Seed biology of Australian arid zone species: Germination of 18 species used for rehabilitation |
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| Authors: | LE Commander DJ Merritt DP Rokich KW Dixon |
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| Institution: | 1. Botany, School of Rural Science and Natural Resources, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia;2. Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia;3. ERP Environmental Decisions Hub, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;4. Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin NT 0909, Australia;5. Flora & Fauna Division, Department of Land Resource Management, Northern Territory Government, Arid Zone Research Institute, South Stuart Hyw, Alice Springs 0870, Australia;6. Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;7. School of Veterinary and Life Science, Murdoch University, Perth WA 6150, Australia;8. Science and Conservation Division, Department of Parks and Wildlife and CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, Kensington, WA 6983, Australia;9. Science and Conservation Division, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kununurra WA 6743, Australia;10. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, P.Bag Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa;11. School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;1. Department of Range Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Mazandaran Province, Iran;2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, P.O. Box 47416-95447, Mazandaran, Iran |
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| Abstract: | Revegetation of disturbed land, particularly in arid environments, is often hindered by low seedling establishment. Information on seed biology and germination cues of keystone species is lacking, particularly in arid Australia; a major zone for mining developments. This study investigated seed characteristics and germination of 18 common species required for rehabilitation of disturbed areas at Shark Bay Salt in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Western Australia. Untreated seeds of seven species (Aphanopetalum clematideum, Atriplex bunburyana, Austrostipa elegantissima, Melaleuca cardiophylla, Pembertonia latisquamea, Rhagodia baccata, Salsola tragus) exhibited high germination percentages. Seeds of two species (Acacia tetragonophylla, Stylobasium spathulatum) had low imbibition, which increased with hot-water treatment, hence require scarification for germination. Gibberellic acid, smoke water and karrikinolide (a butenolide isolated from smoke) substantially increased germination percentages of three species (Anthocercis littorea, Diplolaena grandiflora, Solanum orbiculatum). Seeds of the remaining six species (Dioscorea hastifolia, Eremophila oldfieldii, Nitraria billardierei, Ptilotus exaltatus, Thryptomene baeckeacea, Zygophyllum fruticulosum) had low germination percentages regardless of treatment. Most species germinated equally well at 26/13 °C and 33/18 °C, however seven species had improved performance at 26/13 °C. This study is significant to land managers and conservation agencies with an interest in optimising germination of arid zone seeds for restoration. |
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