Is reproductive allocation in Senecio vulgaris plastic?

Botany ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 475-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Weiner ◽  
Lars Rosenmeier ◽  
Emma Soy Massoni ◽  
Josep Nogués Vera ◽  
Eva Hernández Plaza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Reproductive Allocation ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Nutrient Level ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Senecio Vulgaris ◽  
The Relationship

Several purported cases of plasticity in plant allocation patterns appear to be the effects of size and allometric growth (“apparent plasticity”). To ask whether there is true plasticity (i.e., a change in the allometric trajectory) in reproductive allocation in Senecio vulgaris  L., we grew S. vulgaris plants at high and low levels of water, nutrients, and competition, and analyzed the relationship between vegetative and seed biomass. Plant size was the major determinant of reproductive output, accounting for 83% of the variation in log (seed mass). There were also significant effects of the treatments that were not due to size, accounting for an additional 9% of the variation. The treatments affected the allometric coefficient (intercept), not the allometric exponent (slope) of the relationship, reflecting a small but significant shift in the efficiency of conversion of total plant biomass into reproductive biomass. In a second experiment, we grew S. vulgaris plants at three nutrient levels and allowed all individuals to complete their life cycles. Again, nutrient level had a small but significant effect on the allometric coefficient. Plasticity in reproductive allocation exists, but is very limited. The primary effects of the environment on the reproductive output of S. vulgaris occur via plant size.

Plant-size and fruit-position effects on reproductive allocation in Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae)

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
pp. 1398-1407 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J Susko ◽  
Lesley Lovett-Doust
Keyword(s):  
Seed Mass ◽  
Maternal Investment ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Reproductive Allocation ◽  
Alliaria Petiolata ◽  
Position Effects ◽  
Threshold Size ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Total Seed

We examined the development of ovules and components of reproductive yield as they related to plant size and fruit position within plants of Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara and Grande from three sites. We found that both factors affected fruit and seed production, and patterns of ovule fate. Larger plants were more fecund than their smaller counterparts, while proximally positioned flowers within an inflorescence produced more seeds. Maternal investment was regulated according to plant mass at two levels: among fruits (small plants had significantly lower fruit-set than did large plants), and within fruits (small plants had significantly fewer ovules and significantly higher proportions of aborted ovules per fruit than did large plants). All absolute measures of reproduction had positive linear relationships with plant size, but a threshold size for flowering was not found. Most proportional measures of reproduction were independent of plant size. Small plants produced the same relative proportions of total seed number and total seed mass per unit plant dry mass as large plants. Therefore, proportional reproductive allocation did not vary with plant size. However, small plants produced proportionately more flowers per unit dry mass. Small plants may be maximizing their overall fitness through increased allocation to male function (flower production).Key words: Alliaria petiolata, plant-size effects, fruit-position effects, reproductive allocation, patterns of ovule abortion, seed maturation.

Seed size effects and competitive ability in Thlaspi arvense L. (Brassicaceae)

Botany ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Susko ◽  
Paul B. Cavers
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Intraspecific Competition ◽  
Competitive Ability ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Thlaspi Arvense ◽  
High Nutrient

We examined the effects of seed size on plant size and competitive ability of Thlaspi arvense L. grown with and without intraspecific competition under contrasting soil fertility regimes. For solitary plants from each of four half-sibship families, seed mass was positively correlated with percentage germination, cotyledon size, and plant biomass after 15 d of growth, but differences in plant biomass largely disappeared at later dates. Small and large seeds of a single maternal family were sown in uniform or mixed arrangements of seed size classes (small:large; 100%:0%; 75%:25%; 50%:50%; 25%:75%; 0%:100%) at each of two densities (8 or 16 seeds·pot–1) under low and high soil nutrient regimes. In mixtures at low density under low soil fertility, plants from small seeds had significantly lower relative yields than expected. At high density, under either low or high nutrient conditions, plants from large seeds had significantly greater relative yields than expected. Hence, under most conditions, size inequalities between plants from seeds of different size resulted in a relative competitive advantage for plants from large seeds. The duration and extent of differences in plant size arising from T. arvense seeds of contrasting size depends on maternal genetic differences, intensity of intraspecific competition, and soil fertility.

