title: Germination success and seedling development of Argania spinosa under different climatic conditions and browsing intensity.
abstract: The present study assesses whether the germination and establishment success of Argania spinosa seeds are affected by the environmental conditions under which the mother plant has grown. Seeds from three populations with different climatic conditions and herbivory intensity were collected and sown in the laboratory after different treatments. Our study suggests that the seed germination process and initial stages of seedling growth are adaptive. Seeds from the population of Agadir with the highest herbivory pressure and high air relative humidity in summer (due to the proximity to the sea) were stimulated by acid treatment, and showed a lower root/stem ratio, which allows them to take advantage of the atmospheric water resources. Seeds from the Mountain population, where the most arid environmental conditions were found, produced early-germinating seeds with the highest root/stem ratio that would facilitate seedling establishment when the harshest environmental conditions appear in summer.
authors.affiliation: Departamento Biología Vegetaly Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla Apartado 1095, 41080 Sevilla, Spain. zunzu@us.es
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zunzunegui
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jáuregui
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ain-Lhout
authors.forename: Said
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boutaled
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Cansino
authors.forename: Maripaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esquivias
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002980:Climate; D017753:Ecosystem; D018525:Germination; D060434:Herbivory; D009018:Morocco; D029632:Sapotaceae / Q000254:growth & development*; D036226:Seedlings / Q000254:growth & development*