Abstract Detail

Recent Topics Posters

Hanna, Victoria [1], Mooney, Kailen [1].

The effects of plant sex and genotype on plant-herbivore interactions.

Net primary productivity (NPP)of a system has been shown to increase with increasing intra-specific plant diversity. However, it is unclear exactly which traits have the strongest effects on diversity and how these effects are influenced by ecological conditions. The intent of this study was to test for the effects of diversity within a single study species with respect to diversity in plant growth rate and plant sex, and whether such effects were contingent upon the effects of herbivores. Pairs of Baccharissalicifolia plants were measured for total growth after 18 months in treatments with and without herbivores. Each pair was characterized as either a monoculture or a polyculture with respect to the traits of plant growth rate (fast or slow) and plant sex(male or female). Diversity effects were not seen for plant growth rate but were apparent for plant sex,with these effects depending on herbivory. When herbivores were present, polycultures grew more than monocultures. When herbivores were absent, polycultures grew less than monocultures. Plant sex encompasses a whole suite of ecological traits while growth rate is a single trait; consequently, the ultimate cause (specific traits) of these diversity effects associated with plant sex are still unknown. In summary, we have shown herbivory to mediate diversity effects and that such effects occur with respect to some but not all plant traits.

Broader Impacts:

1 - University of California, Irvine, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 3112 Biological Sciences 3, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA

Keywords:
dioecious 
Baccharis salicifolia
herbivory
plant / insect interactions
species interactions
genotype interactions
Net primary productivity
diversity effects.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P
Location: Battelle South/Convention Center
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT006
Abstract ID:1290