Study of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of some species in Kelardasht Rangelands, Mazandaran province, Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

Seeds have many different adaptions for dispersal. Seed morphology has an important role in the type and amount of seed dispersal. The aim of this study was to examine some morphological characteristics of seeds, seed persistence in the soil and their dispersal mechanisms for 29 species in Kelardasht rangelands in Mazandaran province, Iran. The seed length, seed width and thickness were determined using a digital caliper with an accuracy of 0.01 mm. These dimensions were used to calculate seed shape. Seed color and some features of seed surface were studied using binoculars and published references. Seed germination as a quantitative parameteralso was measured in laboratory. Seed length varied between 1.10 for Trifolium arvense and 4.43 for Calystagia sepium. The minimum and maximum widths of seeds were 0.71 and 6.97 mm, respectively for Plantago major and Heracleum persicum. The maximum seed thickness was found for Calystagia sepium with 3.27 mm and the minimum for Lactuca serriola with 0.38 mm. Seed shape ranged between 0.015 to 0.17 mm. The results showed that seed longevity was not significantly correlated with seed shape and seed size. Dispersal mechanisms by animals, human activity and wind have the most effect on seed dispersal in Kelardasht.

Keywords


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