Germination of native legumes in relation to competition of neighbor seeds in Northeastern Mexico

• Published in: The journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 2020-04, Vol.147 (2), p.167-171
• Main Authors: Jurado, Enrique, Marroquín, Jonathan, Flores, Joel, Pando, Marisela, González, Humberto, Alanís, Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Competition; Germination; Legumes; Phylogeny; Plant growth; Seed germination; Seedlings; Seeds; Soil moisture; Species
• ISSN: 1095-5674; 1940-0616
• DOI: 10.3159/TORREY-D-19-00042.1

We explore whether percentage of seed germination and rate are affected by the presence of seeds from other species and if this is related to phylogeny. Assuming that closely related species might inhibit germination as a means to avoid competition, we tested germination in Petri dishes of seeds of one species and a combination of that one species with each of eight other species. Phylogenetic distance measured as millions of years since a common ancestor was tested for correlation with germination percentage and germination rate across all species combinations, expecting less and slower germination when closely related species were placed together. Seed germination percentage was significantly less for two species in some combinations, but this difference was very small. For two species, seed germination was up to one day slower in the presence of seeds from other species. These differences were not correlated to phylogeny. The small difference in germination percentage would probably not have an effect in field conditions. The slower time to germination could result in some seedlings starting to grow next to larger seedlings and with fewer days of moist soil.