in Turkey. — Environ. Manage. 26: 479–489, 2000.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gratani, L., Meneghini, M., Pesoli, P., Crescente, M.F.: Structural and functional plasticity of Quercus ilex seedlings of different provenances in Italy. — Trees-Struct. Funct. 17: 515–521, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gratani, L., Pesoli, P., Crescente, M.F., Aichner, K., Larcher, W.: Photosynthesis as a temperature indicator in Quercus ilex L. — Global Planet. Change 24: 153–163, 2000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gomes, F.P., Oliva, M.A., Mielke, M.S., de Almeida, A.-A.F, Leite, H.G., Aquino, L.A.: Photosynthetic limitations in leaves of young Brazilian Green Dwarf coconut (Cocos nucifera L. ‘nana’) palm under well-watered conditions or recovering from drought stress. — Environ. Exp. Bot. 62: 195–204, 2008.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez, J.M.: Importance of microhabitat and acorn burial on Quercus ilex early recruitment: non-additive effects on multiple demographic processes. — Plant Ecol. 172: 287–297, 2004a.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez, J.M.: Bigger is not always better: Conflicting selective pressures on seed size in Quercus ilex. — Evolution 58: 71–80, 2004b.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gulías, J., Cifre, J., Jonasson, S., Medrano, H., Flexas, J.: Seasonal and inter-annual variations of gas exchange in thirteen woody species along a climatic gradient in the Mediterranean island of Mallorca. — Flora 204: 169–181, 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haase, P., Pugnaire, F. I., Clark, S. C., Incoll, L.D.: Photosynthetic rate and canopy development in the drought-deciduos shrub Anthyllis cytisoides L. — J. Arid Environ. 46: 79–91, 2000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, R.: Plant Growth Curves. The Functional Approach to Plant Growth Analysis. — E. Arnold Publishers, London 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jump, S.A., Peñuelas, J.: Extensive spatial genetic structure revealed by AFLP but not SSR molecular markers in the wind-pollinated tree, Fagus sylvatica. — Mol. Ecol. 16: 925–936, 2007.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khurana, E., Singh, J. S.: Influence of seed size on seedling growth of Albizia procera under different soil water levels. — Ann. Bot. 86: 1185–1192, 2000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leiva, M.J., Fernández-Alés, R.: Variability in seedling water status during drought within a Quercus ilex subsp. ballota population, and its relation to seedling morphology. — Forest Ecol. Manage. 111: 147–156, 1998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lo Gullo, M.A., Salleo, S.: Different strategies of drought resistance in three Mediterranean sclerophyllous trees growing in the same environmental conditions. — New Phytol. 108: 267–276, 1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maseyk, K., Grünzweig, J. M., Rotenberg, E., Yakir, D.: Respiration acclimation contributes to high carbon-use efficiency in a seasonally dry pine forest. — Global Change Biol. 14: 1553–1567, 2008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, S. E., Carlson, S. L.: Achene mass variation in Ericameria nauseosus (Asteraceae) in relation to dispersal ability and seedling fitness. — Funct. Ecol. 15: 274–281, 2001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nardini, A., Salleo, S., Lo Gullo, M.A., Pitt, F.: Different responses to drought and freeze stress of Quercus ilex L. growing along a latitudinal gradient. — Plant Ecol. 148: 139–147, 2000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Soil Resources of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Methods. — In: Violante, P. (ed.): Soil Chemical Analysis Methods. Franco Angeli, Rome 1999. [In Italian.]

