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Seedling defoliation, plant growth and flowering potential in native‐ and invasive‐range Plantago lanceolata populations
Author(s) -
HANLEY M E
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
weed research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1365-3180
pISSN - 0043-1737
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3180.2012.00910.x
Subject(s) - seedling , biology , plantago , herbivore , weed , generalist and specialist species , cotyledon , agronomy , botany , phenotypic plasticity , ecology , habitat
Hanley ME (2012). Seedling defoliation, plant growth and flowering potential in native‐ and invasive‐range Plantago lanceolata populations. Weed Research 52 , 252–259. Summary The plastic response of weeds to new environmental conditions, in particular the likely relaxation of herbivore pressure, is considered vital for successful colonisation and spread. However, while variation in plant anti‐herbivore resistance between native‐ and introduced‐range populations is well studied, few authors have considered herbivore tolerance, especially at the seedling stage. This study examines variation in seedling tolerance in native (European) and introduced (North American) Plantago lanceolata populations following cotyledon removal at 14 days old. Subsequent effects on plant growth were quantified at 35 days, along with effects on flowering potential at maturity. Cotyledon removal reduced early growth for all populations, with no variation between introduced‐ or native‐range plants. Although more variable, the effects of cotyledon loss on flowering potential were also unrelated to range. The likelihood that generalist seedling herbivores are common throughout North America may explain why no difference in seedling tolerance was apparent. However, increased flowering potential in plants from North American P. lanceolata populations was observed. As increased flowering potential was not lost, even after severe cotyledon damage, the manifestation of phenotypic plasticity in weeds at maturity may nonetheless still be shaped by plasticity in the ability to tolerate herbivory during seedling establishment.