The germination success of Acacia longifolia subsp. longifolia (Fabaceae): a comparison between its native and exotic ranges
Amali Welgama A , Singarayer Florentine A D , Hélia Marchante B , Muhammad Mansoor Javaid C and Christopher Turville A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centre for Environmental Management, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mt Helen, Ballarat, PO Box 663, Vic. 3350, Australia.
B Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESAC, CFE, Bencanta 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal.
C Department of Agronomy, University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.
D Corresponding author. Email: s.florentine@federation.edu.au
Australian Journal of Botany 67(5) 414-424 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT19018
Submitted: 6 February 2019 Accepted: 5 July 2019 Published: 26 September 2019
Abstract
Acacia longifolia subsp. longifolia is native to South-eastern Australia and has naturalised in many regions across the globe, including in Portugal, Spain, and South Africa invading extensive areas. Prolific seed production and a long-lived seedbank are considered key factors that enhance its invasiveness. Yet, the effects of different factors on germination are still underexplored. Seeds were collected from Portuguese and Australian populations, and germination was evaluated under different temperature regimes, photoperiods, pH levels, salt stress, osmotic potential and burial depths. Findings show both populations share some similar patterns but also reveal important differences related to their germination. Higher temperatures induce increased germination rates while the photoperiod has no effect on germination. Both populations had quicker seed emergence under dark conditions. Seeds from both populations decrease germination rate under increasing salt-stress and show a wide range of pH tolerance, but Australians seeds are more tolerant to increase of both parameters. Seeds from the Portuguese population are bigger and germinated from deeper depths than the Australian. Our results may provide information to improve management of this species seedbank. Germination can prevent by, tillage or other interventions that help to increase burial depths; adding lime (to increase the soil alkalinity) can reduce its germination rate in both geographical ranges.
Additional keywords: Australia, invasive species, Portugal, seed, weed.
References
Abari AK, Nasr MH, Hojjati M, Bayat D (2011) Salt effects on seed germination and seedling emergence of two Acacia species. African Journal of Plant Science 5, 52–56.Alberio C, Comparatore V (2014) Patterns of woody plant invasion in an Argentinean coastal grassland. Acta Oecologica 54, 65–71.
| Patterns of woody plant invasion in an Argentinean coastal grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
AOSA, SCST (1993) Rules for testing seeds. Seed Technology 16, 1–113.
Araújo C, Cardoso V (2007) Psychotria hoffmansegiana (Willd ex Roem. & Schult.) Mull. Arg. and Palicourea marcagravii st. Hil. (Rubiaceae): potential for forming soil seed banks in a Brazilian Cerrado. Brazilian Journal of Biology 67, 421–427.
| Psychotria hoffmansegiana (Willd ex Roem. & Schult.) Mull. Arg. and Palicourea marcagravii st. Hil. (Rubiaceae): potential for forming soil seed banks in a Brazilian Cerrado.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bell DT, Rokich DP, McChesney CJ, Plummer JA (1995) Effects of temperature, light and gibberellic acid on the germination of seeds of 43 species native to Western Australia. Journal of Vegetation Science 6, 797–806.
| Effects of temperature, light and gibberellic acid on the germination of seeds of 43 species native to Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bittencourt H, Bonome L, Trezzi M, Vidal R, Lana M (2017) Seed germination ecology of Eragrostis plana, an invasive weed of South American pasture lands. South African Journal of Botany 109, 246–252.
| Seed germination ecology of Eragrostis plana, an invasive weed of South American pasture lands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
BOM (2018) Mount William (Grampians), Victoria. (Bureau of Meteorology). Available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/201811/html/IDCJDW3097.201811.shtml (accessed 18 September 2018).
CABI (2016) Invasive species compendium. Invasive species compendium. Available at: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/2312 (accessed 22 June 2018).
Capon B, Brecht PE (1970) Variations in seed germination and morphology among populations of Salvia columbariae Benth. in southern California. Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany 7, 207–216.
