Infantes E and Moksnes P-O
Aquatic Botany, 144: 9-19
Publication year: 2018

ABSTRACT

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) flowering development and seed production were assessed along a depth gradient at three sites during 2012 and 2013 to 1) describe the flowering seasonality in the Swedish west coast, and 2) evaluate methods using seeds for large-scale restoration, including harvesting, storage and separation of viable seeds using a vertical flume.

Eelgrass flowering shoots were found in the field from June to October, reaching the highest densities in July and August (average 3.8±0.5 shoots m-2). Flowering shoot densities decreased with depth, whereas shoot length, number of spathes, seeds/shoot and seed size increased with depth, resulting in the highest seed production at intermediate depths (2 m) in most bays and years.

Because of low densities of flowering shoots, seed production in Sweden (on average 39-126 seeds m-2, Jul-Sep) was an order of magnitude lower than in other studied areas. Results showed that seed production differed 2.5-3.4 times between meadows and years, mainly driven by variation in seed production per shoot.This variation was only partly explained by temperature over the growing season, suggesting that other factors such as light and the amount of filamentous algal mats might also be important in flower development.

Results suggest that flowering shoots should be harvested when >50 % of the spathes have developing seeds, and that shoots should not be stored longer than 40 days in tanks to obtain an optimal release of viable seeds. A new mechanized method using a vertical flume to separate large amounts of viable seeds from the harvest is also presented.

Highlights

  • Eelgrass flowering shoots were found from June to October, reaching the highest densities in July and August (average 3.8±0.5 shoots m-2).
  • Seed production in Sweden (on average 39-126 seeds m-2, Jul-Sep) was an order of magnitude lower than in other studied areas.
  • A high variation in seed production was partly explained by temperature, suggesting that light and  filamentous algal mats might influence flower development
  • Flowering shoots harvested when >50% of the spathes with developing seed, produced between 50-140 seeds per shoot.
  • A vertical flume was developed to separate large amounts of viable eelgrass seeds.
Flowering stages of Zostera marina. 1) styles are erect from the spadix, 2) styles bend back after pollination, 3) pollen is released from the anthers, 4) seed maturation, 5) seeds are released.

Flowering stages of Zostera marina. 1) styles are erect from the spadix, 2) styles bend back after pollination, 3) pollen is released from the anthers, 4) seed maturation, 5) seeds are released.

a) Schematic diagram of vertical flume used for seed separation. b) Relation between seed viability, sinking velocity and volumetric flow rate.

a) Schematic diagram of vertical flume used for seed separation. b) Relation between seed viability, sinking velocity and volumetric flow rate.

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Simple steps on how to harvest, store and plant Zostera marina seeds