Photosynthetica, 2008 (vol. 46), issue 2

Photosynthetica 2008, 46(2):299 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-008-0054-4

Effects of clonal integration on photosynthesis of the invasive clonal plant Alternanthera philoxeroides

J. Liu1,2, W. M. He1, S. M. Zhang1, F. H. Liu1, M. Dong1,*, R. Q. Wang2
1 State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
2 Institute of Environment Research, Shandong University, Ji'nan, P. R. China

A greenhouse experiment examined whether clonal integration improves photosynthesis of ramets of alligator weed [Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.], a widespread invasive clonal plant in China, in heterogeneous (He) nutrient habitats. The connected pairs of ramets experienced different nutrient levels [high homogeneous (Ho) nutrient, low Ho nutrient, and two He nutrient treatments]. Clonal integration significantly improved the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and minimal and maximal chlorophyll fluorescence of ramets of alligator weed in low nutrient condition. These characteristics may contribute to the success of the ramets of alligator weed in invading contrasting habitats. The clonal integration of the invasive clonal plants may contribute significantly to their invasiveness.

Keywords: alligator weed; biological invasions; chlorophyll fluorescence; clonal plants; net photosynthetic rate; photosystem 2; nutrient heterogeneity; stomatal conductance; sub-stomatal CO2 concentration; transpiration rate

Received: July 27, 2007; Accepted: November 8, 2007; Published: June 1, 2008Show citation

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Liu, J., He, W.M., Zhang, S.M., Liu, F.H., Dong, M., & Wang, R.Q. (2008). Effects of clonal integration on photosynthesis of the invasive clonal plant Alternanthera philoxeroides. Photosynthetica46(2), 299. doi: 10.1007/s11099-008-0054-4.
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