TITLE:
Seed Size as Key Factor in Germination and Seedling Development of Copaifera langsdorffii (Fabaceae)
AUTHORS:
Matheus Lopes Souza, Marcílio Fagundes
KEYWORDS:
Community Organization, Plant Distribution, Seed Biometry, Seed Reserves, Seedling Vigor
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.17,
July
31,
2014
ABSTRACT: Seed size is a plastic trait of the plants that directly affect seed
germination and seedling recruitment. This study aimed to investigate the
relationship between seed size, seed germinability and seedling performance of Copaifera langsdorffii by testing four
hypotheses: 1) larger seeds have higher germination percentage; 2) smaller
seeds require less time to germinate and for initial development of the
seedlings; 3) larger seeds produce more vigorous seedlings and 4) seed size negatively
affects seedling root/shoot ratio. In 2011, we selected 30 individuals of C. langsdorffii from which 300 seeds
were randomly collected in the plant canopy. All these seeds were weighted and
placed in germination tray using vermiculite as substrate. Seed germinability and initial development of
seedlings were monitored daily until cotyledons fell. Small seeds have higher germination
percentage and germinate faster when compared to large seeds. Nonetheless,
seedlings originated from larger seeds have longer development times, resulting
in more vigorous seedlings. In addition, seedlings originating from small seeds
allocate proportionally greater amount of resources to roots when compared to
larger seeds. The fact that small seeds have higher germination
percentage and faster germination favors the colonization of transient
habitats. However, larger seeds produce more vigorous seedlings, favoring the
seedling establishment in more stable habitats. Thus, we argue that high
variability in seed size of C.
langsdorffii favors its widespread geographic distribution.