Chachalis D, Reddy KN (2000) Factors affecting Campsis radicans seed germination and seedling emergence. Weed Science 48, 212–216.
| Factors affecting Campsis radicans seed germination and seedling emergence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chauhan BS, Johnson DE (2008) Influence of environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of eclipta (Eclipta prostrata) in a tropical environment. Weed Science 56, 383–388.
| Influence of environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of eclipta (Eclipta prostrata) in a tropical environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chauhan BS, Johnson DE (2009) Seed germination ecology of junglerice (Echinochloa colona): a major weed of rice. Weed Science 57, 235–240.
| Seed germination ecology of junglerice (Echinochloa colona): a major weed of rice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Coolbear P, Francis A, Grierson D (1984) The effect of low temperature pre-sowing treatment on the germination performance and membrane integrity of artificially aged tomato seeds. Journal of Experimental Botany 35, 1609–1617.
| The effect of low temperature pre-sowing treatment on the germination performance and membrane integrity of artificially aged tomato seeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Correia M, Castro S, Ferrero V, Crisóstomo JA, Rodríguez-Echeverría S (2014) Reproductive biology and success of invasive Australian acacias in Portugal. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 174, 574–588.
| Reproductive biology and success of invasive Australian acacias in Portugal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Correia M, Montesinos D, French K, Rodríguez‐Echeverría S (2016) Evidence for enemy release and increased seed production and size for two invasive Australian acacias. Journal of Ecology 104, 1391–1399.
| Evidence for enemy release and increased seed production and size for two invasive Australian acacias.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Costermans LF (1981) ‘Native trees and shrubs of south-eastern Australia.’ (Reed New Holland: Sydney)
Coughenour MB, Detling JK (1986) Acacia tortilis seed germination responses to water potential and nutrients. African Journal of Ecology 24, 203–205.
| Acacia tortilis seed germination responses to water potential and nutrients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
EFSA (2015) Risk to plant health in the EU territory of the intentional release of the bud-galling wasp Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae for the control of the invasive alien plant Acacia longifolia. European Food Safety Authority Journal 13, 4079
Ellis R, Roberts E (1981) The quantification of ageing and survival in orthodox seeds. Seed Science and Technology 9, 373–409.
Everitt JH (1983) Seed Germination characteristics of two woody legumes (Retama and Twisted Acacia) from South Texas. Journal of Range Management 36, 411–414.
| Seed Germination characteristics of two woody legumes (Retama and Twisted Acacia) from South Texas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fenner M, Thompson K (2005) ‘The ecology of seeds.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK)
Florentine S, Weller S, King A, Florentine A, Dowling K, Westbrooke M, Chauhan BS (2018) Seed germination response of a noxious agricultural weed Echium plantagineum to temperature, light, pH, drought stress, salinity, heat and smoke. Crop & Pasture Science 69, 326–333.
| Seed germination response of a noxious agricultural weed Echium plantagineum to temperature, light, pH, drought stress, salinity, heat and smoke.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
GISD (2015) Acacia longifolia. (Global Invasive Species Database). Available at: http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/speciesname/Acacia+longifolia (accessed 20 September 2018).
Griffin A, Midgley S, Bush D, Cunningham P, Rinaudo A (2011) Global uses of Australian acacias–recent trends and future prospects. Diversity & Distributions 17, 837–847.
| Global uses of Australian acacias–recent trends and future prospects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Guillemin JP, Gardarin A, Granger S, Reibel C, Munier‐Jolain N, Colbach N (2013) Assessing potential germination period of weeds with base temperatures and base water potentials. Weed Research 53, 76–87.
| Assessing potential germination period of weeds with base temperatures and base water potentials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gutterman Y (2000) Maternal effects on seeds during development. In ‘Seeds: the ecology of regeneration in plant communities’. 2nd edn. (Ed. M Fenner) pp. 59–84. (CABI Publishing: Wallingford, UK)
Hanif Z, Naeem M, Ali HH, Tanveer A, Javaid MM, Peerzada AM, Chauhan BS (2017) Effect of environmental factors on germination of Salsola foetida: potential species for rehabilitation of degraded rangelands. Rangeland Ecology and Management 70, 638–643.
