Divergent Adaptation of Cenchrus spinifex Heteromorphic Seeds to Light and Water Conditions

doi:10.11733/j.issn.1007-0435.2026.07.005

Acta Agrestia Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (7): 2393-2402.DOI: 10.11733/j.issn.1007-0435.2026.07.005

Divergent Adaptation of Cenchrus spinifex Heteromorphic Seeds to Light and Water Conditions

CAO Jing^1,2, WANG Wen-hui¹, LI Zhen-song³, RONG Yu-ping²

1. College of Grassland, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266109, China;
2. College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
3. Qingdao Hengxing University, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266100, China

Received:2025-11-10 Revised:2026-01-11 Published:2026-07-02

少花蒺藜草异型种子对光照和水分条件的差异化适应策略研究

曹婧^1,2, 王文慧¹, 李振松³, 戎郁萍²

1. 青岛农业大学草业学院, 山东青岛 266109;
2. 中国农业大学草业科学与技术学院, 北京 100193;
3. 青岛恒星科技学院, 山东青岛 266100

通讯作者: 戎郁萍，E-mail:rongyuping@cau.edu.cn;李振松，E-mail:13121256799@163.com
作者简介:曹婧（1993-），女，汉族，甘肃兰州人，博士，主要从事草地生态与入侵生物学研究，E-mail:caojing@qau.edu.cn;王文慧（2004-），女，汉族，山东济宁人，本科生，主要从事草地生态研究，E-mail:3033313028@qq.com
基金资助:
山东省自然科学基金青年项目（ZR2025QC246）；国家现代农业产业技术体系（CARS-34）资助

Abstract

Abstract: Seed heteromorphism is a critical adaptive strategy for invasive plants to cope with environmental heterogeneity. To investigate the response mechanisms of heteromorphic seeds of Cenchrus spinifex， we examined germination characteristics of its two seed types （M-type： larger； P-type： smaller） under varying light （complete darkness vs. 12 h light/12 h dark） and moisture conditions （simulated by PEG gradients）. Subsequent seedling growth， biomass allocation， and phenotypic plasticity were analyzed in response to the interaction between water availability （normal， mild， and severe drought） and light intensity （high and low intensity）. The results showed that germination was unaffected by light but strongly inhibited by water stress； under severe drought， M-type seeds outperformed P-types in root length， bud length， and biomass. As seedlings， M-type plants showed higher phenotypic plasticity in morphological traits （plant height， tiller number， leaf area）， favoring increased aboveground resource investment for rapid life cycle completion， whereas P-type plants exhibited greater plasticity in biomass allocation， enhancing stress tolerance through increased root biomass proportion. In summary， the complementary germination and growth strategies of heteromorphic seeds in C. spinifex represent an effective “bet-hedging” mechanism， which is crucial for its successful invasion and spread across environmentally stressful and variable habitats.

Key words: Invasive plants, Cenchrus spinifex Cav., Seed heteromorphism, Phenotypic plasticity, Biomass allocation

摘要： 种子异型性是入侵植物适应环境异质性的关键策略。为探究少花蒺藜草（Cenchrus spinifex Cav.）异型种子对环境因子的响应机制，本研究通过控制光照（全黑暗与12 h光照/12 h黑暗）和水分胁迫[聚乙二醇（Polyethylene glycol，PEG）模拟]观察异型种子（M型：大种子；P型：小种子）的萌发特性，并通过水分（正常、轻度干旱、重度干旱）与光照（高光、低光）交互作用分析幼苗生长、生物量分配及表型可塑性差异。结果表明：异型种子萌发率不受光照影响但受水分胁迫显著抑制；重度干旱下M型种子萌发能力更强且胚根、胚芽及生物量表现优于P型。M型植株在株高、分蘖、叶面积等形态性状上表型可塑性更高，倾向于增加地上资源投入以快速完成生活史；P型植株则在生物量分配格局上更具可塑性，通过提升根系占比增强胁迫耐受能力。研究表明，少花蒺藜草异型种子通过萌发与生长策略的“两头下注”形成适应机制，为其在逆境中成功入侵和扩展提供了生态基础。

关键词: 入侵植物, 少花蒺藜草, 种子异型性, 表型可塑性, 生物量分配

CLC Number:

S451

CAO Jing, WANG Wen-hui, LI Zhen-song, RONG Yu-ping. Divergent Adaptation of Cenchrus spinifex Heteromorphic Seeds to Light and Water Conditions[J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2026, 34(7): 2393-2402.

曹婧, 王文慧, 李振松, 戎郁萍. 少花蒺藜草异型种子对光照和水分条件的差异化适应策略研究[J]. 草地学报, 2026, 34(7): 2393-2402.

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Divergent Adaptation of Cenchrus spinifex Heteromorphic Seeds to Light and Water Conditions

少花蒺藜草异型种子对光照和水分条件的差异化适应策略研究

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