Seed yield and biomass allocation in Sorghum bicolor and F1 and backcross generations of S. bicolor × S. halepense hybrids

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 468-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon K. Piper ◽  
Peter A. Kulakow
Keyword(s):  
Sorghum Bicolor ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Reproductive Allocation ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Perennial Grains ◽  
High Seed Yield

The Land Institute is developing perennial grains to be grown in prairie-like mixtures. One approach involves the development of a perennial grain sorghum by crossing tetraploid Sorghum bicolor with wild S. halepense to combine high seed yield with overwintering ability via rhizome production. We grew tetraploid S. bicolor, F1 hybrid (BC0), and two backcross generations (BC1 and BC2) in a randomized block design to examine total biomass, seed yield, and allocation to plant parts within and across generations. Root, rhizome, stem and leaf, and total biomass decreased from the BC0 to BC2 to S. bicolor generations, whereas panicle mass, seed mass, and reproductive allocation were lowest in the BC0 generation (p < 0.05, ANOVA). Mean seed mass (g ∙ plant−1) was 39.1 in the BC0, 107.3 in the BC1, 84.1 in the BC2, and 92.7 for the S. bicolor parent, which translated into yields of 171.9, 471.6, 396.7, and 407.5 g ∙ m−2, respectively. Reproductive allocation varied from 14.7% in BC0 to 28.9% in BC2 compared with 33.5% in S. bicolor. Mean allocation to rhizomes was 2.71% in BC0 but negligible in BC1 and BC2. There was no relationship between rhizome mass and seed mass within any generation, but there was a positive correlation between total plant mass and rhizome mass in BC0. We divided the BC0 population into four groups with respect to rhizome production and found no significant differences among the groups in plant size or seed yield. Within each generation, reproductive allocation was inversely related to culm mass. The lack of an apparent trade-off between allocation to rhizome versus allocation to seed within any generation supports the possibility of combining within a population high seed yield and production of perennating belowground organs. Key words: backcross, hybrid, perennial grains, reproductive allocation, rhizome, seed mass, Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum halepense.

Reproductive Variation in Naturally Occurring Populations of the Weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in Australia

Weed Science ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 571-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunjithapatham Dhileepan
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Weed Seed ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Seed Output ◽  
Parthenium Weed

Parthenium weed, an annual herb native to tropical America, causes severe economic, human, and animal health and environmental impacts in Australia and in many countries in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. There is little known about variation in reproductive output in naturally occurring populations of this weed. This information is vital to develop plant population models, devise management strategies to reduce seed output, and formulate parthenium weed pollen-induced human health (e.g., dermatitis and hay fever) risk assessment. Here, the variations in the number of capitula produced by the parthenium weed at two sites in Queensland, Australia, over a 4-yr period are reported. Under field conditions, parthenium weed produced up to 39,192 capitula per plant (> 156,768 seeds per plant), with majority of the plants (≈ 75%) producing between 11 and 1,000 capitula, and less than 0.3% of the plants producing more than 10,000 capitula (> 40,000 seeds per plant). The number of capitula per plant in the field (297 ± 22) was much lower than those reported from glasshouse and laboratory studies. Plant biomass contributed to 50 to 80% of the variation in capitulum production between plants within plots at each site, and weed density accounted for 62 to 73% of the variation in capitulum production between plots within each site. As plant size is directly correlated with reproductive output, plant size distributions in parthenium weed can be used to estimate effective population size. Information on variation in reproductive output will be used to implement management strategies to reduce parthenium weed seed output, resulting in reduced soil seed bank and weed seed spread.

