The fire ephemeral Tersonia cyathiflora (Gyrostemonaceae) germinates in response to smoke but not the butenolide 3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one.
OBJECTIVE
Tersonia cyathiflora (Gyrostemonaceae) is a fire ephemeral with an obligate requirement for smoke to germinate. Whether it is stimulated to germinate by 3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (karrikinolide, KAR(1)), the butenolide isolated from smoke that stimulates the germination of many other smoke-responsive species, is tested.


METHODS
Seeds of T. cyathiflora were buried in autumn following collection and were exhumed 1 year later, as this alleviates dormancy and enables seeds to germinate in response to smoke-water. Exhumed seeds were tested with smoke-water and KAR(1). Fresh preparations of these solutions were again tested on seeds exhumed 2 months later under a broader range of conditions. They were also tested on Grevillea eriostachya (Proteaceae) and Stylidium affine (Stylidiaceae) to confirm the activity of KAR(1).


RESULTS
T. cyathiflora seeds germinated in response to smoke-water but not to KAR(1). In contrast, G. eriostachya and S. affine germinated in response to both smoke-water and KAR(1).


CONCLUSIONS
Although many smoke-responsive seeds germinate in the presence of KAR(1), this does not apply universally. This suggests that other chemical(s) in smoke-water may play an important role in stimulating the germination of certain species.
Downes
Katherine S
KS
Centre for Ecosystem Diversity and Dynamics, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. ksbtilmunda@hotmail.com
Lamont
Byron B
BB
Light
Marnie E
ME
van Staden
Johannes
J
D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects*; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012906:Smoke
D012906:Smoke; C004511:butenolide; D015107:4-Butyrolactone