Low tolerance to simulated herbivory in Hawaiian seedlings despite induced changes in photosynthesis and biomass allocation.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Seedling herbivory is an important factor underlying plant community diversity and structure. While considerable research has characterized seedling defence in terms of resistance, very little is known about seedling tolerance of herbivory. Moreover, few studies have attempted to identify mechanisms of tolerance across a range of plant species.

Methods

Seedling tolerance of simulated herbivory was tested in a diverse pool of ten Hawaiian plant species, including several lobeliad species (family Campanulaceae), a grass, a herb and common woody trees and shrubs. Tolerance was measured as the relative survival and growth of damaged plants receiving 50 % defoliation with simultaneous jasmonic acid application compared with undamaged control plants, assessed 1

SUBMITTER: Barton KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4866310 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature