Current projects

Population biology of plants

I am deeply interested in the ecology of generative reproduction of high plants. The investigation is performed in several levels with diaspore (seed, fruit) or seedling as a joint object. The term of “diaspore” is considered in two meaning, both as a part of the maternal plant body and as an individual organism. Diasporas fulfill the following objectives: species area spreading, to facilitate a plant survival in unfavourable conditions, and to support an effective species reproduction. Diasporas are important for plant species dispersal in the space and time and this is the reason why the diaspores are so important for many terrestrial communities.
In addition, diaspores are methodically applicable very well and the information about production, vigour, dispersibility, germination, dormancy, etc. are important for a research of vegetation changes. Diaspora plays a crucial role in a species toleration during exposure to various types of stress. The stressors may be the boundary biotical and abiotical conditions for germination and plant growth that are changing in dependence on global changes of the environment. 

The research is concentrated on the following topics:
• Diaspore characteristics, carpological collection, diaspore database creation
• Life cycle periods, diaspore production strategy, allocation into generative reproduction, diaspore dispersibility
• Function traits of plants, life form
• Germination and early growth, diaspore development, dormancy, natality and mortality, survival curves
• Stimulation/inhibition of seed germination and early growth, phytotoxicity test (in vitro and in situ)


Study object - diasporas (photo M. Hlásek, I. Hrušková)

Links

Publications

• Pavela R., Vrchotová N., Šerá B. (2009) Repellency and toxicity of three Impatients species (Balsaminaceae) extracts on Myzus persicae Sulzer (Homoptera: Aphididae). In: Journal of Biopesticides. Vol 2 (1), pp. 48-51.
• Vrchotová N., Šerá B. (2008) Allelopathic properties of Knotweed rhizome extracts. In: Plant Soil and Environment. Vol 54 (7), pp. 301-303.
• Šerá B., Straňák V., Šerý M., Tichý M. & Špatenka P. (2008) Germination of Chenopodium album in response to microwive plasma treatment. In: Plasma Science and Technology. Vol 10 (4), pp. 506-511.
• Pavela R., Vrchotová N., Šerá B. (2008) Growth inhibitory effect of extracts from Reynoutria sp. plants against Spodoptera littoralis larvae. In: Agrociencia. Vol 42, pp. 573-584.
• Šerá B. (2008) Road vegetation in Central Europe - an example from the Czech Republic. In: Biologia. Vol 63 (6), pp. 1081-1084.
• Šerá B. (2008) Simple traits among diaspore weight/number, plant height and an ability to vegetative propagation. In: Journal of Integrative Plant Biology. Vol 50 (12), pp. 1563-1569.
• Vrchotová N., Šerá B., Dadáková E. (2008) Some phenolic compounds in Himalayan Knotweed. In: J. Indian Chem. Soc.. Vol 85, pp. 1-2.
• Šerá B., Cudlín P., Dušek L., Hofman J. (2008) Vegetation and soil at the terraces of Dřevnice and the Moravia Rivers after flood. In: Ecology (Bratislava). Vol 27, pp. 430-445.
• Straňák V., Tichý M., Kříha V., Scholtz V., Šerá B., Špatenka P. (2007) Technological applications of sulfatron produced discharge. In: Journal of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials. Vol 9 (4), pp. 852-857.
• Vrchotová N., Šerá B. & Tříska J. (2007) The content of some stilbens and catechins in the spring sprout of Reynoutria species. In: Acta Chromatographica. Vol 19, pp. 21-28.
• Šerá B. (2005) Diaspores – potentoial or real power of wild plants? Life cycle. In: Ecology (Bratislava). Vol 24 (1), pp. 7-27.
• Šerá B., Feráková V., Kocianová E., Vágenknecht V., Majzlan O. & Dúbravcová Z. (2005) Peucedanum arenarium Waldst. et Kit. subsp. arenarium – a critically endangered species of the Slovak flora (morphometrics, distribution, biology). In: Biologia, Bratislava. Vol 60 (1), pp. 17-23.
• Hanousková I., Boháč J., Sedláček F., Šerá B., Lepšová A. & Zacharda M. (2004) Harmful organisms in urban green areas. In: Ecology (Bratislava). Vol 23 (1), pp. 58-68.
• Šerá B., Šerý M. (2004) Relation between number and weight of seeds and reproductive strategies in herbaceous plants. In: Folia Geobotanica. Vol 39, pp. 27-40.
• Šerá B., Cudlín P. (2001) Flood impact on vegetation communities. In: Ecology (Bratislava). Vol 20, pp. 38-46.
• Šerá B., Falta V., Cudlín P., Chmelíková E. (2000) Contribution to knowledge of natural growth and development of mountain Norway spruce seedlings. In: Ecology (Bratislava). Vol 4, pp. 420-434.
• Šerá B., Balounová Z. (1999) Biomass and energy allocation in two orchids - Dactylorhiza majalis and D. fuchsii (Orchidaceae). In: Biologia, Bratislava. Vol 54 (1), pp. 51-59.