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Resource allocation and reproductive and life-history strategies in widespread populations of Rumex crispus

1983; Canadian Science Publishing; Volume: 61; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1139/b83-135

1480-3305

L. Hume, Paul B. Cavers,

Rangeland and Wildlife Management

Genetically based differences among widespread populations of Rumex crispus L. from 10 localities in eastern North America and 1 in Bangor, Wales, were examined. Plants from all populations allocated the same proportions of resources to reproductive and vegetative plant parts when grown under cultivation in a common environment. Within these two major components, resources were allocated in different ways, adapting local populations to their respective environments. For example, plants from the warmest localities produced relatively small numbers of large achenes. Also, large achenes were produced from localities with the least precipitation during their dry season. Plants from populations at New Orleans, LA, College Station, TX, and Halifax, N.S., had shorter life-spans than those from other localities sampled. For the New Orleans population this was at least partly due to plants lacking the rigorous vernalization requirements of the more northerly populations. These individuals bolted in the fall and were winter-killed.