In:
Journal of Tropical Ecology, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 24, No. 3 ( 2008-05), p. 351-354
Abstract:
Most ecological studies of fungi associated with tropical plants have focused on the rhizosphere or phyllosphere of seedlings, saplings and adult trees (Augspurger 1983, 1984; Bell et al . 2006, Gilbert 2002, Gilbert et al . 2002, Husband et al . 2002, Kiers et al . 2000, Mangan et al . 2004). However, fungi also infect the seeds of tropical trees, reducing seed survival and potentially affecting adult distributions (Gallery et al . 2007a, b). Fungicide experiments have shown that fungal and oomyceteous pathogens are the major cause of seed mortality in the soil for a variety of tropical pioneers (Dalling et al . 1998, Gallery et al . 2007b, Murray & Garcia 2002), which depend on recruitment from seed banks to colonize gaps and other disturbances in mature forest (Alvarez-Buylla & Martinez-Ramos 1990, Dalling et al . 1997, Hall & Swaine 1980). Persistence in the soil prolongs exposure of seeds to infection by soil-borne fungi and is especially problematic for small-seeded species with thin fruit or seed walls (Baskin & Baskin 1998, Blaney & Kotanen 2002, Crist & Friese 1993). At present little is known about the host affinity of fungi associated with seeds of tropical trees, and consequently, whether seed-infecting fungi influence plant species coexistence through differential infection of, or effects on, potential hosts.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0266-4674
,
1469-7831
DOI:
10.1017/S0266467408005026
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2008
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1466679-0
SSG:
12
SSG:
23
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