Publication Type | J |
Authors | Atia, A; Rabhi, M; Debez, A; Barhoumi, Z; Abdelly, C; Smaoui, A |
Author Full Name | Atia, Abdallah; Rabhi, Mokded; Debez, Ahmed; Barhoumi, Zouhaier; Abdelly, Chedly; Smaoui, Abderrazak |
Title | Factors controlling germination and dormancy processes in dimorphic fruits of Atriplex inflata (Chenopodiaceae) |
Source | PLANT ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION |
Language | English |
Document Type | Article |
Author Keywords | Atriplex inflata; fruit dimorphism; physical dormancy; physiological dormancy; population survival |
Keywords Plus | SEED DORMANCY; SALINE CONDITIONS; LIGHT; NITRATE; GROWTH; HETEROMORPHISM; REQUIREMENTS; MATURATION; SAGITTATA; PLANT |
Abstract | Background and aims - Seed dimorphism is an adaptive feature to harsh environments such as arid and saline habitats. This is explained as an escape from inadequate conditions. In the current study, we investigated the seed germination of a dimorphic species Atriplex inflata Much. (Chenopodiaceae). A. inflata occurs in saline habitats, namely in arid regions. Its bracteoles enclose a brown or a black fruit. This unit constitutes the diaspore. Methods - Mature fruits were collected from Kelbia (35 degrees 46'06 '' N 10 degrees 07'34 '' E), located in the centre of Tunisia, with semi-arid climate. The effect of cold stratification, nitrate (KNO(3), 10 mM), light, dry storage (for seven months), chemical scarification and salt pretreatment on germination were determined in order to assess the factors that control germination and dormancy. Key results - The results show that brown fruits germinated rapidly and the final germination percentage was 98% after twenty days. However, germination of black fruits was slower and reached only 19%. This confirms the fact that the difference in morphology is accompanied by a difference in germination capacity and dormancy in A. inflata. Chemical scarification and dry storage increased germination capacity of black fruits. Thus, the black fruit showed a physical dormancy and a non-deep physiological dormancy. Conclusion - The production of two types of fruit in A. inflata, one dormant and the other non-dormant, is of high ecological importance for the survival of populations. Actually, this ensures both rapid germination (brown fruits) and a permanent seed bank (black fruits), which permit the persistence of the species and population establishment in disturbed environments. |
Author Address | [Atia, Abdallah; Rabhi, Mokded; Debez, Ahmed; Barhoumi, Zouhaier; Abdelly, Chedly; Smaoui, Abderrazak] Ctr Biotechnol, Lab Plantes Extremophiles, Hammam Lif 2050, Tunisia |
Reprint Address | Atia, A (reprint author), Ctr Biotechnol, Lab Plantes Extremophiles, Technopole Borj Cedria,BP 901, Hammam Lif 2050, Tunisia. |
E-mail Address | atbdllh@yahoo.fr |
ResearcherID Number | Debez, Ahmed/F-3714-2014; Rabhi, Mokded/J-2973-2013; |
ORCID Number | Debez, Ahmed/0000-0002-6786-7544; Rabhi, Mokded/0000-0001-6817-585X; ABDELLY, Chedly/0000-0003-2249-1130 |
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Cited Reference Count | 31 |
Times Cited | 3 |
Total Times Cited Count (WoS, BCI, and CSCD) | 3 |
Publisher | SOC ROYAL BOTAN BELGIQUE |
Publisher City | MEISE |
Publisher Address | NIEUWELAAN 38, B-1860 MEISE, BELGIUM |
ISSN | 2032-3913 |
29-Character Source Abbreviation | PLANT ECOL EVOL |
ISO Source Abbreviation | Plant Ecol. Evol. |
Year Published | 2011 |
Volume | 144 |
Issue | 3 |
Beginning Page | 307 |
Ending Page | 312 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | 10.5091/plecevo.2011.629 |
Page Count | 6 |
Web of Science Category | Plant Sciences |
Subject Category | Plant Sciences |
Document Delivery Number | 855MW |
Unique Article Identifier | WOS:000297569500010 |
Plants associated with this reference |