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Understanding the germination of bulbils from an ecological perspective: a case study on Chinese yam (Dioscorea polystachya)

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Background and Aims Bulbils serve as a means of vegetative reproduction and of dispersal for many plants; this latter aspect making them analogous to seeds. However, germination of bulbils may differ considerably from seeds due to dissimilar anatomical structures and perhaps environmental cue perception. The few laboratory studies done on bulbils suggest that their germination is similar to that of seeds in the same habitats and to vegetative buds of winter-dormant plants. The present study is the first to examine how bulbil germination is controlled in nature in relation to dispersal (before vs. after winter of the same cohort) and to ambient temperatures.
Methods Under laboratory conditions, temperature and light requirements for root and shoot emergences from bulbils of Dioscorea polystachya collected in September, 2005, February, 2006 (produced in 2005) and July, 2006 were determined. Effects of cold stratification and dry storage for releasing dormancy were tested on September and July bulbils. The phenology of dormancy release and of root and shoot emergences and the persistence of bulbils in soil were followed over time under field conditions.
Key Results Although a low percentage of bulbils collected in July or in September produced roots, but no
shoots, in the laboratory and field, these roots died within approx. 1 month. Regardless of collection date, cold stratification markedly increased root and shoot emergences. Bulbils sown outdoors in October produced roots and shoots the following March and April, respectively. The soil bulbil bank is short lived.
Conclusions Bulbils of D. polystachya are similar to seeds of many temperate plants being mostly dormant
when dispersed in summer or autumn and overcoming dormancy with cold stratification during winter.
Adaptively, bulbil germination primarily occurs in spring at the beginning of a favourable period for survivorship and growth.
Key words: Aerial tubers, bulbils, Dioscorea polystachya, Dioscoreaceae, dormancy, germination ecology, soil bulbil bank.

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Informasi Detail

Judul Seri

Annals of Botany

No. Panggil

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Penerbit

: Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company., 2010

Deskripsi Fisik

Annals of Botany 106: 945–955, 2010

Bahasa

English

ISBN/ISSN

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Klasifikasi

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Tipe Isi

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Tipe Media

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Tipe Pembawa

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Edisi

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Subjek

PERTANIAN.

Info Detail Spesifik

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Pernyataan Tanggungjawab

yuli/agus

Versi lain/terkait

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