Localized populational differences in the photosynthetic response to temperature and irradiance in Plantago lanceolata

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Abstract
Leaves of Plantago lanceolata L. were collected from populations growing in shaded, sunflecked, and open habitats. Cloning techniques were used to propagate ramets of at least 10 individuals from each population. Photosynthetic and diffusion resistance responses were measured in ramets grown at a standard condition. Highly significant differences in the photosynthetic responses to temperature and irradiance were found among the three populations. These large differences were associated with similarly large differences in stomatal and nonstomatal diffusion resistances. The temperature response differences could be interpreted as adaptive to the site of origin of the various biotypes. Consequently, we present evidence of localized ecotypic differentiation which has occurred despite the potential for gene exchange among the populations.