Tracking wind-dispersed seeds using (15)N-isotope enrichment

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Plant Science
• Isotope Tracing

Background:

• Seed dispersal is crucial for ecological processes, but measuring long-distance dispersal is challenging.
• Stable isotope labeling (15N) offers a promising method for tracking seed dispersal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of (15)N urea solution for enriching seeds of wind-dispersed plants (Eupatorium glaucescens and Sericocarpus tortifolius).
• To evaluate the impact of water type and spray frequency on (15)N enrichment.
• To investigate the effect of anti-transpirants on (15)N uptake in seeds under drought conditions.

Main Methods:

• Seeds of Eupatorium glaucescens and Sericocarpus tortifolius were treated with (15)N urea solutions.
• Variations in water type (distilled vs. tap) and spray frequency were tested.
• The influence of anti-transpirants on (15)N incorporation was examined.

Main Results:

• (15)N enrichment of seeds was demonstrated, facilitating dispersal experiments with wind-dispersed species.
• Distilled water did not enhance (15)N enrichment compared to tap water.
• Lower spray frequencies resulted in more efficient enrichment.
• Anti-transpirants did not impede (15)N incorporation into seeds.

Conclusions:

• (15)N enrichment is a viable technique for studying seed dispersal in wind-dispersed plants.
• Optimized protocols using tap water and lower spray frequencies can reduce experimental costs.
• Drought mitigation strategies using anti-transpirants are compatible with (15)N labeling for dispersal studies.