Breeding system and inbreeding depression in the rare orchid, Platanthera praeclara, in a fragmented grassland landscape

An important consequence of self-compatibility in plants is that self-pollination can have deleterious effects on plant fitness because of inbreeding. We conducted a hand pollination experiment under field conditions to measure the magnitude of inbreeding depression associated with self-pollination in the rare western prairie fringed-orchid Platanthera praeclara Sheviak and Bowles. By comparing capsules and seeds resulting from cross versus self-pollination treatments, we determined that self-pollination reduces seed quality while having no detectable effect on capsule production or seed numbers. A smaller percentage of seeds resulting from self-pollination contained an embryo (18%) relative to seeds from cross-pollination (46%). Seeds that had an embryo were scored for the size of the embryo, small or large. A smaller proportion of seeds from self-pollination contained a large embryo (75%) relative to seeds from cross-pollination (92%). These results suggest that sexual reproduction and recruitment in this rare plant are dependent on the frequency of pollinator visitations that result in outcrossing.

Quinclorac and Aminocyclopyrachlor Movement in Sandy Soils

The Sheyenne National Grassland (SNG) is a native tall grass and mixed grass prairie located in southeastern North Dakota. Approximately half of the SNG has been invaded by leafy spurge (Euphorbia esulaL.) and control methods have been limited. Many herbicides cannot be utilized at the SNG due to sandy soils (> 80%) and shallow groundwater, nor can they be applied near the western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclaraSheviak and Bowles), a federally listed threatened plant found on the SNG. Quinclorac and aminocyclopyrachlor were considered for use on the SNG but potential to enter the groundwater was unclear. Movement of quinclorac and aminocyclopyrachlor was evaluated in 70 cm soil columns that simulated field conditions from five ecological sites. Quinclorac leached further following the heavy rainfall event of 15 cm in 48 h compared to the annual precipitation of 51 cm applied over 9 wk. Quinclorac leached approximately 45 cm into the soil profile averaged over all soil types and both precipitation events but never exceeded 65 cm regardless of soil type. Aminocyclopyrachlor leaching was greater than quinclorac and moved through all soil types into the leachate following both watering regimes. Desorption of both herbicides was incomplete. Approximately 10 and 32% of applied aminocyclopyrachlor and quinclorac, respectively, remained in the top 5 cm of soil regardless of soil type or watering regime. Quinclorac but not aminocyclopyrachlor was considered suitable for use at the SNG to control leafy spurge and has the added benefit of not harming the western prairie fringed orchid.