title: [Viability and germination characteristics of canopy-stored seeds of plants in sand dune area].
abstract: The study on the viability and germination characteristics of canopy-stored seeds remained in canopy until next May after maturation of 10 plants species in Horqin sandy land showed that more than 80% of the canopy-stored seeds of psammophytes such as Agriophyllum squarrosum, Artemisia wudanica and A. halodendron had viability, while less than 80% or even less than 30% of non-psammophytes seeds had viability. The canopy-stored seeds of psammophytes presented a rapid germination pattern. The canopy seed bank made the seed release of psammophytes postponed until the windy season ended and the rainy season started, when the seeds had high viability and could germinate rapidly. The canopy seed bank is one of ways for psammophytes to adapt drift sand and seasonal drought.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China. mjlcas@126.com
authors.forename: Jun-Ling
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Zhi-Min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D019306:Artemisia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D002681:China; D003889:Desert Climate; D017753:Ecosystem; D018525:Germination / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D036226:Seedlings / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D012639:Seeds / Q000502:physiology*; D014197:Trees / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*