    Google Scholar 

  • Oleksyn, J., Modrzyński, J, Tjoelker, M.G., Żytkowiak, R., Reich, P.B., Karolewski, P.: Growth and physiology of Picea abies populations from elevational transects: common garden evidence for altitudinal ecotypes and cold adaptation. — Funct. Ecol. 12: 573–590, 1998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliet, J.A., Douglass, F. J.: Microclimatic conditions and plant morpho-physiological development within a tree shelter environment during establishment of Quercus ilex seedlings. — Agr. For. Meteorol. 144: 58–72, 2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osório, M.L., Breia, E., Rodrigues, A., Osório, J., Le Roux, X., Daudet, F.A., Ferreira, I., Chaves, M.M.: Limitations to carbon assimilation by mild drought in nectarine trees growing under field conditions. — Environ. Exp. Bot. 55: 235–247, 2006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Padilla, F.M., Pugnaire, F.I.: Rooting depth and soil moisture control Mediterranean woody seedling survival during drought. — Funct. Ecol. 21: 489–495, 2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmroth, S., Berninger, F., Nikinmaa, E., Lloyd, J., Pulkkinen, P., Hari, P.: Structural adaptation rather than water conservation was observed in Scots pine over a range of wet to dry climates. — Oecologia 121: 302–309, 1999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pérez-Devesa, M., Cortina, J., Vilagrosa, A., Vallejo, R.: Shrubland management to promote Quercus suber L. establishment. — Forest Ecol. Manage. 255: 374–382, 2008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perz, P., Morcuende, R., Molino, I.M.D., Paunte, L.S.D., Martinez Carrasc, R.: Contrasting responses of photosynthesis and carbon metabolism to low temperatures in tall fescue and clovers. — Physiol. Plant. 112: 478–486, 2001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pesoli, P., Gratani, L., Larcher, W.: Responses of Quercus ilex from different provenances to experimentally imposed water stress. — Biol. Plant. 46: 577–581, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peuke, A.D., Schraml, C., Hartung, W., Rennenberg, H.: Identification of drought-sensitive beech ecotypes by physiological parameters. — New Phytol. 154: 373–387, 2002.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pizo, M.A., Von Allmen, C., Morellato, L.P.C.: Seed size variation in the palm Euterpe edulis and the effects of seed predators on germination and seedling survival. — Acta Oecol. 29: 311–315, 2006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pons, J., Pausas, J.G.: Not only size matters: acorn selection by the European jay (Garrulus glandarius). — Acta Oecol. 31: 353–360, 2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pou, A., Flexas, J., Alsina M.M. et al.: Adjustments of water use efficiency by stomatal regulation during drought and recovery in the drought-adapted Vitis hybrid Richter-110 (V. berlandieri × V. rupestris). — Physiol. Plant 134: 313–323, 2008.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Puerta-Piñero, C., Gómez, J.M., Zamora, R.: Species-specific effects on topsoil development affect Quercus ilex seedling performance. — Acta Oecol. 29: 65–71, 2006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • RamÍrez-Valente, J.A., Valladares, F., Gil, L., Aranda, I.: Population differences in juvenile survival under increasing drought are mediated by seed size in cork oak (Quercus suber L.). — Forest Ecol. Manage. 257: 1676–1683, 2009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reich, P.B., Walters, M.B., Ellsworth, D.S.: Leaf life-span in relation to leaf plant and stand characteristics among diverse ecosystems. — Ecol. Monogr. 62: 365–392, 1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodà, F., Retana, J., Gracia, C., Bellot, J.: Ecology of Mediterranean Evergreen Oak Forests. Ecological Studies. — Springer, Berlin 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxe, H., Cannell, M.G.R., Johnsen, B., Ryan, M.G., Vourlitis, G.: Tree and forest functioning in response to global warming. — New Phytol. 149: 369–400, 2001.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seiwa, K.: Effects of seed size and emergence time on tree seedling establishment: importance of developmental constraints. — Oecologia 123: 208–215, 2000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soolanayakanahally, R.Y., Guy, R.D., Silim, S.N., Drewes, E.C., Schroeder, W.R.: Enhanced assimilation rate and water use efficiency with latitude through increased photosynthetic capacity and internal conductance in balsam poplar (Populs balsamifera L.). — Plant Cell Environ. 32: 1821–1832.

  • Terradas, J., Savé, R.: The influence of summer and winter stress and water relationship on the distribution of Quercus ilex L. — Vegetatio 100: 137–145, 1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trubat, R., Cortina, J., Vilagrosa, A.: Nursery fertilization affects seedling traits but not field performance in Quercus suber L. — J. Arid Environ. 74: 491–497, 2010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valencia-Diaz, S., Montaña, C.: Temporal variability in the maternal environment and its effect on seed size and seed quality in Flourensia cernua DC (Asteraceae). — J. Arid Environ. 63: 686–695, 2005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vassileva, V., Signarbieux, C., Anders, I., Feller, U.: Genotypic variation in drought stress response and subsequent recovery of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). — J. Plant Res.: DOI 10.1007/s10265-010-0340-7, 2010.

  • Yakimowski, S.B., Eckert, C.G.: Populations do not become less genetically diverse or more differentiated towards the northern limit of the geographical range in clonal Vaccinium stamineum (Ericaceae). — New Phytol. 180: 534–544, 2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Q.H., Yang, W., Li, X.R.: The primary study of factors affecting seed germination in tropical forest, China. — Seed 118: 45–48, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zangler, A.R., Bazzaz, F.A.: Plasticity and genotypic variation in photosynthetic behaviour of an early and a late successional species of Polygonum. — Oecologia 57: 270–273, 1983.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, Z.G., He, Y.L., Wang, M.T., Du, G.Z.: Variations of flower size and reproductive traits in selfincompatible Trollius ranunculoides (Ranunculaceae) among local habitats at Alpine Meadow. — Plant Ecol. 193: 241–251, 2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, Y. L., Sun, W. B., Zhou, Y., Coombs, D.: Variation in seed and seedling traits among natural populations of Trigonobalanus doichangensis (A. Camus) Forman (Fagaceae), a rare and endangered plant in southwest China. — New Forests 37: 285–294, 2009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This paper was supported by the grants from Ministry of Agricultural, alimentary and Forestry politicians (MIPAF) for the years 2007–2010.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy

    A. Bonito, L. Varone & L. Gratani

Authors
  1. A. Bonito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L. Varone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. Gratani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Bonito.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bonito, A., Varone, L. & Gratani, L. Relationship between acorn size and seedling morphological and physiological traits of Quercus ilex L. from different climates. Photosynthetica 49, 75–86 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-011-0014-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-011-0014-2

Additional key words

Search

Navigation