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The seed ecology of Agriophyllum squarrosum, a pioneer sand dune annual in Central Asia, with particular reference to seed germination

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2017

Shugao Fan ,
Carol C. Baskin ,
Jerry M. Baskin  and
Yanrong Wang
Shugao Fan
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Carol C. Baskin
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
Jerry M. Baskin
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
Yanrong Wang*
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
*
*Correspondence Email: yrwang@lzu.edu.cn
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Abstract

In central Asia, Agriophyllum squarrosum is the first species to become established during natural succession on sand dunes. However, low germination percentages and thus poor stand establishment greatly inhibit the use of this key species in the stabilization of dunes. The aim of this review is to critically analyse published information on the seed biology of A. squarrosum with particular reference to identifying the factors limiting germination of seeds sown in the field. A conceptual model is used to illustrate the complexities of factors as well as the unknowns we found about the seed/seedling stage of the life cycle of this sand dune annual. A major result of this review is that we now know that high germination percentages can be obtained by storing freshly collected seeds dry at room temperatures for 2 to 3 months to allow dormancy break to occur via afterripening, and then storing them dry at low (e.g. 4–5°C) temperature to prevent them from entering secondary dormancy. Non-dormant seeds should be sown in the field in late spring when wind-blown sand will cover them, thus ensuring that they are in darkness, which promotes germination, at the time summer rains occur.

Keywords

afterripeningdesertificationplant successionrestoration ecologyseed germination
Type
Review Papers
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , September 2017 , pp. 165 - 173
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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