There is a little information about the type of secretion and accumulation of Na⁺, and its relationship to salt gland density in Zoysia spp., whereas it has been suggested that salt gland density, salt secretion and salt tolerance are positively correlated. In the present study, salt accumulation/secretion is different between Zoysia species and that salt gland density and salt secretion are not always positively correlated. Our findings will contribute to the molecular breeding of salt tolerance in zoysiagrasses.

Identifying the primary environmental variables that influence the distribution of a species is complicated where the species in question occurs across a variety of different habitats. We found that elevated moisture was a critical factor influencing the patchy distribution of Macrozamia lucida cycads; despite the patches being located across a variety of habitats. Understanding of the environmental space occupied by this species can enable us to anticipate its conservation needs better, now and in the context of global environmental change.

The sample size can affect inferences about the germination process and, as a consequence, compromise restoration and/or conservation efforts. In this context, we offer a practical tool for calculating the sufficient sample size to seed germination. Our results demonstrate that is possible to prepare protocols to test the germination process for any species, with a reduced number of seeds.

The mountain plant Arabis alpina is distributed in the Rila mountains, Bulgaria, on serpentine and non-serpentine substrates. The effect of nickel on pollen germination and pollen tube length of two different populations was studied and compared. Nickel inhibits pollen germination and pollen tube elongation causing different abnormalities, but pollen of the serpentine plants is less sensitive to higher Ni concentrations.

Tall wheat grass, *Lophopyrum ponticum, is one of the most threatening and widely distributed weeds of saline coastal wetlands in south-eastern Australia. It could not be controlled in a coastal saltmarsh in Western Port (Victoria) by the monocot-specific herbicide Fluazifop-P, and although the broad-spectrum systemic herbicide glyphosate was more effective in controlling *L. ponticum infestations, this herbicide had severe effects on native plant species. Therefore, weed infestations remain a difficult-to-manage problem in the saline coastal wetlands in south-eastern Australia.

Seed storage is important to farmers, breeders and industries interested in seed processing and commercial trade. However, seeds of many species lose viability after short periods of storage, resulting in extensive losses and increased chances of extinction. The present results for the euhalophyte S. salsa, which has a high economic and ecological value, indicated that changes in the vigour of its dimorphic seeds during storage may be related to changes in endogenous hormones and seed-coat phenolics.

Savannas are fire-prone environments where species possess specific adaptations to deal with frequent fire events. In the absence of fire, the density of tree species can increase in typical savanna sites, creating a more shaded environment, where non-arboreal savanna species cannot thrive.

Leonurus cardiaca is self-compatible but bears protandrous flowers, which promote cross-pollination. The stigma becomes receptive 2 or 3 days after anthesis and anther dehiscence. A high degree of synchronisation in flowering was observed among the plants within each of the populations studied. A modified Brewbaker and Kwack (BK) medium was optimised for pollen viability tests.

In this study we report the reproduction biology of a South American orchid that exhibits flower characteristics related to pollination by flies, as a dung-like fragrance and dark flower structures. This paper shows the first case of self-compatibility in the orchid genus Acianthera and strong flower adaptation, since only a single fly species has been recorded as pollinator.