Only seed size matters for germination in different populations of the dimorphic Tragopogon pratensis subsp. pratensis (Asteraceae)

Many studies have focused on the ecology of seed dimorphism, the production of two seed types by a single plant. Morphology and seed size are usually correlated, but how morphology affects germination percentage and seedling growth is poorly understood. Here we explicitly separate these effects for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of botany 2005-03, Vol.92 (3), p.432-437
Main Authors: van Molken, Tamara, Jorritsma-Wienk, Linda D, van Hoek, Paul H. W, de Kroon, Hans
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asteraceae
Ecology
Germination
Metapopulation ecology
Plant growth
Plant morphology
Plant populations
Plants
population
Population size
seed dimorphism
seed morphology
Seed size
Seedling growth
Seedlings
Seeds
Soil morphology
The Netherlands
Tragopogon pratensis pratensis
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Summary:Many studies have focused on the ecology of seed dimorphism, the production of two seed types by a single plant. Morphology and seed size are usually correlated, but how morphology affects germination percentage and seedling growth is poorly understood. Here we explicitly separate these effects for nine populations of the dimorphic species Tragopogon pratensis subsp. pratensis. Larger seeds yielded higher germination percentages, yet seed morphology had no additional direct effect on germination. Neither seed size nor seed morphology affected seedling growth. Neither germination nor seedling growth varied among populations, but seed head varied significantly. Results show that germination is mainly controlled by seed size rather than by seed morphology. This study is one of the few to distinguish explicitly between seed size and seed morphology effects on ecological characteristics and suggests that seed dimorphism may exert its ecological effects predominantly through its correlated size.
ISSN:0002-9122
1537-2197
DOI:10.3732/ajb.92.3.432