Abstract Detail

Ecology

Garanich, Meghan [1], Cantley, Jason [2], Gavala, Lacey [2], Jordon-Thaden, Ingrid [3], Martine, Chris [2].

Identification of fire tolerance thresholds in seeds of the Western Australian endemic bush tomato, Solanum beaugleholei (Solanaceae).

Following a bush fire in Windjana Gorge National Park in northern Western Australia, it was possible to collect affected fruits and experimentally test germination of Solanum beaugleholei seeds from fruits that were fully burned, partially burned, and unburned. Of the seeds germinated, those from unburned fruits showed the highest total germination followed by seeds of partially burned fruits, and then seeds of fully burned fruits. An ex situ whole fruit heating experiment indicated that seeds were tolerant of heat to up to 100°C, wherein total germination began to decrease. Moreover, it was determined that seeds dried for a week germinated significantly more than seeds that were sown fresh and soaked in their own juice and pulp for 24 hours. A separate experiment indicated that germination of smoke-treated seeds was significantly suppressed. In all cases, gibberellic acid was needed to stimulate germination as very little germination occurred without its use. An imbibition test suggests that S. beaugleholei possesses physiological dormancy of its seeds, similar to other closely related species. The potential for fire tolerant seed ecology of S. beaugleholei combined with observed vegetative re-sprouting of stems following fire infers that S. beaugleholei exhibits narrow fire tolerance through multiple strategies which aid its survival in the fire prone habitats of which it naturally occurs. This research identifies some specific fire tolerance thresholds that S. beaugleholei may withstand, which is important given the predicted regional increase of wildfire frequency in the years to come.

1 - Bucknell University, Biology, 701 Moore Ave., Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA
2 - Bucknell University, 701 Moore Ave., Lewisburg, PA, 17837, United States
3 - Bucknell University, Biological Sciences, 203 Biology Building, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA

Keywords:
seed ecology
fire
germination
giberellic acid
dormancy
smoke
Undergraduate Students
Solanum.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Ecology Section Posters
Location: Exhibit Hall/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PEC009
Abstract ID:270
Candidate for Awards:Ecological Section Best Undergraduate Presentation Award