Plasticity in biomass allocation underlies tolerance to leaf damage in native and non-native populations of Datura stramonium.

ABSTRACT: An introduction to a novel habitat represents a challenge to plants because they likely would face new interactions and possibly different physical context. When plant populations arrive to a new region free from herbivores, we can expect an evolutionary change in their defense level, although this may be contingent on the type of defense, resistance or tolerance, and cost of defense. Here, we addressed questions on the evolution of tolerance to damage in non-native Spanish populations of Datura stramonium by means of two comparative greenhouse experiments. We found differences in seed production, specific leaf area, and biomass allocation to stems and roots between ranges. Compared to the Mexican native populations of this species, non-native populations produced less seeds despite damage

SUBMITTER: Linan-Vigo F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11358249 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature