Sources and consequences of seed mass variation in Banksia marginata (Proteaceae)

Abstract

1 We examined the sources and consequences of seed mass variation in Banksia marginata occurring in fire‐prone heath on nutrient‐poor soils to determine factors influencing seed size and possible fitness benefits of large seeds. 2 Individual seed mass varied fivefold. Variation occurred among populations (29% of total), among years (10%) and among plants (plants, 6%; year × plants, 13%), but was most pronounced within plants (42%). Within plants, seed mass variation was greater within infructescences (35%) than among infructescences (7%). 3 Seed mass variation within infructescences was not related to whether follicles contained one or two seeds. Seed mass was also unaffected by ovule position within follicles and follicle position within infructescences. 4 Seed mass variation among infructescences and plants was related to the limited availability of nutrient resources during seed provisioning. Mean seed mass was negatively related to seed number per infructescence and per plant. When resources decreased late in the flowering season and after defoliation, seed mass declined by 7–10% and seed number by 31–45%. When resources increased after inflorescence removal, seed mass increased by 8% but seed number was unaffected. Plants thus had only a limited capacity to maintain seed mass by adjusting seed number when resources varied. 5 The N and P contents of seeds (mg seed−1) increased linearly with seed mass, indicating costs of producing larger seeds in terms of limited environmental nutrients. 6 Seedling size increased with seed mass, implying fitness benefits of larger seeds in terms of increased seedling establishment on nutrient‐poor soils. Seed mass had little or no effect on seed germination, relative growth rates and root:shoot ratios. 7 Although stabilizing selection should eliminate seed mass variation occurring within plants, such variation persists because resource constraints limit the ability of plants to control individual seed size.