Seed Viability and Seed Dormancy of Non-Native Phragmites australis in Suburbanized and Forested Watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay, USA

Authors

Karin M. Kettenring, Utah State UniversityFollow
Dennis F. Whigham

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Aquatic Botany

Volume

91

Issue

3

Publisher

Elsevier

Publication Date

2009

Keywords

Brackish wetland, Chesapeake Bay, Invasive species, Phragmites australis, Seed dormancy, Seed germination, Seed viability

First Page

199

Last Page

204

Abstract

The non-native, invasive haplotype of Phragmites australis is rapidly invading tidal and non-tidal wetlands across North America. Phragmites has the potential to spread by seeds and rhizomes. Seed viability and dormancy differences were quantified among 18 patches of non-native Phragmites in subestuarine wetlands in developed (i.e., suburbanized) vs. forested watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay. We used tetrazolium and germination assays to assess seed viability and compared germination percentages and rate of germination among fresh seeds, cold–moist treated seeds, and warm–dry treated seeds to evaluate seed dormancy. Seed viability was Phragmites seed dormancy in European populations, some Phragmites seeds were dormant at maturity; cold–moist treated seeds germinated faster and to higher percentages than fresh seeds or warm–dry treated seeds.

Comments

Originally published by Elsevier. Publisher's PDF and HTML fulltext available through remote link.

Recommended Citation

Kettenring, K.M. and D.F. Whigham. 2009. Seed viability and seed dormancy of Phragmites australis in suburbanized and forested watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay, USA. Aquatic Botany 91:199-204.