Studies on the biology of Panicum repens L. II. Intraspecific competition and resource‐allocation

Abstract

The effects of intraspecific competition on the growth, development and resource‐allocation of Panicum repens was studied under greenhouse conditions. Evidence of severe intraspecific competition and adjustments to plant growth as a response to stress caused by competition, was seen from fairly early stages. An eight‐fold difference in initial plant density per pot, did not produce a significant difference in the dry weight accumulation between densities by 16‐weeks. Increase in plant density resulted in a very significant decrease in dry weight accumulation on a per plant basis, as expected. In general, dry weight partitioning into rhizomes and inflorescences increased with time at all densities, with a concomitant decrease in the percent dry weight partitioned into roots and shoots. Under low density conditions more dry weight was partitioned into inflorescences than at higher densities, indicating a shift in resource‐allocation with changing density. However, the expected shift of dry weight partitioning towards rhizome production at the highest densities was not evident. Allocation of resources to rhizomes did not vary with density. Even the lowest density plants which were not subjected to competitive stress, and the plants at the highest density, all allocated about one fifth of their dry weights to rhizomes. Plants under the highest density stress showed a very significant reduction in the number of tillers they produced and tiller dry weights, on both per pot and per plant basis. The study provides several insights into the highly adaptive and competitive nature of the grass weed, which contribute greatly to its success as a species.