| Abstract Detail
Ecological Section Zhou, Dawei [1], Japhet, Wisdom [1], Ping, wang [2], Tian, Yu [3]. Plasticity in growth trajectory during ontogenetic development in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). Plants do not often follow predetermined growth trajectories, but show plasticity in growth form depending on the resource levels and interaction with neighbor plants. Species exhibiting high degree of plasticity in growth form in response to variations in growth conditions should have higher relative fitness than species lacking such plasticity. Through the manipulation of inter-plant spacing, we generated a range of contrasting growing conditions in order to examine pattern of plasticity in fagopyrum esculentum, a specie which holds tremendous agronomic and nutritional benefits.The inter-plant spacing used were 5cm, 10cm, 15cm, 20cm and 25cm.Our results revealed a high degree of plasticity in such traits as Height, Stem diameter and the length to width ratio of leaves. Plant grown at the closest spacing (5cm) were significantly taller and with thinner stems than the ones that were more spaced. Similarly, plants that were grown at the closest spacing had significantly higher length to width ratio of leaves. We interprete these responses as an indicator of the ability of this specie to maximize fitness across a range of environments. In dense stands, height is a primary determinant of individual success since it ensures that the individual is better placed for light interception. In the same vein, a higher length to width ratio of leaves means should translate to a better distribution of light in the canopy since species with broad leaves tend to have a high light extinction coefficient and hence less radiation use efficiency. Keywords –Plasticity, fitness, extinction coefficient, inter-plant spacing, growth trajectory,
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1 - Northeast Normal University, Ecology department, Key Laboratory for Ecological Restoration and Ecosystem Management, Jilin Province, Changchun, Jilin, 130024, China
2 - Northeast Normal University, Ecology Department, Key laboratory for Ecological Restoration and Ecosystem Management, Jilin Province, Changchun, Jilin, 130024, China
3 - Northeast Normal University, Ecology Department, Key Laboratory for Ecological Restoration and Ecosystem Management, Jilin Province, Changchun, Jilin, 130024, China
Keywords:
plasticity
fitness
extinction coefficient
inter-plant spacing
growth trajectory.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: CP30
Location: Williford B/Hilton
Date: Tuesday, July 10th, 2007
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: CP30002
Abstract ID:194 |
