Recruitment limitation, germination of dust seeds, and early development of underground seedlings in six Pyroleae species

Abstract

We investigated recruitment of six mixotrophic Pyroleae species in relation to soil and adult presence. Pyroleae have dust seeds containing minimal nutrient reserves, and subterranean seedlings are mycoheterotrophic needing fungal hosts for germination and development. Germination and seedling development were studied by retrieving seed bags that had been placed within plots with adults present and at unoccupied control plots. There are two main alternatives to what limits recruitment of plants, seed limitation or microsite limitation. Results suggested that a combination of microsite and seed limitation was important for all investigated species. Microsite availability was the main limiting factor for Chimaphila umbellata (L.) W.P.C. Barton, Orthilia secunda (L.) House, and Pyrola chlorantha Sw., whereas seed availability was the main limiting factor for Pyrola minor L. For Moneses uniflora L. A. Gray and Pyrola rotundifolia L., it was not clear whether microsite or seed limitation dominated. Growth of seedlings responded positively to adult presence (O. secunda and P. minor), whereas others were negatively affected (M. uniflora and P. chlorantha). Increased levels of soil nutrients (N and P) had a negative effect on seedling growth in C. umbellata and P. chlorantha. These results provide the first evidence of the importance of microsite and seed limitation for germination and development of seedlings of Pyroleae species.