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Importance of predation and germination on losses from the seed bank of calden (Prosopis caldenia)
Author
Lerner, P.
Peinetti, R.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
1996-03-01
Body

Caldén (Prosopis caldenia) seeds not dispersed by animals sometimes constitute a considerable number of seeds to the seed bank which may contribute to the species' dissemination. The monthly change in the number of viable non-animal dispersed seeds was evaluated over a one-year period. We determined the percentage germination of seeds and the amount of predation by bruchid beetles to learn how these factors influence seed longevity. Forty eight bags containing 10 fruits were placed in 4 sites below caldén tree canopies at the time of shedding (March). To monitor seed losses we randomly removed 1 bag per site every 25-35 days during a year. At the time of shedding, fruits contained 29 seeds, 73 +/- 5.0% which were viable and 9 +/- 2.2% attacked by bruchids. Viability decreased to 33 +/- 22.3% one year later. Loss of viability was described by a polynomial quadratic (y = 70.12 + 0.0238 t-0.0004 t2 (r2= 0.62)). Bags with germinated seeds were observed beginning in November. Percentage germinated seed increased 4.8 +/- 3.7% in the last month of sampling. Consumption of seeds by bruchids also increased in November, but the effect was highly variable. In the last month of sampling (March in the following year), 35 +/- 18.0% of seeds were affected by bruchids. A predictive seed longevity model was developed considering climatic variables, but data were well described only until January (y = 81.50-0.097 time-3.94 precipitation (r2= 0.66)). Undispersed seeds had a high rate of decay and low germination. Longevity was strongly affected by bruchid attack. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.2307/4002685
Additional Information
Lerner, P., & Peinetti, R. (1996). Importance of predation and germination on losses from the seed bank of calden (Prosopis caldenia). Journal of Range Management, 49(2), 147-150.
ISSN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/644270
Journal Volume
49
Journal Number
2
Journal Pages
147-150
Collection
Rangeland Ecology & Management (REM)
Journal Name
Journal of Range Management
Keywords
seed longevity
seed banks
Prosopis
savanna woodlands
Bruchidae
seed predation
ambient temperature
rain
seed germination
Argentina