Phenotypic Plasticity Drives the Successful Expansion of the Invasive Plant <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i> in Bayanbulak, China
To better understand the phenotypic plasticity of the highly invasive native weed, <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i>, we investigated and compared phenotypes (morphology, biomass, and nutrient composition) at different levels of invasion (low: 0 < cover ≤ 30%; medium: 30% < cover ≤ 70%...
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| author | Wenchao Li Liju Huang Lei Yang Yanyan Liu Huimei Chen Wenjun Li |
| author_facet | Wenchao Li Liju Huang Lei Yang Yanyan Liu Huimei Chen Wenjun Li |
| author_sort | Wenchao Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | To better understand the phenotypic plasticity of the highly invasive native weed, <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i>, we investigated and compared phenotypes (morphology, biomass, and nutrient composition) at different levels of invasion (low: 0 < cover ≤ 30%; medium: 30% < cover ≤ 70%; and high: cover > 70%). With the increase in invasion level, the plasticity of inflorescence length, single-leaf thickness, and specific leaf area increased, while the plasticity of single-leaf area and crown width decreased. During the invasion process, we observed significant density-dependent effects, including changed morphological characteristics, increased total aboveground biomass, and decreased plant height, inflorescence length, root length, crown width, single-leaf area, structure biomass of structures (root, stem, inflorescence), and individual biomass (<i>p</i> < 0.05). During the reproductive period of <i>P. kansuensis</i>, the resource allocation (C, N, and P content, total biomass, biomass allocation) to inflorescence was significantly higher than to root and stem, while the elemental ratios (C:N, C:P, N:P) of inflorescences were significantly lower than those of roots and stems (<i>p</i> < 0.05). When the invasion level increased, the ratio of inflorescence C:N and biomass allocation to roots increased significantly; conversely, inflorescence N and biomass allocation to inflorescences and stems decreased significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05). This led to a decrease in resource allocation to aboveground parts and more resources allocated to the roots, significantly increasing the root-to-shoot ratio (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Based on the phenotypic differences among different invasion levels, we suggest that <i>P. kansuensis</i> adapted to a competitive environment by regulating morphology, biomass, and nutrient allocation, thereby enhancing the potential of invasion and spread. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:40:49Z |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:40:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-64e0cb4d11364d5cb9570c546af316ac2023-11-17T10:36:56ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182023-02-0115331310.3390/d15030313Phenotypic Plasticity Drives the Successful Expansion of the Invasive Plant <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i> in Bayanbulak, ChinaWenchao Li0Liju Huang1Lei Yang2Yanyan Liu3Huimei Chen4Wenjun Li5State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, ChinaTo better understand the phenotypic plasticity of the highly invasive native weed, <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i>, we investigated and compared phenotypes (morphology, biomass, and nutrient composition) at different levels of invasion (low: 0 < cover ≤ 30%; medium: 30% < cover ≤ 70%; and high: cover > 70%). With the increase in invasion level, the plasticity of inflorescence length, single-leaf thickness, and specific leaf area increased, while the plasticity of single-leaf area and crown width decreased. During the invasion process, we observed significant density-dependent effects, including changed morphological characteristics, increased total aboveground biomass, and decreased plant height, inflorescence length, root length, crown width, single-leaf area, structure biomass of structures (root, stem, inflorescence), and individual biomass (<i>p</i> < 0.05). During the reproductive period of <i>P. kansuensis</i>, the resource allocation (C, N, and P content, total biomass, biomass allocation) to inflorescence was significantly higher than to root and stem, while the elemental ratios (C:N, C:P, N:P) of inflorescences were significantly lower than those of roots and stems (<i>p</i> < 0.05). When the invasion level increased, the ratio of inflorescence C:N and biomass allocation to roots increased significantly; conversely, inflorescence N and biomass allocation to inflorescences and stems decreased significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05). This led to a decrease in resource allocation to aboveground parts and more resources allocated to the roots, significantly increasing the root-to-shoot ratio (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Based on the phenotypic differences among different invasion levels, we suggest that <i>P. kansuensis</i> adapted to a competitive environment by regulating morphology, biomass, and nutrient allocation, thereby enhancing the potential of invasion and spread.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/3/313<i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i>Bayanbulak Grasslandmorphological characteristicsbiomass allocationnutrient composition |
| spellingShingle | Wenchao Li Liju Huang Lei Yang Yanyan Liu Huimei Chen Wenjun Li Phenotypic Plasticity Drives the Successful Expansion of the Invasive Plant <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i> in Bayanbulak, China Diversity <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i> Bayanbulak Grassland morphological characteristics biomass allocation nutrient composition |
| title | Phenotypic Plasticity Drives the Successful Expansion of the Invasive Plant <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i> in Bayanbulak, China |
| title_full | Phenotypic Plasticity Drives the Successful Expansion of the Invasive Plant <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i> in Bayanbulak, China |
| title_fullStr | Phenotypic Plasticity Drives the Successful Expansion of the Invasive Plant <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i> in Bayanbulak, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phenotypic Plasticity Drives the Successful Expansion of the Invasive Plant <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i> in Bayanbulak, China |
| title_short | Phenotypic Plasticity Drives the Successful Expansion of the Invasive Plant <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i> in Bayanbulak, China |
| title_sort | phenotypic plasticity drives the successful expansion of the invasive plant i pedicularis kansuensis i in bayanbulak china |
| topic | <i>Pedicularis kansuensis</i> Bayanbulak Grassland morphological characteristics biomass allocation nutrient composition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/3/313 |
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