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CHANGES IN THE PHOSPHORUS COMPOSITION OF SEEDS OF HAKEA SERICEA (PROTEACEAE) DURING GERMINATION UNDER LOW PHOSPHORUS CONDITIONS
Author(s) -
MITCHELL D. T.,
ALLSOPP N.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1984.tb03560.x
Subject(s) - proteaceae , germination , seedling , biology , sowing , botany , phosphorus , chemistry , organic chemistry
S ummary Seeds of Hakea sericea Schrad belonging to the subfamily Grevilleoideae of the Proteaceae greater P reserves than those belonging to the Proteoideae indigenous to South Africa. The main P‐containing compounds in seeds of H. sericea are phytic acid with smaller proportions consisting of lipid‐P, RNA, DNA, protein‐P, polyphosphate and orthophosphate Hakea sericea grew on sterile acid washed sand for up to 125 d after sowing before signs of mineral deficiency symptoms appeared. Proteoid roots were produced by seedlings grown in Clovelly sand from 60 d after sowing and their numbers appeared to be related to the accumulation of P in the seedling. It is concluded that the P reserves of seeds of H. sericea may provide a competitive advantage over those of the Proteoideae for establishment and growth in the acidic sandy soils of the south‐western Cape, South Africa.