Does physiological integration among intraclonal ramets of Iris pumila enhance stress tolerance in heterogeneous environments?
We tested the hypothesis that sharing essential resources through interconnected ramets increases stress tolerance of a clonal plant in patchy environments. A number of circle-shaped clones of Iris pumila naturally growing in a sunexposed habitat were selected and cut into two equal halves...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Belgrade, University of Novi Sad
2014-01-01
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| Series: | Archives of Biological Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2014/0354-46641402713J.pdf |
| Summary: | We tested the hypothesis that sharing essential resources through
interconnected ramets increases stress tolerance of a clonal plant in patchy
environments. A number of circle-shaped clones of Iris pumila naturally
growing in a sunexposed habitat were selected and cut into two equal halves
with different integration status: one with intact and the other with
disconnected rhizomes. One-half of each clone was then shaded with a neutral
screen to provide 50% of ambient irradiance, so that one-half of both clones
consisted of connected and disconnected halves (referred to as “clone
quarters”). Leaves collected from each clone quarter were analyzed for
malondialdehyde (MDA) content (a stress indicator) and the values of three
functional traits, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC)
and leaf water content (LWC). MDA content was greater in unshaded (more
stressed) than in shaded (less stressed) leaves. All three morphological
traits changed with light gradient, but only SLA was impacted by the ramet
integration status. SLA and MDA tended to be inversely related in each clone
quarter, indicating a (compensatory) mechanism utilized by I. pumila plants
in coping with environmental stress. SLA and LDMC were highly negatively
correlated in general, but less strongly in interconnected ramets compared to
those with a disrupted connection. The results suggest that intraclonal
physiological integration confers a fitness benefit to I. pumila plants in
heterogeneous environments, likely by balancing two fundamental plant
activities - rapid biomass production and nutrient conservation. [Projekat
Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173007] |
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| ISSN: | 0354-4664 1821-4339 |