Seed size is a plastic trait of the plants that directly affect seed germination and seedling recruitment. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between seed size, seed germinability and seedling performance of Copaifera langsdorffii by testing four hypotheses: 1) larger seeds have higher germination percentage; 2) smaller seeds require less time to germinate and for initial developm...

The exotic vine Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopow) Barbar. (Asclepiadaceae) is a major natural-areas pest throughout the Great Lakes Basin. Colonization of new areas by this herbaceous perennial occurs by comose wind-dispersed seeds. Previous experiments suggested a trade-off between seed dispersability and seed quality: smaller seeds dispersed farther but were less likely to emerge and seedlings ...

Irradiated pollen technique is the most successful haploidization technique within Cucurbitaceae. After harvesting of fruits pollinated with irradiated pollen, classical method called as "inspecting the seeds one by one" is used to find haploid embryos in the seeds. In this study, different methods were used to extract the embryos more easily, quickly, economically, and effectively. "Inspecting...

Time-dependent aftereffect induced by γ-radiation in dry pea seeds at non-lethal 0.19–10 Gy doses is considered. By using phosphorescence at room temperature (RTP), seed lot was fractionated to strong and weak seeds producing normal and abnormal seedlings, respectively, and to dead seeds. After 0.19 Gy γ-radiation, strong seeds transformed to weak seeds during two months, whereas seeds after 7–...

Seed deterioration is loss of seed quality, viability and vigor due to effect of adverse environmental factors. Many of our crops are reproduced through seeds, and throughout the world large quantities are produced, stored and transported. Seed ageing during storage may cause retardation of field establishment, and may eventually result in seedling abnormalities or even failure of emergence. Du...

—We documented black bears (Ursus americanus) consuming the seeds of Jeffery pine (Pinus jeffreyi) in the eastern Sierra Nevada from late August through September. Shells of pine seeds were the exclusive item in 20 of 27 scat samples collected in September and October and comprised >90% of the remaining 7 samples. Bears obtain seeds of Jeffrey pines by climbing trees, removing ripe, unopened co...

Changes in the levels of thiamin-binding globulin and thiamin in wheat seeds during maturation and germination were studied. The thiamin-binding activity of the seed proteins increased with seed development after flowering. The thiamin content of the seeds also increased with development. Thiamin-binding activity decreased during seed germination. On the other hand, immunological analysis using...

Finch H., Allen P., Meyer S. (2013): Exposure to low water potentials and seed dormancy favour the fungus in the Pyrenophora semeniperda–Bromus tectorum pathosystem. Plant Protect. Sci., 49 (Special Issue): S15–S20. In semi-arid regions of the United States, Pyrenophora semeniperda kills seeds of the winter annual Bromus tectorum. We report on pathosystem outcomes under manipulated water potent...