Life cycles and biomass allocation in seed- and ramet-derived plants of Cryptotaenia canadensis (Apiaceae), a monocarpic species of eastern North America

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 518-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy S Hawkins ◽  
Jerry M Baskin ◽  
Carol C Baskin
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Significant Difference

Life cycles, survivorship, and biomass allocation for seed- and ramet-derived plants of Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC. were studied to determine if variation existed between plant derivations, and how these attributes contribute to persistence of the species within a temperate forest habitat. Seed-derived plants behaved as biennials, reproducing both sexually and asexually in the second growing season. Ramet-derived plants reproduced sexually and asexually annually. Annual survivorship was greater for seed-derived juveniles; however, fewer seed-derived plants flowered than did ramet-derived plants. Biomass allocation for plants harvested at four growth stages over two complete life cycles was significantly different between plant derivations during vegetative growth stages. During reproductive growth stages, biomass allocation did not differ between ramet- and seed-derived plants harvested in the same year. Regressions showed a strong correlation between sexual reproductive mass and vegetative mass for both plant derivations, with no significant difference between slopes or intercepts. Ramet mass was less dependent on plant size, and differences between slopes and intercepts were not significant. Regressions of sexual versus asexual reproductive mass varied with year and cohort. Equivalent reproductive output in conjunction with temporal differences in life cycle phenologies between plant derivations optimize this species' ability to persist in its natural habitat.Key words: allometry, Apiaceae, biomass allocation, Cryptotaenia canadensis, monocarpic.

Evaluating the fitness effects of seed size and maternal tree size on Polylepis tomentella (Rosaceae) seed germination and seedling performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-122
Author(s):  
Alejandra I. Domic ◽  
José M. Capriles ◽  
Gerardo R. Camilo
Keyword(s):  
Size Effect ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Metabolic Effect ◽  
Maternal Plant ◽  
Seedling Performance ◽  
Seedling Size ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Reserve Effect

AbstractIn vascular plants, larger seeds are generally associated with higher germination potential, healthier seedlings and overall higher rates of survivorship. How this relationship holds or what other physiological tradeoffs evolved in plants adapted to high-altitude environments, such as the tropical and subtropical highland Polylepis tree, remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between seed mass and seedling performance by testing the reserve effect, the metabolic effect, and the seedling-size effect hypotheses in Polylepis tomentella Weddell (Rosaceae). Since the relationship between fitness and seed size can often depend on maternal plant size, we additionally investigated the association between germination success, seedling performance (survival, relative growth rate (RGR) and height), and size of bearing-seed trees under controlled greenhouse conditions. Our results showed that heavier seeds are more likely to germinate, but we did not find evidence that could support the reserve effect, metabolic effect or seedling-size effect. As seedlings from larger and medium seeds exhibited comparatively similar RGR, survival percentages and final size, maternal plant size was positively associated with improved seed quality and seedling performance. These results demonstrate that seed mass and maternal size during early seedling establishment are critical for Polylepis persistence, demography and conservation.

Population structure effect on reproduction of a rare plant: beyond population size effect

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (9) ◽  
pp. 1371-1379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arantzazu L. Luzuriaga ◽  
Adrián Escudero ◽  
María José Albert ◽  
Luis Giménez-Benavides
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Aggregation Index ◽  
Negative Effect

Several studies have evaluated the effect of population size on plant reproductive output, but there are few studies concerning the effect of other population structure variables on plant reproduction. In this study, we went beyond population size effect and we tested the effect of some population spatial variables such as plant density, plant aggregation, population structure, and population identity on plant reproductive success and fitness in large populations (>1000 individuals) of Centaurea hyssopifolia Vahl., an endemic species of central Spain. We analysed the reproductive output (capitula, flowers, and seeds) and another two components of plant fitness (seed mass and germinability) in 350 individuals from seven populations in 2002 and 2003. All populations were similar in size but differed in other population spatial characteristics (density, plant aggregation pattern, population plant size structure). We used Morisita’s aggregation index to characterize the level of plant aggregation within populations. Population plant size structure variable determined the proportion of different sized plants in a population. We used generalized linear mixed models to model the contribution of these population spatial variables to several reproductive parameters. Our results showed that whereas the aggregation index exerted a positive control on plant seed set, plant density had a negative effect, and plant population size structure did not significantly influence any response variable. Density only exerted a negative effect on seed set. On the contrary, plant aggregation had a positive effect. Seed mass was also larger in more aggregated populations, although no differences in seed germinability were observed. We detected the effect of population attributes on reproduction in terms of seed set, but we did not detect any effect on other overall reproductive variables measured at plant level. To sum up, our results showed that if population fragments were large enough, spatial population attributes became crucial factors for plant reproductive output and fitness. These easily measurable population variables may improve the conservation management of rare plant species.

