Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of fungi and light on seed germination of three Opuntia species from semiarid lands of central Mexico

  • Regular Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Plant Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fungal attack under light reduces mechanical resistance of the testa of Opuntia seeds, making it easier for the embryo to emerge. However, the effect of fungi on Opuntia seed germination in darkness is unknown. We evaluated the combined effects of light and inoculation with Phoma medicaginis, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma koningii, and Penicillium chrysogenum on germination of O. streptacantha, O. leucotricha, and O. robusta seeds, from central Mexico. We also evaluated the combined effects of seed age (2-, 3-, and 12-year-old seeds) and presence of fungi on the testa on O. streptacantha germination. All fungal species eroded the funicular envelope and promoted seed germination for O. leucotricha and O. streptacantha, but did more so in light than in darkness. For the latter species, younger seeds inoculated with fungi had lower germination than older ones. For O. robusta, we found that seeds inoculated with P. medicaginis and T. harzianum had similar germination in light and in darkness. Our results strongly indicate that deterioration of the testa by fungi is higher in light than in darkness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arredondo A, Rocha-Ruíz A, Flores J (2007) Rompimiento de latencia en semillas de cinco especies de cactáceas del desierto chihuahuense. Folleto Técnico No. 32, Campo Experimental San Luis, CIRNE-INIFAP, San Luis Potosí, México

  • Baskin JM, Baskin CC (2000) Evolutionary considerations of claims for physical dormancy break by microbial action and abrasion by soil particles. Seed Sci Res 10:409–413. doi:10.1017/S0960258500000453

    Google Scholar 

  • Baskin CC, Baskin JM (2001) Seeds: ecology, biogeography, and evolution of dormancy and germination. Academic Press, San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  • Bravo-Hollis H (1978) Las cactáceas de México, vol 1. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., p 743

  • Carlile MJ (1965) The photobiology of fungi. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 16:175–202. doi:10.1146/annurev.pp.16.060165.001135

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chung HS, Wilcoxson RD (1971) Effects of temperature, light, carbon and nitrogen nutrition on reproduction in Phoma medicaginis. Mycopathologia 44:297–308. doi:10.1007/BF02052703

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delgado-Sánchez P, Ortega-Amaro MA, Rodríguez-Hernández AA, Jiménez-Bremont JF, Flores J (2010) Further evidence from the effect of fungi on breaking Opuntia seed dormancy. Plant Signal Behav 5:1229–1230. doi:10.4161/psb.5.10.12835

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Delgado-Sánchez P, Ortega-Amaro M, Jimenez-Bremont JF, Flores J (2011) Are fungi important for breaking seed dormancy in desert species? Experimental evidence in Opuntia streptacantha (Cactaceae). Plant Biol 13:154–159. doi:10.1111/j.1438-8677.2010.00333.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flores J, Arredondo A, Jurado E (2005) Comparative seed germination in species of Turbinicarpus: an endangered cacti genus. Nat Areas J 25:183–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Flores J, Jurado E, Arredondo A (2006) Effect of light on germination of seeds of Cactaceae from the Chihuahuan Desert, México. Seed Sci Res 16:149–155. doi:10.1079/SSR2006242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flores J, Jurado E, Jiménez-Bremont JF (2008) Breaking seed dormancy in specially protected Turbinicarpus lophophoroides and Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus (Cactaceae). Plant Spec Biol 23:44–47. doi:10.1111/j.1442-1984.2008.00206.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flores J, Jurado E, Chapa-Vargas L, Ceroni-Stuva A, Dávila-Aranda P, Galíndez G, Gurvich D, León-Lobos P, Ordóñez C, Ortega-Baes P, Ramírez-Bullón N, Sandoval A, Seal CE, Ulian T, Pritchard HW (2011) Seeds photoblastism and its relationship with some plant traits in 136 cacti species. Environ Exp Bot 71:79–88. doi:10.1016/j.envexpbot.2010.10.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García E (1970) Modificaciones al Sistema de Clasificación Climática de Köppen, 4th edn. Editado por la Autora, UNAM, México, D.F., p 246

  • González-Espinosa M, Quintana-Ascencio PF (1986) Seed predation and dispersal in a dominant desert plant: Opuntia, ants, birds, and mammals. In: Estrada A, Fleming TH (eds) Frugivores and seed dispersal. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Guzmán U, Arias S, Dávila P (2003) Catálogo de Cactáceas Mexicanas. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad, México, D.F., p 315

