Clonal Growth in Grassland Perennials: III. Genetic Variation and Plasticity Between and Within Populations of Bellis Perennis and Prunella Vulgaris

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
(1) The genetic structure and plasticity within and between populations of two grassland perennials Bellis perennis and Prunella vulgaris of contrasted growth form was investigated by means of reciprocal transplant experiments. (2) Genetic variation exists within and between populations of both species. Genetic differences in plastic response have been found between populations of Prunella vulgaris; plants were larger at home-sites but had longer offshoots at away-sites. The fraction of phenotypic variability which is determined by the environment was larger in Bellis perennis than in Prunella vulgaris. (3) It is suggested that plasticity is high in Bellis perennis because genets remain in relatively fixed positions (phalanx growth habit). The evolution of local specialization in Prunella vulgaris may be explained by the ability of genets to travel by clonal growth (guerrilla growth habit) and to find favourable patches in the environment. This growth response is compared with behavioral plasticity in animals. (4) Genetic variation between populations of P. vulgaris was independent of the source material (seeds, cuttings) which had been used in the transplant and cultivation experiments, indicating that heterogeneity within seed populations may be restricted as much as within populations of growing plants.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: