Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ecology of seed germination of eight non-pioneer tree species from a tropical seasonal rain forest in southwest China

  • Published:
Plant Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We compared various aspects of the seed biology of eight non-pioneer tree species from a tropical seasonal rain forest in Xishuangbanna, SW China, that differ in time of dispersal, size and fresh seed moisture content (MC). Seeds were tested for germination under laboratory conditions after dehydration to different moisture levels and under 3.5, 10 and 30% solar irradiances in neutral-shade houses. For six species, germination was also compared in forest understory (3.5% light) and center of a forest gap (32.5% light). Under continuous dehydration over activated silica gel, 100% of seeds of four species had lost the ability to germinate after 48 h, and those of all species except Castanopsis hystrix (decreased from >90 to 30% germination) had lost the ability to germinate after 120 h. Four species did not differ in final germination percentages at the three irradiances (i.e. uniform germination). However, final germination percentages of Horsfieldia pandurifolia and Litsea pierrei var. szemaois were significantly lower in 30% than in 10 or 3.5% light, and seeds of Antiaris toxicaria and C. hystrix germinated to higher percentages in 30 and 10% than in 3.5% light. Mean time to germination (MTG) of the eight species (forest and shade house data combined) ranged from 5–5 days for Pometia tomentosa to 72–207days for L. pierrei; MTG for four species was ≤21 days. There was no obvious relationship between relative desiccation resistance and either time of dispersal, MTG or uniformity of germination at the three light levels, or between seed size and MC or MTG. However, the relationship between seed MC at maturity (25–60% fresh mass basis) and MC at 50% loss of seed viability (12.4–42.5%) was significant. Seven of the species fit Garwood’s (Ecol Monogr 53:159–181, 1983) rapid-rainy germination syndrome and one, L. pierrei, either her delayed-rainy or intermediate-dry germination syndrome. However, fresh, non-dehydrated seeds of all eight species germinated in ≤30 days at constant 30°C in light.

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

Fig. 1 
Fig. 2 
Fig. 3 
Fig. 4 

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ballaré CL (1994) Light gaps: sensing the light opportunities in highly dynamic canopy environments. In: Caldwell MM, Pearcy RW (eds) Exploitation of environmental heterogeneity by plants: ecophysiological processes above- and belowground. Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 73–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Bazzaz FA (1991) Habitat selection in plants. Am Nat 137:S116–S130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bazzaz FA, Pickett STA (1991) Physiological ecology of tropical succession: a comparative review. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 11:287–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berjak P, Pammenter NW (1994) Recalcitrance is not an all-or-nothing situation. Seed Sci Res 4:263–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Berjak P, Pammenter NW (2001) Seed recalcitrance—current perspectives. S Afr J Bot 67:79–89

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berjak P, Pammenter NW (2002) Orthodox and recalcitrant seeds. In: Vozzo JA (ed) Tropical tree seed manual. Agricultural handbook 721. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC, pp. 137–147

    Google Scholar 

  • Berjak P, Pammenter NW (2004) Biotechnological aspects of non-orthodox seeds: an African perspective. S Afr J Bot 70:102–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Blakesley D, Elliott S, Kuarak C, Navakitbumrung P, Zangkum S, Anusarnsunthorn (2002) Propagating framework tree species to restore seasonally dry tropical forest: implications of seasonal seed dispersal and dormancy. For Ecol Manage 164:31–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao M, Zhang JH (1997) Tree species diversity of tropical forest vegetation in Xishuangbanna, SW China. Biodivers Conserv 6:995–1006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao M, Zhang JH, Feng ZL, Deng JW, Deng XB (1996) Tree species composition of a seasonal rain forest in Xishuangbanna, South-West China. Trop Ecol 37:183–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Cao M, Zou XM, Warren M, Zhu H (2006) Tropical forests of Xishuangbanna, China. Biotropica 38:306–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Danthu P, Gueye A, Boye A, Bauwens D, Sarr A (2000) Seed storage behavior of four Sahelian and Sudanian tree species (Boscia senegalensis, Butyrospermum parkii, Cordyla pinnata and Saba senegalensis). Seed Sci Res 10:183–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Daws MI, Burstem DFRP, Crabtree LM, Kirkman P, Mullins CC, Dalling JW (2002) Differences in seed germination responses may promote coexistence of four sympatric Piper species. Funct Ecol 16:258–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daws MI, Garwood NC, Pritchard HW (2005) Traits of recalcitrant seeds in a semi-deciduous tropical forest in Panama: some ecological implications. Funct Ecol 19:874–885

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daws MI, Garwood NC, Pritchard HW (2006) Prediction of desiccation sensitivity in seeds of woody species: a probabilistic model based on two seed traits and 104 species. Ann Bot 97:667–674

