家畜排泄物对牧草种子传播和萌发的作用

Effects of livestock excreta on herbage seed dispersal and germination

放牧调控牧草的生殖格局,包括牧草有性繁殖和无性繁殖分配、种子生产、传播和萌发等,其中家畜的排泄物是重要的作用途径之一。放牧家畜的排泄物促进种子生产、远距离扩散和种子萌发,同时也会损伤种子、抑制萌发等。本文从种子生产、传播及萌发等方面阐述放牧家畜排泄物对牧草种子的作用,认为其是牧草自然更新有效途径之一。放牧家畜排泄物能够增加种子产量、采食几率、散布距离及改变萌发自身与生境条件,从而提高种子传播数量和质量,以促进牧草的有效自然更新。通过了解家畜排泄物在牧草种子传播和萌发中的作用并再此基础上探讨牧草自然更新的机制,以期为草地更新和退化草地恢复提供理论参考。

Grazing regulation of forage impacts forage consumption, growth, reproduction, seed production, dispersal, and germination. Dispersal of seeds through livestock excrement was one of the important means of seeds transport. While excreta from livestock can promote long-distance dispersal and seed germination, it can also damage the seeds, and affect germination. Therefore, we studied the effects of excreta on plant reproduction, propagation and germination of herbage seed. Our results show that livestock excreta served as a natural and effective means of herbage seed dispersal and regeneration. Livestock excreta increased seed production in herbage, improved likelihood of feeding, increased dispersal distance and also expanded the forage habitat. Through improved understanding of the role of excreta in herbage seed dispersal and germination it is possible to explore new approaches that may provide a theoretical framework to minimize grassland degradation and propose solutions for restoration of grasslands.