• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.11 no.10
• /
• pp.1011-1021
• /
• 2002

Fruit-discharge type of forty species of Asian Geranium were examined and their evolutionary trends and taxonomic system were discussed. Two main types of seed discharge in Geranium are made the basis of its divison into subgenera: Geranium subgenus Geranium, with a ballistic expulsion of the seed from mericarp, Geranium subgenus Robertium, with forcible discharge of the mericarp with the seed in it, separately from the awn. Variants of the seed ejecting type permit the division of Geranium subgenus Geranium into three sections. Section Ceranium, these has bristles at the base of the mericarp for prevent the seed from dropping from the divergent mericarp. Section Dissect, these has prongs at the base of the mericarp far prevent the seed from dropping from the divergent mericarp. Section Tuberosa, these has no bristles and prongs at the base of the mericarp, instead, retained of seed in pre-explosive interval by twist. Geranium subgenus Robertium was divided into two sections, Section Ruberta, with deeply wrinkled on the surface of mericarp at the time of discharge. Section Batrachioides, and section Trilopha, without wrinkle on the surface of mericarp at the time of discharge. According to the seed discharge, subgenus Geranium is thought to be more advanced than subgenus Robertium.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.685-690
• /
• 2011

To search for myrmecochorous plant species in Korea and their diaspore characteristics, the flowering and fruiting of herb species, collectiong their fruits and diaspores, and the related ant species were studied from April to September 2011. Twenty-four herb species growing in Korea prove myrmecochorous (seed attached elaiosome) plants. Elaiosomes of 24 herb species vary considerably in shape and size. Major ant species transporting the diaspore of myrmecochorous plants are Formica japonica, Lasius alienus, Tetramorium tsushimae, Temnothorax koreanus, Lasius japonicus, but Camponotus japonicus and Paratrechina sakurae do not transport the diaspores. This study found out that mutualism between myrmecochorous plants and ants is carried out in Korea. Further study on the myrmecochorous plant and related ant species, cafeteria experiments should be needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.96 no.6
• /
• pp.633-638
• /
• 2007

The Elaeagnus macrophylla is a stenoecious evergreen plant with nitrogen-fixing symbionts and its timing of fruit-ripening coincides with spring migration of many birds in southwestern Korea. To recognize bird species which eat fleshy fruits of the Elaeagnus macrophylla and to evaluate the effects of bird ingestion on seed germination and dispersal, we monitored birds and carried out germination experiments using its fruits and seeds from March to April 2007 at Hongdo Island, Jeonnam Province, Korea. As a result, eight species of birds including the Gray Starling (Sturnus cineraceus), the Brown-eared Bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis) and the Dusky Thrush (Turdus naumanni) ingested the fruits. Germination rate was enhanced but length of seed dormancy was instead shortened in ingested (collected from the feces of birds) and manually extracted seeds (obtained directly from the fruits) than in intact fruits collected directly from the plant. Moreover, the possible scale of seed dispersal by the frugivorous birds ranged up to 6.9 ha based on home ranges of starlings. Consequently, the Elaeagnus macrophylla supplies food resources for migratory birds, and the birds give the plant opportunities of new colonization. We suggest that this kind of interaction between the nitrogen-fixing plant and avian seed dispersers is applicable as a process of natural restoration in degraded coastal evergreen forests.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.419-423
• /
• 2014

To search for native myrmecochorous plant species in Korea and their diaspore characteristics, collecting their fruits and diaspores, and the related ant species were studied from April 2012 to October 2013. Eight herb species growing in Korea are added to the myrmecochorous (seed attached elaiosome) plant list. Elaiosomes of eight herb species vary considerably in shape and size. Major ant species transporting the diaspore of myrmecochorous plants are Formica japonica, Lasius alienus, L. japonicus, Myrmica lobicornis, Temnothorax spinosior, Tetramorium tsushimae, but Camponotus japonicus and Nylanderia sakurae do not transport the diaspores. This study found out that mutualism between myrmecochorous summer-flowering plants and ants is carried out in Korea. Further research on the native myrmecochorous plants should be needed.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.89-94
• /
• 2011

