Reduced seedling growth is a consequence of seed deterioration. The heterotrophic seedling growth can be considered as the product of three components: (1) initial seed weight, (2) the fraction of seed reserves which are mobilized, and (3) the conversion efficiency of mobilized seed reserves to seedling tissues. It is not clear which of these component (s) is affected by seed deterioration. To ...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The lack of studies assessing the simultaneous expression of tolerance and resistance traits during seedling development and overall seedling defences as compared with adult plants, in general, constitutes a significant research need that can greatly improve our understanding of overall investment in defences during plant ontogeny. METHODS Using two seedling and two juveni...

Early-successional vegetation is often a major factor that limits recovery of tropical forest in abandoned pastures by outcompeting seedlings of forest trees. The goal of this study was to compare the effects of aboveand below-ground competition of pasture grasses and shrubs on the growth of tree seedlings in abandoned tropical pasture in Costa Rica. Seedlings of Calophyllum brasiliense were pl...

The contribution of nitrogen (N) supply is an essential source for the growth of apple trees from budding to fruiting. In new apple-producing regions of north China, such as the Shenyang area, air temperature rises rapidly, while in contrast, soil temperature rises very slowly. In such weather conditions, the amount of nitrogen absorbed by the roots is not sufficient for the growth and developm...

As a multiple function tree species, Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal) Iljinskaja is mainly planted and managed for timber production and medical use. To improve the seed use efficiency and outplanting performance of C. paliurus, the effects of container types and growth medium on the seedling growth and root morphology of C. paliurus were investigated by using a completely randomized block experimen...

In plants, sugars such as glucose act as signalling molecules that promote changes in gene expression programmes that impact on growth and development. Recent evidence has revealed the potential importance of controlling mRNA decay in some aspects of glucose-mediated regulatory responses suggesting a role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in these responses. In order to get a better understanding of glucos...

Following a full mast production in autumn 1995 in the old growth beech forest of la Tillaie, France, cupules, live and dead yearling seedlings were counted in September 1996 in 40 plots, embracing a wide range of ecological conditions. The influence of geomorphology and forest stage on mast production and on seedling establishment and survival was studied. Maximum seedling abundance did not oc...

The introduction of nanoparticles into seed germination and seedling growth of plants might have a significant impact and thus, it can be used for agricultural applications for better growth and yield. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of silica and silver nanoparticles on seed germination and early growth traits as well as percent and rate of germination, root length, shoot ...

The absorption, translocation, and assimilation of urea, nitrate, and ammonium in tomato plants within 24 h after N labeled compounds were applied at four different growth stages: seedling, ̄owering, fruiting, and harvesting. The absorption of urea-N was only 25% of NO3-N at seedling stage, but it was up to about 80% of NO3-N at the subsequent growth stages. The translocation of urea-N was limit...

Little is known of the co-occurrence and implications of competitive and facilitative interactions within sites. Here we show spatially disjunct competition and facilitation at forest edges, with beneficial influences of trees on seedling growth via increased ectomycorrhizal infection apparent from 12 to 20 m while closer to trees seedling growth is negatively correlated with canopy closure. As...