高寒草甸41种菊科植物种子主要营养成分含量随种子大小变异的适应性研究

In this study, the relationship between main reserve contents and seed size of Compositae plant on the northest Qinghai-Tibet plateau was analyzed, which could provide a theoretical basis for adaptability of alpine plants. The content of crude fats was determined by Soxhlet extraction with petroleum(60-90℃)as solvent for 8 hours; the content of soluble sugar and starch were determined by anthrone colorimetric method; protein values were obtained by Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250. The results showed that: the crude fat contents and protein were all decreased significantly with increasing seed size, but the contents of soluble sugar and starch had no significant correlations with seed size. Relative higher mass percentages of fat and protein in smaller seeds might be could provide enough energy for faster growth of seedlings, which might be a trade-off to overcome the disvantages of smaller seedlings produced by smaller seeds.