Apomixis and genetic background affect distinct traits in Hieracium pilosella L. grown under competition.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Apomixis, the asexual reproduction through seeds, occurs in over 40 plant families and avoids the hidden cost of sex. Apomictic plants are thought to have an advantage in sparse populations and when colonizing new areas but may have a disadvantage in changing environments because they propagate via fixed genotypes. In this study, we separated the influences of different genetic backgrounds (potentially reflecting local adaptation) from those of the mode of reproduction, i.e., sexual vs. apomictic, on nine fitness-related traits in Hieracium pilosella L. We aimed to test whether apomixis per se may provide a fitness advantage in different competitive environments in a common garden setting.

Results

To separate the effects of genetic background from those of reprodu

SUBMITTER: Sailer C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8403437 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature