Density-dependent morphological plasticity and trade-offs among vegetative traits in Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae)

Acta Amazonica

Eleonora Alvarenga Andrade²  Mário Eduardo Avelar Barbosa¹  Guilherme Ramos Demetrio¹ 

[1] ,Universidade Federal do Amazonas Instituto de Educação, Agricultura e Ambiente Humaitá AM

关键词: Phenotypic plasticity;    Plant-environment relationships;    Plastic morphology;    Macrophyte;    Plasticidade fenotípica;    Relações Planta-Ambiente;    Morfologia plástica;    Macrófita;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0044-59672013000400007

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Density-dependent responses are an important component of the organism life-history, and the resource allocation theory is a central concept to the life-history theory. When resource allocation varies due to environmental changes, a plant may change its morphology or physiology to cope with the new conditions, a process known as phenotypic plasticity. Our study aimed to evaluate how plant density affects Eichhornia crassipes allocation patterns. A total of 214 individuals in high and low density were collected. The density effect was observed in all plant traits examined including biomass accumulation. All traits of E. crassipes demonstrated higher values in high density conditions, except for biomass of leaves. Density exhibited a high influence on vegetative traits of E. crassipes, but did not influence allocation pattern, since a trade-off among the vegetative traits was not found. The morphological plasticity and the absence of trade-offs were discussed as strategies to overcome neighbor plants in competition situations. In high density conditions, there were clear changes in the morphology of the plants which probably allows for their survival in a highly competitive environment.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
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