Sink strength manipulation in branches of a Mediterranean woody plant suggests sink-driven allocation of biomass in fruits but not of nutrients in seeds

The relative autonomy of branches within an individual plant may favor different resource allocation responses after reproductive losses. The assessment of these reproductive strategies at the branch level before their integration at the plant level would provide more insight into how plants deal with reproductive losses. Here, we present a field experiment to assess changes in the allocation strategies at the branch level after sink strength manipulation in a Mediterranean woody plant (Cistus ladanifer). We applied three levels of removal of developing fruits (75, 25 and 0 %) on branches of the same plants, and measured their effects on resource allocation (biomass, nitrogen and phosphorus) and seed production after controlling for the effects of branch diameter and leaf weight per branch. Our results suggest that after experimental fruit thinning, C. ladanifer branches presented a sink-driven allocation of biomass to fruits but this was not the case for the allocation of nutrients to seeds, which could be driven by competition with leaf biomass. Reductions in biomass per fruit resulted in a reduction in seed output since the average weight per seed remained constant. From these results, it could be suggested that an heterogeneous distribution of fruit losses among the branches within a crown would produce a higher impact on reproductive output than a more equitable distribution.     

Dipsacus fullonum: an Alternative Host of Sunflower chlorotic mottle virus in Argentina

Dipsacus fullonum L. is a biennial weed that is widely spread in the Pampean region of Argentina. Plants of this species showing leaf mosaic symptoms were collected near sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) crops infected with Sunflower chlorotic mottle virus (SuCMoV). Symptomatic plants were tested by biological, serological and molecular assays. Sunflower and Nicotiana occidentalis L. plants mechanically inoculated with extracts from symptomatic D. fullonum leaves developed typical SuCMoV symptoms. Samples were DAS-ELISA positive when probed with a SuCMoV antiserum. RT-PCR was used to amplify the whole coat protein gene of the infecting virus. An 807 bp fragment was amplified, cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence (EU606023) shared 96% amino acid identity with the SuCMoV sequence (AF255677). These results indicate that D. fullonum mosaic is caused by an isolate of SuCMoV. Thus, this finding has epidemiological relevance as the weed may act as a natural virus reservoir.     

A DISEASE OF SCABIOSA CAUCASICA CAUSED BY THE NEMATODE APHELENCHOIDES BLASTOPHTHORUS N.SP.

Scabiosa caucasica has been found affected by a new species of Aphelenchoides , herein described and named A. blastophthorus. The symptoms of disease are destruction of the inflorescences and distortion of the leaves with reduction of the laminae. Similar symptoms were produced in scabious by experimental infestation. The nematode can infest teazle ( Dipsacus fullonum ), but has not been found naturally occurring on any host but scabious.     

Allometry of Salsola collina in response to soil nutrients,water supply and population density

The allometry of greenhouse‐grown Salsola collina Pall. in response to variation in soil nutrient content, water supply and population density has been compared. The results showed that the biomass allocation was size‐dependent. Root, stem, leaf and reproductive allocation showed a ‘true’ plasticity in response to soil nutrient variation. At low soil nutrient content, plants tended to allocate more biomass to the development of reproductive organs than to stem and leaf, but root allocation was consistent due to a tradeoff between the effects of plant size and soil nutrient content. The plasticity of stem allocation and reproductive effort was ‘true’, while the plasticity of root allocation was ‘apparent’, but there was no plasticity for leaf allocation in response to soil water variation. At lower soil water content, plants tended to allocate more biomass to the stem than to development of reproductive organs. With the exception of ‘apparent’ plasticity of root allocation, no plasticity was detected in biomass allocation when population density was varied.     

沙质草地不同生活史植物的生物量分配对氮素和水分添加的响应

以氮素和水分(冬季增雪和夏季增雨)为控制因子, 开展相关田间控制实验, 分析不同功能群(以生活史为划分依据)尺度和群落尺度植物生物量分配格局对氮素和水分的响应, 得出以下结论: 1)一年生植物的繁殖生物量比重明显高于多年生植物, 而多年生植物种的叶/地上生物量比值显著高于一年生植物; 2)一年生植物对氮素和水分添加的响应剧烈, 氮添加耦合夏季增雨、氮添加耦合冬季增雪显著增加了一年生植物的繁殖生物量比重和叶生物量比重。多年生植物对氮素和水分添加的响应不敏感, 表现为多年生植物的各器官生物量分配格局对氮素添加和水分添加的响应不明显。3)氮素添加和水分处理改变了群落尺度生物量分配格局: 氮素添加耦合冬季增雪处理降低了群落植物的繁殖生物量比重和茎生物量比重, 提高了群落植物的叶生物量比重。4)冬季增雪和夏季增雨与氮素添加的交互作用对群落生物量分配格局的改变不同。夏季增雨耦合氮素添加处理下群落的茎生物量比重显著提高, 群落茎生物量分配的改变引起群落的垂直结构发生改变。冬季增雪氮素处理下群落的叶生物量比重增加, 但茎生物量比重增加不明显。冬季增雪也改变了群落的结构和功能。     

The importance of seed reserves for seedling performance: an integrated approach using morphological,physiological, and stable isotope techniques

To investigate how seed reserves affect early seedling performance, we conducted a factorial greenhouse experiment using Lithocarpus densiflora (Tanoak). Seedlings were grown from large (5.8±0.7 g) and small (3.2±0.4 g) seeds and, following shoot emergence, seeds were either removed or left attached. Seedlings were harvested for quantification of biomass and ¹³C at seven time periods following seed removal (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 days) and seedling photosynthesis was measured three separate time periods (2–4, 49–82, 95–128 days after seed removal). Biomass increased for all seedlings, but the increase was significantly larger for seedlings with attached seeds than with removed seeds. Seed removal just after shoot emergence significantly decreased seedling biomass, but seed removal 64 days after shoot emergence had no effect on seedling biomass. Seedling photosynthesis per unit leaf area varied by time and seed presence, but not by seed size. At the first period, seedlings with attached seeds had significantly higher photosynthetic rates than seedlings with removed seeds, at the second period there was no effect of seed removal, and at the third time period seedlings with attached seeds had significantly lower photosynthetic rates than seedlings with removed seeds. Despite temporal variation in photosynthesis per unit leaf area, seedlings with attached seeds always had significantly greater leaf area than seedlings with removed seeds, resulting in significantly higher total plant photosynthesis at all three time periods. The ¹³C values of both the leaves and roots were more similar to that of the seed for seedlings with attached seeds than for seedlings with removed seeds, however, seed removal and seed size strongly affected root ¹³C. This study demonstrates that seed reserves have important effects on the early growth, physiology, and ¹³C of L. densiflora seedlings.     

入侵植物小花山桃草种群构件生物量结构及种子萌发特征

通过野外设置样方调查和室内萌发试验,研究小花山桃草种群各构件生物量的结构特征和它们之间的关系模型、繁殖分配以及种子萌发特点。结果表明:(1)小花山桃草根、茎、叶、花(果)序生物量与植株高度之间以及各构件生物量之间均呈正相关关系,可用幂函数模型或线性函数模型较好地表达;(2)各构件生物量在个体生物量中所占的比率表现为茎>花序>叶>根;(3)小花山桃草的繁殖投入和繁殖分配都随植株个体的增大而增加;(4)小花山桃草个体大小和繁殖投入之间为线性关系,而个体大小和繁殖分配之间为幂函数关系;(5)小花山桃草存在一个较小的繁殖阈值(0.6043g);(6)小花山桃草种子在有光照(12h)和黑暗条件下发芽率均可达到85%以上;未经贮藏的种子不萌发,低温沙藏(1～2℃)和室温干藏(14～32℃)一个半月种子萌发率分别可达92.5%和79%;低温沙藏时种子即可发芽,且发芽率可达61%。在研究地区,小花山桃草几乎整个生长季都可萌发,甚至初冬还有幼苗产生。小花山桃草构件生物量结构和繁殖分配特征、种子萌发特点等都有助于其入侵能力的提高,是其成功入侵我国的重要原因。     

Life histories of two desert species of the bulbous genus Bellevalia

Summary Annual biomass increment and biomass partitioning to leaves, roots and reproduction, and biomass storage in the below-ground bulb was measured in plants of two species of the geophytic genus Bellevalia grown outdoors at three levels of soil moisture. The differences between the species were in accordance with the hypothesis that plants of more arid environments should rely more on internal reserves than plants of more productive environments. In Bellevalia desertorum, a shallow rooted species of the most arid habitats in the Central Negev, leaf and root development during outgrowth at the beginning of winter was rather variable, and followed soil moisture availability to a certain degree. A small portion of its biomass budget was committed to seed production, which varied little among the irrigation regimes. The rest of the biomass was stored in the bulb. The amount of biomass devoted annually to reproduction was mainly determined by the amount of reserves already present in the bulb. In contrast, in B. eigii, which grows in the more productive wadis with its bulb at a depth of 15 to 30 cm, leaf and root growth was not only determined by water availability, but also by initial bulb mass. This resulted in a greater potential relative growth rate than in B. desertorum, but also in a greater risk of accumulating less biomass than it spent in root and leaf construction under poor soil moisture conditions. In this species, reproductive biomass and seed yield were proportional to current biomass gain and, in contrast to B. desertorum, independent of initial bulb mass, provided that the bulb was large enough to initiate flowering.     

Reproductive allocation of an annual,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Xanthium canadense</Emphasis>, at an elevated carbon dioxide concentration

Stimulation of vegetative growth by an elevated CO₂ concentration does not always lead to an increase in reproductive yield. This is because reproductive yield is determined by the fraction of biomass allocated to the reproductive part as well as biomass production. We grew Xanthium canadense at low N (LN) and high N levels (HN) under an ambient (360 mol mol^-1) and elevated (700 mol mol^-1) CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) in open-top chambers. Reproductive yield was analysed as the product of: (1) the duration of the reproductive period, (2) the rate of dry mass acquisition in the reproductive period, and (3) the fraction of acquired biomass allocated to the reproductive part. Elevated [CO₂] increased the total amount of biomass that was allocated to reproductive structures, but this increase was caused by increased capsule mass without a significant increase in seed production. The increase in total reproductive mass was due mainly to an increase in the rate of dry mass acquisition in the reproductive period with a delay in leaf senescence. This positive effect was partly offset by a reduction in biomass allocation to the reproductive part at elevated [CO₂] and HN. The duration of the reproductive period was not affected by elevated [CO₂] but increased by HN. Seed production was strongly constrained by the availability of N for seed growth. The seed [N] was very high in X. canadense and did not decrease significantly at elevated [CO₂]. HN increased seed [N] without a significant increase in seed biomass production. Limited seed growth caused a reduction in biomass allocation to the reproductive part even though dry mass production was increased due to increased [CO₂] and N availability.     

Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on fitness of an alpine species Cerastium glomeratum Thuill

Aims Information about how species respond to extreme environments, such as high UV-B radiation, is very useful in estimating natural ecosystem structure and functions in alpine areas. Our aim is to examine the effect of enhanced UV-B radiation on the fitness of an alpine meadow annual species on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Methods Plants of Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. were exposed to ambient (control) or ambient plus supplemental UV-B radiation (enhanced), simulating a 9% ozone depletion over Gannan, China (102°53′E, 34°55′N, 2900 m in altitude), up to leaf senescence and fruit maturation. Plant height, flower phenology, biomass allocation and reproductive parameters of the species were measured.Important findings Plant height in C. glomeratum was reduced by enhanced UV-B radiation at early growth stages and compensated with ongoing development. Fruit biomass, aboveground biomass, total biomass and reproductive effort (fruit dry mass/aboveground biomass) were not affected by enhanced UV-B radiation, but a significant increase in root/shoot ratio was found. Enhanced UV-B radiation delayed onset of flowering by 1 day and shortened duration of flowering by 5 days in C. glomeratum. But because of the long period of flowering time (83–88 days), this did not make any significant effect on flower number, seed number, pollination success (number of seeds per fruit) or reproductive success (fruit to flower ratio) in C. glomeratum. Enhanced UV-B radiation had no effect on seed germination and seed mass either. And the high production and low germination rate of the seed might be the strategy of C. glomeratum to survive the extreme environments on alpine meadow. All these results showed that C. glomeratum was tolerant to enhanced UV-B radiation.     

Allocation to reproduction following experimental defoliation in Platanthera bifolia (Orchidaceae)

The roles of herbivory and pollination success in plant reproduction have frequently been examined, but interactions between these two factors have gained much less attention. In three field experiments, we examined whether artificial defoliation affects allocation to attractiveness to pollinators, pollen production, female reproductive success and subsequent growth in Platanthera bifolia L. (Rich.). We also recorded the effects of inflorescence size on these variables. We studied the effects of defoliation on reproductive success of individual flowers in three sections of inflorescence. Defoliation and inflorescence size did not have any negative effects on the proportion of opened flowers, spur length, nectar production or the weight of pollinia. However, we found that hand-pollination increased relative seed production and defoliation decreased seed set in most cases. Interactions between hand-pollination and defoliation were non-significant indicating that defoliation did not affect female reproductive success indirectly via decreased pollinator attraction. Plants with a large inflorescence produced relatively more seeds than plants with a small inflorescence only after hand-pollination. The negative effect of defoliation on relative capsule production was most clearly seen in the upper sections of the inflorescence. In addition to within season effects of leaf removal, defoliated P. bifolia plants may also have decreased lifetime fitness as a result of lower seed set within a season and because of a lower number of reproductive events due to decreased plant size (leaf area) following defoliation. Our study thus shows that defoliation by herbivores may crucially affect reproductive success of P. bifolia.     

Allometric Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agriophyllum squarrosum</Emphasis> in Response to Soil Nutrients,Water, and Population Density in the Horqin Sandy Land of China

We monitored the allometric effects for greenhouse-grown Agriophyllum squarrosum plants in response to variations in population density and the availability of soil nutrients and water. Biomass allocations were size-dependent. The plasticity of roots, stems, leaves, and reproductive effort was “true” in response to changes in nutrient content. At a low level of soil minerals, plants allocated more resources to the development of roots and reproductive organs than to leaves, but data for stem allocations were consistent for tradeoffs between the effects of nutrients and plant size. The plasticities of leaf allocation and reproductive effort were “true” whereas those of root and stem allocations were “apparent” in response to fluctuations in soil water, being a function of plant size. Decreasing soil water content was associated with higher leaf allocation and lower reproductive effort. Except for this “apparent” plasticity of leaf allocation, none was detected with population density on biomass allocation. Architectural traits were determinants of the latter. For roots, the determining trait was the ratio of plant height to total biomass; for stems and reproduction, plant height; and for leaves, the ratio of branch numbers to plant height.     

Sexual dimorphism and resource allocation in male and female shrubs of Simmondsia chinensis

Summary Desert populations of the evergreen dioecious shrub Simmondsia chinensis exhibit sex-related leaf and canopy dimorphisms not present in populations from more mesic coastal environments. Leaves on female shrubs have characteristically larger sizes, greater specific weights, and greater water-holding capacity than male leaves in desert habitats. In coastal scrub environments no significant difference is present, with leaf characteristics of both sexes similar to those of desert male shrubs. Desert female shrub canopies are typically relatively open with little mutual branch shading. In male shrubs canopies are more densely branched with considerable mutual shading of branches. Female plants allocate a greater proportion of their vegetative resources to leaves than do male plants. Considering total biomass, male plants allocate 10–15% of their resources (biomass, calories, glucose-equivalents, nitrogen, phosphorus) to reproductive tissues. Female allocation is dependent on seed set. At 100% seed set females would allocate 30–40% of their resources to reproduction, while female reproductive investment would equal that of males at approximately 30% seed set. Sexual dimorphism and the associated physiological characteristics in Simmondsia act as an alternative to differential habitat selection by male and female plants. Female plants respond to limited water resources in desert areas by increasing their efficiency in allocating limited resources to reproductive structures.     

Effects of early-fruit removal on endogenous cytokinins and abscisic acid in relation to leaf senescence in cotton

Numerous studies have shown that early-fruit removal enhances vegetative growth and development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). However, few studies have examined changes in leaf senescence and endogenous hormones due to fruit removal. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between some endogenous phytohormones, particularly the cytokinins and abscisic acid (ABA), and leaf senescence following fruit removal. Cotton was grown in pots and in the field during 2005 and 2006. Two early-fruiting branches were excised from plants at squaring to form the fruit removal treatment while the non-excised plants served as control. Plant biomass, seed cotton yield, cytokinins and ABA levels in main-stem leaves and xylem sap as well as main-stem leaf photosynthetic rate (Pn) and chlorophyll (Chl) concentration were determined after removal or at harvest. Fruit removals increased the leaf area, root and shoot dry weight and plant biomass at 35 days after removal (DAR), whether in potted or field-grown cotton; under field conditions, it also improved plant biomass and seed cotton yield at harvest. The Pn and Chl concentration in excised plants were significantly higher than in control plants from 5 to 35 DAR, suggesting that fruit removal considerably delayed leaf senescence. Fruit-excised plants contained more trans-zeatin and its riboside (t-Z + t-ZR), dihydrozeatin and its riboside (DHZ + DHZR), and isopentenyladenine and its riboside (iP + iPA) but less ABA in both main-stem leaves and xylem sap than control plants from 5 to 35 DAR. These results suggest that removal of early fruiting branches delays main-stem leaf senescence, which can be attributed to increased cytokinin and/or reduced ABA. Cytokinin and ABA are involved in leaf senescence following early fruit removal.     

Facilitation and interference in subalpine meadows of the central Caucasus

Abstract. We studied the effects of neighbours on the biomass of seven randomly chosen species in species‐rich sub‐alpine meadows in the central Caucasus Mountains by comparing the performance of plants with neighbours removed experimentally to that of paired plants with their neighbours left intact. In most cases the removal of neighbours led to significant increases in vegetative and total above‐ground biomass implying the species were limited by competition. However, the neighbour removal led also to an increased leaf wilting for target plants, as well as to strong decline in reproductive effort for some species. We hypothesise that competition may be the prevailing type of interaction in species‐rich sub‐alpine meadow communities, but competitive effects on vegetative production may be balanced, if not outweighed, by facilitation, at least for some species. Such a balance may enhance species coexistence in communities.     

The effects of seed weight on growth and competitive ability of Rumex acetosella from two successional old-fields

Summary The effects of seed size on growth, biomass allocation and competitive ability of Rumex acetosella plants grown either individually or in competition were studied in two populations (6 months and 15 years old respectively) sampled from a postcultivation successional gradient. For plants grown individually there were highly significant effects of seed weight on growth after 43 days, with a higher relative growth rate (RGR) observed for plants raised from heavier seeds. However at the end of the experiment, seedlings developed from lighter seeds had a RGR 2 times greater than those from heavier seeds. Final biomass of the two types was not significantly different after 73 days of growth. When plants were grown individually, there were only slight differences between populations, but when grown in monocultures of 4 plants per pot, plants from the old population had higher root and leaf biomass per pot whereas those from the young population had a higher reproductive effort per pot. This suggests that a trade-off between allocation to sexual and vegetative reproduction occurs over successional time. In mixtures of light and heavy seeds, plants from light seeds were shorter, had fewer leaves and lower biomass than plants from heavy seeds, which were also taller and produced more dry matter than plants grown from heavy seeds in monoculture. The significant effects of seed weight and population on biomass parameters persisted unit the end of the experiment. Seedlings from heavy seeds were strong competitors: those from the young population grew better in the presence of neighbors than in monoculture and those from the late successional population suppressed the more the growth of their partners. Seedlings from light seeds were subordinate competitors. These results suggest that seedlings from seeds of different sizes benefit from contrasting ecological conditions and that selection acts on reproductive output along successional gradients.     

Changing water use and adaptive strategies along rainfall gradients in Mediterranean lupins

• There is growing interest in harnessing the genetic and adaptive diversity of crop wild relatives to improve drought resilience of elite cultivars. Rainfall gradients exert strong selection pressure on both natural and agricultural ecosystems. Understanding plant responses to these facilitates crop improvement.
• Wild and domesticated narrow‐leafed lupin (NLL) collected along Mediterranean terminal drought stress gradients was evaluated under contrasting reproductive phase water supply in controlled field, glasshouse and cabinet studies. Plant phenology, growth and productivity, water use and stress responses were measured over time.
• There is an integrated suite of adaptive changes along rainfall gradients in NLL. Low rainfall ecotypes flower earlier, accumulate lower seed numbers, biomass and leaf area, and have larger root:shoot ratios than high rainfall ecotypes. Water‐use is lower and stress onset slower in low compared to high rainfall ecotypes. Water‐use rates and ecotypic differences in stress response (Ψleaf decline, leaf loss) are lower in NLL than yellow lupin (YL). To mitigate the effects of profligate water use, high rainfall YL ecotypes maintain higher leaf water content over declining leaf water potential than low rainfall ecotypes. There is no evidence for such specific adaptation in NLL.
• The data suggests that appropriate phenology is the key adaptive trait to rainfall gradients in NLL because of the flow‐on effects on biomass production, fitness, transpiration and stress onset, and the lack of physiological adaptations as in YL. Accordingly, it is essential to match phenology with target environment in order to minimize risk and maximize yield potential.

     

Differential effects of type and quantity of leaf damage on growth,reproduction and defence of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.)

Folivores are major plant antagonists in most terrestrial ecosystems. However, the quantitative effects of leaf area loss on multiple interacting plant traits are still little understood. We sought to contribute to filling this lack of understanding by applying different types of leaf area removal (complete leaflets versus leaflet parts) and degrees of leaf damage (0, 33 and 66%) to lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) plants. We quantified various growth and fitness parameters including above‐ and belowground biomass as well as the production of reproductive structures (fruits, seeds). In addition, we measured plant cyanogenic potential (HCNp; direct chemical defence) and production of extrafloral nectar (EFN; indirect defence). Leaf damage reduced above‐ and belowground biomass production in general, but neither variation in quantity nor type of damage resulted in different biomass. Similarly, the number of fruits and seeds was significantly reduced in all damaged plants without significant differences between treatment groups. Seed mass, however, was affected by both type and quantity of leaf damage. Leaf area loss had no impact on HCNp, whereas production of EFN decreased with increasing damage. While EFN production was quantitatively affected by leaf area removal, the type of damage had no effect. Our study provides a thorough analysis of the quantitative and qualitative effects of defoliation on multiple productivity‐related and defensive plant traits and shows strong differences in plant response depending on trait. Quantifying such plant responses is vital to our understanding of the impact of herbivory on plant fitness and productivity in natural and agricultural ecosystems.     

The influence of elevated CO2 on species phenology, growth and reproduction in a Mediterranean old-field community

We studied the effects on the phenology, growth and reproduction of 19 Mediterranean species, of elevating the atmospheric CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) to twice-ambient. Intact monoliths were taken from an old-field and put, during a six month growing season, into growth chambers in which external climatic conditions were mimicked and [CO₂] was regulated. Fruit set time was significantly changed in six species under elevated [CO₂] and leaf and branch senescence accelerated in most species. Grasses had fewer leaves and legumes were more branched at peak production under elevated [CO₂] than under ambient. Plant seed number was not significantly changed under elevated [CO₂], whereas the reproductive effort of grasses was significantly depressed. Reproductive and vegetative characteristics showed related responses to [CO₂], as species with enhanced biomass had a hastened fruit set time, a higher number of fruits per plant and a higher reproductive biomass under elevated [CO₂] than under ambient conditions, while species with depressed biomass had a delayed fruit set time, a lower number of fruits per plant and a lower reproductive biomass. Our results also show a high interspecific variability in [CO₂] response, but some trends emerged at the family level: the production of vegetative and reproductive modules were depressed in grasses and slightly stimulated in legumes.     

不同土壤养分水平下2种外来鬼针草和近缘本地种的比较研究

【背景】鬼针草属白花鬼针草和三叶鬼针草原产于热带美洲,入侵我国后给生态环境、农业经济等造成严重的危害和影响。目前,关于它们的研究主要针对单个物种。为了更好地理解这2种外来鬼针草的入侵能力和入侵机制,本文开展了这2种入侵种与近缘本地种之间的比较研究。【方法】通过盆栽试验,设置低肥和高肥2个养分水平,测量和计算2种外来鬼针草与近缘本地种金盏银盘在不同土壤养分水平下的形态和生长参数、生物量及其分配、繁殖持续期、单株种子产量以及表型可塑性指数等。【结果】在低肥条件下,除了繁殖持续期和种子产量外,2种外来种和本地种的大多数参数均无显著差异。但在高肥条件下,外来种白花鬼针草的总叶面积、比叶面积、叶面积比、繁殖持续期和种子产量明显高于本地种,而三叶鬼针草总叶面积、比叶面积、总生物量、相对生长速率却显著低于本地种。在对土壤养分的可塑性方面,白花鬼针草在株高、总叶面积、比叶面积、总生物量、叶面积比、相对生长速率、平均叶面积比和种子产量方面的可塑性均高于其他2种植物;三叶鬼针草与金盏银盘相比,大多数参数的可塑性指数较接近。【结论与意义】白花鬼针草是一种入侵能力很强的外来种。长的繁殖持续期和高种子产量是白花鬼针草和三叶鬼针草有别于本地种金盏银盘的重要入侵性状。本研究可为揭示三叶鬼针草和白花鬼针草的入侵机制和影响因素提供依据,并为入侵预测和控制提供基本资料。