| Effect of environmental factors on germination of Salsola foetida: potential species for rehabilitation of degraded rangelands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harris CJ, Manea A, Moles AT, Murray BR, Leishman MR (2017) Differences in life‐cycle stage components between native and introduced ranges of five woody Fabaceae species. Austral Ecology 42, 404–413.
| Differences in life‐cycle stage components between native and introduced ranges of five woody Fabaceae species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hellmann C, Sutter R, Rascher KG, Máguas C, Correia O, Werner C (2011) Impact of an exotic N2-fixing Acacia on composition and N status of a native Mediterranean community. Acta Oecologica 37, 43–50.
| Impact of an exotic N2-fixing Acacia on composition and N status of a native Mediterranean community.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hendrix SD, Trapp EJ (1992) Population demography of Pastinaca sativa (Apiaceae): effects of seed mass on emergence, survival, and recruitment. American Journal of Botany 79, 365–375.
| Population demography of Pastinaca sativa (Apiaceae): effects of seed mass on emergence, survival, and recruitment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hill NM, Vander Kloet SP (2005) Longevity of experimentally buried seed in Vaccinium: relationship to climate, reproductive factors and natural seed banks. Journal of Ecology 93, 1167–1176.
| Longevity of experimentally buried seed in Vaccinium: relationship to climate, reproductive factors and natural seed banks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Holmes PM, Moll EJ (1990) Effect of depth and duration of burial on alien Acacia saligna and Acacia cyclops seeds. South African Journal of Ecology 1, 12–17.
Huang Z, Zhang X, Zheng G, Gutterman Y (2003) Influence of light, temperature, salinity and storage on seed germination of Haloxylon ammodendron. Journal of Arid Environments 55, 453–464.
| Influence of light, temperature, salinity and storage on seed germination of Haloxylon ammodendron.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Javaid MM, Tanveer A (2014) Germination ecology of Emex spinosa and Emex australis, invasive weeds of winter crops. Weed Research 54, 565–575.
| Germination ecology of Emex spinosa and Emex australis, invasive weeds of winter crops.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Javaid MM, Florentine S, Ali HH, Weller S (2018) Effect of environmental factors on the germination and emergence of Salvia verbenaca L. cultivars (verbenaca and vernalis): an invasive species in semi-arid and arid rangeland regions. PLoS One 13, e0194319
| Effect of environmental factors on the germination and emergence of Salvia verbenaca L. cultivars (verbenaca and vernalis): an invasive species in semi-arid and arid rangeland regions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29566039PubMed |
Kulkarni MG, Sparg SG, Van Staden J (2007) Germination and post-germination response of Acacia seeds to smoke-water and butenolide, a smoke-derived compound. Journal of Arid Environments 69, 177–187.
| Germination and post-germination response of Acacia seeds to smoke-water and butenolide, a smoke-derived compound.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kutiel P, Cohen O, Shoshany M, Shub M (2004) Vegetation establishment on the southern Israeli coastal sand dunes between the years 1965 and 1999. Landscape and Urban Planning 67, 141–156.
| Vegetation establishment on the southern Israeli coastal sand dunes between the years 1965 and 1999.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Le Maitre DC, Gaertner M, Marchante E, Ens E-J, Holmes PM, Pauchard A, O’Farrell PJ, Rogers AM, Blanchard R, Blignaut J, Richardson DM (2011) Impacts of invasive Australian acacias: implications for management and restoration. Diversity & Distributions 17, 1015–1029.
| Impacts of invasive Australian acacias: implications for management and restoration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lu P, Sang W, Ma K (2006) Effects of environmental factors on germination and emergence of Crofton weed (Eupatorium adenophorum). Weed Science 54, 452–457.
| Effects of environmental factors on germination and emergence of Crofton weed (Eupatorium adenophorum).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mahmood AH, Florentine SK, Chauhan BS, McLaren DA, Palmer GC, Wright W (2016) Influence of various environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of a noxious environmental weed: green galenia (Galenia pubescens). Weed Science 64, 486–494.
