Shifting effects of physiological integration on performance of a clonal plant during submergence and de-submergence.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Submergence and de-submergence are common phenomena encountered by riparian plants due to water level fluctuations, but little is known about the role of physiological integration in clonal plants (resource sharing between interconnected ramets) in their adaptation to such events. Using Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligator weed) as an example, this study tested the hypotheses that physiological integration will improve growth and photosynthetic capacity of submerged ramets during submergence and will promote their recovery following de-submergence.

Methods

Connected clones of A. philoxeroides, each consisting of two ramet systems and a stolon internode connecting them, were grown under control (both ramet systems untreated), half-submerged (one ramet sy

SUBMITTER: Luo FL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4030817 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature