Abstract Detail

Ecological Section

Shirley, Rhea [1], Coons, Janice [2].

How Germination of Six Native Sonoran Desert Species Is Impacted by Buffelgrass Smoke Solutions.

Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) is a non-native invasive species of grass that is well adapted to fire and has been introduced to the southwestern United States for grazing and land cover.  However, as buffelgrass has spread, the increased risk of fire has become a concern within the Sonoran Desert where native species are not adapted to fire or its effects.  We studied the effects of buffelgrass smoke solution on germination of six native Sonoran Desert species: Bothriochloa barbinodis (cane bluestem), Digitaria californica (Arizona cottontop), Lupinus sparsiflorus (Coulter’s lupine), Lycium andersonii (water jacket), Penstemon parryi (Parry’s beardtongue) and Sphaeralcea ambigua (desert globemallow “Colors”).  A concentrated smoke solution was created by passing smoke from burning 100 g of dried buffelgrass through 300 mL of water.  Three replications of fifty seeds for each species were germinated in Petri dishes with three concentrations of buffelgrass smoke solution including1:100, 1:10, and 1:5 (mL concentrated smoke solution: mL water).  Dishes were kept in a germination chamber at 25°C with 16 hours light: 8 hours dark. Germinated seeds were counted every other day for 30 days. ANOVA followed by Duncan’s multiple range test were used to compare germination with different smoke solutions within each species. Germination of B. barbinodis, L. andersonii and S. ambigua was reduced significantly by the 1:5 smoke solution compared to other treatments.  Germination of B. barbinodis also decreased with 1:10 smoke solution compared to control and 1:100 smoke solution.  Germination was not decreased by smoke solution in D. californica, P. parryi or L. sparsiflorus.  Hence, desert species reacted differently with smoke solutions created from burning buffelgrass.  The varying responses could impact the ability of species to establish from seeds, and thus change desert species composition over time.

1 - Eastern Illinois University, 600 Lincoln Ave., Charleston, IL, 61920-3099, USA
2 - Eastern Illinois University, 600 Lincoln Ave, CHARLESTON, IL, 61920-3099, USA

Keywords:
germination
Sonoran Desert
Buffelgrass
Smoke.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEC036
Abstract ID:728
Candidate for Awards:Ecological Section Best Undergraduate Presentation Award