Fire is a common phenomenon in the Mediterranean environmentand strongly influences vegetal population dynamics through itsimpact on vegetation and the soil seed bank. Fire is able to break downthe seed coat of hard-seeded legumes within the soil and trigger germination.To evaluate the effect of fire on the dormancy break inMedicago ciliaris, Medicago rugosa and Scorpiurus muricatus subsp.subvillosus, the seeds were placed at three different depths (surface,25 mm and 50 mm) and subjected to fires at two different intensities(high and low). As a control sample, a batch of seeds was buried at 25mm for the duration of the trial and not subjected to fire. Soil temperaturesduring the fire were compared directly to stubble quantity andindirectly related to soil depth. The two Medicago species survivedexposure to 90°C for a few minutes and displayed a significantincrease in germination with exposure to high temperatures (over70°C) for several minutes. On the other hand, no germinationoccurred in Scorpiurus, irrespective of treatment. In conclusion, firehad a significant and positive effect in triggering germination of theMedicago species, but the dispersal strategies of these hard-seededlegumes are only partially interrupted by fire as a large number ofseeds (>50%) remained non-germinated in the soil.

The effect of fire on the dormancy break of three annual legume seeds

Cristaudo A.;
2011-01-01

Abstract

Fire is a common phenomenon in the Mediterranean environmentand strongly influences vegetal population dynamics through itsimpact on vegetation and the soil seed bank. Fire is able to break downthe seed coat of hard-seeded legumes within the soil and trigger germination.To evaluate the effect of fire on the dormancy break inMedicago ciliaris, Medicago rugosa and Scorpiurus muricatus subsp.subvillosus, the seeds were placed at three different depths (surface,25 mm and 50 mm) and subjected to fires at two different intensities(high and low). As a control sample, a batch of seeds was buried at 25mm for the duration of the trial and not subjected to fire. Soil temperaturesduring the fire were compared directly to stubble quantity andindirectly related to soil depth. The two Medicago species survivedexposure to 90°C for a few minutes and displayed a significantincrease in germination with exposure to high temperatures (over70°C) for several minutes. On the other hand, no germinationoccurred in Scorpiurus, irrespective of treatment. In conclusion, firehad a significant and positive effect in triggering germination of theMedicago species, but the dispersal strategies of these hard-seededlegumes are only partially interrupted by fire as a large number ofseeds (>50%) remained non-germinated in the soil.
2011
dormancy break; seed germination; annual legumes
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/43282
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