  • Jiménez-Aguilar A, Flores J (2010) Effect of light on seed germination of succulent species from southern Chihuahuan Desert: comparing germinability and relative light germination. J Prof Assoc Cactus 12:12–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Jurado E, Flores J (2005) Is seed dormancy under environmental control or bound to plant traits? J Veg Sci 16:559–564. doi:10.1111/j.1654-1103.2005.tb02396.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jurado E, Moles AT (2003) Germination deferment strategies. In: Nicolás G, Bradford KJ, Côme D, Curie M, Pritchard HW (eds) The biology of seeds: recent research advances. CABI Publishing, Wallingford

    Google Scholar 

  • Lv YL, Sun LH, Zhang FS, Zhao Y, Guo SX (2010) The effect of cultivation conditions on the mycelial growth of a dark-septate endophytic isolate. Afr J Microbiol Res 4:602–607

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mandujano MC, Golubov J, Montaña C (1997) Dormancy and endozoochorous dispersal of Opuntia rastrera seeds in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. J Arid Environ 36:259–266. doi:10.1006/jare.1996.0210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mandujano MC, Montaña C, Rojas-Aréchiga M (2005) Breaking seed dormancy in Opuntia rastrera from the Chihuahuan desert. J Arid Environ 62:15–21. doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2004.10.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mastouri F, Björkman T, Harman GE (2010) Seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum alleviates biotic, abiotic, and physiological stresses in germinating seeds and seedlings. Phytopathology 100:1213–1221. doi:10.1094/PHYTO-03-10-0091

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller JJ, Reid J (1961) Stimulation by light of sporulation in Trichoderma lignorum (Tode) Harz. Can J Bot 39:259–262. doi:10.1139/b61-020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montiel S, Montaña C (2003) Seed bank dynamics of the desert cactus Opuntia rastrera in two habitats from the Chihuahuan Desert. Plant Ecol 166:241–248. doi:10.1023/A:1023255314277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morpeth DR, Hall AM (2000) Microbial enhancement of seed germination in Rosa corymbifera ‘Laxa’. Seed Sci Res 10:489–494. doi:10.1017/S0960258500000520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muñoz-Urías A, Palomino-Hasbach G, Terrazas T, García-Velázquez A, Pimienta-Barrios E (2008) Variación anatómica y morfológica en especies y entre poblaciones de Opuntia en la porción sur del desierto Chihuahuense. Boletín de la Sociedad Botánica de México 83:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Nobel PS (1988) Environmental biology of agaves and cacti. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ochoa-Alfaro AE, Silva-Ortega CO, Becerra-Flora A, Flores-Rivas J, Jiménez-Bremont JF (2008) Effect of salt stress, proline and polyamines on seed germination of Opuntia streptacantha. J Prof Assoc Cactus 10:56–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Olvera-Carrillo Y, Méndez I, Sánchez-Coronado ME, Márquez-Guzmán J, Barradas VL, Huante P, Orozco-Segovia A (2009) Effect of environmental heterogeneity on field germination of Opuntia tomentosa (Cactaceae, Opuntioideae) seeds. J Arid Environ 73:421–427. doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2008.12.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ooi M, Auld T, Whelan R (2004) Comparison of the cut and tetrazolium tests for assessing seed viability: a study using Australian native Leucopogon species. Ecol Manag Restor 5:141–143. doi:10.1111/j.1442-8903.2004.201-6.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ooi M, Auld T, Whelan R (2007) Distinguishing between persistence and dormancy in soil seed banks of three shrub species from fire-prone southeastern Australia. J Veg Sci 18:405–412. doi:10.1658/1100-9233(2007)18[405:DBPADI]2.0.CO;2

    Google Scholar 

  • Orozco-Segovia A, Márquez-Guzmán J, Sánchez-Coronado ME, Gamboa De Buen A, Baskin JM, Baskin CC (2007) Seed anatomy and water uptake in relation to seed dormancy in Opuntia tomentosa (Cactaceae, Opuntioideae). Ann Bot 99:581–592. doi:10.1093/aob/mcm001

