Climate legacy in seed and seedling traits of European beech populations.

Tree species' ability to persist within their current distribution ranges is determined by seed germination and seedling growth. Exploring variation in these traits in relation to climatic conditions helps to understand and predict tree population dynamics, and to support species management and conservation under future climate. We analyzed seeds and seedlings of 26 European beech populations from the northeastern boundary of the species range to test whether: 1) adaptation to climatic conditions is reflected in depth of dormancy and germination of seeds; 2) climatic characteristics of origin predictably affect seedling traits.

Identification of DNA Methylation Changes in European Beech Seeds during Desiccation and Storage.

Ageing and deterioration of seeds is a major problem for the maintenance of seed quality and viability during long-term storage. Prediction of early stages of seed deterioration in order to point out the plantlets' regeneration time is a major challenge of successful storage. In preserved seeds, damages accumulate within cells at the rate mainly related to their moisture content and temperature of storage.

Deterioration in the Quality of Recalcitrant Seeds during Six Months of Storage at Subzero Temperatures: Ineffective Activation of Prosurvival Mechanisms and Evidence of Freezing Stress from an Untargeted Metabolomic Study.

Pedunculate oak ( L.) is an economically important forest-forming species in Poland that produces seeds that are sensitive to desiccation; therefore, short-lived seeds are classified as recalcitrant. Such seeds display active metabolism throughout storage.

Temperature Regulation of Primary and Secondary Seed Dormancy in L.: Findings from Proteomic Analysis.

Temperature is a key environmental factor restricting seed germination. Rose ( L.) seeds are characterized by physical/physiological dormancy, which is broken during warm, followed by cold stratification.

Bayesian quantification of ecological determinants of outcrossing in natural plant populations: Computer simulations and the case study of biparental inbreeding in English yew.

The mating system is a central parameter of plant biology because it shapes their ecological and evolutionary properties. Therefore, determining ecological variables that influence the mating system is important for a deeper understanding of the functioning of plant populations. Here, using old concepts and recent statistical developments, we propose a new statistical tool to make inferences about ecological determinants of outcrossing in natural plant populations.

The role of oxidative stress in determining the level of viability of black poplar (Populus nigra) seeds stored at different temperatures.

Black poplar (Populus nigra L.) is one of the most threatened tree species in Europe since up to 99% of its natural habitat has disappeared. Black poplar seeds are characterised by short longevity.