Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment ›› 2017, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (2): 150-158.doi: 10.11934/j.issn.1673-4831.2017.02.008

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Biomass Distribution and Allometric Analysis of Bidens frondosa Relative to Growth Stage

YAN Xiao-hong1,2, HE Chun-lan1, ZHOU Bing1, WANG Ning1, YIN Zeng-fang2   

  1. 1. School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China;
    2. College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
  • Received:2016-01-26 Online:2017-02-25 Published:2017-02-14

Abstract:

The relationship between biomass distribution and allometric growth is closely related to formation of plant ecological strategies, it is of great significance to understand adaptability of a plant to environment and to reveal mechanism of invasive plants invading a region. At present, not much has been reported concerning relationship between biomass distribution and allometric growth relative to growth stage of an invasive plant. A study on Bidens frondosa, an invasive species, was carried out using excavation and weight methods to explore growth characteristics and biomass distribution of the plant at its seedling stage, vegetative growing stage and reproductive stage. And then analysis was done of allometric relations between modular morphological characteristics and biomass with the standardized major axis estimation method (SMA). Results show that plant height, base stem diameter, branch number and leaf number increased with the plant growing from one stage to the next stage, and root length, total leaf area and mean single leaf area peaked at the vegetative growth stage. Leaf peaked in biomass distribution ratio at the seedling stage period (48.88%), while stem did at the reproductive stage (59.89%). Root at the seedling and vegetative growth stages was significantly higher in biomass distribution ratio than that at the reproductive stage (P<0.05). Stem increased in biomass distribution ratio with the plant growing from one stage to the next stage, while leaf did reversely and varied sharply with the stage (P<0.05). Moreover, base stem diameter of the plant was in allometric relationships with all the other plant parameters in biomass, whereas total leaf area was in isometric relationships with stem and leaf biomass. However, the allometric relationships between tissues of the plant varied with the growth stage. Obviously, growth characteristics, biomass distribution and allometric relationships of B. frondosa vary with the growth stage, indicating its flexible growth and resource allocation strategy.

Key words: growth stage, Bidens frondosa, invasion, biomass distribution, allometry

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