[Relationships between seed size and seedling growth strategy of herbaceous plant: a review].
Seed size and seedling recruitment strategy are of importance in the life-history strategy of plant. In this paper, the current ecological researches at home and aboard on the relationships between seed size and seedling growth were reviewed from the aspects of the effects of seed size on seed germination and seedling emergence, the relationships between seed size and seedling growth traits, and the relationships between seed size and seedling survival and competition ability. Some suggestions on future researches in this field were put forward. There were likely different relationships between seed size and seedling growth in different microenvironments and vegetation types, and the effects of seed size on seedling growth could result in different contributions of different seed-size species to the seedling recruitment of vegetation. The large-scale community level and the small-scale intra- and inter-species level researches on this issue should be strengthened, which would have significance for the recruitment and renewing of natural vegetation.
Wu
Gao-lin
GL
Key Laboratory of Arid and Grassland Ecology of Education Ministry, College of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China. wugaol03@lzu.edu.cn
Du
Guo-zhen
GZ
D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods; D017753:Ecosystem; D063245:Plant Development; D036226:Seedlings / Q000254:growth & development*; D012639:Seeds / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development*