Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: thedoc on 28/05/2013 15:01:43

Title: How does bushfire smoke help plant germination?
Post by: thedoc on 28/05/2013 15:01:43

Gavin Flematti discusses how a chemical in bushfire smoke helps plants to germinate.
Read a transcript of the interview by clicking here (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/interviews/interview/1000240/)

or [chapter podcast=1000372 track=13.05.23/Naked_Scientists_Show_13.05.23_1000808.mp3](https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenakedscientists.com%2FHTML%2Ftypo3conf%2Fext%2Fnaksci_podcast%2Fgnome-settings-sound.gif&hash=f2b0d108dc173aeaa367f8db2e2171bd) Listen to it now[/chapter] or [download as MP3] (http://nakeddiscovery.com/downloads/split_individual/13.05.23/Naked_Scientists_Show_13.05.23_1000808.mp3)

Title: Re: How does bushfire smoke help plant germination?
Post by: cheryl j on 24/05/2013 22:04:12

Isn't there a pine tree (Jack pine?) that releases it's seeds after a forest fire. But I think it's because of heat not smoke.

Title: Re: How does bushfire smoke help plant germination?
Post by: chris on 25/05/2013 14:20:02

That's true; some plants rely on the heat of a fire for seed activation; others, like some eucalypts, regenerate bark and ditch the superficial layers so as to be fire resistant themselves. There are also some plants in WA called "Black Boys" that sprout ferociously when they are burned.

Title: Re: How does bushfire smoke help plant germination?
Post by: nicephotog on 28/06/2013 21:01:36

Mum taught me that with many natives in Australia, bushfire heat is what causes germination of the seeds so you put them in boiling water for a few minutes before planting them e.g. Bottlebrush.