In this study, the amount of seedlings and seed dispersal of evergreen broad-leaved trees in forest community adjacent to Camellia japonica forest were studied to provide basic information for effective management of evergreen broad-leaved forest. Evergreen broad-leaved trees including C. japonica, Neolitsea sericea, Machilus thunbergii, Ligustrum japonicum, Cinnamomum japonicum, Litsea japonica, Pittosporum tobira showed high density and ratio of seedlings in community adjacent to C. japonica forest. Although individual densities of N. sericea, M. thunbergii, L. japonicum were low, their seedlings were distributed up to Pinus thunbergii and coniferous broad-leaved forest at a distance of 100m and 200m from C. japonica forest. Distribution of DBH class of C. japonica suggested a continuous spread from higher frequency of young individuals, N. sericea, M. thunbergii and L. japonicum did not showed an obvious trend. Seed of C. japonica mainly dispersed within 50m from mother tree.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.305-311
• /
• 2014

The cultivation area and use of genetically modified (GM) crops have been increased continuously over the world. Seed distribution and transgenes to environmental ecosystem is one of the most important factors in risk assessment and risk management of GM crop. Safe management for the development and commercialization of GM crops is required according to The Act on Transboundary Movements of Living Modified Organisms,etc (LMO Act) in Korea. This study was conducted to setup the environmental monitoring system of GM zoysiagrass (event JG21 and JG21-MS). The monitoring was performed in 4 GMO confined fields, Sungwhan, Ochang, Jeju University and Jeju Namwon. In the result of monitoring, we could not found any gene flow and distribution of GM zoysiagrass in the 3 fields, but one spill of JG21 was found in the Namwon field in 2012. These results suggest that continuous monitoring is necessary to detect the occurrence of GM zoysiagrass for preventing genetic contamination in natural environment.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
• /
• v.2
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 1984

From June 28th to July 17th in 1985, this study was performed to obtain the information of the fresh corn forage production through the spraying hydrophonics in summer. The experiments were conducted in vinyl house on Kyungpook University's Experimental Station. The results obtained were as follows: It was suggested that the treatment of soaking for 24 hrs and followed by the pretreatment for 48 hrs was better than other treatments. Seed cost for the production of 1 kg fresh forage was the most inexpensive at the seeding rate of 450 g per $30{\times}60cm$ tray than other seeding rates. Application of 1000 times diluted Hyponex solution (1000X Hyponex) or 300 times diluted Yogen solution (300X Yogen) one time per day resulted in the heavier fresh weight than the other treatments. Treatments of 300X Yogen and 500X Yogen gave the better fresh weight in one application per two days and per three days, respectively. But, this method was not useful in summer because the lowest seed cost for the production 1kg fresh forage was 73Won, and collection of the fresh forage from the mountain range was easy.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.401-406
• /
• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cone protective net and the variation of cone and seed characteristics of a unique and rare dwarf stone pine (Pinus pumila Regel) population in Mt. Seorak which is in the southern peripheral of South Korea. Iron protective net (50 mesh, 25 ${\times}$ 25 cm) was effective in reducing birds and rodents damage to conelet, thereby it was possible to safely collect seed genetic resources. Early July was observed to be the most appropriate season to cover conelet with Iron protective net. P. pumila have ovoid-triangle shaped, wingless seeds and indehiscent cones, seeds dissemination is mainly by the hoarding behavior of nutcrackers and rodents. Statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences among individuals within population, and the mean characteristics of the species were 35.3 mm, 25.6 mm, 1.38, 6.6 g and 39.3 ea in the cone length, cone width, cone index, cone weight and in number of seeds per cone, respectively. Coefficients of variations in seed weight and number of seeds per cone were relatively high (21.7%, 21.5%, respectively) compared to other traits. Based on the correlation analysis between cone characteristics and seed characteristics, the length of cone and seed showed a significant positive correlation with the seed size and the seed weight, but the width and thickness of seed showed a negative correlation with the number of seeds per cone.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.485-491
• /
• 2017

