Heated substrate and smoke: Influence on seed emergence and plant growth
Blank RR and Young JA. 1998. Heated substrate and smoke: Influence on seed emergence and plant growth. Journal of Range Management. 51(5):577-583
Combustion products of burning vegetation can increase seed germination of many species of fire-prone plant communities. We tested the influence of heating sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata Nutt.) subcanopy soil, aqueous extracts of burned soil and sagebrush smoke on the emergence of several range plant species of the sagebrush-steppe. In addition, test seeds were exposed to sagebrush smoke and aqueous slurries of artificially burned sagebrush subcanopy soil to determine their effect on plant growth. As compared to the control, substrates previously heated from 250 to 750 degrees C significantly increased the emergence of Thurber's needle grass (Acnatherum thurberianum) and needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata). Sagebrush smoke and aqueous slurries of artificially burned soil significantly increased the emergence of Sierra Nevada needlegrass (Achnatherum occidentalis), Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides), and antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata). Rates of new leaf production and leaf elongation following treatment of seeds with the smoke of burning sagebrush were significantly greater for cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), Sierra Nevada needlegrass, and needle-and-thread as compared to the control. After 83 days of growth, smoke treated seeds of basin wildrye and needle-and-thread produced significantly greater plant mass than their controls. Smoke treatment of certain seeds before sowing is potentially useful for range plant seedlings.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Blank, Robert; Young, James
- Units
- SIEN
- Keywords
- Fire Effects, seed emergence, smoke effects, Vascular Plants