Census, reproductive biology, and germination of Astragalus gines-lopezii (Fabaceae), a narrow and endangered endemic species of SW Spain

Authors : Vanesa MARTÍNEZFERNÁNDEZ, Felipe MARTÍNEZGARCÍA, Félix PÉREZGARCÍA

Pages : 686-695

Doi:10.3906/bot-1310-14

View : 19 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Astragalus gines-lopezii Talavera, Podlech, Devesa & F.M.Vázquez insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Fabaceae); is a threatened endemic species with a distribution restricted to a very small area in Badajoz Province insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Extremadura Region, SW Spain); and only 2 populations are known. This species was catalogued in the \`Endangered\` category in the 2008 Red List and the 2010 Threatened Spanish Vascular Flora List. Despite its status as an endangered species, at present very little is known about the distribution, census, and reproductive biology of this species. In this study we have carried out an exhaustive census of A. gines-lopezii, and we have evaluated the production of flowers, fruits, and seeds and the existence or not of intra- and interpopulation variability in seed germination. Results have highlighted the high reproductive capacity of this species on the basis of a high production of flowers, fruits, and seeds. Mechanical scarification of seeds was effective for increasing germination. Thus, initial germination insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(22%-60%); was increased to 97%-99% when seeds were rubbed with sandpapers. A high intra- and interpopulation variability in seed germination was found in this species. A. gines-lopezii produces seeds with different degrees of physical dormancy, varying this grade among different individuals within a population.
Keywords : Key words Astragalus, Leguminosae, hard seeds, seed dormancy, seed germination, seed scarification