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Seed-bank dynamics of the tropical weed Sida rhombifolia (Malvaceae): incidence of seedling emergence, predators and pathogens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2009

Claudia Rodríguez*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
Maria Alice Garcia
Affiliation:
Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil
*
*Correspondence Fax: +59825258616 E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia) is a tropical weed that grows in disturbed areas. Its control by hand pulling and mowing are only partially effective because arrowleaf sida is difficult to pull and quickly sprouts after cutting. We studied the seed-bank dynamics of S. rhombifolia in the region of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil for 2 years, following a known number of seeds placed artificially at five burial depths. Predators and pathogens were responsible for the loss of c. 40% of the seeds during the first year of the experiment. The importance of predation declined with depth. Mortality due to fungal attack did not differ among the burial depths, except for seeds placed at the surface (where it was negligible). Seedling emergence only occurred during the first year, after the beginning of the rainy period and when the study area was still free of a dense vegetation cover. Seedlings did not emerge from depths greater than 5 cm. We conclude that seedling emergence and death are significant causes of seed losses from the seed bank of S. rhombifolia but their relative importance is highly dependent on depth of burial.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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