| Influence of various environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of a noxious environmental weed: green galenia (Galenia pubescens).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marchante H, Marchante E, Freitas H (2003) Invasion of the Portuguese dune ecosystems by the exotic species Acacia longifolia (Andrews) Willd.: effects at the community level. In ‘Plant invasions: ecological threats and management solutions’. (Eds L Child, JH Brock) pp. 75–85. (Backhuys Publishers: Leiden)
Marchante E, Kjøller A, Struwe S, Freitas H (2008a) Invasive Acacia longifolia induce changes in the microbial catabolic diversity of sand dunes. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 40, 2563–2568.
| Invasive Acacia longifolia induce changes in the microbial catabolic diversity of sand dunes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marchante E, Kjøller A, Struwe S, Freitas H (2008b) Short-and long-term impacts of Acacia longifolia invasion on the belowground processes of a Mediterranean coastal dune ecosystem. Applied Soil Ecology 40, 210–217.
| Short-and long-term impacts of Acacia longifolia invasion on the belowground processes of a Mediterranean coastal dune ecosystem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marchante H, Freitas H, Hoffmann JH (2010) Seed ecology of an invasive alien species, Acacia longifolia (Fabaceae), in Portuguese dune ecosystems. American Journal of Botany 97, 1780–1790.
| Seed ecology of an invasive alien species, Acacia longifolia (Fabaceae), in Portuguese dune ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21616817PubMed |
Marchante H, Marchante E, Freitas H, Hoffmann JH (2015) Temporal changes in the impacts on plant communities of an invasive alien tree, Acacia longifolia. Plant Ecology 216, 1481–1498.
| Temporal changes in the impacts on plant communities of an invasive alien tree, Acacia longifolia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marchante H, López‐Núñez F, Freitas H, Hoffmann J, Impson F, Marchante E (2017) First report of the establishment of the biocontrol agent Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae for control of invasive Acacia longifolia in Portugal. EPPO Bulletin 47, 274–278.
| First report of the establishment of the biocontrol agent Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae for control of invasive Acacia longifolia in Portugal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Maslin BR (2001) ‘Wattle: Acacias of Australia.’ (Australian Biological Resources Study: Canberra)
Michel BE (1983) Evaluation of the water potentials of solutions of polyethylene glycol 8000 both in the absence and presence of other solutes. Plant Physiology 72, 66–70.
| Evaluation of the water potentials of solutions of polyethylene glycol 8000 both in the absence and presence of other solutes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16662983PubMed |
Milton SJ, Hall AV (1981) Reproductive biology of Australian acacias in the south-western cape province, South Africa. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa 44, 465–487.
| Reproductive biology of Australian acacias in the south-western cape province, South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Morais MC, Panuccio MR, Muscolo A, Freitas H (2012a) Does salt stress increase the ability of the exotic legume Acacia longifolia to compete with native legumes in sand dune ecosystems? Environmental and Experimental Botany 82, 74–79.
| Does salt stress increase the ability of the exotic legume Acacia longifolia to compete with native legumes in sand dune ecosystems?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Morais MC, Panuccio MR, Muscolo A, Freitas H (2012b) Salt tolerance traits increase the invasive success of Acacia longifolia in Portuguese coastal dunes. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 55, 60–65.
| Salt tolerance traits increase the invasive success of Acacia longifolia in Portuguese coastal dunes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22543107PubMed |
Morris TL, Esler KJ, Barger NN, Jacobs SM, Cramer MD (2011) Ecophysiological traits associated with the competitive ability of invasive Australian acacias. Diversity & Distributions 17, 898–910.
| Ecophysiological traits associated with the competitive ability of invasive Australian acacias.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Muscolo A, Sidari M, Anastasi U, Santonoceto C, Maggio A (2014) Effect of PEG-induced drought stress on seed germination of four lentil genotypes. Journal of Plant Interactions 9, 354–363.