scholarly journals Relationships between resource availability and elevation vary between metrics creating gradients of nutritional complexity

Oecologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 195 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-223
Author(s):  
Mark A. Lee ◽  
Grace Burger ◽  
Emma R. Green ◽  
Pepijn W. Kooij
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Mineral Contents ◽  
Nutritive Values ◽  
Animal Community ◽  
Nutritional Chemistry ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractPlant and animal community composition changes at higher elevations on mountains. Plant and animal species richness generally declines with elevation, but the shape of the relationship differs between taxa. There are several proposed mechanisms, including the productivity hypotheses; that declines in available plant biomass confers fewer resources to consumers, thus supporting fewer species. We investigated resource availability as we ascended three aspects of Helvellyn mountain, UK, measuring several plant nutritive metrics, plant species richness and biomass. We observed a linear decline in plant species richness as we ascended the mountain but there was a unimodal relationship between plant biomass and elevation. Generally, the highest biomass values at mid-elevations were associated with the lowest nutritive values, except mineral contents which declined with elevation. Intra-specific and inter-specific increases in nutritive values nearer the top and bottom of the mountain indicated that physiological, phenological and compositional mechanisms may have played a role. The shape of the relationship between resource availability and elevation was different depending on the metric. Many consumers actively select or avoid plants based on their nutritive values and the abundances of consumer taxa vary in their relationships with elevation. Consideration of multiple nutritive metrics and of the nutritional requirements of the consumer may provide a greater understanding of changes to plant and animal communities at higher elevations. We propose a novel hypothesis for explaining elevational diversity gradients, which warrants further study; the ‘nutritional complexity hypothesis’, where consumer species coexist due to greater variation in the nutritional chemistry of plants.

The effect of population structure on growth patterns in the woody goldenrod Solidago pauciflosculosa

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 1955-1958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin P. Pritts ◽  
James F. Hancock
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Dispersion Pattern ◽  
Allocation Patterns ◽  
Total Plant Biomass ◽  
Total Plant ◽  
Two Populations

The population structure and growth patterns of two populations of Solidago pauciflosculosa, a woody goldenrod, were investigated. Populations consisted of even-aged contagious patches of individuals, a dispersion pattern likely caused by the periodic appearance of microsites suitable for seedling establishment. The density of individuals within the even-aged clumps varied considerably and was correlated with total plant biomass and reproductive output. Density was not correlated with either reproductive or nonreproductive allocation patterns.

scholarly journals Soil Nutrient and Vegetation Diversity Patterns of Alpine Wetlands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6221
Author(s):  
Muyuan Ma ◽  
Yaojun Zhu ◽  
Yuanyun Wei ◽  
Nana Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
Vegetation Biomass ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
The Relationship

To predict the consequences of environmental change on the biodiversity of alpine wetlands, it is necessary to understand the relationship between soil properties and vegetation biodiversity. In this study, we investigated spatial patterns of aboveground vegetation biomass, cover, species diversity, and their relationships with soil properties in the alpine wetlands of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. Furthermore, the relative contribution of soil properties to vegetation biomass, cover, and species diversity were compared using principal component analysis and multiple regression analysis. Generally, the relationship between plant biomass, coverage, diversity, and soil nutrients was linear or unimodal. Soil pH, bulk density and organic carbon were also significantly correlated to plant diversity. The soil attributes differed in their relative contribution to changes in plant productivity and diversity. pH had the highest contribution to vegetation biomass and species richness, while total nitrogen was the highest contributor to vegetation cover and nitrogen–phosphorus ratio (N:P) was the highest contributor to diversity. Both vegetation productivity and diversity were closely related to soil properties, and soil pH and the N:P ratio play particularly important roles in wetland vegetation biomass, cover, and diversity.

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