Effects of defoliation and shading on the physiological cost of reproduction in silky locoweed Oxytropis sericea.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The production of flowers, fruits and seeds demands considerable energy and nutrients, which can limit the allocation of these resources to other plant functions and, thereby, influence survival and future reproduction. The magnitude of the physiological costs of reproduction depends on both the factors limiting seed production (pollen, ovules or resources) and the capacity of plants to compensate for high resource demand.

Methods

To assess the magnitude and consequences of reproductive costs, we used shading and defoliation to reduce photosynthate production by fully pollinated plants of a perennial legume, Oxytropis sericea (Fabaceae), and examined the resulting impact on photosynthate allocation, and nectar, fruit and seed production.

Key results

Althoug

SUBMITTER: Ida TY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3241590 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature