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. 2024 Jun 4;19(6):e0303638.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303638. eCollection 2024.

Implications of germination tolerances on invasion potential of Arthraxon hispidus

Affiliations

Implications of germination tolerances on invasion potential of Arthraxon hispidus

Michael C Beall et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Arthraxon hispidus is an introduced, rapidly spreading, and newly invasive grass in the eastern United States, yet little is known about the foundational biology of this aggressive invader. Germination responses to environmental factors including salinity, pH, osmotic potential, temperature, and burial depth were investigated to better understand its germination niche. Seeds from six populations in the Mid-Atlantic US germinated 95% with an average mean time to germination of 3.42 days of imbibition in the dark at 23°C. Germination occurred across a temperature range of 8-37°C and a pH range of 5-10 (≥83%), suggesting that neither pH nor temperature will limit germination in many environments. Arthraxon hispidus germination occurred in high salinity (342 mM NaCl) and osmotic potentials as low as -0.83MPa. The NaCl concentration required to reduce germination by 50% exceeded salinity concentrations found in soil and some brackish water saltmarsh systems. While drought adversely affects A. hispidus, 50% germination occurred at osmotic potentials ranging from -0.25 to -0.67 MPa. Given the climatic conditions of North America, drought stress is unlikely to restrict germination in large regions. Finally, emergence greatly decreased with burial depth. Emergence was reduced to 45% at 1-2 cm burial depths, and 0% at 8 cm. Emergence depths in concert with adequate moisture, germination across a range of temperatures, and rapid germination suggests A. hispidus' seed bank may be short-lived in moist environments, but further investigation is warranted. Given the broad abiotic tolerances of A. hispidus and a widespread native range, A. hispidus has the potential to germinate in novel territories beyond its currently observed invaded range.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Constant temperature effects on germination percent data were analyzed using a segmented regression (a) and germination rate data were analyzed using linear regression (b) for 6 populations of Arthraxon hispidus (Table 1).
The data points represent the mean ± standard error (SE).
Fig 2
Fig 2. A three-parameter logistical regression (a) and a polynomial regression (b) modeling the effects of sodium chloride on A. hispidus germination using seeds sampled from Frederick, MD, Lincoln, MO, and Williamsburg, VA (Table 1).
Error bars and lines represent ± SE and inflection points, respectively.
Fig 3
Fig 3. A three-parameter logistical regression (a) and a polynomial regression (b) modeled the effects of osmotic stress on A. hispidus germination using seeds sampled from Frederick, MD, Lincoln, MO, and Williamsburg, VA (Table 1).
Error bars and lines represent ± SE and inflection points, respectively.
Fig 4
Fig 4. The effect of burial depth on A. hispidus emergence.
An exponential decay model represents the curved line fitted to emergence data gathered using the Frederick, MD population (Table 1). Error bars represent ± SE.
Fig 5
Fig 5. The effect of buffered pH solutions on A. hispidus germination from populations sampled in Frederick, MD, Lincoln, MO, and Williamsburg, VA (Table 1).
Error bars represent ± SE.

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