[Growth strategies of different age classes of ramets in Kalimeris integrifolia population at the Songnen Plains of China].
As a perennial forage, Kalimeris integrifolia Turcz. Ex DC is a species of Compositea clone plant, which has a high potential in vegetative propagation by root crowns. Its population was constructed by three age classes of ramets. In the Songnen Plains the middle ten days of June is the more vigorous vegetative growth period of the clone ramets. The results showed that the capabilities of ramet growth and production were the lowest in the 1st age class and heightened in the 2nd and 3rd age classes. Biomass allocations were the most in stem, more in leaves, and the least in tapoot of three age classes of ramets. The biomass allocation in leaves was the most in the 1st age class, more in the 2nd age class, and the least in the 3rd age class, but those in stem and in taproot were all the least in the 1st age class lesser in the 2nd age class, and the most in the 3rd age class. The relationships between total weight and height, leaf weight and stem weight, and taproot weight and shoot weight of clone ramets were all power function, but the biomass allocation in taproot was linearly decreased with height increase in three age classes. The strategies of growth and biomass allocation of the population ramets were: 1) the biomass allocation in leaves was more in the young period to ensure the productive organ constructed continuously, and hence, more productive material was gradually allocated in stem and taproot with the growth of ramets, 2) the energy allocation of ramets was less in taproot, but the biomass allocation in taproot was relatively more in young period, and then, the prorate decreased with ramet growth, and the ratio kept relatively steady.
Yang
Yunfei
Y
Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory for Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China. yangyf@nenu.edu.cn
Li
Jiandong
J
D018533:Biomass; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development; D006109:Poaceae / Q000254:growth & development*