Global biogeography of seed dormancy is determined by seasonality and seed size: a case study in the legumes

What is it about?

Many plants produce dormant seeds, particularly in the temperate zones. Similarly, seeds tend to be smaller at higher latitudes. The causes of these patterns are unclear. Here we show that the global distribution of seed dormancy and size is a result of the adaptation to seasonal cycles. Our results prove that smaller, dormant seeds that can stay undetected in the soil and germinate at the beginning of the favourable season are adaptive in environments where the growing season is short. Conversely, when germination and growth can take place throughout the year, large non-dormant seeds capable of producing more robust seedlings are more adaptive.

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