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Potter RL, Petersen JL, Ueckert DN (1984) Germination responses of Opuntia spp. to temperature, scarification and other seed treatments. Weed Sci 32:106–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Rojas-Aréchiga M, Vázquez-Yanes C (2000) Cactus seed germination: a review. J Arid Environ 44:85–104. doi:10.1006/jare.1999.0582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rojas-Aréchiga M, Orozco-Segovia A, Vázquez-Yanes C (1997) Effect of light on germination of seven species of cacti from the Zapotitlán Valley in Puebla, México. J Arid Environ 36:571–578. doi:10.1006/jare.1996.0218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rojas-Aréchiga M, Aguilar KM, Golubov J, Mandujano MC (2011) Effect of gibberellic acid on germination of seeds of five species of cacti from the Chihuahuan Desert, Northern Mexico. Southwest Nat 56:393–435. doi:10.1894/N01-DW-126.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rojas-Aréchiga M, Mandujano MC, Golubov J (2012) Seed size and photoblastism in species belonging to tribe Cacteae (Cactaceae). J Plant Res. doi:10.1007/s10265-012-0526-2

  • Romo-Campos L, Flores-Flores JL, Flores J, Álvarez-Fuentes G (2010) Seed germination of Opuntia species from an aridity gradient in Central Mexico. J Prof Assoc Cactus 12:1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-Coronado ME, Márquez-Guzmán J, Rosas-Moreno J, Vidal-Gaona G, Villegas M, Espinosa-Matías S, Olvera-Carrillo Y, Orozco-Segovia A (2011) Mycoflora in exhumed seeds of Opuntia tomentosa and its possible role in seed germination. Appl Environ Soil Sci. doi:10.1155/2011/107159

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharon E, Bar-Eyal M, Chet I, Herrera-Estrella A, Kleifeld O, Spiegel Y (2001) Biological control of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica by Trichoderma harzianum. Phytopathology 91:687–693. doi:10.1094/PHYTO.2001.91.7.694

  • Sokal RR, Rohlf FJ (1994) Biometry. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, p 880

  • Tamura T, Hashidoko T, Ogita N, Limin SH, Tahara S (2008) Requirement for particular seed-borne fungi for seed germination and seedling growth of Xyris complanata, a pioneer monocot in topsoil-lost tropical peatland in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Ecol Res 23:573–579. doi:10.1007/s11284-007-00411-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tan KK (1978) Light-induced fungal development. In: Smith JE, Berry DR (eds) The filamentous fungi. Developmental mycology. Edward Arnold, London, pp 334–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatarenko ES (1954) Influence of light on growth of moulds (Russ.). Mikrobiologiya 23:29–33

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teketay D, Granstrom A (1997) Seed viability of afromontane tree species in forest soils. J Trop Ecol 13:81–95. doi:10.1017/S0266467400010270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Velmurugan P, Lee YH, Venil CK, Lakshmanaperumalsamy P, Chae JC, Oh BT (2010) Effect of light on growth, intracellular and extracellular pigment production by five pigment-producing filamentous fungi in synthetic medium. J Biosci Bioeng 109:346–350. doi:10.1016/j.jbiosc.2009.10.003

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yagihashi T, Hayashida M, Miyamoto T (1998) Effects of bird ingestion on seed germination of Sorbus commixta. Oecologia 114:209–212. doi:10.1007/s004420050438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaji K, Fukushi Y, Hashidoko Y, Yoshida T, Tahara S (2001) Penicillium fungi from Picea glehnii seeds protect the seedlings from damping-off. New Phytol 152:521–531. doi:10.1046/j.0028-646X.2001.00280.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaji K, Hashidoko Y, Fukushi Y, Tahara S (2005) Chemical response of Picea glehnii seed-epiphytic Penicillium species to Pythium vexans under in vitro competitive conditions for mycelial growth. J Chem Ecol 31:805–817. doi:10.1007/s10886-005-3545-9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Fondos Sectoriales, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (2006-1-23818), and by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Fondos Sectoriales, Secretaría de Educación Pública (2010-01-156205).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Carretera San Luis Potosí, Matehuala Km. 14.5, C.P. 78321, Soledad de Graciano Sánchez, S.L.P., Mexico

    Pablo Delgado-Sánchez

  2. División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, A.C., Camino a la Presa San José 2055, C.P. 78216, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., Mexico

    Juan Francisco Jiménez-Bremont & María de la Luz Guerrero-González

  3. División de Ciencias Ambientales, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, A.C., Camino a la Presa San José 2055, C.P. 78216, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., Mexico

    Joel Flores

Authors
  1. Pablo Delgado-Sánchez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Juan Francisco Jiménez-Bremont
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. María de la Luz Guerrero-González
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Joel Flores
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joel Flores.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Delgado-Sánchez, P., Jiménez-Bremont, J.F., Guerrero-González, M.L. et al. Effect of fungi and light on seed germination of three Opuntia species from semiarid lands of central Mexico. J Plant Res 126, 643–649 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-013-0558-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-013-0558-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation