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Abstract
Germination cues reflect the conditions under which a species is likely to succeed in recruitment. Therefore, knowledge of the seed germination characteristics of key plant species in desertified areas is essential for restoration. The aims of this study were to evaluate the seed germination responses of seven native species, and to explore the implications for vegetation restoration. Seeds of seven desert species were sown in Petri dishes and subjected to various temperature and light conditions. The seeds germinated well at day/night temperatures of 25/15 °C and 30/20 °C but poorly at 35/25 °C. Seeds germinated best in the dark, and final germination percentages of all species were strongly inhibited at a photon irradiance of 1000 µmol m(-2) s(-1) Based on these results and the environmental conditions of their natural habitat, Agropyron cristatum and Artemisia halodendron are best adapted to shifting sand dunes: Elymus dahuricus, Caragana korshinskii and C. microphylla for semi-fixed sand dunes: and Medicago sativa and Melilotus suaveolen for fixed sand dunes. If seeds are sown in early May, they will likely be buried in sand, and the precipitation and temperature conditions will be suitable for seedling survival.
Highlights
Desertification resulting from human activities has become a global environmental issue and a serious socioeconomic problem (D’Odorico et al 2013)
For A. cristatum, Artemisia halodendron, C. korshinskii and Melilotus suaveolens, seed germination was significantly inhibited under the highest day/night temperatures
The germination rate (GR) of all tested species except for C. microphylla increased as the day/night temperatures increased, but they decreased under the highest day/night temperatures of 25/ 35 C (Table 4)
Summary
Desertification resulting from human activities has become a global environmental issue and a serious socioeconomic problem (D’Odorico et al 2013). Combating desertification has been focused and carried out over several decades, the situation is getting worse, especially in arid and semi-arid areas, where it exacerbates the local problems of poverty and poor environmental quality (Su and Zhao 2003; Wang 2003; Reynolds et al 2007).
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