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dickie JB, Pritchard HW (2002) Systematic and evolutionary aspects of desiccation tolerance in seeds. In: Black M, Pritchard HW (eds) Desiccation and survival in plants: drying without dying. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, pp. 239–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Dou JX, Zhang YP, Ma YX, Liu YH, Guo P, Wang JX (2001) Characteristics of thermal effects and seasonal variation on different thermal active surface of canopy gaps in tropical seasonal rain forest. Biodivers Sci 9:366–372 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Drake DR (1993) Germination requirements of Metrosideros polymorpha, the dominant tree of Hawaiian lava flows and rain forests. Biotropica 25:461–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dussert S, Chabrillange N, Engelmann F, Anthony F, Hamon S (1999) Quantitative estimation of seed desiccation sensitivity using a quantal response model: application to nine species of the genus Coffea L. Seed Sci Res 9:135–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Dussert S, Chabrillange N, Engelmann F, Anthony F, Louarn J, Hamon S (2000) Relationship between seed desiccation sensitivity, seed water content at maturity and climatic characteristics of native environments of Coffea L. species. Seed Sci Res 10:293–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis RH, Hong TD, Roberts EH (1990) An intermediate category of seed storage behavior. I. Coffee. J Exp Bot 41:1167–1170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis RH, Hong TD, Roberts EH (1991a) An intermediate category of seed storage. II. Effects of provenance, immaturity, and imbibition on desiccation tolerance in coffee. J Exp Bot 42:653–657

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis RH, Hong TD, Roberts EH (1991b) Effect of storage temperature and moisture on the germination of papaya seed. Seed Sci Res 1:69–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis RH, Hong TD, Roberts EH, Soetisna U (1991c) Seed storage behavior in Elaeis guineensis. Seed Sci Res 1:99–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrant JM, Pammenter NW, Berjak P (1988) Recalcitrance—a current assessment. Seed Sci Technol 16:155–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrant JM, Pammenter NW, Berjak P (1989) Germination-associated events and the desiccation sensitivity of recalcitrant seeds—a study on three unrelated species. Planta 178:189–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finch-Savage WE, Blake PS (1994) Indeterminate development in desiccation-sensitive seeds in Quercus robur L. Seed Sci Res 4:127–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu LG (1989) The rare and endangered plants in China. Shanghai Education Press, Shanghai (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Garwood NC (1983) Seed germination in a seasonal tropical forest in Panama: a community study. Ecol Monogr 53:159–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hong TD, Ellis RH (1995) Interspecific variation in seed storage behavior within two genera—Coffea and Citrus. Seed Sci Technol 23:165–181

    Google Scholar 

  • ISTA [International Seed Testing Association] (1999) International rules for seed testing. Seed Sci Technol 27(supplement):1–333

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyereh B, Swaine MD, Thompson J (1999) Effect of light on the germination of forest trees in Ghana. J Ecol 87:772–783

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee DW (1987) The spectral distribution of radiation in two neotropical rainforests. Biotropica 19:161–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marod O, Kutintara U, Tanaka H, Nakashizuka T (2002) The effects of drought and fire on seedling dynamics in a tropical seasonal forest in Thailand. Plant Ecol 161:41–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metcalfe DJ (2001) Germination of small-seeded tropical rain forest plants exposed to different spectral compositions. Can J Bot 74:516–520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng FSP (1978) Strategies of establishment in Malayan forest trees. In: Tomlinson PB, Zimmerman MH (eds) Tropical trees as living systems. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, pp. 129–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng FSP (1980) Germination ecology of Malaysian woody plants. Malay Forester 43:406–438

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng FSP (1992) Manual of forest fruits, seeds and seedlings. Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Orozco-Segovia A, Sanchez-Coronado ME, Vasquez-Yanes C (1993) Light environment and phytochrome-controlled germination in Piper auritum. Funct Ecol 7:585–590

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orozco-Segovia A, Vasquez-Yanes C (1989) Light effect on seed germination in Piper L. Acta Oecol 10:123–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Orozco-Segovia A, Vasquez-Yanes C, Coates-Estrada R, Perez-Nasser N (1987) Ecophysiological characteristics of the seed of the tropical forest pioneer Urera caracasana (Urticaceae). Tree Physiol 3:375–386

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pammenter NW, Berjak P (1999) A review of recalcitrant seed physiology in relation to desiccation-tolerance mechanisms. Seed Sci Res 9:13–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Pammenter NW, Berjak P (2000) Evolutionary and ecological aspects of recalcitrant seed biology. Seed Sci Res 10:301–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearson TRH, Burslem DFRP, Mullins CC, Dalling JW (2003) Functional significance of photoblastic germination in neotropical pioneer trees: a seed’s eye view. Funct Ecol 17:394–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard HW, Daws MI, Fletcher BJ, Gamémé CS, Msanga HP, Omondi W (2004) Ecological correlates of seed desiccation tolerance in tropical African dryland trees. Am J Bot 91:863–870

