Vegetative Reproduction in Posidonia oceanica

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Abstract
In an investigation of vegetative reproduction in Posidonia oceanica, carried out in Corsica, survival and development were studied in initially orthotropic rhizomes transplanted to different depths. Batches of transplants originating from 30m depth and replanted in shallower water (3, 14, and 20m) showed survival of 96 to 100% after eleven months, with ramification in 42% of the transplants and root formation in 44%. After the same time interval, batches originating from 3m depth and transplanted to deeper water showed lower survival ‐59% at 14m, 41% at 29m, and 3% at 36m ‐ complete absence of ramification, and rooting in only one batch. Transplantation to water shallower than their origin was favorable for survival, growth, and development, while transplantation to deeper water led to progressively lower survival, growth, and development of the shoots. Whatever the depth at which they were replanted horizontally, most transplants changed their growth mode from orthotropic to plagiotropic, as evidenced by both the change in leaf growth angle from horizontal to oblique and by the development of shorter, narrower leaves.