eHALOPH - Halophytes Database

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	Atriplex lindleyi Atriplex lindleyi