Seedling growth strategies and seed size effects in fourteen oak species native to different soil moisture habitats |
| |
Authors: | T J Long R H Jones |
| |
Institution: | (1) School of Forestry, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA, US |
| |
Abstract: | Seedling growth and morphology are thought to reflect evolutionary responses to habitat or influences of seed size. To test
these hypotheses, we selected fourteen species of North American oaks differing in soil moisture habitat preference and seed
size. Seedlings were grown for 1 – 2 years with abundant soil water and moderate soil nutrition in pots placed outdoors and
in a common garden. Oak species native to xeric environments produced the smallest seedlings. Oaks from hydric soils had more
shoot weight per unit of root weight and more height per unit of total plant weight than did mesic or xeric oaks. Essentially
no differences in leaf area per unit of total plant weight were detected. Species with thinner and larger individual leaves
tended to produce larger seedlings. Within species, seed size was generally unrelated to seedling growth, although results
may have been complicated by uncontrolled genotypic variability. However, when species were compared, those with larger mean
seed size produced larger seedlings. Root/shoot allometry, height growth and leaf thickness in the tested species may reflect
evolutionary responses to soil moisture and flooding. Although seed size influenced seedling growth, no clear relationship
between seed size and soil moisture habitat was found.
Received: 26 March 1995 / Accepted: 30 November 1995 |
| |
Keywords: | Quercus Carbon allocation Allometry |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|