[HTML][HTML] Germination responses of the invasive Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. (Apocynaceae): comparisons with seeds from two ecosystems in northeastern Brazil

LC Leal, MV Meiado, AV Lopes, IR Leal - Anais da Academia …, 2013 - SciELO Brasil
LC Leal, MV Meiado, AV Lopes, IR Leal
Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 2013SciELO Brasil
Life history traits are considered key indicators of plant invasibility. Among them, the
germination behavior of seeds is of major relevance because it is influenced by
environmental factors of invaded ecosystem. Here, we investigated how seed traits and
seed tolerance to environmental factors on seed germination of Calotropis procera vary
depending on the invaded ecosystems in northeastern Brazil. We have tested seeds from
two vegetation types–Caatinga and Restinga–to different levels of light intensity, salinity …
Life history traits are considered key indicators of plant invasibility. Among them, the germination behavior of seeds is of major relevance because it is influenced by environmental factors of invaded ecosystem. Here, we investigated how seed traits and seed tolerance to environmental factors on seed germination of Calotropis procera vary depending on the invaded ecosystems in northeastern Brazil. We have tested seeds from two vegetation types – Caatinga and Restinga – to different levels of light intensity, salinity, and water stress. Previous to those experiments, seed-set and morphometric analysis were carried out for both studied populations. We have observed a higher seed-set in Caatinga. Seeds produced in this ecosystem had lower seed moisture content. Seeds from Restinga showed lower germination time when light intensity decreased. We observed a reduction in both the germinability and the synchronization index with decreasing osmotic potential and increasing salinity. Nevertheless, both populations exhibited changes in photoblastism when seeds were submitted to water and saline stress. In conclusion, C. procera seeds are tolerant to environmental factors assessed. That characteristic ensures the colonization success and wide distribution of this plant species in the studied ecosystems.
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