Seed Germination Ecophysiology of Acacia dealbata Link and Acacia mearnsii De Wild.: Two Invasive Species in the Mediterranean Basin

Ludovica Dessì, Lina Podda, Giuseppe Brundu, Vanessa Lozano, Antoine Carrouée, Elizabete Marchante, Hélia Marchante, Yohan Petit, Marco Porceddu and Gianluigi Bacchetta
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Ludovica Dessì: Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Lina Podda: Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Giuseppe Brundu: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Vanessa Lozano: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Antoine Carrouée: APDRA Pisciculture Paysanne, Non-Profit NGO, 91300 Massy, France
Elizabete Marchante: Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Hélia Marchante: Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People & the Planet, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
Yohan Petit: Office de l’Environnement de la Corse, Conservatoire Botanique National de Corse (CBNC), 20250 Corte, France
Marco Porceddu: Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Gianluigi Bacchetta: Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity (CCB), Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-15

Abstract: Acacia dealbata and A. mearnsii are two invasive species found in coastal, mountain, and riparian Mediterranean habitats. Seed biology and germination traits are important drivers of the competitive performance of plants and may significantly contribute to biological invasions. The seeds of Acacia s.l. have physical dormancy due to an impermeable epidermal layer. The aim of this study was to assess the germination capacity of scarified and non-scarified seeds of A. dealbata and A. mearnsii from different areas of the Mediterranean Basin. To test the seed imbibition capacity, the increase in mass was evaluated. Non-scarified seeds were tested at 15, 20, and 25 °C in light conditions. Scarified seeds were tested at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 °C and 25/10 °C in light and dark conditions. Scarified seeds increased in mass more than non-scarified seeds. Both species showed a higher germination capacity at 25 °C in non-scarified seeds; A. dealbata reached a germination maximum of 55%, while A. mearnsii reached 40%, showing a difference among these populations. Scarified seeds of both species reached germination percentages >95% at all temperatures except at 5 °C in dark conditions. Scarification was necessary to break dormancy and promote germination. The present study provides new knowledge about the seed ecology and germinative behaviour of the two Acacia species under different pre-treatment, temperature, and photoperiod regimes, contributing to the understanding of their invasive behaviour.

Keywords: germination capacity; invasive alien species; exotic trees; physical dormancy; seed ecology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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