Kin selection in seeds and sporophytes: testing the role of inclusive fitness in seed development, dormancy and sporophyte interactions

The present study explores the role of kin selection and inclusive fitness theory on three distinct features in plants, viz., seed dormancy, seed development, and sporophyte interactions.The imposition of dormancy benefits the mother but reduces offspring fitness, leading to parent-offspring conflict.The study predicts that the imposition of dormancy is proportional to the genetic relatedness of seeds to the mother and is more common in outbreeding plants.The data supporting these findings in sunflowers and the breeding systems of 976 species are provided.Inclusive fitness theory on seed development predicts an optimum level of outbreeding; this was tested in Hibiscus cannabinus.A meta-analysis of plant-level interactions indicated strong signals of kin cooperation.