This study examined the germination characteristics by collecting fruits and pretreatment of the diaspore from April 2014 to June 2015 to investigate the diaspore characteristics, seed dispersion, and seed germination characteristics of two myrmecochorous spring ephemerals (MCSE): -Jeffersonia dubia (Jb) and Corydalis remota (Cr)-. The diaspore of Jb was about 5mm-long yellow-dark brown, oblong seeds with the attached amorphous white elaiosome. The mean weights of diaspore, seed, and elaiosome were 15.86mg, 13.46mg, and 2.40mg, respectively, and the elaiosome ratio was 15.13%. The diaspore of Cr was about 1.2mm diameter and glossy black ovoid seeds with the attached white spatula-shaped elaiosome. The mean weights of diaspore, seed, and elaisome were 2.58mg, 2.05mg, and 0.53mg, respectively, and the elaiosome ratio was 20.54%. Camponotus niponensis and Formica japonica transported the diaspore of Jb while Formica japonica and Lasius japonicus transported the diaspore of Cr. The germination percentage of Jb seeds was statistically significant and had the significance level of 1% with the pretreatment and date of sowing. However, it was independent of attachment of elaiosome. The mean germination percentages of Jb seeds was 65.0% during sowing on June 20, 17.5% during sowing on August 19, and 0% during sowing on October 20. The germination percentage of Cr was statistically significant and had the significance level of 5% and 1% with the attachment of elaisome and date of sowing, respectively. The mean germination rates were 54.17% and 35.0% in the non-treatment section and the treatment section with elaisome detached, respectively. The mean germination percentages of Cr seeds was 75.0% during sowing on June 20, 53.75% during sowing on August 19, and 5.0% during sowing on October 20. Considering the fact that the ants transported the diaspores to the ant house when the fruits of MCSE were ripened and dropped the seeds, the direct seeding right after collecting may be most suitable to the characteristics of the evolution of these plant species and may be the best method to obtain the highest germination percentages. Since the ants distribute their seeds, the MCSE produces and attaches the elaiosome to the seed to maintain the symbiotic relationship with ants. The ants then transport the seed to the ant house where the environment is controlled for suitable temperature and humidity, and then the MCSE succeeds in germination after the embryo grows sufficiently in the next spring.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.139-145
• /
• 2016

To search for habitat characteristics of myrmecochory Melampyrum species, diaspores and related ant species, habitat characteristics, collecting fruits and diaspores of three Melampyrum species, cafeteria experiments, and the related ant species were studied from May 2012 to November 2014. The habitat of Melampyrum species was south-facing open forest edge with slightly acidic soil and relatively shallow soiil layers. Major plants coexisting with Melampyrum species were four woody species including Quercus mongolica and four herbaceous species including Carex siderosticta. These Plants might be host plants of the Melampyrum species. The shape of the diaspore was an oval seed attached to the white cap on one side. Significant differences is proved between three plant species in weight of diaspores, seeds and and elaiosome ratios. Mean values of diaspores weight showed 10.6mg, 8.0mg and 7.2mg in M. setaceum var. nakaianum, M. roseum var. ovalifolium and M. roseum, respectively. The heaviest elaiosome is M. roseum var. ovalifolium with 1.2mg, M. setaceum var. nakaianum has 1.0mg and the lightest elaiosome is M. roseum with 0.8mg. Major ant species frequently transporting the diaspores of Melampyrum species are Myrmicinae four species; Myrmica kotokui, M. excelsa, Myrmecina nipponica and Aphaenogaster japonica. Further studies on Melampyrum species, hemiparasite annual myrmecochorous plant, and related ant species should be needed.