Seed size and recruitment limitation influence seedling establishment in three tallgrass prairie species

摘要: A seed size–seed number tradeoff predicts that large numbers of seeds have an establishment advantage under low levels competition, while size is advantageous asymmetric competition. Testing these predictions in the context tallgrass prairie restoration should increase predictability outcomes species composition—restoration technique combinations. I conducted field and greenhouse experiments comparing seedling among three with different mass-seed combinations, but similar mass sown. Species were dock [Silphium terebinthinaceum, mass = 33.2 + 2.1 mg ( $$\overline{x}$$  + SE, n = 100)], wild quinine (Parthenium integrifolium, mass = 3.1 + 0.3 mg), smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve, mass = 0.53 + 0.02 mg). Seeds sown into mowed or tilled plots shade mulch treatments old northeastern Illinois USA, containers without vegetative cover a greenhouse. In plots, larger had higher densities. densities large-seeded Silphium reduced less by than small-seeded Parthenium. Symphyotrichum, however, did not respond to as expected based on its size. High relative growth rate possibly increased Symphyotrichum competitive environments. Results this study demonstrated recruitment limitation when seedlings established existing vegetation, suggest composition resulting from specific seeding rates during may be more predictable are interseeded fields.