| Effect of PEG-induced drought stress on seed germination of four lentil genotypes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Noble IR (1989) Attributes of invaders and the invading process: terrestrial and vascular plants. In ‘Biological invasions: a global perspective’. (Eds JA Drake, HA Mooney, F Di Castri, RH Groves, FJ Kruger, M Rejmánek, M Williamson) pp. 301–313. (John Wiley & Sons: New York)
Nosratti I, Amiri S, Bagheri A, Chauhan BS (2018) Environmental factors affecting seed germination and seedling emergence of foxtail sophora (Sophora alopecuroides). Weed Science 66, 71–77.
| Environmental factors affecting seed germination and seedling emergence of foxtail sophora (Sophora alopecuroides).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
O’Dowd DJ, Gill AM (1986) Seed dispersal syndromes in Australian Acacia. In ‘Seed dispersal’. (Ed. DR Murray) pp. 87–121. (Academic Press: Sydney)
Passos I, Marchante H, Pinho R, Marchante E (2017) What we don’t seed: the role of long-lived seed banks as hidden legacies of invasive plants. Plant Ecology 218, 1313–1324.
| What we don’t seed: the role of long-lived seed banks as hidden legacies of invasive plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Patel AD, Jadeja H, Pandey AN (2010) Effect of salinization of soil on growth, water status and nutrient accumulation in seedlings of Acacia auriculiformis (Fabaceae). Journal of Plant Nutrition 33, 914–932.
| Effect of salinization of soil on growth, water status and nutrient accumulation in seedlings of Acacia auriculiformis (Fabaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pieterse PJ, Boucher C (1997) Is burning a standing population of invasive legumes a viable control method? Effects of a wildfire on an Acacia mearnsii population. Southern African Forestry Journal 180, 15–21.
| Is burning a standing population of invasive legumes a viable control method? Effects of a wildfire on an Acacia mearnsii population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pieterse P, Cairns A (1986) The effect of fire on an Acacia longifolia seed bank in the south-western Cape. South African Journal of Botany 52, 233–236.
| The effect of fire on an Acacia longifolia seed bank in the south-western Cape.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rascher KG, Große-Stoltenberg A, Máguas C, Werner C (2011) Understory invasion by Acacia longifolia alters the water balance and carbon gain of a Mediterranean pine forest. Ecosystems 14, 904
| Understory invasion by Acacia longifolia alters the water balance and carbon gain of a Mediterranean pine forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rehman S, Harris PJC, Bourne WF, Wilkin J (1997) The effect of sodium chloride on germination and the potassium and calcium contents of Acacia seeds. Seed Science and Technology 25, 45–57.
Richardson DM, Kluge RL (2008) Seed banks of invasive Australian Acacia species in South Africa: role in invasiveness and options for management. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 10, 161–177.
| Seed banks of invasive Australian Acacia species in South Africa: role in invasiveness and options for management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Roux E (1961) History of the introduction of Australian acacias on the Cape Flats. South African Journal of Science 57, 99–102.
Souza-Alonso P, Rodríguez J, González L, Lorenzo P (2017) Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas. Annals of Forest Science 74, 55
| Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Souza-Alonso P, González L, López-Nogueira A, Cavaleiro C, Pedrol N (2018) Volatile organic compounds of Acacia longifolia and their effects on germination and early growth of species from invaded habitats. Chemistry and Ecology 34, 126–145.
| Volatile organic compounds of Acacia longifolia and their effects on germination and early growth of species from invaded habitats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Steel R, Torrie J, Dickey D (1997) ‘Principles and procedures of statistics: a biometrical approach.’ (McGraw-Hill: New York)
Tanveer A, Mumtaz K, Javaid M, Chaudhry M, Balal R, Khaliq A (2013) Effect of ecological factors on germination of horse purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum). Planta Daninha 31, 587–597.
| Effect of ecological factors on germination of horse purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Werner C, Zumkier U, Beyschlag W, Máguas C (2010) High competitiveness of a resource demanding invasive acacia under low resource supply. Plant Ecology 206, 83–96.
| High competitiveness of a resource demanding invasive acacia under low resource supply.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Willson MF, Traveset A (2000) The ecology of seed dispersal. In ‘Seeds: the ecology of regeneration in plant communities’. (Ed. M Fenner) pp. 85–110. (CABI Publishing: Wallingford, UK)