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raich JW, Khoon GW (1990) Effect of canopy openings on tree seed germination in a Malaysian dipterocarp forest. J Trop Ecol 6:203–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts EH (1973) Predicting the storage life of seeds. Seed Sci Technol 1:499–514

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts EH, Ellis RH (1989) Water and seed survival. Ann Bot 63:39–52

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute, Inc (2002) SAS users guide: statistics, 9th edn. SAS Institute Inc., Cary

    Google Scholar 

  • Sautu A, Baskin JM, Baskin CC, Condit R (2006) Studies on the seed biology of 100 native species of trees in a seasonal moist tropical forest, Panama, Central America. Forest Ecol Manage 234:245–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena A, Singh DV, Joshi VL (1996) Autotoxic effects of pearl millet aqueous extracts on seed germination and seedling growth. J Arid Environ 33:255–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith H (1982) Light quality, photoperception, and plant strategy. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 33:481–518

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Souza RP, Válio IFM (2001) Seed size, seed germination, and seedling survival of Brazilian tropical tree species differing in successional status. Biotropica 33:447–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swaine MD, Agyeman VK, Kyereh B, Orgle TK, Thompson J, Veenendaal EM (1997) Ecology of forest trees in Ghana. Overseas Development Administration, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Swaine MD, Whitmore TC (1988) On the definition of ecological species groups in tropical rain forests. Vegetatio 75:81–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tompsett PB (1998) Seed physiology. In: Appanah A, Turnbull JM (eds) A review of dipterocarps: taxonomy, ecology and silviculture. Center for International Forestry Research, Kuala Lumpur, pp. 57–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Tompsett PB, Pritchard HW (1998) The effect of chilling and moisture status on the germination, desiccation tolerance and longevity of Aesculus hippocastanum L. seed. Ann Bot 82:249–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tweddle JC, Dickie JB, Baskin CC, Baskin JM (2003) Ecological aspects of seed desiccation sensitivity. J Ecol 91:294–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasquez-Yanes C, Orozco-Segovia A (1990) Ecological significance of light-controlled seed germination in two contrasting tropical habitats. Oecologia 83:171–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasquez-Yanes C, Orozco-Segovia A (1994) Signals for seeds to sense and respond to gaps. In: Caldwell MM, Pearcy RW (eds) Exploitation of environmental heterogeneity by plants: ecophysiological processes above- and belowground. Academic Press, San Diego, USA, pp. 209–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Vasquez-Yanes C, Orozco-Segovia A, Rincon E, Sanchez-Coronado ME, Huante P, Toledo JR, Barradas VL (1990) Light beneath the litter in a tropical forest: effect on seed germination. Ecology 71:1952–1958

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitmore TC (1989) Canopy gaps and the two major groups of forest trees. Ecology 70:536–538

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitmore TC (1998) An introduction to tropical rain forests. 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu ZY (1980) Vegetation of China. Beijing Science Press, Beijing (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang QH, Yang W, Li XR (2001) The primary study of factors affecting seed germination in tropical forest, China. Seed 118(5):45–48 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang JH, Cao M (1995) Tropical forest vegetation of Xishuangbanna, SW China and its secondary changes, with special reference to some problems in local nature conservation. Biol Conserv 73:229–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu H (1997) Ecological and biogeographical studies on the tropical rain forest for south Yunnan, SW China with species reference to its relations with rain forests of tropical Asia. J Biogeogr 24:647–662

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu H (2006) Forest vegetation of Xishuangbanna, south China. Forest Stud China 18(2):1–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu H, Cao M, Hu HB (2006) Geological history, flora, and vegetation of Xishuangbanna, Southern Yunnan, China. Biotropica 38:310–317

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the staff of the Xishuangbanna Station for Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystem Studies (XSTRE) and the Herbarium of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (HITBC) for providing meteorological data and for field and laboratory assistance; and Gehan Jayasuriya, University of Kentucky, for performing the regression analysis of initial seed moisture content vs.WC50. This study was supported by The Yunnan Provincial Natural Science Foundation (2005C0058M) and The National Key Project for Basic Research on Ecosystem Changes in Longitudinal Range-Gorge Region and Transboundary Eco-security of Southwest China (2003CB415100).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China

    Yang Yu, Yong Tang & Min Cao

  2. Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Yang Yu

  3. Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506-0225, USA

    Jerry M. Baskin & Carol C. Baskin

  4. Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546-0312, USA

    Carol C. Baskin

Authors
  1. Yang Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jerry M. Baskin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Carol C. Baskin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yong Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Min Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Min Cao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yu, Y., Baskin, J.M., Baskin, C.C. et al. Ecology of seed germination of eight non-pioneer tree species from a tropical seasonal rain forest in southwest China. Plant Ecol 197, 1–16 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-007-9355-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-007-9355-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation