INTERACTIONS IN THE PATTERNS OF VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION IN WOODY DIOECIOUS PLANTS
No Thumbnail Available
Date
1984
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Interactions between vegetative growth and reproduction were evaluated in Peumus boldus, Lithraea caustica and Laretia acaulis, woody dioecious species in central Chile. Phenological observations were made periodically on marked branches of male and female plants, and biomass allocation (dry weight) to vegetative and reproductive tissues was measured. The magnitude of flowering was evaluated in groups of plants in 3 successive seasons. The patterns of activities are species- and sex-dependent, and cycles of 2-4 yr were established. Branches that produce flowers either do not grow or grow less than branches without flowers, and males and females have differential resource allocation: male branches attain higher biomass values. Groups of plants show seasonal behavior that suggest synchrony in their reproductive activities.